Drones /drones /drones??

[Pete B]

Driven by curiosity generated by some of the comments in this thread, I wonder if we are discussing the same magazine.

I've just browsed through all the issues since September. In that time (six issues) there's been just ONE quad review (and that was a £30 toy), a series on multicopters by Shahid and a series on FPV flying, which is as relevant to fixed-wing flying as quad.

Sure, there are pictures of quads but, outside the articles mentioned above, they are placed by advertisers who are keen to sell the products which seem to be in demand at present. I'm not sure the editor is in a position to dictate what the advertisers want to promote, TBH.

Whether we like it or not, quad flying is part of aeromodelling so arguably deserves some airing - and it's far from putting the magazine out of balance at its present level, IMHO. The overwhelming number of articles are still about fixed-wing aircraft.

Are we seeing elephants in the room which really aren't there?

Pete

ps Now, if you suggested that if you've seen one cockpit, you've seen them all......

[Don Fry]

Arr, but never let a fact spoil a good opinion.

[Myron Beaumont]

I appreciate the difficulty in filling a magazine with material for aeromodellers (in its original sense) every month.There is a finite supply of interest as the subject is of little innovative value apart from the RC bit where advancements are of course helping us to improve the basic reason for flying ones own creation,Longer life and more fun at much more realistic prices then ever.Maybe drone flyers will pick up a copy of RCM&E hopefully to discover more of their model flying aspirations if that is the case from the more conventional articles to do with the enthusiasts world (obsession)

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

Not sure about the mags, I've not bought them all

Non Drone flyers seem to like to chat about em though

John

[Joe Beavis]

Perhaps an RCM&E poll is called for to guage interest in multirotors?

To me they are brilliantly clever, irritatingly buzzy, and a nuisance around the strip. Also they don't glide very nicely! But some fixed-wing members also fly them, and surely everyone is entitled to one bad habit!

We are all there to enjoy ourselves, we just have to accommodate them and be extra watchful.

[Former Member]

[This posting has been removed]

[Dai Fledermaus]

Myron, in my opinion, expressed a legitimate concern about what he sees as the increased content in RCM&E about Multi Rotors, Drones or whatever you want to call them. As a regular reader he is entitled to do that. A number of other Forum members, including myself, have agreed with him. Now, I can only speak for myself, but that doesn't make me anti drone, they simply do not interest me and I find that I just flip through articles with anything other a passing reference to Drones. That make the magazine less and less relevant to me. As I said I'm also concerned that unregulated use of drones might attract legislation in the future which could affect us all. Again, not an unreasonable concern.

Why then then do other forum members feel the need to describe us as "clicky" or as "Luddites" or suffering from SAD? True they might have been said tongue in cheek, but comments like these only go to stifle opinion in my view. The implication is that we are living in the past with opinions which are not relevant.

Let's not forget fellers that RCM&E is just another product, it's not precious in any way and the customer, or in this case the reader is always right.

[Former Member]

[This posting has been removed]

[mightypeesh]

Jan issue. Quad review, fpv guide, starting in multirotors article - I really do not think its imagined content.

Not seeing many helicopter articles and they are here to stay too!

Cheers, Simon

[Barrie Dav 2]

I agree with Myron too.

Lets have less of drones or whatever they are to be called in RCM&E. Yes have some space for the subject but put a strict limit on it. These devices have their place and people are entitled to use them, hopefully responsibly but there is becoming too much coverage in RCM&E. If drones are so popular perhaps a publisher somewhere would consider 'Drone Monthly' or something like that for a new mag.

[Vaughan Wilson]

In case anyone is intersted:

**LINK**

[Barrie Dav 2]

'nuff said.........

[Martin Harris - Moderator]

Dai - you've encapsulated my feelings on the subject perfectly.

I do think that the point about legislation is particularly important. Whereas in the past, people coming into the hobby would almost all have had a real interest in aviation, the easy accessibility and operation of these highly stabilised machines has opened the floodgates to people looking for a quick - and literal - buzz...

That certainly doesn't exclude existing modellers from having either a passing, or more long term, interest in UAV/drones - or people attracted by drones from developing an interest in conventional models. However, rushing to embrace them in a massive way - maybe in an attempt to attract magazine buyers or organisation members - may well blur the distinctions between committed hobbyists and casual users who have little interest in the long term prospects for our hobby.

With the constant diet of foamy ARTF models and fringe interests such as UAVs, I find myself buying magazines less and less often - maybe one every 3 months? The only good news for RCM&E is that it is usually my magazine of choice - especially since its main rival started using what appears to be lightly recycled toilet paper to print on!

[Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator]

One day,... in the not too distant future....on a forum not far from here.....

 

"Gentlemen! Good news - the new RCM&E is born!

Now some of you clearly don't like what you call "drone" content - by which I am assuming you mean "multi-rotors". Is that right? Well OK, its gone. No more." Hurrah - much cheering.

"Our sole aim is to keep you happy and make sure we don't give you things you don't like or are not interested in!" More cheers.

"So from now on you tell us what you don't like and we will take it out!" Rapturous applause!

