With great online support from amongst others seadog1967 (thanks a lot) I had my FPV-maiden yesterday, and had a blast. Until two senior members of the locals decided I was a menace to society and had to go.
As I took off the Fatsharks during a break in my flight, one of the chaps passed right in front of where I was sitting.
- Good afternoon, I said, feeling nothing but cheerful after my maiden. Apparently he disagreed. Without a word he turned his back to me and started to stroll across the football-field to investigate my Dji F550.
- What you are doing here is forbidden! his compadre blurted out sharply from my left.
He had positioned himself approx. 20 meters away, as to keep a safe distance between himself and the danger I represented.
- Forbidden? I asked.
- Yes, you are not allowed to fly that thing here! he stated.
- Not allowed? According to wha...
- Yes it is illegal for you to do this!
I must admit I was a bit puzzled that this rather rude old man with his sixpence down his eyes apparently knew more about the laws and regulations concerning rc than me. After all, I had read up on the matter, but perhaps I had missed something? A local regulation perhaps? So I asked again.
- Illegal according to what?
- According to me!
Well, the conversation sort of went downhill from there. Not that we started out on the best of terms, but hey.
As soon as it dawned on the old man that I wouldn`t be bullied away on his "because I say so", he started pointing out several other reasons why he considered me to be a true criminal:
1. I represent a foolish generation who surround ourselves with pathetic toys.
I couldn`t see the relevance so I let it slide.
2. Nobody had ever flown there before.
I pointed out nobody used to play football until they made the field there either, but I could not see how that meant anybody were breaking any laws.
3. His name was ...... ............ and used for many years to be a highly trusted member of the sportsclub where I was flying.
I told him my name was Frank ............. and once used to be a member and footballer at the club, and that I couldn`t see how namedropping and past or present membership would qualify to have me thrown of the ground.
4. "That thing" runs on petrol, was his next reasoning.
- No, I said, it doesn`t. (Not that it would matter).
- What then!? he swiftly replied with anger in his voice, apparently thinking he had caught me in a lie.
At this point I really just wanted to say there was a small watermill on board, but decided to try and represent the polite side of the conversation, at least for a little longer.
- There is a battery on board, I said.
5. He then noted that this was a footballfield, meant for football, and what I was doing was dangerous to everyone around.
I pointed out there wasn`t anybody around until they showed up. Besides, the field is littered with dog-poo and bears scars from mc-riding so apparently it`s not only used for football.
6. - Well, that thing bounces pretty hard on the ground when you land, was his next argument.
I pointed out that there were fine electrical components on board so it really couldn`t.
- I leave bigger dents on the ground walking over to pick it up, I said, no longer able to hide the anger growing inside.
I was at this point less then impressed by his legal arguments, and asked if he had any authority to throw me off the ground. The thug got a bit upset by my question and once again pointed out that nobody EVER had flown rc at this area, and that young people my age were foolish.
As a father of two and statistically having passed the halftime-mark in life, I decided he could have that one. It was, after all, the nicest thing he ever said to me. Sweet. :-)
Anyway, I said that I would be happy to comply if he could document that I broke any laws. If he couldn`t I encouraged him to leave me alone and call the local police-office and have them consider the legal side of the dispute.
- If I am to be thrown off this field it will have to be by someone with police authority, I said.
As he and his trusted little helper turned to go back to their car he angrily muttered that he was one of the first ever to play football at this field.
- And in about a 100 years time I too will be able to brag to my grandchildren how I was one of the first ever to fly over this field, I replied.
A childish remark? You bet! But it felt good :-)
I am absolutely convinced I haven`t heard the last from the local mob-squad yet.
Perhaps next time I should point out that part of the area I flew over used to belong to my family. Unlike what seems to be the clubs position I rather like the idea that the woods, where my father and grandpa as a child let me pick out our Christmas trees, now is accessible to the public.