Hovering next to yourself-AMA rules?
09-10-2008 | 09:44 PM
#77
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (7)
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Rockport, TX
RE: Hovering next to yourself-AMA rules?
I e-mailed Ilona Maine for some clarifications on rules #4 and #7. As you can see, the pilot and helper are indeed allowed on the runway (in front of the safety line) during flight. She also refers to the Flightline as being the same as the safety line.
Thank you for your inquiry. For your convenience I have attached the current recommended flying site specifications. Having a visual reference may assist in avoiding any misunderstandings.
AMA Safety Code, RC Section, item 4:
At all flying sites a safety line or lines must be established, in front of which all flying takes place. Only personnel associated with flying the model aircraft are allowed at or in front of the safety line. In the case of airshows or demonstrations a straight safety line must be established. An area away from the safety line must be maintained for spectators. Intentional flying behind the safety line is prohibited.
Q: Since the Safety line for our club is the edge of the runway, does this mean that the pilot and helper are allowed on the runway while flying?
A: Please refer to Figure 1 in the attached document. As you can see the designated pilot stations are positioned behind the designated safety line. While the current Safety Code would allow a pilot and his/her helper to be at or in front of the safety line, we would strongly encourage for everybody to keep a safe distance and to utilize pilot stations, when available. Please note that the layout places the pilot stations some distance away from the safety line.
AMA Safety Code, RC Section, item 7:
With the exception of events flown under official AMA Competition Regulations rules, excluding takeoff and landing, no powered model may be flown outdoors closer than 25 feet to any individual, except for the pilot and the pilot’s helper(s) located at the flightline.
Q: Does this mean that the pilot and a helper can get as close as they want to their aircraft during a hover? How is flightline defined? Is it the Safety line, and therefor OK for the pilot and helper to cross and to fly from the runway?
A: This item is a bit more complex. Technically, item 7 allows the pilot and his/her helpers to be closer than 25 feet to the model. They would however have to keep the model at a minimum distance of 25 feet to everybody else. So this really should only be done with one model in the air (demo flight) and not during open flying. The referenced flightline is indeed the same as the safety line.
Please remember that any highly skilled pilot can experience human error and/or equipment failure. When this happens every additional inch of distance between the model and the pilot/helper could potentially make the difference between being unharmed and sustaining a serious injury. So for their own safety and the safety of their helpers we recommend that they keep at a safe distance at all times.
Please note that the event CD has the authority to stop or restrict any activity they deem unsafe, even if it would be more restrictive than the current Safety Code.
I hope this clarifies any conflicting information you may have received. If you have any additional concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best regards,
Ilona Maine
Programs Department
Phone (765) 287-1256
Fax (765) 289-4248
www.modelaircraft.org
AMA Safety Code, RC Section, item 4:
At all flying sites a safety line or lines must be established, in front of which all flying takes place. Only personnel associated with flying the model aircraft are allowed at or in front of the safety line. In the case of airshows or demonstrations a straight safety line must be established. An area away from the safety line must be maintained for spectators. Intentional flying behind the safety line is prohibited.
Q: Since the Safety line for our club is the edge of the runway, does this mean that the pilot and helper are allowed on the runway while flying?
A: Please refer to Figure 1 in the attached document. As you can see the designated pilot stations are positioned behind the designated safety line. While the current Safety Code would allow a pilot and his/her helper to be at or in front of the safety line, we would strongly encourage for everybody to keep a safe distance and to utilize pilot stations, when available. Please note that the layout places the pilot stations some distance away from the safety line.
AMA Safety Code, RC Section, item 7:
With the exception of events flown under official AMA Competition Regulations rules, excluding takeoff and landing, no powered model may be flown outdoors closer than 25 feet to any individual, except for the pilot and the pilot’s helper(s) located at the flightline.
Q: Does this mean that the pilot and a helper can get as close as they want to their aircraft during a hover? How is flightline defined? Is it the Safety line, and therefor OK for the pilot and helper to cross and to fly from the runway?
A: This item is a bit more complex. Technically, item 7 allows the pilot and his/her helpers to be closer than 25 feet to the model. They would however have to keep the model at a minimum distance of 25 feet to everybody else. So this really should only be done with one model in the air (demo flight) and not during open flying. The referenced flightline is indeed the same as the safety line.
Please remember that any highly skilled pilot can experience human error and/or equipment failure. When this happens every additional inch of distance between the model and the pilot/helper could potentially make the difference between being unharmed and sustaining a serious injury. So for their own safety and the safety of their helpers we recommend that they keep at a safe distance at all times.
Please note that the event CD has the authority to stop or restrict any activity they deem unsafe, even if it would be more restrictive than the current Safety Code.
I hope this clarifies any conflicting information you may have received. If you have any additional concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best regards,
Ilona Maine
Programs Department
Phone (765) 287-1256
Fax (765) 289-4248
www.modelaircraft.org
