RE: Safety Violations
Given that it is getting harder and harder to keep and maintain fields, good people and good clubs need to keep stupid people and stupid things from happening. I agree with others that through due process (IE several witnesses and the offender are given an opportunity to explain themselves) the logical sense would be to serve verbal/written notice for first offense. The offense should have a calendar limit so as to give the offender the opportunity to expunge his/her record. If a second offense were to pop up within the calendar period of the first offense then suspension of flight privileges for several weeks would be justified. At that level the club officers, and chief pilot should convene and have an open discussion with the individuals involved to ensure that again due process has been followed with affected parties have a fair opportunity to explain themselves and voice what infractions have been violated. Given the severity of the issue and the offenders remorse should be taken in consideration of punishment issued. At this level of punishment the offense again should be given a calendar date to allow the offender to have the issue expunged from his record and allow him to clear himself. Obviously at this level the time frame should be pretty strict. For the third offense, the individual clearly has demonstrated that he/her doesn't care about individuals safety, safety of the club and/or the community where the club is located. Again the club officers and all individuals involved should convene and discuss the offense. The individual should be given the opportunity to speak and explain his/her action. A review of prior offenses explained and the individual verbal/written issuance of banning from the club. A letter from the club officers should also go to the AMA notifying them of the incident and club action taken.
Bottom line is that people should have the opportunity to explain themselves in a given situation and a chance to prove that they have learned from their mistakes. We are here to learn from each other and enjoy a hobby that not only provides a lot of enjoyment, but also fellowship.