I've been an AMA member 5 years, still a newbie compared to most guys in my club. I remember one of the first articles I read by Dave Brown, addressing the question of whether the big models had more insurance claims than little models. His response, as I remember it, was that there were so few claims, you couldn't really make any generalizations.

Now, just five years later, we're seeing what seems to me to be an explosion of claims, dues increases, several fatalities, a plane breaking through the roof of a house, a kid maimed standing next to his Dad, plus a seemingly endless stream of graphic stories of serious injuries produced by props and heli rotors.

The question I'm sure all the AMA officials are asking is this a trend or an aberration? What do you think? If it's a trend, and in the next 5 years accidents grow like the last, I would guess we'll either lose our insurance coverage completely, or face a drastic change in its structure (not necessarily a bad thing). I'm not saying we'll all be flying 3 pound electrics, but we're going to have to stop quibbling about tail touching, and seriously address some safety issues.

Personally, I think the oral history is not going to work any more for teaching safety. Right now, the elders try to instruct the newbies, but it's haphazard, and there are many opinions. If you take up skydiving (or any inherently dangerous sport like rock climbing or scuba), you're in for some pretty formal classroom-like training in safety. Perhaps we need something like that. What would it take to really stop the practice of adjusting your engine from the front of the plane? How can we convince the AMA members that safety is not a bad word, and may be critical to the future viability of this sport?

I think it is just a cycle.....and we are at a high point in the cycle....basis for that statement - sheer dataless feeling! Boy, I hope I am right....

Jerry

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Mike, I've belonged to AMA continually since 1956, and I don't know how long off and on before that. I started somewhere around 1947 and was off/on until '56. I don't think I have missed a year since. I got my CD/Leader in '63.

Above, you used an example of your perception of something unsafe. Each has some such perception. I have only, in my 50+ years of modeling seen one serious accident because of your stated perception. That was because the person stuffed a twice too-big engine in an ARF with no structural addition and it caused the firewall to leave the aircraft fuse. after a number of flights. Got him big time, but he still flies and does some of the same dumb things.

If I perceive a problem, in today's modeling, it is the entry into rather Hi-Tech modeling with no basis or background concerning the activity or what one can encounter in its operation. The ARFs, the ready-to-go-NOW and the general attitude of being "cool" by NOT concerning one-self with safety practices are all contributing factors in the realm of safety.
Another, IMO, very BIG factor is that AMA WILL NOT, HAS NOT, AND HAS NO PLANS TO DO SO, confront the Model Aviation Industry on the standards of workmanship (Yes there is more than "LIGHT" and Cosmetics in the workmanship arena) that are now being sold in bundles to the uneducated potential modeler/model flier in this country. The current leadership in AMA definitely has NO intention of attacking the root/s of the problem.
Just blame the unknowing users and make more restrictive rules are all that AMA will do. In less than 6 months, I have witnessed 2 ARF Firewalls (Gas burners) depart the front of the fuselage with a running engine, one being of a recommended size. I have refused a number of trainer "first flights" due to, IMO, poorly constructed ARF-wing units.
Place all this "marketing" of the industry along with people having no background in the operation and there is all that is needed to light a roaring inferno.
To think that one will make a law that all have to be trained in such background is as ludicrous as trying to stop all the quick-marts from selling cold beer to the drivers making a quick-stop.

I've been thinking of this 'training' too Mike. Food for thought. I was actually very suprised when I got into RC flight that there was no certification processes in place nationaly. No formal standardized system of teaching safety, like hunters, skydivers, rock climbers, scuba divers, ect. I had thought that with a/c potential for damage (any type), that one would at least be required to take some type of written certification test....even if it was akin to todays 'permit' test for motor vehicals, sans actual 'classroom' instruction. I understand soloing requirements on a 'per club' basis, but this seems to me to be an antiquated way to make sure of novice compliance with safety. Or anyones compliance, for that matter. A romantic dream where everyone looks out for one another, all the old timers pass on the goods, and others actually listen to them. I don't know if we can continue on this course in the new millenium. I wish we could. I firmly believe that seperate insurance.....non-ama, non-homeowners, will be required of all model fliers with-in the next 20 years. Maybe model specific coverage no less. [:-]

Brian

Brian

Leave rock climing out--thre is no such thing I know of-or if there is, it is new--we used to teach it in Las Cruces--
"Rock. Rope. Belay like this. go up"
Roger

edited to correct spelling of "rope"

Roger...I can see your point about not needing certification....as I can (do) climb a rock whenever I want. [8D] Point taken. Apples n' oranges there.

Brian