On Apr 20, 2023, at 1:02 PM, Jim Quinn <jimquinndallas@...> wrote:

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Friends,

Those of you who know me probably remember that I have a drone business, but I'm not your average drone guy and I don't usually refer to myself as a "drone pilot", but rather a "drone operator."

With my business, I'm often approached onsite at different locations by people who are interested in what I'm doing, and I'm appalled by those who approach me and start talking about their own drones and how/where they fly, etc. and ask about my experiences, taskings, and that sort of thing.? I'm stunned by the number of clueless individuals who are stunned that, for the flying they describe, they need to be licensed by the FAA to operate their drone equipment.? I take the time to express my opinions in plain English when I realize what they're doing is dangerous and/or illegal.? Since I've had my PPL since 5/14/81 and have the FAA Part 107 drone operators license I like to stay current with the rules and operations of drone activity and I also have the added responsibility and respect the fact that if I get a violation, it not only will show up on the drone side of things but could very, very easily affect my PPL privileges as well.? Airspace violations are airspace violations, and there is no way I want to have any violations on my records, especially for being stupid with the drone.? I am definitely heavily insured for my drone activities and for liability only, my premiums are more than $500/year so I don't want any increases...

Having said all that, I did see a video that I want to pass on to everyone that concerns an aerial collision between a Canadian police drone and a C-172.? Both were flown legally? in the same airspace, however the police drone weighing 16 pounds (my own is less than two pounds), did some incredible damage to the Cessna.? I say the drone was being flown legally, but technically some officers were not properly briefed in their assignments to provide extra eyes for the drone operator since they were in the proximity of a small GA airport.? Some of you in our chapter have described drone encounters that were dumbfounding and downright scary, so I thought this safety video would be of interest, and this sort of incident is why I almost always have my radios in the car and my hand-held scanning the local freqs for any aviation activity nearby, especially helo ops.

I hope you will take five minutes or so and see just how hard it is to see drones when you know they may be nearby, and realize how much damage they can do to aircraft.

Please don't kill the messenger!!

Jim Quinn
Chapter Secretary