The sick thing about getting your CD plate is that you have to take the test, which is mostly geared toward R/C events and issues, like turbo jets and giant scale weight limits. The good thing is that it's an open-book test, so you can probably find all the answers in the online rulebook...tho a search function would be a huge help. Phone calls to RC CD's you might know would also be helpful. There's an amazing amount of stuff in the rulebook that has nothing to do with CL, but you get tested on it all.
.............
Steve, first I would like to say that your statements (not quoted) reference preparation and awards are absolutely excellent items.
Now reference the CD exam, when a new CD comes "On Board", without far more bureaucratic work, he/she has to be treated as "generic". When awarding the "Contest Director" rating to any individual AMA cannot determine how that CD license will be used in the future. To have annual, biannual, or such applications would only be mass paperwork and create more bureaucracy, costing AMA (membership) additional monies.
The test is now so very simple, that in all reality, it is not worth much EXCEPT it does require an applicant to research outside of his/her comfort zone and obtain information, plus becoming familiar with certain AMA publications such as the on-line Rule Book and the Membership Manual, along with the AMA Safety Code. The professional (meaning generic active, not for pay) CD will want to become very familiar with these 3 items.
Having the ability to research and find information in the AMA system is what the so-called "test, exam" is all about.
IMO, each AMA member interested in any form of organized aeromodeling should keep these items in their Documents section on their computers. Don't be afraid to check for updates as AMA can change a manual and will make nothing available for the member that does not check every so often. The 2009 MM is an example. I have the early version on my computer. I found a couple mistakes, questioned AMA, the manual was changed and AFAIK, without any notification to anyone. I have both on my computer just in case!!!
When I became a CD back in 1963, there was no help, except the contestants, and many thanks to the contestants in those early years. My first event was a AA FF and CL meet. All helpers were new at the game. Thanks to friendly contestants we muddled through it, and a long trek was begun. It's been a blast for 46 years.
Now I must admit to being the individual that initiated the CD testing program when I was a DVP back in '79-82. Back then the exam was much more conclusive and was administered by the DVPs themselves. Well, within a very short time of my leaving AMA's EC the program fell back into the lap of the Staff and became, IMO, very little as far as the objectives are concerned. OTOH it does bring to the new applicant that there is a world of info. out there that a good CD needs to research and learn, or at least to be able to refer to when needed.
One last point: In an AMA Rule-Book event the contestants know the drills and will mostly be great help to the contest operation. Not so for the typical
Fly-In or
Fun-Fly where the entrants are not use to a more disciplined atmosphere. The competition-oriented CD will find himself VERY BUSY when he hosts the typical local Fun Fly especially the RC crowd, as good safety operations will be totally a bewilderment to these folks.
Good luck and Go-do-It, all you future CDs. You are needed.
Topic: District 1 Clubs and Contests (Read 4598 times)