One thing i would like to ask why are they banning these things its a hobby??
Means In India We are not allowed to fly Multirotors or Helis from now onwards??
Regards,
Aman.

This has also been my analogy for quite some time

Updates :

9.1.2015 : - ANTENNAE UP AS DRONES TAKE WING

http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31807&articlexml=ANTENNAE-UP-AS-DRONES-TAKE-WING-09012015002011

10.1.2015 : - City police to frame guidelines, clip wings of unmanned aerial vehicles

http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31807&articlexml=City-police-to-frame-guidelines-clip-wings-of-10012015003030

Somewhat overkill but the new rules do have some merit. It's a well known, self imposed rule among RCers that we stay well away from people, buildings and cars. Here in Australia we are limited to under 400 feet. Where they got the 40,000 feet is laughable. Has anyone you know flown at 40,000 feet? None of my quads have the endurance or battery power to achieve such heights. You certainly wouldn't be able to see it so why risk losing it?

If a copter, tri, hex, quad or any configuration is being flown safely and sensibly, there should be no reason to get tough. In this instance, it was a foolish act to fly from the top of a building but it didn't "drop on a Sun bather" so the media have yet another field day and damage the reputation of law abiding pilots. The pilot in question has suffered enough by the damage caused by his errant ways. I think a fine and a stern telling off is all that's required. Banning anything only leads to flying in secret. Australia tried to ban CB radio. As soon as it became known it was illegal, every CB which arrived from Japan was snapped up. The same could happen with copters. Make pilots responsible for their machines and hit them with stiff fines if they are caught ignoring their responsibilities. Copters can be a great asset for many reasons. I don't know of one person who would pass up an opportunity to help in times of flood or help in a search for a missing person. Utilize them when needed, form clubs and set aside areas for teaching new pilots. There are many things which could be done, but DON'T over restrict or ban them. They are a new commodity and they are improving at a faster and faster rate. Inbuilt emergency parachutes will appear, flight controllers will become bullet proof (well almost) and they will become safer to fly in the right hands. The best thing for keen pilots to do is show the authorities what these copters can do for your communities. Perhaps a little self regulation may help. One last thing, stop referring to them as DRONES. It's a dirty word and riddled with thoughts of spying, death and destruction. Call them copters, multicopters as a group, or quadcopters, tricopters, octocopters or hexcopters singularly. Oh yes, one important thing, if someone comes up to you whilst flying you copter to ask questions, firstly ask them to wait until you land it. show it to them and answer their questions. Show them it's fitted with missiles and tell them the camera, if one's fitted, is strictly for fun or FPV and not to peek in bedroom windows etc. Tell them what it can be used for and you're learning to fly it as safely as possible. Prove to them they aren't what the media is calling them. You then have an informed member of your community. People tend to talk about things they've learned and just maybe that one conversation could lead to an acceptance of your hobby and not a blanket condemnation of it.

Here endeth the lesson.  Sorry guys, I tend to get frustrated at closed minds. I fight for what I believe is right and my weapon is my keyboard as well as my copters. Happy flying to you all.    Stu

Sorry, I just realised I may have been out of order with my post. I'm afraid I have no idea of your way of life in India. If I appear to be bullheaded, you could be right. I'm known for calling a spade a spade, not a shovel. If you think my post is rude and offends you I truly apologize. Please don't think you'll upset by by putting me in my place. This problem could be seen as Your problem and I have no right to butt in. If I'm wrong for goodness sake tell me and I'll know next time. I was speaking as an RCer and quadcopter flyer and hopefully a friend.

Well said Propfella, everybody must try and avoid putting the hobby for any wrong reason in the media.

Well Said Stu.  We all must act responsibly and campaign to earn good name for the hobby and steer it clear from this unwarranted negative media glare. 

Sundaramji,

The beginning of 2015 has proved to be a setback for the hobby.

Now how do we fly model aircrafts, shud i go to the local police station to get an NOC to fly.

Can a member of the AMAI fly without NOC ?

I am feeling very sad and i myself have seen people flying recklessly and always feared that this would happen one day.

As always lots of confusion due to lack of an organisation for the sake of this hobby.

God save the hobby.

Thanks

Arun

I wont suggest you to go to local police station and get your name noted down, avoid city flying for a while and let the tension subside lets be inside bunker😆 for a while thats safe right now.

Thank you deepikarun and Sundaram, with people such as yourselves in this hobby you will succeed, I'm certain. I've written on another section about this matter and in agreement with what you've said in your posts. The hobby needs people to show you're not a bunch of rebels but sensible, normal people who simply wish to participate in a fantastic hobby without restrictive and humiliating laws being passed.

