ORIGINAL: abel_pranger
If the venue is my AMA-chartered club field, there are two options for accommodating the newcomer: the Intro Pilot program, or a buddy box flight with my airplane - just once per AMA rule. I and my guests prefer the latter. Turning them over to a stranger for their introduction to modeling via hands-on experience is tacky - modeling is a social thing too. There is no legitimate reason for the one-time policy re buddy-box flying. The owner of the model is fully responsible for the flight and can seize control instantly as he deems necessary. Stats kept by AMA show no unusual risk in the buddy-box situation, and yes I have checked that out. The one-time policy is there to restrict the newbie from engaging in modeling until he has paid AMA for the privilege.
AMA policy of this sort, and I have cited but one example, that puts promotion of AMA cash flow ahead of promotion of model aviation exits because it can, when AMA is the only game in town.
Abel,
I'm an AMA Intro Pilot, as is my brother, Daren.
I think you misunderstand how the Intro Pilot program works. It's not a one-time, meaning, one-flight affair. The prospective pilot is allowed to fly for a period of 30 days. The one-time part means that once the 30 days are up, the prospective pilot may no longer fly under the intro pilot program and must join the AMA if he wishes to continue flying.
Here's the relevent passage from the AMA Intro Pilot program Application:
[link=http://www.modelaircraft.org/PDF-files/906.pdf]AMA Introductory Pilot Program (Application)[/link]
A non-AMA member may fly at a chartered club field and receive member liability insurance protection as long as he/she is flying under the direct supervision of a club-designated Introductory Pilot. The Introductory Pilot must hold a current AMA open membership license with the “Intro Pilot” classification. Supervised flights must take place at an AMA chartered club’s field, and must be closely supervised in a one-on-one relationship. The non-AMA member will have the same liability insurance coverage that other AMA members receive, solely while under the direct, one-on-one supervision of the Intro Pilot, for a period of 30 consecutive days starting from the first session. No other AMA benefits are provided to the non-AMA member.
Participation in this program is on a one-time basis only; an extension cannot be granted for any reason. This program covers training activities only, and does not constitute permission to fly in any organized event of AMA members or clubs, sanctioned or otherwise. No AMA card will be issued to the non-AMA member during the 30-day introduction period.
Dan