Well guys as a matter of fact i had been championing this for 3 years now and you no what have not gotten 1 email back and i had emailed in a professional manner in professional letter format. thats one reason i get mad at them that after probably 50 emails and letters mailed off in 3 years not 1 letter sent back in reply that either A we are looking into it or B it wont be done because of 1,2, or 3. Now believe it or not I dont even have a plane at that limit yet but there are some nice warbird kits and plans from the UK in 1/3 scale that would be just over the limit and something I would like to compete with. Even if they increased to 65 lbs it would be enough for a lot of people whose planes come in at 58 or 60 with full fuel.

As for my math skills it doesnt take a rocket scientist to know that a large plane no matter if it at 55 lbs or 70 lbs into a crowd will pretty much do the same amount of damage. sure a heavier plane will have more force but a 32" prop vs a 34" prop will do the same amount of damage as will a 11 ft ws vs a 13 ft yea you have 2 feet to get away but all the weight in the plane is usually in the fuse and a spinning prop will chop up the same amount.

Now I do agree there should be a limit and for the same reasons a big plane in crowded places but a plane doesnt have to be huge to be heavy. a 1/5th scale warbird will naturally weigh more than say a 40% IMAC plane or would be close to the same. I think the very top and a lot of people I have had discussions with trying to organize a group to petition for changes feel 65 lbs with fuel should be the max for competitions or other events and those that are larger be like they are now for midday demos etc.

I have no personal beef with Dave other than the fact i have never gotten any type of acknowledgement that he has even looked into the matter or that he or any of his staff had not even had the courtesy to reply to one of them.

The other fact is the insurance jumping to 58 bucks is rediculous. It seems to me they do the increase to fund all these things they want to build that most of us will never see or use. whats wrong with the old buildings sell them to fund these things or ask for donationions or fund raisers dont force the membership to pay for stuff they dont use. and offer a membership for those of use that use the mag to start fires with to burn trash heck cut 15 or 20 a year off the dues for those not wanting it. they probably wouldnt be able to afford to keep it up due to lack of interest.

Basically i get ticked off that this is a hobby and should be enjoyable for everyone and it all seems to be a beurocracy and political catering to only certain groups. how often do you see info in the mag for giant scale or warbirds or scale stuff other than an itty bitty article here or there it seems the AMA only cares about the barf and funfly or aerobatics crowd and neglects the other subgroups.

Joe