ORIGINAL: Matt Kirsch
That said, I otherwise agree with your take on flying styles and banning specific flying types or maneuvers. Perhaps instead of banning or trying to regulate flying styles, the AMA should define and separate them? That is, no 3D while others are "flying the pattern," and no flying the pattern when others are flying 3D. There is nothing wrong with either flying style, but the traffic patterns they create are not compatible with each other.
Oh come on Matt. There is no reason 3D and "normal" flight can't go on together in the common flying situation. Now if you got 5 guys 3Din, that's different. But any day you can have me hovering in my face and a guy flying the pattern and we can get along fine as long as we communicate and respect each other.
I'd add that the most dis-respect I've ever had was at SMALL in little Rock where the VAST majority of "normal" pilots enjoyed the few of us that flew 3D but 2 guys made asses of themselves and made the day hard for all. It can go either way!![:@]
As soon as AMA makes your rule, you'll find 20 other "styles" that need to be seperated. Ever tried to fly a trainer while a guy practices with a Q-500? Or what about the guy who has a $10,000 plane, and says he should be allowed to ground you while he flies because your style interferes with his? Should we say new pilots can only fly at the top 10 minutes of every hour, since they are the ones other pilots must be on the look out for?
Instead, how about we let each club work it out, as it is now. Most grown up men can get along without more rules, and around here, those that can't soon leave, since we don't give them any room to work.