Let's chat about non-compliance

If you fly an RC plane or a drone then you are no doubt aware that the rules and regulations have, for many, taken a lot of the fun out of the hobby. One option for dealing with this is to simply ignore the rules. Is that really an option?

In this video I not only demonstrate how bad my thumbs are at the end of a long day but I also talk about the importance of placing safety before compliance. I hope this video serves as a catalyst for discussion within the wider hobby community.

There will be a second part to this video which discusses when it's okay to ignore the rules and when it's not. It will also discuss how to avoid getting caught and punished for what are merely "technical" infrigements of the regulations.

Regulators must recognise that if the rules are not fit for purpose (ie: a sensible balance of freedoms and responsibilities) then they will lose the compliance of those they seek to regulate.

In case you missed the card, here is the video I posted several years ago when I raised the non-compliance issue with our local regulator by inviting them to prosecute me for flying FPV without a spotter and also flying BVLOS around my own house:

If you'd like to support my efforts to promote, support and protect the hobby in the face of ever-increasing restrictions and regulation, please consider becoming a channel member:

or support me on Patreon:

or use the "THANKS" button on this video.

[vumba]

Winston Churchill said 'when rules and laws become stupid and onerous, it is a person's duty to ignore them.'

[mattknowsnothing]

"Bloody neighbors flying their drones"
"Bloody neighbors using their chainsaw"
Lol

[mickeymch]

I once used a visual observer who didn't talk. I saw in the FAA rules that the spotter must be close to me but I never saw in the FAA rules that they have to actually be able to speak to me.
True story.

[willpowerfpv]

You're a living Legend, Bruce. Even if we get ignored, your efforts to rally the troops and stand up for hobbyists will not go unappreciated or be forgotten.
I also fly noncompliance, but I also try to champion safe and responsible practices to anyone that will listen, since NOBODY knows what's even legal in Canada.
I've had a few run-ins with the police, which have all been pretty relaxed. Only one of those three cops though had any knowledge of the rules, and because of that he agrees with me that the blank approach by lawmakers does not take into consideration people that fly fpv.
I was lucky that he turned out to be a pretty cool guy and my neighbour, and a few days after we had our first run in and settled on an understanding that I will continue to fly there and be safe about it, he came back to the field a few days later, off-duty, with his new mavic Mini that he bought at Costco. We spent several hours together while I taught him how to fly it and took him for ride-alongs with my 5in freestyle. It was awesome.
That being said, things are starting to get a little more tense as knobs are picking up DJI camera drones and flying them like morons in my area. It's definitely going to impact me...probably as soon as this summer.
I'm really paying close attention to what happens in the USA, because we almost always just look at what they're doing and follow suit a couple years later. I love this hobby more than anything I've ever done with my life, and I'm really afraid that it's going to be taken away from us.
Much love and respect. ❤️👊🏻

[timlong]

Meanwhile at the neighbour's house...
"He's flying that bloody drone again. Sheila - get the chainsaw!"

[davidwebb]

In summer in the US, there is on average a fatal airplane crash every single day. Despite having rules and regulations....

[edrone_]

Yeah speeding is also breaking the law but as we all know many do it...every day!! Lol 😅 I feel that the current regulations are so strict that if you were to adhere to every rule you would not even be able to enjoy the hobby. Excellent demonstration Bruce I appreciate all you do for our hobby. 🤟👍

[brucemeyer]

People allow themselves to be governed to a degree of comfort, beyond that, they become non-compliant. 😆

[mattknowsnothing]

Agreed wholly.
Well presented👍
I'm glad someone is being logical about our situation.
Issues not regulation, but education.
Would be nice if your videos could reach further:/
Thanks

[duncan]

Thanks Bruce. You are a very well informed and interesting character. I have spent a lot of time watching the hilarious characters and shenanigans down at the airfield. Respect from Suffolk, UK.

[rjung_ch]

Spot on Bruce, that is all we can do ourselves with reason to back it up.

[johncarold]

Hi Bruce, as you know, I have been in this Hobby for 50 years and I have not registered. Not because I want to get away with breaking the rules, I try to fallow them, but the way they are written is wrong. Thanks again for the video and information.

[jamesturncliff]

The older I get prison is less of a deterrent😜🤪

[FPV_SEAL]

Thanks for the consistently great content Sir.🤙🏾💯

[pdtech]

Nice one Bruce!
Clearly showing how over regulation is unnecessary and makes people less likely to comply!

Let's have some sensible rules that are less complicated, easy to follow and promote safety!

Here in the UK the CAA have made the drone rules so complicated they're tripping over themselves and don't seem to be able to make sense of the rules themselves!

[DadRandom]

Thanks for being our voice of sanity and reason.

[OMEGOOLIEBIRD]

Great video Bruce. It needs to be said!

[cnyphotovideo]

Very good Bruce. I very much agree that there are times when our governments are out of line that we simply must not comply. This is true with model aviation and any other aspect of life. If the last three years have shown us anything it is that our governments can go completely off the rails and overstep their role.

[rusack]

"Bloody neighbors and their chainsaw!" ...I can't hear my drone with all that racket! ;)

[jamesturncliff]

Your tiny whoop was making a lot of noise just like the chainsaw LOL