HI all, what I think would make a jet event great is to have dedicated spotters, people with T-shirts with the letters SPOTTER. These could be local people or members that get paid, maybe $5 per flight.
Their are a lot of flyer's that come alone and really don"t like to bug other pilots, who are possibly really busy.
Just a thought.
Rcpete

Hell, for $5.00 per flight, I'll come out of retirement and be a professional spotter and I'll even supply the T-shirt.

I know what you mean by not bothering other pilots to spot. If I'm at an event and not doing anything I don't mind spotting for anyone. Just ask. No problemo

Hi Pete
I think thats a great idea, at $5 a flight I would say at least 20 flights ( I spotted for you )
You owe me $100 .
Cash is fine

Thanks

Ted

Dedicated spotters is a nice idea but if they are to be paid let it be done by the event organizers. If every pilot had to pay 5.00 per flight you will find that you have little to no pilots show up for that event.

HI, 3DHELINUT, I guess their is some missunderstanding, what I ment is that if you need a spotter and don"t want to bother another pilot, you had the option , to use the dedicated spotter or ask a friend.
Rcpete

lets see the last time I flew I burned off 14 flights 14x5.00 = 70 bux...wow

I dont mind spoting at all, just ask...

But Pete you do have a valid point, maybe the event leaders could point out 2 or 3 and pay them free food and a nice spotter shirt?

At our jet event we get points to be used as credits fort the yearly dues, so we end up paying less a year because we volunteer and got points.

Seems to me that walking up to a bunch of guys you don't know, and asking if any of them would spot for you, is a perfect way to break the ice and find new friends.

Spotters must be knowledgeable of jet flying and their pilots. I have seen many spotters looking only the pilot's jet they are spotting when they should be looking "also" at other pilot's jets and the flying pattern especially when landing!! Also, I think jet pilots are better at spotting than any other pearson....generally speaking.

I agree with Ehab. Spotters really need to be skilled in the art of model jets to be effective as a spotter. Personally, I only feel comfortable with a few friends as spotters, since you know what to expect. Alternately, the worst spotter is someone you don't know and he thinks you're inviting him out for a chat while you're concentrating on flying your jet.

I did a local full size airshow this last year and brought 2 guys with me as spotters due to the increased level of potential liability... It was sanctioned, but it never hurts to be safe. One was there just to look for unannounced full size aircraft (a non jet guy), and the other owns and flies the same model so he was pretty well just watching my jet for anything unusual.

That being said, everyone's got their own criteria for a spotter, so a few event supplied individuals might be a really nice touch for some.

Kelly

I also think it is a good idea that your spotter has the ability to safely fly your plane. I once was flying when a bug flew right into my eye. It was very hard to try and squint w/ one eye so I handed my trans. to my spotter. Thank God because I know for sure it would have beeb a rough landing.

I second that Billy- I had sunscreen drip in my eye once and could not see a thing- Spotter had to land the plane for me. Would have been a big as* mess otherwise. Scott

I had spider drop inside my sun glasses while flying a demo. At that point I was glad to have a qualified spotter who nearly killed me trying to get my glasses off

Now as part of my pre flight I always check inside of my glases for stuff

As for jet pilots being good spotters I agree. One time was doing my low high speed pass with my BVM SuperBandit when my spotter yelled there is a plane on final. Thankk god for a god set of yeys, the full size pilot made no calls.[:@]

Peter

A spotter is another set of Mark 1 eye balls , some have implied that they should be a Co pilot....... I go along with Gordon s approach
Semper Fi
Joe

Ehab and Philo said it all.

Maybe RCPete is trying to make an option available to someone who does not know anyone at a jet meet.

What if you walk up to the least qualified flyer at the jet meet?? Say someone like me! What if you asked him to spot for you and the itsy bitsy spider tries to 86 your eyeball. Now you've got someone who you don't know who is flying your pride and joy.

Dicey huh?

If I haven't seen anyone fly at a jet event then, I'm not too keen on asking them to spot for me. Do I go to the guy flying the 60% f-14 with all the bells and whistles to help me spot my A-10x? Probably not.

RCPete's idea maybe helpful in the first few flights of the day when You are just getting to know people. This spotter should be a competent RC Jet pilot who has flown at least 2 different kinds of sport jets and scale jets and is a nice person. Maybe being nice should be the first requirement!

Sorry to blab on....


Raf