Fellow RCers,
I don't try and get political, but this is worth noting. There are some attempts too limit use of RC Airplanes and possibly other RCs and the uses of cameras mounted on them. They want to classify RC Airplanes into the same category as DRONES used by the Military.
This info was passed along from My Battery lady Joan, and from RUSS at Coyote Hobby.
"This information rolled across my desk from a local modeler. It is definitely worth taking a moment to look at. Could have far reaching effects on our hobby and not just drones. Word has it that this Oregon Senate Bill 71is being looked at by 17 other states. The first link below is an excellent YouTube video of the Senate Bill itself, the second is an complete list of local and state officials for Oregonians to use.
For those of you out of state, I included you as this may eventually effect us all, consumers and manufacturers alike."
If this seems like an over-exaggerating attempt to limit RCers, please copy the following letter and address it to your local Senator.
Also, feel free to invite them flying so they can see its not harmful.
Below is a letter written by the RosWell flight crew.
Fill it and find you Representative.
[MONTH, DAY, YEAR]
[SENATOR/REPRESENTATIVE] [FULL NAME]
900 Court Street NE
[SUITE NUMBER, BEGINNING WITH “S” or “H”]
Salem, OR 97301
Dear [SENATOR/REPRESENTATIVE] [LAST NAME],
As one of your constituents living in [CITY], I am writing to you to express my strong opposition to
Senate Bill 71. This bill purports to limit the use of “drones,” but would in fact criminalize recreational
activities enjoyed by many Oregonians, from dedicated hobbyists to children who have done nothing
wrong, except for receiving a gift that their parents purchased at a local mall.
This bill defines the word “drone” so broadly that it could potentially ban all radio-controlled aircraft.
The hobby industry generates $1.5 billion annually and supports many local businesses right here in
Oregon, and this proposal would eliminate one of its fastest-growing segments.
Senate Bill 71 makes no allowance for people who legally possess these systems already. Upon being
signed into law by the governor, it would immediately make criminals of these hobbyists, because there
mere possession of a radio-controlled “drone” is a Class B Misdemeanor. This is plainly a violation of
their constitutional right to due process, as well as a violation of their basic property rights.
Furthermore, passage of this bill would be damaging to Oregon’s broader economy. Boeing subsidiary
Insitu, located in Hood River, is a leading manufacturer of drone aircraft for the United States military.
With their product transformed into contraband overnight, they would no doubt be forced to shut down
or relocate to another state.
At the same time, business and community leaders around Bend are working hard to win approval from
the Federal Aviation Administration for Oregon to serve as one of six test sites for new drone aircraft,
prior to their integration into the National Air Space in 2015. If successful, this effort could secure a
foothold for our state in what will be a major industry for the next several decades. Senate Bill 71
would completely undermine these efforts.
Oregon has always been a leader in technology. Our future lies in nurturing the high-tech pioneers who
will create the jobs and industries of tomorrow. This bill turns its back on that proud history. It is anti-technology, anti-economic-growth and anti-rights. It has no place in Oregon law.
Sincerely,
[SIGN HERE]
[YOUR NAME]
Check out the following Video:
http://roswellflighttestcrew.typepad...er-drones.html
Seems a little Excessive. Just wanted to share with Fellow Oregon RCers.
MOmo