Drinking and flying
11-11-2014, 07:11 PM
#26
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Hound Dog - I I am flying on my own property (18 acres) which is surrounded on all sides by hundreds of acres of hay fields and woods. I do not drive after drinking.
Last edited by funnotcrazy; 11-11-2014 at 07:12 PM. Reason: mispelling
11-12-2014, 04:39 AM
#29
i guess if you're going to be dumb , you better be tough. having your own privet airstrip is nice , just don't expect any sympathy when you hit yourself with your plane.. drinking and flying isn't the wisest thing to do no matter where you are . A foamy can take an eye out just as fast as any other plane . stay dry my friends
11-12-2014, 05:19 AM
#30
Club rules forbid drinking at our field. At my previous club, oddly enough, there was a bar at the field, and you could shoot off your guns too if that was your pleasure. It was a prerequisite to join the Rod and Gun club too. I would just drive 1/2 a block to go home if I needed a beer that bad though. I don't remember any stumble drunk people ever flying at that club, although I am sure many would have a beer after flying, and at the club meetings.
11-12-2014, 05:55 AM
#32
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Moderation is the key here. In my 30+ years flying at numerous clubs I've never seen a alcohol related issue or crash. As a matter of fact I've seen more aircraft crashes and other incidents by the soda drinkers than any other group. Maybe we just know our limits or "when to say when".
From the AMA Safety Code
(h) Not operate model aircraft while under the influence of alcohol or while using any drug that could adversely affect the pilot’s ability to safely control the
model.
What defines "under the influence" ? Every individual is different. Of course club and field rules will spell out just what you can and can't do.
Mike
From the AMA Safety Code
(h) Not operate model aircraft while under the influence of alcohol or while using any drug that could adversely affect the pilot’s ability to safely control the
model.
What defines "under the influence" ? Every individual is different. Of course club and field rules will spell out just what you can and can't do.
Mike
Last edited by rcmiket; 11-12-2014 at 05:59 AM.
11-12-2014, 06:07 AM
#33
For the most part we are all adults and can manage to be responsible. I race at a club where we practice all day Saturday before the race. When everyone is finished for the day the adult beverages come out. Some guys choose to sport fly myself included until dark and hold off on the beer with BBQ dinner until the airplanes are put away. I know this is an issue for some guys and I personally would say something to the guy who grabbed his airplane after me seeing him with a drink. So far I have not had to do so.
11-12-2014, 07:05 AM
#34
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Moderation is the key here. In my 30+ years flying at numerous clubs I've never seen a alcohol related issue or crash. As a matter of fact I've seen more aircraft crashes and other incidents by the soda drinkers than any other group. Maybe we just know our limits or "when to say when".
From the AMA Safety Code
(h) Not operate model aircraft while under the influence of alcohol or while using any drug that could adversely affect the pilot’s ability to safely control the
model.
What defines "under the influence" ? Every individual is different. Of course club and field rules will spell out just what you can and can't do.
Mike
From the AMA Safety Code
(h) Not operate model aircraft while under the influence of alcohol or while using any drug that could adversely affect the pilot’s ability to safely control the
model.
What defines "under the influence" ? Every individual is different. Of course club and field rules will spell out just what you can and can't do.
Mike
11-12-2014, 07:21 AM
#35
I think that the current goal for the AMA is to define what most of us do as " Recreational " as defined by flying our models in line of sight. Under that definition it's the goal of AMA to have the FAA pretty much leave us alone. We did have one person who felt that alcoholic beverages should not be allowed on a sanctioned AMA site at all by any person whether they are flying or a wife etc. A call was made to the AMA by this individual. The AMA did do a follow up call to the club president and assured him that the clubs sanction was not in jeopardy and that the local city/county laws are what determines whether alcohol is allowed on the property or not. There currently is no law against drinking and flying a recreational model airplane. I'm not sure how this would play out in court should an intoxicated person injure someone with a model. Let's all hope we don't have to find out.
11-12-2014, 07:40 AM
#37
I would never condone such activity however at what point do you feel entitled to " Tell " another person what they can and can not do. If you feel this person is endangering you the sensible thing to do would be to remove yourself from the situation and inform the people who have the authority to make a decision if it is happening at a club and/or public venue.
11-12-2014, 08:16 AM
#38
My Feedback: (21)
The AMA rules on flying and drinking is for insurance purposes, nothing to do with any FAA rules or local and federal laws. If you cause damage to property or person while flying under the influence don't even try to put in an insurance claim. Always amazed at the justifications people can make for doing stupid things while intoxicated!
