RE: has the AMA gone to far?
NO I DON'T BELIEVE SO....
I'll bet there isn't 2 Jet pilots in America that have sustained speeds at or above 200 mph for 15 mins cumulative time in the last twelve months flying Jets ! This go fast thing is just not all it's cracked up to be. See one or two low high speed passes and they just become yawners. As I've said before since high speed is relatively easy to accomplish because of the thrust produced by our turbines, speed for speed sake is just not the challenge for Jets it once was. The days of the crazy speed trap diving contests are over, and that's a good thing cause that trap diving is one reason we still are struggling to prove the level of safety & maturity that we all know exists in Jet world today.
As for other changes in our regs that might seem distasteful keep in mind AMA clubs can still scantion Jet events and actually be covered by AMA insurance. I believe our sign-offs, logging, and slight flight restrictions are a small price to pay.
THE JET RALLY SEASON HAS BEGAN FOR 04, WE ALL KNOW THE MOST LIKELY HAZARD OF OUR JETS IS AN UNCONTROLLED WILD FIRE AFTER A CRASH ------ SO LET'S ALL BE PREPARED WHENEVER, WHEREVER FLYING --- TO PUT DOWN / STOP OR QUICKLY CALL FOR ASSISTANCE A CRASH INDUCED FIRE.
If you want to prove your flying / speed abilities go try racing.. try racing a closed course in heats with 5 other aircraft all capable of speeds in excess of 200 mph. Try keeping your aircraft, engine, radio equipment race ready for 10 heats one after the other, and remember that includes vibration produced from piston engines. When you've done this for a few years and dozens of events you will come to understand what a yawner lone high speed passes are and why. Obviously racing any aircraft is more of a safety hazard than most other forms of flying, and because of that fact the AMA which still sanctions racing events, preemptively has never allowed Jet aircraft racing. If the real feel of speed is what turns your crank get into racing while it's still around.
All have a safe flying season
Regards,
Lee H. DeMary
AMA 36099