Weetabix wrote: It sounds like there are legitimate safety concerns for small aircraft pilots.
There are.
However, 250grams(.55 lbs) is a ridiculous bottom limit. One kilogram(2.2lbs) would have been a more realistic lower limit.
The problem isn't the drones, it's the people that fly them near airports.
Pawpaw lives near KESF, where I have my
QC Challenger hangered. In fact, he's just outside the downwind leg for runway 32. Pattern alttitude is 1000 AGL. However, I'm pretty sure that he isn't going to let the grandkids fly their RC toy planes at 1000 ft, and probably no higher than 300 ft. Occasionally I've circled his house at 500-600ft. But that's just me dropping by to wave hello.
"Regular" planes in the pattern will be at 1000 ft, or higher. So there should be no problem with his grandkids having fun with the new toys.
The problem is guys flying big drones with video linked back to HUDs or lap tops, either in the pattern, or worse, hovering near the touchdown zone trying to take pictures of landing planes. Is hazardous, they know it is, but they will do it anyway, and new regs aren't going to stop them because there are ALREADY regs about flying drones within 5 miles of an airport, particuliarly a towered airport, and ESPECIALLY in such a manner as to constitute a hazard to other aircraft in the pattern or landing/taking off.
And those guys ARE NOT going to stop, unless busted and fined/arrested by the cops. Or better yet, a couple of GA pilots backtrack the drone to the operators, and "open a can of whip-ass" on them.
"Life is a bitch. Shit happens. Adapt, improvise, and overcome. Acknowledge it, and move on."