spotters while you fly
 

so how many of you are flying at a ama field with out spotters and how many lost a field due to this

RE: spotters while you fly
 

I pretty much stay below the Spotter400 barrier,
so I dont need one

RE: spotters while you fly
 

I am not aware of any fields that have been lost due to this. I have flown at fields that require spotters under various circumstances. I would say taht spotters are not the norm at most fields.

What field was lost due to not having a spotter?

RE: spotters while you fly
 

so safty is no concerne to anyone

RE: spotters while you fly
 

according to the recurring gruesome handchop stitches and fingerloss pics that show up in MA every so often,
Safety would dictate that we stop using propellers if safety was a concern to anyone

post1 asked about using actual spotters and field loss,
not flying alone, having 6-15 other sets of ears and eyes at the field,
while not one guy is actually a designated spotter,
its gotta be safer than flying alone

Perhaps you could get more awareness for your concerns if you posed your position like this:
AMA's safety code is wrong
to not mandate spotters for all flights everywhere by all members, and pilots at chartered clubs.

If that is the point you are trying to make, say so.
Otherwise, if you feel AMA is not wrong to allow us in the safety code
to have or have not spotters for non-400' & non-Fulscale-proximity modeling
... thats cool too

RE: spotters while you fly
 

The marjority of rc flight is with out a spotter and has been that way for years with outany problems, Also its not always feasable to
have a spotter.

RE: spotters while you fly
 

On the contrary, safety is a major concern. That doesn't mean that you can't fly safely without the use of a spotter, in fact I'd surmise that the vast majority of model aviation flights are done that way. There are times and/or situations where a spotter is not only a good idea but should be mandatory, true, but those are by far the minority of MA flights.

RE: spotters while you fly
 

I have been flying RC for 50 years, at 3 different clubs, and dozens of private fields, none required or used spotters and there weren't ANY safety incidents. Most of the time there are many members watching all the guys flying and it gets quite loud if an incident was about to happen. They ALL yell! A spotter is NOT a requirement/gaurentee to fly safely. Besides if I remember correctly there was a spotter or field director for the guy that hovered his plane over an active runway, and a collision still happened. Safety is safety, and flying with a spotter is no gaurentee that all will be done safely.

RE: spotters while you fly
 

When three or four airplanes are in the air at the same time and all are powered by IC engine, it is pretty easy to know where they are by just sound. It's only when some of quiet electric or if a helicopter is hovering nearby that I have problems that a spotter might help. And then only if they can keep their mouth shut during my flight.

RE: spotters while you fly
 

And right there is where this stupid thread should have ended...as clearly the OP is not rational. :eek:

RE: spotters while you fly
 

Judging from how he spelled safety, he must be a troll from the car forums where all you need is a GED to sign in.

RE: spotters while you fly
 

im very rational bud and that is why i just ask around
so bud when you where learning and your ship went out of control towards the pitts you didnt tighten up and heart racing and still had enough time to warn the orther pilots
thats my point ok
i didnt mean to start a agrument with any one i just ask

RE: spotters while you fly
 

In the OP's defense there is a International airport in Ontario, Ca. Maybe the local clubs require spotters? Maybe not?

RE: spotters while you fly
 

I've flown control line off a stooge by myself a number of times. I have had a kid ride a bicycle into the circle, and a car drive into the circle. So, yes, I'd rather have some other fliers along. Flying alone means you have to divert attention to situational awareness of what is going on around you. This means less attention on the airplane and degrades the experience a bit.

RE: spotters while you fly
 

Safety means something different to most everyone, it also evokes different emotions in most everyone. Given your example, I would think (in the interest of safety) that someone still learning would have an assistant/instructor with him/her until they were proficient on their own. Still, if your heart raced and the P-factor rose rapidly, likely so is the spotter's and perhaps he/she would not have the time to warn others either. Tomitigate the risk you present it might behoove the beginner, considering aircraft size and power source, to fly a specified safe distance(far away) from the pit area. You need to identify the risks associated with the activity (i.e. a 30lb gasser or13 oz parkflyer). Given that, you can only mitigate the risk (you can't eliminate it), but I agree a spotter would help to mitigate it in many, but not all, circumstances.
hook

RE: spotters while you fly
 

I thought the spotters job was to look at everything except the pilots model,
to watch for outside interferences and proximity stuff like fullscale and whatnot.
The times I have been a 'required spotter' at other club fields, the duty was to watch for people planes, not warn the peanut gallery that the guy they've been heckling is about to crash into them

RE: spotters while you fly
 

Kid you hit the nail right on the head. The job of a "spotter" is to watch for other aircraft, and warn the pilot he is spotting for of an impending condition. A "teacher/instructor"s job is to watch the pilots plane. Two totally different functions as you clearly and rightfully noted.

RE: spotters while you fly
 

I don't think that is what I said. You asked if you knew anyone who lost a field for not having a spotter. I answered that I did not and that most places I know of do not require them. That does not mean they are unsafe or anything of the sort. The places that do require them have good reason, like the slope at Torrey Pines where there is a mix of man carrying and model aircraft.

RE: spotters while you fly
 

My club doesn't require the use of a spotter so I usually don't use one.
Many times I'm flying alone so it's a moot point. I will use one when the flight
line is busy and/or depending on "who" is on the flight line with me.

Never heard of a club losing a field because of not having a spotter.



Regards,
Roby

RE: spotters while you fly
 

Where in my post did I say that they were one and the same Kid? Suddenly you are concerned for and are on the look out for full scale aircraft? Get real. But even if I did, are you that lacking in talent that you can't multi-task?
hk

RE: spotters while you fly
 

yes, you got me
I am so lacking in the ability to multitask
that I just quietly watch a plane ram the hecklers because warning them is not my job.
You must be psychic to know me so well from so far away

RE: spotters while you fly
 

Spotters are not required at our field..however at certain times they can be the best option on your radio !