Flying Wolf_NOL
Second Officer
Flight distance : 345827 ft
United States
Offline
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Ok, Let me first say that, I understand the need for some control of the UAV by the manufacturer (not really, but let's say that I do).
The specs for the P4P camera rival even that of the inspire. So, while the air frame may not be 'professional', the optics certainly are (or very close). The P4P will be a very popular platform for commercial pilots starting a drone photography and videography business. Many of these customers will get (or have) their part 107 license
My question is this;
Rather than send out a firmware that locks down ALL uav. What about this. When a pilot learns, takes, passes and is part 107 certified (in the US of course), that certificate is forwarded to DJI and they COMPLETELY UNLOCK the aircraft. As it is, part 107 pilots know what airspace needs to be authorized and what to do to make that happen. They know and have proven that they know the right thing to do. Why add another 'layer' of hoops to jump through when the FAA has already created plenty!
In fact, what if you have your 107 BEFORE you purchase your drone - you order, submit that proof and get an unlocked drone. You have to register it with the FAA anyway, so if you ever unregistered it (to sell it) there would be a paper trail and if the buyer isn't part 107 certified, the drone would then be locked. It know it sounds like a lot for DJI to keep up with.... well, if you want control AND want to offer great customer service, if may take some work. I paid my money, why do I have to do the leg work too?
Also, people without the part 107 would understand that their drones would not only be locked for NFZ, but that their aircraft would not be subject to the same specs (distance and altitude) as part 107 pilots. Hobbyists don't need more that, say, 3000 feet distance and... I don't know, lets say 200' (agl). Why would a hobbyists need a drone rated to travel over 4 miles?! It would be an easy thing to sell part 107 approved (commercial) and hobbyist versions of the phantom 4 Pro (or any drone for that matter). After all, gun manufacturers do it with guns, they'll make the 'full version' plus a California version, plus a Michigan version, and so on. If they can do it, so can DJI.
So, treat this enterprise like, let's say a car manufacturer or a gun manufacturer. You ONLY sell the product. The buyer assumes ALL responsibility for the use of the product. If you drive drunk or shoot someone - the INDIVIDUAL who breaks the law is the one who is responsible - NOT the company who built the product. cars, guns, drones,....... pretty much any product you can name can be used for both good..... or evil. You can't get criminals to obey laws. That's not what they do. However, with restrictions piled on top of restrictions, you CAN p!ss off the good guy who buys your product and wants to do the right thing with it.... but can't, because control of the property that he purchased has been taken away. Sorry for the rant, but there has to be a better way to do this.
I know some people will say.... but, but, but... drones can do XYZ and cause terrible things to happen to innocent people..... kind of like a person who steals a truck and rams into a crowd of people? See what I'm saying? bad people WILL ALWAYS do bad things with whatever they can get their hands on. Making my drone a paperweight isn't going to change that. |
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