Hello all, I was struck by a thought that has been bouncing around in my head and coming out with some of my remarks.
I see that we have a major issue in the RC community with how we approach the community itself (especially newer or fringe elements) and the interested public in general. I certainly know that the community here at FliteTest is heads and tails above most of the internet and possibly most of the general public in the way they respond to each other.
I still see (in relation to the FAA mess) a lot of sniping at Phantom (or other prebuilt) owners about noob and being reckless and endangering us all.
Some of you may have read some of my post regarding people that have not been involved or studied the community and were just able to purchase a multirotor that basically works (rofl).
"Many of these people would not knowingly endanger people or be bad ambassadors. They are ignorant of the situation and do not realize the dangers and the issues that they bring upon themselves, the public and the RC community. Once educated most will try and do the right thing"
We really went through this situation hard in the offroading community. Until we realized that we had to engage every one of those people ourselves. Be polite, talk about the toys and invite them into our community for education and responsible wheeling. We also had to realize that not all of these people were going to pay dues to join our clubs or action groups, there are multiple reasons why, some good some bad but we as a community had to get over it. We still had the responsibility to help give those people the information they needed to stay safe a legal and be good ambassadors.
The above is important, while I believe that joining the AMA is the right thing to do (plus it lets you go to events and fly
) we do not need to bash or look down upon people that do not join because they do not agree with the AMA's stance or position on some things. The AMA has been slow to really jump into or really open up to the FPV community but that is not unusual for any long term community based group. Animosity, anger or dismissive attitudes can push these people away instead of making them responsible hobbyists.
I firmly believe that most people will try and do the right thing if educated and they are given the opportunity. There is no one else to educate them we are it. FliteTest is a great start but this message imo needs to be gotten out and pushed to all corners of this community. Every time we snipe at each other, the Phantom owner, the FPVer, the foamie flyer the multirotor or heli guy without taking the time to engage discuss and gain understanding of each other we allow the government, the media and people outside our hobby to dig the hole a little deeper.
I am very busy and have so much work to do, this idea has been hiding and growing in the back of my mind and I am just really starting the process of articulating it.
I ask for your help, I will get my wife (the OCD english major) to go over some of this later for some editing. I do need to turn this into a coherent statement that conveys the thought so I can do everything I can to spread it. I ask for your help in all of this because I truly believe that this is the place to start.
You can still get mad or aggravated at the idiot but foremost in our minds (when possible) should be attempts at kind gentle education and invitation to the organized side of the community with no condemnation for reluctance.
Thank you for reading my messy ADD mind this morning.
I see that we have a major issue in the RC community with how we approach the community itself (especially newer or fringe elements) and the interested public in general. I certainly know that the community here at FliteTest is heads and tails above most of the internet and possibly most of the general public in the way they respond to each other.
I still see (in relation to the FAA mess) a lot of sniping at Phantom (or other prebuilt) owners about noob and being reckless and endangering us all.
Some of you may have read some of my post regarding people that have not been involved or studied the community and were just able to purchase a multirotor that basically works (rofl).
"Many of these people would not knowingly endanger people or be bad ambassadors. They are ignorant of the situation and do not realize the dangers and the issues that they bring upon themselves, the public and the RC community. Once educated most will try and do the right thing"
We really went through this situation hard in the offroading community. Until we realized that we had to engage every one of those people ourselves. Be polite, talk about the toys and invite them into our community for education and responsible wheeling. We also had to realize that not all of these people were going to pay dues to join our clubs or action groups, there are multiple reasons why, some good some bad but we as a community had to get over it. We still had the responsibility to help give those people the information they needed to stay safe a legal and be good ambassadors.
The above is important, while I believe that joining the AMA is the right thing to do (plus it lets you go to events and fly
I firmly believe that most people will try and do the right thing if educated and they are given the opportunity. There is no one else to educate them we are it. FliteTest is a great start but this message imo needs to be gotten out and pushed to all corners of this community. Every time we snipe at each other, the Phantom owner, the FPVer, the foamie flyer the multirotor or heli guy without taking the time to engage discuss and gain understanding of each other we allow the government, the media and people outside our hobby to dig the hole a little deeper.
I am very busy and have so much work to do, this idea has been hiding and growing in the back of my mind and I am just really starting the process of articulating it.
I ask for your help, I will get my wife (the OCD english major) to go over some of this later for some editing. I do need to turn this into a coherent statement that conveys the thought so I can do everything I can to spread it. I ask for your help in all of this because I truly believe that this is the place to start.
You can still get mad or aggravated at the idiot but foremost in our minds (when possible) should be attempts at kind gentle education and invitation to the organized side of the community with no condemnation for reluctance.
Thank you for reading my messy ADD mind this morning.