I've wondered for some time if anyone was going to jump on the band wagon and stand up for the AMA CD/Leader Members. It looks like it has finally happened. Here's another nickels worth.

Does the AMA EC have any idea of what we put on the line each time we CD an event? If (God forbid) there is a bad injury, or worse yet, a fatal accident at your sanctioned event, who's going to end up as the "star" on the witness stand? Do they realize that the CD may have to give up time from work to go to court? Will they cover all his/her expenses during a hearing or trial? How about the sheer anguish of being involved in one of these situations?

Over the past 30 years I've CD'ed everything from an FAI World Record attempt to Q40 Pylon races. I don't regret one nickel I've spent or hour I've put in. I have always considered an incident as a possibility. By strictly enforcing the AMA competition/safety rules during the event I reduce the odds of a mishap. I'm sure that 99% of the CD's out there donate either money or equiptment that is worth at least as much or more than the AMA "free dues". (I probably spend that much just on the phone bill). $48 or $58 isn't the object. It's the principal of the thing!

Last thought - If the EC is worried about "freeloaders", i.e., get a CD license and pay no dues, then why don't they make qualifying for the free dues a little harder? Two sanctioned Fun Fly/Demo events for 1/2 off, 4 events for a free one. Or, one Class A event per year for the free one?

Ted Boz AMA 820