I apologize in advance, incase this string has already been covered. This may seem like a stupid question but does the AMA require that we use our pilot boxes. "Our field has five boxes that we have recently built and we have some members that refuse to use them. When there are only a few people out at the field it's not a problem, but when someone is using a box it seems to me that everyone should be behind the box line.

The AMA does not even require that the pilot boxes exist.

However... if it is a club safety rule that the boxes be used...then read the littl note in the safety code that says... Club safety rules by default become part of the safety code at that club's field. (If the club thinks its needed the AMA wants it obeyed.)

I can tell you that a Pilot's box with safety barriers has saved people at a local club from being hit by models at least 5 times in the last 12 months... There is good reason to use them.

***

Ther is a DEFINITE rule that the pilots be on one side of a straight line... and the airplanes in flight be on the other side f that line. (and now a 25 ft separation rule exists ... gotta be 25 ft away except as needed to launch or retrieve a model.)

Safety Code
Radio Control
3) At all flying sites a straight or curved line(s) must be established in front of which all flying takes place with the other side for spectators. Only personnel involved with flying the
aircraft are allowed at or in the front of the flight line. Intentional flying behind the flight line is prohibited.
8)With the exception of events flown underAMA Competition rules, after launch, except for pilots or helpers being used, no powered model may be flown closer than 25 feet to any
person.

As Fred said, NOT an AMA thing unless in your club's rules.

Your problem is an internal club problem It's difficult to imagine a club that would build these boxes yet not require their use and allow any member to have an option except for special circumstances. The Club Officers are sadly lacking in their performance of duty.

We also have five boxes. Anyone that doesn't use the box will get a notice very quickly. A *REFUSAL* would, at the very next meeting, send said member down the road.

Special Circumstances are:

1. A member may stand behind an aircraft to make a take off but then move into a box. (Done that with a new scale model and I want all the help I can get for that first take off.)

2. Contests. The CD can deviate from a published Club Rule (BTW this is a published club rule itself) to accomplish supervised operations within the limits of the AMA Safety Code.)

Pic. shows using boxes in a War Bird Race but allowing a guy to step out to land, then a pic. operating a FF event from outside the boxes. (edit added)

You can build ,install do what ever you want at the field and some people will complain or will dare you to do some thing about it. Thats life you can not satisfy every one but you have to have control. If you don't the club or what ever is gone!
You can not play favorites!!

OK... I guess I've been misunderstanding this new 25 ft rule... (I was making it safer than the rule makes it.)
And I've been wanting the safety line to be between the pilot and the plane.(Except when launching or recovering.... then cross it briefly)

The way I WAS interpreting would have been safer... And its a good thing to be safer than the rules rather than unsafe.

Your making the 25 ft rule the way it should have been written, IMHO. I guess there are some races where it is necessary to pit the plane during the contest, and that led to the rule being written as it is. Perhaps it might have been wiser to make those the exceptions to the rule.

The flight line rule is more problematic. For instance: in the case of slope gliders, it is often the case that the pits are in a semi-circle, or even a circle.
Llandings are taking place on the sides and even behind the pits. By the nature of the beast, a situation that must exist at most slope sites.

Can always set the club field rules to the safer "interpretation."

Heck... If I were to write the AMA safety code the way I THINK it should be... there's be a whole lotta screaming out there.[X(]

I think distance is much more safe than pilot boxes located too close to the flight line. After all, these things are flying! Our field is set up with the pilot line 30' from the flight line and it works great.

I tend not to fly in the pilot boxes but either back from it or to the side. Due to the fact that I hold my transmitter down low, I have snapped off my antennae in the mesh of the flight box. Since then, I don't use them.

Most of the fields here have a pilot box defined. People use them.
What infuriates me the most is: People who start their plane in the pits, and then TAXI it from the pits to the runway!
That's where the danger lies! Being hit from behind by an airplane on the ground while you are "safe" in a pilot box!
The airplane is supposed to be carried to the taxi areas, which are 10 or 15 feet from the runway. One is not supposed to taxi back to the pits, either, but shut down at the line, retrieve their plane, and carry it back to the pit area.
I am teaching young teenagers how to fly, but also, all the safety things that go along with flying. Ground school, if you will. You will not see one of my students taxiing out of the pits or back to them. Along with this goes the "proper" way to hold and start their planes in the pit area. Don't allow the prop blast to blow dirt and grass on another model, things like that, that goes beyond just learning how to FLY. I wish everyone taught things like this to the new people. Gus.

OOOOoooo[:-] Teaching proper courtesy to beginners [:-]

We can only wish that happened everywhere.

From all the fields I have visited, only one is set up to ensure this level of safety and that is the Ocala field in Belleville, FL. The starting station is just behind two of the flight boxes but the paved area to the runway is wide enough that their should not be a problem. I have seen people being told to not start their engines at the tables and to use the taxiway in the manner is should be used.

THe only other field that comes close it the field that is behind the INdiana Boys school in Plainfield, IN. This field has a pit area that is paved and the taxi lanes are wide and give plenty of clearance to the pilots at the stations. Each station has a built in restraining device and each pilot is encouraged to use it.

A&P Mechanic,

Very well put. Clearest statement of good taxi handling safety procedures I have seen.

Bedford

As for pilot boxes, you need a strong Field Marshall thats not afraid to do the job, even if that means correcting the President of the Club. In a nice way of course. There is no excuse not to follow club and safety rules, none at all. That is the Fm's job. Rules are no good without an enforcement authority. Excuses, dont need them. Good rules and no enforcement mean nothing when the accident happens. Then you hear "shoulda, coulda, woulda stories". Usually from the person that caused the problem. Most people dont like the rules at first, but they get used to them when reminded enough times. Then if you get someone who wont listen, light them up, let them sit for awhile and contemplate the error of their ways. If they wont learn to be safe, they dont need to fly at your club.

Vince AMA 7051