Contest Director and problem flyer
01-04-2014, 08:52 AM
#126
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I have two very low maintenance cats and have trouble finding time for them. Usually about the time I'm falling asleep they decide that's when they will get some time so they both lay on top of me. 
01-04-2014, 12:01 PM
#128
Thanks Hoss. I really appreciate the invite. It just may happen as it would be really cool to hang out with you after all these years and besides I kind of owe some of those guys down there a visit. XXXX
Been awhile since I've flown at a fun-fly competition as the last few here wouldn't allow 3D planes...and it seems any plane I had fit the criteria...whatever that was...
Been awhile since I've flown at a fun-fly competition as the last few here wouldn't allow 3D planes...and it seems any plane I had fit the criteria...whatever that was...
4TH Round will consist of 2 tasks and those tasks are "PAINTBALL", guns and ammo furnished. There could be some changes to the tasks yet but PAINTBALL will happen, maybe not last round depending on weather. As my invited guess, your entry fee and lunch is complimentary. Looking forward to the meeting.
01-04-2014, 01:00 PM
#129
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You need to be very careful in this situation. Determining what is careless and wreckles is not clearly defined and is very subjective. Acting as a CD for the AMA at a sanctioned event you are making that determination. Your opinion and how you handle it are going to come under fire if you don't handle it well. My question to you is whether you believe the flying was within the safe flying boundaries established, under positive control, within the reasonably tested limitations of the aircraft structurally, within your established rules for the field and at the pilot meeting and was not done with an intent of causing harm or putting anyone in immediate danger? If so, I would not consider that wreckless or careless and I agree with the pilot. You should have made your expectation clear in the pilots meeting if you did not want planes approaching toward the safety line. There is no official rule against this and again is very subjective. At that point you may be putting unfair restrictions on the other flyers though. Are you going to tell 3d flyers they cant approach the flight line inverted at a walking pace and push up to a hover. That popular manuever is here to stay and is very safe. Clearly from your statement you had a previous opinion of this person and did not like their flying style. It is not fair to place such prejudice on a fellow flyer while acting as a CD. Now if he or she was obviously, intentionally and consistently wreckless during the event, it is appropriate to speak up and you were responsible in doing so. How you do it is important. People don't like to be touched while they are flying (which is usually more dangerous than the incident you are trying to prevent), told they are wrong, ridiculed for something unintentional or chastised for what you let your buddy do all the time. You have to use care in how you approach such challenges. I prefer the technique of self blame. Basically I would privately say, "hey, I should have been more clear. I wanted to cover in the pilots' meeting that because there are so many spectators here and we are pushing the limits of the airspace today, I was thinking we should all avoid flying torward the flight line at high speed. Are you okay with that? I'm just going around letting everyone know. Sorry man." As an additional or other option, you can make an announcement to everyone saying you forgot to cover it. This is just one example of many ways of softening the blow. No one likes to be told what to do out there. There is nothing worse than an AMA bully, especially one making up rules. Being CD isn't for everyone. I haven't done it yet, but I've seen good and bad CDs. It's a tough job. I'm sorry you had a bad experience. I blame a lot of that on the unchecked cultural problems that exist by people self deputizing themselves as uninformed AMA Police and enforcing outdated or non-existent rules. Another major issue is aggressively policing rules that are inadvertently or unintentionally broke, which is the easiest way to irritate someone at the field. There's nothing like rubbing salt in the wound of embarrassment to drive members crazy, or away all together.
01-04-2014, 09:16 PM
#133
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01-05-2014, 10:17 AM
#137
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Well... I think the document proves they recognize the activity occurs ...few specific rules may exist... I think AMA realizes that we typically make good choices about safety.
01-05-2014, 11:02 AM
#139
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Lets imagine that my club is hosting such an event. And the CD has provided none of the safety precautions listed on the AMA. I certainly wouldn't participate. So there I am watching a Fun-Fly with an activity that appears dangerous and unsafe . What is my responsibility as a club member ?