"What was that? ARFT's? OK, we are the listening mag! So, hands up if you don't like ARTF's. Yeap some hands up there. So they're out too." Warm applause.

Electric power? Oh definitely a few hands up at the back, so let's take out the electric power stuff.

Er,...oh yeah, Foamies? Well, quite a few hands up there so they'll have to go.

What about IC? Anyone not interested in that? Yes a fair few hands went up. So we'll take all the IC content out." Apluase, but some muttering as well.

You don't like FPV? yes, that's definitely out too.

What about Gliders anyone feel strongly against them - ah a few, but a significant number of hands up there. Oh, is that BEB I see with his hand up at the back - yes I do believe it is. Right gliders are out.

So, let's summarise. No electric, no IC, no gliders, no ARTF's, no foamies, no FPV and of course no MR's.

I'm glad we've got that sorted!

Well, er, moving on! The good news is, this month's magazine will posted out free! Yes, no charge for postage." More applause.

"We thought it only fair as its just a one page flyer this month, but with an extremely interesting article by Alex on how he is buying a new caravan. What was that sir, yes you the gentleman in the blue sweater? You don't like Alex's articles? Right OK, er well yes they go as well of course then. Never let it be said that the new RCM&E will ever publish anything any of its readers aren't interested in or don't enjoy!

Now then, where were we, ah yes, well we do have the cover photo and that will be this month's edition.....what was that the gentleman in the front row said? He doesn't like the cover photo.....?"

Think about it for a moment gentlemen - the more you paint yourself into a corner, the more narrowly you define who can and who can't be an "aeromodeller", then the smaller, less diverse, less significant and less interesting group we make ourselves. Until at the end we do a collective impersonation of the well known bird that much admired its own tail feather! Who says "turkeys don't vote for Christmas"!

BEB

Edited By Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator on 09/01/2016 12:05:04

[Engine Doctor]

BEB's just summed it up

[Dai Fledermaus]

I think you have missed the point completely BEB. I am not trying to influence the content of the magazine and wouldn't want to. You can't please all of the people all of the time etc

What I am saying is that whilst I have nothing against them, Drones do not interest me, in the same way that model boats don't interest and as a consumer I have a choice. Do I continue to buy RCM&E or not? Judging by the reaction of other forum members I am not alone. At the moment I'm considering stopping my subscription. As they say on the BBC other R/C magazines are available and my local Tesco is stocking RCM&E as well RCMW.

The Editorial team don't have an enviable job in deciding the content, but at least they are getting valuable feedback from we readers. Whether take note or ignore it is entirely up to them.

[Former Member]

[This posting has been removed]

[Richard Harris]

Three cheers for David Ashby , I think he is doing a fantastic job mixing things about and considering the amount of disciplines that around today he gets my thumbs up

If you don't like the issue simply don't buy it, its that easy!

Guess where I'm going now, yes, out flying my drone/ quadcopter because its probably the only model suitable between showers at short notice

[Craig Carr]

I think BEB has missed the point as well Dai

I don't envy the team trying to find something new. However, other than buying this months to read the new futaba tx review I stopped buying the mag nearly a year ago as it had become too samey with yet more articles on Quads and foamies.

Edited By Craig Carr on 09/01/2016 14:00:42

[IanN]

Posted by Slopetrashuk on 08/01/2016 18:56:24:

The mag is about radio controlled models. It used to have boats in it for hecks sake. Maybe you'll be into whatever the next big thing turns out to be and then you'll be whining that there is not enough of whatever it is in there.

Andy

Yes, it did have boats, and also cars for a period

And now it doesn't

And the same thing will probably happen to drones in due course. The drone content won't be sufficient to keep the drone contingent hooked so they will gravitate to more specialist mags, and the drone content in RCM&E will drop off

[Basa]

I have been flying fixed wing a/c of several disciplines including slope soaring for some 18 years . I am also interested in many different types of R/C models, ie; helicopters , cars and boats , although I like all of these , why do I find so called drones boring ?, and I am also for the first time in years , beginning to lose interest in the RCM&E ?

[trebor]

Well I for one will be dipping my toes into the world of Fpv multicopters soon, not the drone type but the more thrill seeking small race quads. It looks like good fun, I do like the cross country courses through the woods.

[ken anderson.]

a lot of sabre rattling on this here thread...inc..bash the mag etc.....i'm along with R Harris...and my post....

ken anderson...ne...1 .... mag dept.

[Basa]

Having second thoughts as to why I find drones boring , It could be that they just do not look good , an a/c that looks good often flies right , a r/c car , boat can look good , a scale model is a thing of admiration , is there such a thing as a scale drone/ quad copter ? . Also I have two friends with (up market drones) which will just about fly them selves at a touch of a button , you can switch off the tx and they will return and land (boring) .

As to why I am thinking of not renewing my RCM&E subs it is because I am loosing interest in the drone articles this is not knocking the mag but just stating my view.

[ASH.]

Are we still droning on..

The reason why they would be boring is because not much time, effort or emotional investment is made to get them flying.. rather like plug &play or any other toy bought off the shelf. They appeal to same people who are in awe of the lastest tech gizmo. The satisfaction is very short lived!