I think having to register to fly your copters as an easy thing to accept. As long as it's the person and not the copter who's registered. Use the licence as a badge, show the public and the Government you don't want to fight over the licence only to fight for your hobby. Actually "fight" is possibly a little strong a word. Rather than be seen as an activist, maybe "energetically support" your hobby sounds a little less confrontational. :-)

I hate to say it Maheshwaran but hiding from your hobby isn't something you should do. Simply do as asked and show the authorities there are many people who want to fly. By avoiding getting that approval you will only make them believe it's a waste of time and any report (which is bound to be generated) will simply say either, "there's no flyers" or "if there are any they're a bunch of wimps"

Don't be ashamed of enjoying your hobby, you gain absolutely nothing by avoiding that approval. However, you will gain much by being open and honest. Anyway, who wants to stop flying? I certainly wouldn't. :-)

I am sure Deepak this has been discussed umpteen times in this very forum before.

Best example which come to my mind is Zonuna and Gang of MAA of Mizoram.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/136947296318616/?fref=nf

They are not a National body but where they are they are larger than life in this Hobby. How these guys from the farthest remote corners of India have organized themselves into and responsible Group and pursuing the activity aggressively with the sponsor and blessings of State Authorities are carrying out the flying activities under the state umbrella.

Instead of being the Lone Ranger Its required for all the hobbyist of the town and area to organize yourself into a flying Group. Identify yourself a suitable flying field for the group without encroaching on anyone else space and privacy and carry out flying activity without disturbing peace of others. Lay down yourself a code  of conduct and safety guidelines for the group and abide by it. You can just blindly follow whats been laid out by AMAI to begin with. All the while involve local Authorities and keep them informed of your Activity. There will be many occasions where you can organize a small airshow for the local community as a part of a bigger occasions where state authorities are also involved such as republic days, independence days, school/ college science fests, community gatherings to gain good publicity.

All the while yes if you can also become the member of AMAI  doing all the above, yes you are further strengthening the national body of the hobby.

Nope, you are not! You are expressing in the same lines as our views are, and it is a global thing. Almost, everywhere, every country hobbyist is facing the same or similar. I bought a radio kit & other accessories for fixed wing flying, haven't flown yet; and I am now a bit skeptical. Should I, or should I not pursue in this field?!

Why do you hesitate to fly your plane Ashok? I can understand if it's a legal thing which stops you, but I can't understand why you're skeptical. As long as you're not breaking any law, upsetting anyone or acting dangerously, I say "go for it" Once you've had a taste for flying you'll never forget it. Mind you, if you haven't flown before I do suggest you find someone to guide you until you're capable of flying alone.

A great post Sundaram, you summed things up perfectly. Well said.   Stu

Interesting video

Hesitating because my hard earned money might get me into unnecessary trouble with things hovering currently. I started aeromodelling when I was 9-10yr old or so, and in later years have accomplished with a few first places in national level competition while in NCC, India. But that was 20+yrs back, things were very different then! I will keep flying for sure, only if it does not sound trouble to me.. Hope to complete my models soon and take them out for flying this summer.. hopefully

Guys The phantom is a very reliable craft.. It's only pilot error which causes flyaway!! And these photographer's are knuckleheads they don't know science they only know is about their Nikon or Canon they think flying a craft is child's play!!  They don't practice they never learn how to fly they only take the craft from the seller and push the throttle up!!!  We should ask DGCA to provide licence as we have in car and bikes!!  And even real aircraft!!

Wow interesting video indeed, I dont think I could get away with something like this here  . Cops would have snatched the camera,mobile my vehicle along with my copter as evidence most probably,even before the no fly notification came in. Its another thing that I could have probably fled the scene even before they arrive 

Anyways I just hope sense prevails and they begin regulating instead of banning for hobbyists specifically. In turn I would expect hobbyists to fly away from populated areas(or designated areas), within LOS and 400ft AGL and not using 900mhz telemetry when you know its used for GSM! etc.

Meanwhile, Im going to travel those extra kms to the site, where you wont find anyone else other than me. Better safe than sorry!

Well said Side Winder. The joy of flying is just as great when you're away from the madding crowd AS for the idiot and his quad copter, he was simply there to provoke the FBI or anyone else who arrived. I'm just so glad I don't live where he does. Basically where I live, as long as I'm more than 5km from an airport, under 400 feet and flying in a safe manner without houses below, we are left alone to enjoy our hobby. I used to fly on the outskirts of my town on private property but sadly the owner banned quadcopters as he stated "they are a fire hazard".  The strange thing was he allowed very large and very fast planes with much larger batteries on board to be flown, plus no more than 3 months later he decided quadcopters were great and he now flies nothing else. Strange indeed I now fly in a very large sporting field no more than 800 meters from my front door. Stu

UAV used by IAS officer, in madurai for illegal granite quarry inspection.
(UAV did not survive.)

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/uav-falls-into-water-in-quarry-pit/article6782775.ece

There was a news yesterday in the TV that it was recovered from water.

Seems DJI Phantoms are zooming around Tamilnadu

Bad for us.

This would be great news for you guys. Your "Legal Commisioner" actually using a quadcopter in his work. His position would give him a lot of power in your Government. What better person to keep onside to get your copters legalized and accepted. How can a Government stop ordinary people from doing something it itself is doing. Someone using the right approach could have this man really helping your cause. Look at the positive side, it's terrific news.