Quote from: antojk on December 24, 2009, 03:14:18 PM
I think the FLt. Lieutenant did some scar tactics to ensure that you guys are bona-fide. When It comes to safety of our country, I would side with Lieutenant.  You guys know well R/C aircraft can easily be used for nefarious activity. What with autopilots and route navigation equipment available to make ur R/C a UAV..

What I feel that much like in the aviation industry or even in flight simmers world, we should come up with a common licence system and some education about what to do and what not to do. Organizing all the small flying clubs and flyers to follow a certain basic set of validations with the local authority, the police and /or air-traffic or army would only enhance the longevity of the hobby.

• I believe airspace related information is important and a basic intro to general aviation information would be interesting. If there are professional pilots/ATC's among us get their advice and formulate the do/don'ts.
• Elicit the support the rich/famous/influencial R/C flyers to support our cause. Rahul Gandhi, is an avid R/C enthusiast, so are many film personalities etc..
• May be issue an ID card, which is common to all R/C flyers across the country.

Let's enjoy our hobby in a legitimate fashion

Every word said above is correct. I agree that airforce wanted to check if we were genuine or not. Our presence was a surprise to them ,as they had come for their Helicopter slithering practise.
Like the Chennai guys have done with Sholavaram, we would like to provide Airforce with a list of names of aeromodellers in our city, and details of our models. Plus inform ATC about our activity before flying.

In the ideal world, as you said all legitimate aeromodellers would get licences/ID cards. That would make us guilt-free. Last week's incident made me feel how vulnerable we all are in the hands of police/airforce/army etc. Since i dealt with airforce, they knew about aeromodelling. If it was the police or army, things would have been very difficult.

Should be loud and clear to all of us on the need for a national level organization like the AMA, which will automatically identify us to any regulatory or government organization. At least to legitimize and insure the hobby and us.