My comment:
My name is Charles Pumphrey, and I am writing to elaborate on how Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems would have deterred me from entering the hobby. Four years ago I was halfway through my freshman year in high-school and had little to no interest in what was going on in school. Although I was getting good grades, I felt no real sense of accomplishment and I was unsure of what I wanted to do after high-school. It was around this time that I was introduced to model aviation, and the wonderful places it could lead me. After four years of designing, building, flying, and crashing model airplanes, I have developed a powerful passion for aviation, and I plan on studying aeronautical engineering in college. In fact, two months from now I will know which college pathway will lead me towards a career as a naval officer pilot. Two weeks ago I was accepted into Purdue's NROTC program on the national scholarship, and in two months I will find out if I have been selected for the Naval Academy. Both of these options involve me becoming a naval officer pilot and studying aeronautical engineering. However, had the Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems rule been implemented when I first entered the hobby, my experience with model aviation would have been severely degraded, and the chances of me considering aviation as a career pathway would have been slim. I understand that the airspace around us is going to exhibit major changes in the next few decades, but in a world where there are fewer and fewer pilots to meet the rising demand, I believe that every pathway into the career needs to be nourished and taken care of. I first got into the hobby through Flite Test's DTFB airplanes. These airplanes are made out of Dollar Tree Foam Board, more specifically Adams ready board, and common household materials. The cost of air-frames come out to under 10$ and because of the inexpensive nature of the air-frame, I was able to enter the hobby with a feeling of financial security. Another element of DTFB airplanes that appealed to me is that are quick to repair, and easy to build. Over the last few years I have enjoyed building and flying model airplanes with my dad on our family farm, but this experience would have been withered by the requirements laid out in the proposed rule. Having to travel to an FAA approved airfield to fly would have deterred both my father and I from getting into the hobby. Being able to fly alongside my dad over a gorgeous wheat field at sunset right behind our house is what created some of the most precious memories I have in the hobby. Because of the destructive nature of the proposed rule, I strongly urge the FAA to consider other options such as an app based solution. An app based solution works alongside the type of flying I do, and I along with many model aviation pilots would have no issue working with a timely, app based solution. I understand that the airspace around us is changing, however, I hope that my comment urges the FAA to find a solution that works for all users of airspace. Thankyou for your time -Charles Pumphrey
