[entropy47]

> creating a bunch of noise and emissions just so they can have fun

Wait until you hear about parents!

I haven't actually done the maths but I expect an ultralight is comparable to a car hobbyist in both noise and emissions. Agree that flying a jet liner for fun would be a dick move.

[andersrs]

Yeah I hate those kind of people as well when they are noisy. Is that supposed to be an argument?

[entropy47]

Yes. I think my core thesis is that if noise and pollution upsets you, then I would spend less time complaining about a niche hobby that barely effects anybody, and a lot more time getting annoyed about really common hobbies, business patterns and lifestyle choices that are destroying the planet.

And I think the obvious counter is "that's whataboutism, you can care about lots of things at once" but I personally am pretty fatigued with just causes, so when I see people complaining about hobby aviation in ultralights I just see it as a distraction that pulls time, focus and attention from bigger problems.

All of this is, of course, completely subjective. But that was the intent behind the comment.

[andersrs]

I do actually post about other pollution like (micro)plastics. But this thread is not about that. Back to the scope of the thread: The reason I find it so distasteful is that the pilots have a big noise footprint. One aircraft can be heard by thousands of people. That one person has a disproportionate effect compared to the neighbours lawnmower which can only be heard by a few dozen people. I understand your argument that there aren't that many aircraft but I must say those few people are punching orders of magnitudes above their weight when it comes to noise.