11-12-2014, 08:23 AM
#39
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The AMA is a representative body for modelers, it provides guidelines for safe operation of our models. They also provide us with liability insurance coverage at a very inexpensive rate. When you fly outside the AMA guidelines, you jeopardize your representation with the AMA and the insurance carrier to settle any insurance claim as a result of an incident. Drink, fly and have an accident, the AMA insurance can, and most likely will, wash there hands of you and your claim. This also goes for any substance or medication that you take that has a possible side effect of impairing your ability to operate equipment. Introduce alcohol and two things happen, your physical reflexes take a dive, and your ability to make decisions changes! If you do dumb things before you drink, you won't exactly get smarter with each drink. Been there, done that, and gave it up, but that's my own personal decision. No matter where you fly or who you are, drink or drug and fly, and you will put others safety, as well as everything you own, at a greater risk!! It's your decision.
11-12-2014, 08:35 AM
#40
It's a good thing very few people can afford to be an alcoholic and fly R/C. Personally I do not recall ever hearing about an incident that resulted from alcohol or drugs. IMO you are in far more danger driving down the free way. People do not need alcohol to do stupid things.
11-12-2014, 09:23 AM
#41
It's a good thing very few people can afford to be an alcoholic and fly R/C. Personally I do not recall ever hearing about an incident that resulted from alcohol or drugs. IMO you are in far more danger driving down the free way. People do not need alcohol to do stupid things.
11-12-2014, 10:14 AM
#43
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When the majority say you have the right to tell them. DUI laws were created because the majority of us think it is not o.k to do certain activities while under the influence of either legal or illegal drugs or other mind impairing substances. I for one do not want to board an aircraft or any vehicle where the operator is even the slightest bit impaired. When I put away the planes or guns or tools then I start drinking. PERIOD. As long as you are drinking and playing by yourself then you are free to be as stupid as you want, but if you drink and fly at my club I will tell you to leave, and if needed remove you.
I would never condone such activity however at what point do you feel entitled to " Tell " another person what they can and can not do. If you feel this person is endangering you the sensible thing to do would be to remove yourself from the situation and inform the people who have the authority to make a decision if it is happening at a club and/or public venue.
11-12-2014, 10:37 AM
#44
It's not that I disagree with you that an alcohol impaired person should not be allowed at the flying field but there are proper ways to handle it. If you are not a club officer I would say that you are not entitled to take any action at all. Reason being that you would be representing yourself in your actions and not the club. The club would have bylaws that would back up your actions. Secondly, if the person in question did not leave on his own accord, you would not want to be the one to remove him. That would be getting you free room and board for a night. The correct action would be to inform a club official either by one being at the field or by calling one. Let him deal with it and if someone needs to be removed let the police have that honor. One thing that has always been an issue for me is smoking at the field. I can't tell you how many times I have been fueling my gasoline airplane and have someone walk right up with a cigarette in their hand. Does this guy get escorted out as well? In both the counties I fly in on county parks property there are no smoking laws.
Last edited by speedracerntrixie; 11-12-2014 at 10:45 AM.
11-12-2014, 01:48 PM
#45
I would never condone such activity however at what point do you feel entitled to " Tell " another person what they can and can not do. If you feel this person is endangering you the sensible thing to do would be to remove yourself from the situation and inform the people who have the authority to make a decision if it is happening at a club and/or public venue.
11-12-2014, 08:15 PM
#47
An old smelly, nicotine stained drunk used to show up at our field about once or twice a year with one of those Balsa USA delta pusher type models.
This plane was the heaviest model for it's size that I've ever seen. It was 100% fiber glassed and crooked as hell from who knows how many repaired flight attempts. This guy could make you dizzy just watching him go through all the gyrations to get the plane ready. He would stagger out to the runway and then go for broke with a high speed cart wheel job at the end of the run way. I never, ever saw him sober or seen him with any other plane. He always seemed like he was enjoying himself, though.
This plane was the heaviest model for it's size that I've ever seen. It was 100% fiber glassed and crooked as hell from who knows how many repaired flight attempts. This guy could make you dizzy just watching him go through all the gyrations to get the plane ready. He would stagger out to the runway and then go for broke with a high speed cart wheel job at the end of the run way. I never, ever saw him sober or seen him with any other plane. He always seemed like he was enjoying himself, though.
11-13-2014, 03:54 AM
#49
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I belong to a Vol. Fire Dept. and we run Fire-Rescue so with that said PLEASE don't mix planes, cars and beer. I've seen fun turn into really bad things in a matter of seconds. I fly mainly gas large scale.
11-13-2014, 05:35 AM
#50
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Not to diss on you but, anybody that drinks and flys, never mind drives, is not what in MHO to smart. After all, you could be the one with a crankshaft stuck in your skull. Best of luck in the future.