Originally Posted by BarracudaHockey

We all know that self policing involves folks that are invested in the hobby getting involved. Perhaps there's a feeling that they have no place to tell someone what or what not to do, perhaps there's a belief that if they have a jet they posses a waiver. I'm not sure what's going on down there but like I have said, I'm looking into it.

I've gotten looks before, by people that don't know who I am, for checking a waiver on an unfamiliar pilot attempting to fly a turbine at our field. I was doing that as a waiver holder and club officer long before I was a DVP though.

Originally Posted by franklin_m

I didn't go looking for this, I stumbled over it while looking for a FPV video on something else. With respect to everyone being accountable, what you and Andy both described is an example of a healthy safety culture. What Andy did by checking for waivers and what your fellow club member did with you are called "interventions." While I think many members generally operate safely, there's too many examples like this out there where the opposite is true. Unfortunately, it's not small foamies, but large, heavy, and fast aircraft.

The issue comes down to a matter of urgency. If you believe the hobby could withstand someone like this crashing into buy I-75, then ok. Do it your way. On the other hand, if that's unacceptable or time is not a luxury, then it's time for someone to take the initiative and act.

Perhaps it's my professional development as a Naval officer. I spent my entire commissioned career living under an expectation to take bold and decisive action when confronted with issues like this. Now, in fairness, I'm operating under the presumption that the EC discussion about behavior in this community represents a larger and more pervasive problem. In which case, it seems there's some urgency to change behaviors/culture. Quick change is not with out pain. Sometimes you have to make examples. This seems to be a perfect opportunity - provided it's supported with a communications plan as well.

Mind you, this approach is based on my training and years managing high risk operations, but here's what I'd do if I were Andy. First, find the operator and yank his turbine waiver (crush the offender - cause of the problem). Second, meet with the club and put out word that if this non-compliance w/ AMA rules does not stop immediately, then AMA will work with the land owner to shut down operations (shot across the bow to drive immediate culture change). Third, require mandatory recertification of all other club/pilot group waiver holders with heavy emphasis on rule compliance (realign to rules). Fourth, AVPs and district safety experts make no-notice visits for compliance checks ("trust but verify"). Fifth, write an article for MA and for posting on the AMA website airing the dirty laundry about what happened, actions taken, and how these sort of issues will be handled in the future (send clear signal of expected behavior to rest of community). Sixth, provide talking points for all club officers where turbines are allowed and ask them to discuss in newsletters and meetings (get the word out).