01-05-2014, 11:30 AM
#141
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I forget where I read a post that stated safety was every members responsibility and not just that of the safety officer or club officers. So, my question is what can I do if I see a officer/CD conducting unsafe operations/maneuvers ? I'm not asking if I should take action. My question is whether or not I have the authority to take action simply because I deem the activity unsafe ? Otherwise, I suppose the safety is everyone's responsibility viewpoint is nothing but hot air, isn't it.
01-05-2014, 12:01 PM
#146
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Ok...we've evolved from whether or not AMA allows such activities... Now, let's consider that the aforementioned document may not be as safe as possible. Still with me? Our event was much safer than the one described in the document submitted by the Corona club...And we used very little of the precautions prescribed... What can we learn from that? Safety or what is considered safe is subjective...and there isn't always a clear cut answer. You may feel something isn't safe or safe enough but others may see it as fine...That's the reality of the infinite world we live in.
01-05-2014, 12:12 PM
#147
You need to be very careful in this situation. Determining what is careless and wreckles is not clearly defined and is very subjective. Acting as a CD for the AMA at a sanctioned event you are making that determination.
XXXXX xxxx xxxx xxxx xxx
Another major issue is aggressively policing rules that are inadvertently or unintentionally broke, which is the easiest way to irritate someone at the field. There's nothing like rubbing salt in the wound of embarrassment to drive members crazy, or away all together.
XXXXX xxxx xxxx xxxx xxx
Another major issue is aggressively policing rules that are inadvertently or unintentionally broke, which is the easiest way to irritate someone at the field. There's nothing like rubbing salt in the wound of embarrassment to drive members crazy, or away all together.
Therefore I offer several comments pertaining to me.
(1) I am a Life Member of AMA, yet I donate considerably more each year to AMA and its facilities. I follow AMA rules and regs. as well as I can.
(2) I have been an AMA Contest Director for 3 months short of 51 years from very small local events through Manpower Director and Assistant Director at The AMA Nationals, plus both elected AMA Official (DVP, Dist VI 2 terms), and appointed positions throughout these years.
(3) In my 41 years of USAF and Airline Pilot career I have been well versed in Safety and I do my best to take Safety VERY seriously, yet I also entertain any and all offerings from those having also enjoyed actual experience in those areas where safety is a needed application especially when so many individuals either ignore or simply not versed in the need for extraordinary Safety needs. You know such as "text-ting" while driving.
(4) Therefore my paint ball set-up will always have a possibility of having an accident. I would never call anything accident-proof. Why do you think Pylon Racing has so many rules. A very good friend of mine had a control failure, the aircraft did a big loop and came into the pylon cage killing a very fine person. SHOT happens. I do not want such to happen to you, me or anyone else.
Again, Thanks for the information.
01-05-2014, 12:51 PM
#148
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Flying towards a flight-line is innocuous.
The problem is performing high-energy manoeuvres towards the flight-line ... 'cos these manoeuvres naturally entail the risk of departure from controlled flight.
So, you don't dive towards the flight-line, then pull into a loop. You don't fly towards the crowd, then roll into a steep turn or start a flick roll.
Simply flying towards a crowd is pretty much unavoidable.
The problem is performing high-energy manoeuvres towards the flight-line ... 'cos these manoeuvres naturally entail the risk of departure from controlled flight.
So, you don't dive towards the flight-line, then pull into a loop. You don't fly towards the crowd, then roll into a steep turn or start a flick roll.
Simply flying towards a crowd is pretty much unavoidable.
01-05-2014, 02:05 PM
#150
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Judging an activity as safe or unsafe is always subjective. We agree. I never suggested it wasn't.
I simply said that any club member can make that judgment. And , as someone has stated earlier, it is that club members duty to act on it.
Wether or not other clubs allow the activity is completely irrelevant.
I simply said that any club member can make that judgment. And , as someone has stated earlier, it is that club members duty to act on it.
Wether or not other clubs allow the activity is completely irrelevant.
The CD or whatever the event director title has the obligation to conduct an AMA event within the AMA rules and within his judgement for what is safe for the environment of that particular event. He can also entertain any reasonable suggestion from anyone to make things safer. As a participant you have a responsibility to determine whether you will support the event and stay or leave. Of course we could just not have any events to insure maximum safety...just assume the fetal position in the corner of our shop, unplug all electrical devices and shiver in the cold...
