Hey...I was on that committee also, and I joined for the reasons you spoke of...don't *****...do!!!!

Being an event organizer, I've organized and flown in 168 rounds of combat since the new set back requirements. Before that, I organized and flew in 128 rounds of organized combat. Breaking it down to heats, that well over 500 heats (and that doesn't include practice!). Also included prior to the above mentioned is over 14 years of participating in organized and non organized combat with buddies.

At each event I organize we fly A class, C class and 2610 class. Due to their size, flight charicteristics and visibility, the C class is always the safest class. The most close calls have always come from the A class (which BTW is my favorite). Since the AMA set back, the C class has now become without a doubt the safest form of combat there is. If there is an out of control plane or mid air, the planes are far enough out that danger is not even a player anymore. I would say it would take at least 2 seconds for a plane to make it from the combat arena to the flightline. If you haven't done it properly to the required set back, you wouldn't know. If you want to pucker your butt, fly A class. The set back is only 75 feet to the spectators, and to the pilots it's "in your face" big time. The planes are squirrly, and an out of control plane is a safety factor in a half a fraction of a second. That's why instead of *****ing, I joined the RCCA and started working from within to try to change things. I couldn't just sit around and read the stuff that guys with no experience were saying about something they knew nothing about. With the help of other experienced C class pilots that also joined, we became strong enough to vote it in, and now the RCCA has a C class.

As for the set back c/f...The termonology oversite is being worked on very hard by very good people.