Originally posted by BrianH
Just returned from the field today where we had two very close calls. A Laser 200 piloted by a 72 year old with poor vision and Parkinson's slammed in the pit area after the guy lost control of it. The pilot is a great guy, but not very safe.
One hour later a 74 Year old member crashed into the side of our club house after 4 aborted landing attempts with his large biplane. The guy shakes so badly while flying that the stick moves about 1 inch from side to side during normal level flight.
Would it be a good idea to come up with some kind of proficiency training after hitting 65?? Like with drivers licenses? Maybe some kind of test at the beginning of the flying season performed in front of a CD or the club instructor.
Lets have some input.
(And yes, I too have met older guys who flies the pi$$ out of anything, but it's the unsafe ones I'm talking about)
Brian
When I made 60, of course I had to retire as an Airline pilot, which is the only legislated age discrimination that I am now aware of. Actually I was ready to retire, after driving USAF and AL machines for some 41 years.
OTOH, I am NOT ready to retire from model aviation. Nearing 67, I will contest anyone on the ability to fly any RC within safe boundaries, now I did not say show or competition event flying, but within any normal routine, whether it be warbird racing, fun flys or whatever.
My input to people that want some kind of legislated ruling that effects ALL people, just because of a few, is very simple. I just label them as members of a generation of spoiled brats, those that always found milk in the refrigerator, never had to earn their keep / (wings) every day, and wants the government/whatever to take care of them by legislating against all that crowd their world, the one revolving around them, like liberal democrats!
One of these days you may very well be one of those legislated against. The tune changes at that point.