R/C flying requires hand eye coordination and good reflexes!!!!
No argument from me there.
Would it be a good idea to come up with some kind of proficiency training after hitting 65??
This was the question posted in the original email. No, I do not think it is a good idea to institute this type of idea.
As we get older these skills deteriorate..
Yes, they do, but to state an age limit is unfair and unjust. Especially for those who are excellent pilots at age 65 and beyond. What are you going to do with someone who's 62 and can't handle himself on the flight line? Look the other way just because he's too young for you to hold the rule book in his face? No, you address each individual and situation on it's own. That's the function of the club safety officer, co-ordinator, etc.
What I find interesting is how people who are supposedly so safety conscience over look this fact. I have seen people behind the wheel of cars and transmitters who don't belong there period.
nobody wants to embarrass them but what happens if we do nothing and they hurt or kill someone, wouldn't everyone in the particular club be to blame for this.. Let's face I'm sure everyone here "knows" someone who is a great guy BUT HAS NO business in the air and everyone is too afraid to embarrass him so instead every time that person goes up everyone at the field collectively holds their breath till the flights is over...
It is the clubs responsibility to do something in these situations. If that's what you have in mind, great. But remember what forum this is, AMA Discussions. That implies that you support the AMA creating this rule as well as developing a plan to deal with it. I do not feel it is the AMA's business to tell me, or anyone else, when I/they must take a proficiency examine when I've been flying for X # of years and never had an incident to cause concern. BTW, I have known several people who scare everyone under the shed when they fly. But none are over 50. Why should they be dealt with any differently just because they do not fit into the "old" age group?
As far as the 20-40 or beginner age range I think the idea of the red card for safety violations is a great Idea and should be in the AMA rules for god sake everything else is in there..
No, it should not be in the AMA rules. It should be in club rules, if the club wants them in there.
If you happen to fall into that age group don't be mad its just a fact of life...
1. I'm not in the age group in question. I'm 33.
2. No, it's not a fact of life, it's your personal opinion.
I happen to agree with mandatory driver lic re-testing when a person reaches a certain. It only makes sense from a safety perspective
Why? Most states require a written retest of drivers every 4-8 years anyway. It would be far smarter to simply add a driving test to the program. You'd remove far more dangerous drivers from the road and age would never be an issue since everyone was subjected to the same requirements.
You act like you are going to take away someones license to fly a model plane if they fail this exam. The last time I checked, you don't need a license to fly a model airplane. What are you going to take away? How are you going to stop this person from flying? Kick them out of the club? If so, what does that have to do with the AMA? Is AMA going to revoke their insurance? Not likely, they need the $ to fund whatever frivolous museum expansion they have in mind. Any safety issues relating to an individuals ability to handle their model should be dealt with by the club. Period.
But I digress. This thread is about older flyers, not drivers. Let's stick to the subject at hand.
John