Hi, I have a question for you. A AMA/club member invites a non-AMA/club member to the flying site. While the guest is there, the member invites the guest to take the sticks. The member is in direct supervision of the flight. If the club by-laws stated that the member accepts full responsibility. Would your club allow or prohibit the guest from trying a flight or two? How else would you handle this?

Thanks,

The AMA rules are pretty clear as far as coverage is concerned.

There's an intro pilot program that allows designated intro pilots to fly potential members on a buddy box for a limited time.

Other than that, at our club, no, any incident would risk our lease with the city.

In agreement with barracuda. Getting people up on a buddy box after welcoming them to our club is one of the biggest reasons we've increased membership. How else are they really going to get a feel for that part of the hobby?

The Intro Pilot program encourages, but does not require, the use of a buddy box.

The AMA does allow a "One-time" buddy box flight for prospective new pilots.

More than your club or AMA, its what the land owner says that matters most. When all boiled down, there isn't any law or rule absolutely restricting non-AMAers from flying at club fields...

We follow the intro pilot program and have 2 learn to fly days at our club. After that the student must get AMA coverage but we will continue to train on club trainers or students aircraft.

and in many cases cities/towns/municipalities own the land, and it is a rule that only AMA members fly there. Letting non members fly puts the future use of the field in jeopardy.

The short answer to your question is yes , and it must be done with a AMA member who is / or has the intro pilot
identification on his /her AMA card. No buddy box required as far as I know .

The into pilot program has had some limited success at our field to the point where we keep it active with several
of the members . if some one shows up and wants to try flying and the trainer is available , they are directed to
one of the intro pilots .

Regards,
Roby

Like Roby above the answer is yes, We have 5 intro pilots on file with the AMA. Thse individuals ususally have a club trainer availbe on weekends and on our scheduled 'training nights' (Thursdays from the first Thurs in April to the last Thurs in September). Easily 30% of our club are members because they were introduced to the hobby through the intro pilot program.

Our club doesn't have any formal intro pilots per se or any other program but we do have a lot of very experienced guys helping the fledglings...our club seems to gain members at a very good clip...