Originally Posted by
speedracerntrixie
First off most of the time the clubs are enforcing the rules.
Assumes facts not in evidence. I don't think you can say you've sampled all 2,000 clubs.
Originally Posted by
speedracerntrixie
Just because you can find a few examples does not mean that rules are not followed at all clubs. The same would hold true if I were to go looking for Naval Officers breaking laws. I'm betting I could find a good many examples, however I'm not going to assume that all Naval Officers are out there breaking laws.
Let's contrast shall we?
US Navy: Break rules or breach of flight discipline brings swift and severe action. Standing by and "not noticing" breach of flight discipline or breaking of rules by others - and not acting - is similarly met by swift and severe action. And when it happens, you can count on it being publicized. Usually a message from DCNO for Aviation, or Naval Safety Center, or both -- telling the whole Naval Aviation Community what idiots you were. You see, the community polices itself. Not to mention "PFOR" that go to leaders. "PFOR" being "Personal For..." Commanding and Executive Officers when this sort of thing happens. They tend to be rather pointedly worded. In fact, after a couple concerning breaches of flight discipline, the Air Wing Commander sent one that was filled with excerpts from autopsy reports. Things like "
... aviator died of transected thorax ..." and other such blunt decscriptions about the all too often consequences of such breaches. COs/XOs were also directed to have stand-downs and discuss flight discipline. Oh, and the guys involved that broke the rules? FNAEBs ... Field Naval Aviator Evaluation Boards ... one lost wings entirely, another stripped of all his flight leadership quals. Pretty much ended both careers. And you know what happens to leaders who tolerate such behaviors? They get what we call a "Change of Command w/o a band." In other words...fired. There is no tolerance of "doing nothing" or "not noticing". From above, your peers, or below.
AMA: In the case of Farview Flyers, AMA knew of violations for YEARS and DID NOTHING. Remember, CDs are "direct representatives of AMA," so the CD is the AMA at that point, which means they knew. And did nothing. Overflying non-participating people, animals, and property .. and did nothing. As did all those standing around and "not noticing" the violations. Same can be said for "Mayhem Park" in Florida. Lots of AMA members standing around and watching people break rules ... and apparently doing nothing. You can watch the videos and see people violating what's visible on a sign in the field of view .. and people walking by and not even stopping to stay something. Similarly, what's it say when your EVP attends an event where safety stand-offs are not even close to your own organization's recommendations ... and does nothing. Individuals not held accountable. Club leaders not held accountable. CDs not held accountable. In fact, NOBODY held accountable.
Originally Posted by
speedracerntrixie
Secondly AMA is NOT an enforcement agency empowered by the FAA. This has already been put to the test. 2019 soaring Nats. One of the CDs openly stated that he would be checking for FAA registration. As you would expect arguments followed. The end result was that the FAA issued a letter stating that AMA is not responsible for enforcing registration. In part one of the reasons stated that AMA does not have access to FAA database and could not verify. In effort to provide a good example, the pilots were asked to show up with numbers visible or during check in they were offered a peice of tape and a sharpie to write their FAA number on their sailplane. Most participants complied.
Never said AMA was empowered. But just as they can, and do, limit based on membership status, they can limit based on proof of registration and proper marking of your drone. The former easily solved by having ... you know ... those cards the FAA tells you to print and have on you when you fly that drone! The latter, simply show the field / event leadership where your drone is marked ... with a number that ... oh I don't know ... matches the one on the card you showed moments earlier!
I know, what a concept. Following rules and have processes in place where the organization checks itself for compliance, and doesn't tolerate people standing aroound and witnessing breaches of flight discipline and breaking of rules ... AND DOING NOTHING.