I'm sure all the drone pilots in TV are using their Amazon drones to assist law enforcement, fire departments and of course, helping all the real estate professionals and producing video fly-overs of all the wonderful amenities under construction down south.

They could't be using them to check out the women line dancing in the Squares, could they?

Or ... maybe they're using them to search for deed restriction violations?

It's a video cornucopia from the eyes in the sky.

I'll tell you one thing, if I was in the "hair replacement business", I'd be flying one over The Villages every day, looking for potential customers.

Yes. We understand that drone operators being called pilots has obviously triggered you. Why? Get out and enjoy the villages!

Drone owners and aficionados may know the answer. Can a laser pointer bring down a drone? And, "if you throw it hard enough" is not the answer I'm looking for.
And, I don't own a laser pointer, and I have no desire to damage anyone's drone. Just curious.
Thanks

Any of you ‘pilots’ seen my Titleist!

Trust me. You wouldn't want it back.

No, it has no effect on them unless you hit the camera, that won't damage the camera or bring down the drone, only annoy the pilot because you ruined their photo/video.

. I'm curious as to what about watching birds is fun and enjoyable? Or sitting in front of a TV watching sports and drinking beer or many other things. Everyone has their own means of enjoyment through their hobbies (or habits). For me it's because I never could afford to go for a REAL pilots license and this is a cheap substitute! I can pretend and live vicariously through my imagination !!!!! :a20::a20:

I have nearly all FAA licenses to fly helicopters and airplanes, and I also consider myself an FAA licensed Drone pilot. I do not consider being called a drone"pilot" cheapen my other certificates. Flying is flying.

One of the most proficient young pilots (under 250 hours flying time) I ever met, was young kid I hired to deliver an airplane I sold. The FAA regs required approximately 40 hours of classroom & 40 hours of flying time, for a Private Pilot's License. Most folks take about 60 hours of flying time, to pass the test. This young man did it with 41 hours. Same story with his Instrument Rating. Turns out, he had been "flying" Flight Simulator in his basement for years. Generational differences.

Another fellow I know (my Optometrist) ended up in Divorce Court. He used to spend 4-5 hours a night in his basement, flying all over the world on his Flight Simulator. He was about the best "Flight Plan" planner I had ever seen ... but he had never actually been in a small airplane. When I bought my last airplane, I went over to his office to bring him to the airport for a ride. He was scared to death and wouldn't even come to the airport with me. He loved the vicarious thrill of flying to Amsterdam in his basement, but quick ride for a $200 hamburger, scared him to death.

Drones are on my list of things interesting to try when no longer able to do more demanding physical activities.

Long, long ago, I used to fly RC planes but enjoyed building them more than flying. Which was good given how frequently they crashed :-)

How do the rules/regulations apply when the drone is following you (rather than being piloted)?

Not sure this equates but my family member (an attorney) had a colleague who graduated from Harvard and at the top of his class at Harvard Law. He took the bar exam approximately 9 times in the late 1960’s/early 1970’s...couldn’t pass it. Went on to have a great career as a paralegal and had a prolific title search business as well at that time. So I guess practicing on the periphery but I wonder how many untapped, talented people we lose in every genre because of test anxiety

You're way more of a "pilot" than I'll ever be and you were a real "pilot" long before you were authorized to fly a drone.

To me, people calling themselves "Pilots" because they're authorized to fly a drone, is like a CNA saying they're a "Medical Professional". Or my favorite, a friend of mine who was a School Superintendent and a member of the country club I belonged to. He insisted that staff at the club refer to him as "Doctor", in respect for his Doctorate in Education.

Pretentiousness doesn't look good on anyone. False pretentiousness, is even less attractive.

& you rotorcraft guys will always have my utmost respect. Not only for how difficult it is to fly one, but for the missions rotorcraft guys fly. Most of the fixed wing guys I know, can't fathom what it's like to fly a Huey into raging battle on a SAR mission or land on a skyscraper roof with a 1000' ceiling, to evacuate someone.

Just my opinion, your mileage may vary.

In Ukraine, many of the "fly for fun" drone operators are now a major factor in holding back the Russian invasion.
As some countries argue and politicize supply of shells of all sizes and small arms ammunition, the drones are carrying a major load in defense.
The innovations in drone defense and attack, is re-writing the military warfare handbook, both on land, air, and at sea.
Homemade Ukrainian sea drones have made the Black Sea practically a no-go zone for the Russian Navy, who have lost many ships to them. Also for the cost of one or two small Mavic Drones, hundreds of million dollar tanks, APC's etc. have been destroyed.

When the Russians attack The Villages, I'm sure we'll all be forever thankful to our amateur drone community.