USA Today just published a story

[Derek]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nat ... 783041002/

I was disgusted by this story, so I wrote to USA today and I politely shared my feelings. Will it help? I have no idea. Here is my letter to USA Today

I've just read an article from USA Today that said that a news crews helicopter was damaged during a routine flight. Firstly, I'd very much like to say that I am very happy to hear that the helicopter, pilot, and passenger(s) were able to land safely and without incident. I am an avid drone and model aircraft pilot but, before any of that, I am a human and a family man. I have a lot of respect for the lives of my fellow man.

After landing the Eurocopter, the article states that the pilot and news crew member "discovered a dent in the horizontal stabilizer and next to it, a gash and one-inch hole. There was no blood or feathers as if they had hit a bird." Without a doubt, this is a serious and horrible thing to have happen. However, what bothers me tremendously about this article is the following assumption, "The most likely cause was a drone." There is nothing stated in the article that can factually prove that the damage was caused by a drone of any type. That statement, as published, is an assumption that is creating more fear mongering, against the drone community, and nothing more. Where is a video of the damaged helicopter? Where is a photo, or photos, of the damaged helicopter? I'd like to see some possible facts that could possibly determine the damage was done by a drone. We need "truth"....not assumptions!

Yes, I am writing to you, now, because I want to defend the hobby that I enjoy very much with my friends and family. I also find it incredibly frustrating to read articles, like this, that have no proof or confirmation.

Just like what happened in the UK, at Gatwick Airport...on the evening of 28 April 2019, Gatwick Airport had to close temporarily due to an unconfirmed sighting of a drone. The entire airport was shutdown for nearly 3 days because of a drone "report." In the end, it was deemed that the "reports" were false and the "alleged drone" was actually safety lights on the top of some construction cranes on the far side of the airport.

Again, on January 22, 2019, Reports of drone disrupt flights at Newark Airport. Initially, the Federal Aviation Administration said there were reports of two drones. Later, they said there were two reports of one drone. After that, CNN has not confirmed an actual sighting of a drone in the area and the airport officials could not confirm an actual sighting of a drone in the area. This is just more fake news and fear mongering.

Currently, the FAA is proposing some new rules and regulations for the rc community and many of those rules are an absolute over reach and an abuse of authority. So many people that aren't in the rc community are turned against drones, and the rc community, because of fake news, fear mongering, and assumptions...just like the USA Today article...just like Gatwick...just like Newark.

In the future, please consider publishing truth and facts.

Thank you for your time!

Derek Westphal

Originally, I found this USA Today article on the Flite Test Fans Facebook Group. After sending my letter to USA Today, I went to the FT Fans Group and posted this

This morning, USA Today published a story of a news crew's helicopter sustained damage to it's horizontal stabilizer. After landing safely, the pilot and news reporter noticed a dent and a gash. There was no blood nor feathers that would signify a bird strike.

Now, the statement that bothers me THE MOST is this, "The most likely cause was a drone." No photos of the damage. No video of the damage. No listed report to the authorities.....but we're just going to assume that it was a drone strike and we'll get USA Today to publish a story on this.

I've just written to USA Today and expressed my thoughts, politely and cleanly and I told them that their article, based on assumption, is not real news. It's fake news and it's fear mongering and I don't appreciate it. Will they care about my opinion? Doubtful! but I felt that I needed to remind them about the false reports at Gatwick and Newark in 2019. Both are published stories that were based on assumption.

I'd like to ask the rc community to not sit down and be ok with articles like this. Send USA Today a letter. Click on their "Contact US" and send them your thoughts. I am going to contact my local new channels about this type of journalism this afternoon. Will it help the situation? I have no idea......but I'm going to try.

Have a nice day...fly safe....have fun!!!

[Graham Lawrie]

Well said Derek:)

[Derek]

After visiting a few other facebook groups, I was happy to learn that many other pilots had also written in to USA Today. Many of us commented on their article on the USA Today facebook page. The funny thing is, many of our comments were being removed from the comment section. That's pathetic!