I knew my post wouldn't go over too well, but yet I still want to add more.

Does it make any difference if it's an RC club we're talking about here? No, it could be almost any type of club... I said almost. Does it matter if it's an official club or just a group of people? Again, no. Am I suggesting turning people lose to go crazy and be destructive? No.

Two problems I see it as groups grow and mature. This is going to sound offensive but I'll do my best not to make it that way and apologise if it's not 100% clear.

1. Clubs/groups are usually run bythe more experienced players. And it should be... they already know the ins and outs. While that is good thing they tend to make desisions on what a beginner should know based on their own skill level and relative to themself rather than to the student and/or what the student needs to know. Personally I'd say 95% of what is taught is unnessesary.

2. Rules become a monster that only serve the rules themself. This is my pet peave. I live in the US and love my country but there's no doubt we love to make rules that serve NO purpose.

Rule example #1. Pilot needs to be an expert at taxiing so he doesn't crash into my $5000 scale plane. This must be evaluated by an instructor and signed off.
Rule example #2. Pilot needs to be an expert at handleing big aircraft so he doesn't scratch my $25,000 car he parked next to. This must be evaluated by an instructor and signed off.
Rule example #3. Just keep adding as many rules as you want.

I say there's little difference between #1 and #2. In fact I'll bet #2 is more important even though it sounds silly. Heck, I have a $50 plane and a brand new $35,000+ truck... I want rule #2. No number of rules can protect your money. I'm not saying all rules or instruction is bad but It's 10 times easier to get your 1st drivers license at the DMV and even more dangerous if you crash. My personal opnion is rules at club fields are way out of control and make it more fun for the rule markers than pretty much anybody else. Fear tactics to validate usless rules need to go away as well.

Few good helpful and safty minded rules = Good
Dozens of poor usless rules = Bad

We don't need a rule for every tiny thing and people don't need to be treated like babies. If they're children that's one thing but if they're adults they need the freedom to make their own decsions and deal with the preasure of making them.

Mike