How horrible...I couldn't figure out what I was looking at for a minute. What a waste of a life on something so silly.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/06/ny...park.html?_r=0

Dieter Schluter was the father of free flight r/c helicopters back in the 60's. Those days the only danger was setting the pitch of the rotor blades [ tracking] lying down on the grass with the copter held down by weights.tail rotor compensation was done by throttle/tail servo linking, requiring skill to operate.Tail rotor compensation is done by gyro servos of today's copters flying 3D [ no real heli could ever do that ] as videos showing fly like an insect dragonfly.Humans can't react fast enough to get out of the way if the heli is in close proximity and loose electronic control by signal or component failure. I see regulation coming to have chain links fence separating spectators from the pilot and head gear with shield mandatory for club flyers. Clubs here in BC require 10 mil liability insurance for a reason.

It's only going to take a participant in a poker run getting wacked by one of these things to see a short life span for them. That picture tc posted (since taken down) would make me think twice if one was buzzing my boat.

It wasn't a quadrotor. It was a helicopter with nearly 5' carbon fibre blades.

These are mandatory items when boating now........Quadcopter and catapult. LOL

Correct. Big difference, but I suppose that a quad-rotor could inflict serious injury or damage. I would support some type of license and insurance if you want to use one around crowds or for making money. They could sure make helicopter pics a lot cheaper even with some controls in place.

Has there been any quadcopter video footage or stills posted of the FPC boat show run so far ? I haven't seen any yet unless I'm missing it which is possible. I am fascinated by the thought of it as i have an interest as a hobbyist photographer. I've decided not to rush into it and wait and see for a bit. A friend is threatening to bring his kids one on our FMO run Saturday. No doubt they can produce some interesting pics / video.

Bob

Come on Bob.....put your OctoCopter on Preorder now.

http://aerialmediapros.com/store/97-...000-octocopter

The blades that come standard on the Phantom quadcopter are pretty soft plastic, they might give you a cut, maybe a big one at full throttle but at idle speed you can stop the motors with a finger. Might be different with carbon fiber blades.