I touched on this in another thread, but it really wasn't on topic so I though I start a new thread (something I usually don't do much). Anyways...I've been flying going on 27 years...and I saw my first electric maybe 7 or 8 years ago and have watched them show up every now and then at the field. The impression I've always had was whimpy, whiney, frail, short flight times, under powered etc...etc. Well, that's been changing big time with better engines and higher tech electronics and much better batteries. Two weeks ago I took the plunge, got some fan fold, and built my first electric airplane. OMG what a blast. Suddenly the golf course across the street, the softball field down the street, behind my shop at work...and even inside my shop have all become flying fields. I can fly high and as if I was flying a sport plane, or, because of it's weight, I can fly low and slow inside the space of a tennis court...all the while, quiet as can be and attracting no attention.

At the same time I've just gotten over a 4 year burn out period of the developing National combat. The AMA making it hard and a struggle at every turn. Finally having wrecked too much stuff, and our local squadron fizzling out, I quit combatting, and turned my sights on 3D this year. No sooner did I learn to tail touch, but the AMA outlaws it. Suddenly I see organizations forming and fighting and the beginnings of the same thing I just quit doing...only now it's my newest interest in the hobby. My gosh...dues to an insurance company that thinks they are the cops, and more dues to a club that will uphold the insurance company's laws if I break them...with the future possibility of even more dues to an organization who may decide to be a voice to the lawmakers through committees and meetings and proposals etc...etc...

Or...putting two and two together, I can put a quick charge on my electric, walk across the street, hover...tail touch to my heart's content, and reach out and grab my plane out of the air when I'm done flying. I can take it to work and have a combat round with my buddy behind the shop over lunch break. The thrill is just as intense. The flying urge is just as fulfilled. My fire is burning again, and I'm having as much fun as ever!

It's the time of the year to renew AMA...but it's very easy to ask why? Oh yeah, I will, but how long will that last. I'm already hearing about brushless engines and lypoly batteries that rival .46's in power weight and duration...sure the price is high, but for how long? How much longer will I put up with dues, more dues, more dues, and all the rules, attitude and crap that goes with them to drive 20 minutes to fly a loud messy airplane...when the softball field down the street is all but abandoned and craving somebody to use it for something other than grow weeds?

Bottom line: Our hobby is changing big time. Is it just me who thinks that newer electric technology is really going to give the AMA trouble in the future?

Glad you found electrics Tattoo, but what makes you think you'll be allowed to fly a brushless electric that rivals a .46 at that golf course or softball field for very long?

There are signs cropping up all over the country, at parks, and schoolyards and many "private" venues that specifically say "no model airplanes". (I've seen them around here within the past 12 months.) [] You may get away with smaller park flyer type stuff, but if you push it with large, fast electrics, you can bet you'll be chased out. Then you'll need the field that's 20 minutes away, and the AMA membership anyway.
Dennis-

One of the reasond I brought this up is because the notion of needing a lot of space is also changing. Up until this summer, anything I flew needed a take off run, and a considerable amount of room for final and landing. Not any more. The planes are getting more radical, with longer chords, shorter spans, higher lift, lighter, and more alternate materials and building techniques than I can keep up with. I'm already flying .46 powered glow planes that fly out of my hands, and can be landed harrier style with no forward speed...and flying within the confines of the ball field (we've done it) is no problem. The only thing stopping us from making a habit of it is noise. The aircraft designs and flying style also opens up just about any place that has enough room to park a car and has a little overfly area. Again, noise being the only real problem.

I think Dennis is right. It is just a matter of time concerning electrics being flown on public property without restrictions, or being banned from flying anywhere but your OWN property. With the advent of more powerful electrics, comes an increased damage, injury and liability factor. Tattoo, I read you were burned out on combat etc. Our club is wanting to start some informal combat. I will most probably be our new club president as of Mon., and I have been researching rules and problems etc. The way I understand it, just flying informal combat with no points etc, all the AMA safety rules, distances, and helmets must be worn OR the insurance is void. As an incoming officer, I don't want problems like this. We WILL adhere to all rules or not do combat. Most of the guys are against the SSC planes because they are not fast enough etc., although I feel that because of our flight line\spectator distance, this would be the "logical" way to go. Maybe there is a reason no one else ran for prez!!
I feel the AMA is a "necessary evil". (insurance company), because of todays' "get rich quick, sue for every little thing" attitude. JMO .......lownslo......

I hear you Tatoo. I just recently started flying the fan fold planes at my house. I have been flying helis in my front yard for the better part of 3 years. The horse farm next to me lets me fly over his land. So I could care less about the AMA.

I did however renew for 2 years this month. Why I don't know. I have also been thinking of becoming a lifetime member. I still may.

My main point is that I don't have to listen to the AMA if I don't want to. I will obey all AMA rules at a AMA club, but I live in God's country and we don't have no stinking rules out here!!!

Todd

I do wan't to make it clear that I'm certianly not anti-AMA and fully understand the issues. That's why I'm talking about it. I can already see though that much more of my flying time and budget will not be AMA/club focused, and once that starts...who knows...

That is correct. I also agree. Combat is dangerous period. Our group followed all this and it's not that bad, however, the larger plane's set back becomes a tough to see, less exciting for the spectators type issue. I've combatted locally since 1988, and Nationally since 99. In an extreme nutshell...if you go big, such as .40 class...you will get the most participation right off the bat (since everyone has these engines around)...but destruction will be higher, as well the drop out rate. SSC was created because of this very thing within the RCCA...many members were burned out, tired of destruction, and wanted to bring the action under control as well as closer/safer...planes last longer, as well as memberships.