As a CD for almost 15 years now, I have seen a lot of trends in Big Bird events. The one that bothers me the most is HOVERING! The pilots that do this, tend to do it over the runway, and as close as possible to themselves. As an R/C pilot, I have seen what a prop can do to a person. Most of these events have many spectators who are milling very near the pits, and some even allow the crouds inside the pits while flying is under way. My point is this.......

If you HOVER, you need to do it out away from the flight line!! Doing it over the runway, (1)blocks the normal flight pattern, (2)keeps other pilots form being able to do their fly-by's, (3) leads to a lot of aggravated people for the most part. As a CD, I am the one who hears the most about it. The people who don't like it will come to me to stop it, instead of talking to the pilot after the flight, to explain their position. Personaly, once you have seen it, the thrill is gone! I would much rather see a pilot show me how well he can "FLY" his plane, rather that show me how well his gyro's can control the plane. At my last big bird, a 50% Laser did a tail tap, within 5 feet of the pilot stations. That did it for me...I had to explain the safety issues I had with that, and had to tell him to do it over the field, or be grounded. I had no choice, because the other pilots were going to leave if I didn't stop him.

My question to you pilots...... How do you feel about the safety issues posed by these BIG BIRDS, with BIG ENGINES, spinning BIG PROPS? Is there a problem? Do we need some sort of "SAFETY" guide lines for these events? Your input would be great!! As a CD, I have to make the tough calls. I hate to keep a good pilot from showing off, but there is a line. Thanks guys.....