Drones are definitely flying robots

Even within my own ranks, I encountered little understanding back then (incidentally, the NZZ recently even adopted the term “flying robot”). This was because the term “drone” was commonly used to refer to various copters with one to x rotors or to self-flying model aircraft. Unfortunately, this understanding has had a detrimental influence on model aviation for far too long, extending deep into associations and government agencies. For example, the FAI still refers to competitions using FPV equipment (video goggles) as “drone racing.” Even within the DETEC, the FOCA has for years practically equated drones weighing up to 30 kg—just imagine that—with model aircraft. This has led various municipalities and cantons, in response to growing public frustration—particularly among nature conservation groups—to extend drone exclusion zones to include model aircraft as well.

With the EU drone regulations, even us “toy pilots” got a hard time. The fawning praise about how great improvements for model aviation were supposedly secured from the EU is ridiculous and shows a lack of understanding of how EU legislation works. For example, the registration of model aircraft has been replaced by the registration of the pilots (I would have enjoyed the chaos of model registration).

To many, the registration of model airplane pilots seems harmless. However, this would centralize and regulate model flying throughout Switzerland—not just, as has been the case so far, in areas with restrictions such as CTRs and a 5-kilometer buffer zone around airports. Let’s imagine, for example, that a father wants to try out a Styrofoam glider with his daughter in the Lower Engadine and then first has to go through the entire registration process—and on top of that, pay a fee. In addition to such deeply regrettable developments toward more government intervention and less personal responsibility, we must ask about safety and proportionality. We model aircraft enthusiasts are called upon to make this clear to policymakers (the EU has never been liberal, but rather a tightly controlled bureaucratic organization; it would be a scandal if liberal Switzerland were to go along with such nonsense).

Just as in the world of big-picture politics, deviations from EU law are being blown out of proportion as a major catastrophe. The DETEC has known for quite some time that drones will have a major impact on aviation. Apparently, they’ve been waiting for the EU... Today, when the new drone law could have been adopted, nothing is happening. The aim is to pressure politicians into finally giving the whole thing—including model aircraft—the green light. By spreading fear—such as the claim that our drone industry would no longer be able to operate abroad—and other doomsday scenarios, they’re ramping up the pressure to convince the Federal Council and Parliament that the EU drone law would only be accepted by the EU if it includes model aircraft.