But from my vantage point, the regulation of certain classes of r/c is very important. Case in point, the current AMA waiver that turbine users must sign in order to fly at AMA sanctioned fields. Or the waiver you must sign in order to fly an aircraft that is above a certain weight. Of course you could fly these 'under the wire' but if something happens, your going to be in heaps of trouble! Not to mention possibly cast out of the AMA or have a black mark on your name.
Why mix apples and oranges? What the AMA requires doesn't stop you from flying, you can still fly from a private field. If you are worried about getting into trouble if you crash you can get insurance elsewhere. If you own the property you are flying from then your property insurance may cover it. With the FAA they can stop you from flying for good if they rewrite the regulation and nobocy challanges it.
What the FAA is attempting (and the AMA is working w/them) is to ensure public safety by regulating certain aircraft that can cause serious harm if unfortunate events were to occur. Both on the ground and in the air.
The FAA has no authority on the ground, except at airports. Read FAA Part 77 for their authority on ground vehicles near airports. IMO (most here strongly disagree) the only regulation that pertains to us is Part 77.
Because the technology has caught up with us, rules need to be put in place. I, for one, am not a fan of someone flying a 120+MPH / 35lbs+ aircraft who has not 'proven their ability' to fly through proper channels.
Me either but as long as its under 500 feet and not near an airport its non of the FAA's da#^ business. The AMA can enforce their rules, and if its on their on property its nobody's da#^ business.
Flying is a privilege, not a right.
Actually thats not quite true. Its not a constitutional right perhaps, but lots of things considered rights are not enumerated in the Constitution. In fact there is a phrase that says the people have the right when not given to the government. The thing that gives the govenment the power to regulate is the commerse clause. We have the right to commerse, but federal and state government has the power to regulate it. That does not mean flying should be a privilage. It is still a right, but a regulated right. A privilage would be serving your country, especially with high rank such as POTUS. A privilage would mean that only those in power, say politicians and the military can fly.