AMA requirent for Number placing

[JoeJust]

Today a good friend of mine and I got together to fly at a park where we have always flown.  While we were settin g up we were approached by a guy with about $3000 worth of Helicopters and said we could not fly there because we were too dangerous!  This guy was a total A@#, but when I asked him why his Copters didn't have a AMA # on them he said, "helicopters don't need AMA #'s stupid."  "I fly anyplace I want in the U>S> and nobody flying Helios needs to have AMA #'s on their ships."

He got really obnoxious until a friend of his showed up and mentioned that Dave and I were more than safety knowledgeable  fliers.  He finally shut up ,and we ended up taking turns flying.  His flights were totally unbelievable with little concern for anyone just waking along nearby.  His flights were simply an accident about to happen.  I came within a second of punching this boob out. Thank God I am a meek and mild person.

So, what's the ruling on AMA #'s on a helicopter?

[Tim Wescott]

I'd have to read the rules.  I suspect that they're required by the safety code, and the requirement is ignored like most RC'ers do.  (Well, and like I would if I weren't flying competition).

[Joe Bowman]

AMA General Rules, page 23,
4. Identification:
All models, except Indoor, will be identified with the owner’s name and address
or AMA number, on or in the model. Individual events listed within this
(Competition Regulations) may have additional identification requirements which
must be adhered to.
Redio Controll Helicopter Rules, Page RCH-2, paragraph 5. General
   5.4: All helicopters will have the
contestant’s AMA number affixed, which may
be located at the contestant’s discretion

I don't know, maybe they can't read either.

[Brett Buck]

AMA General Rules, page 23,
4. Identification:
All models, except Indoor, will be identified with the owner’s name and address
or AMA number, on or in the model. Individual events listed within this
(Competition Regulations) may have additional identification requirements which
must be adhered to.
Redio Controll Helicopter Rules, Page RCH-2, paragraph 5. General
   5.4: All helicopters will have the
contestant’s AMA number affixed, which may
be located at the contestant’s discretion

I don't know, maybe the can't read either.

     That's for competition. For sport flying, I think the General and RC sections of the Safety code are the place to look. The number has to be in or on the model, but no particular rules apply for placement or size.

    Brett

[Joe Bowman]

It was mentioned that these are competition rules that don't specifically apply to sport flying.  The AMA Safety Code does apply to all flying of model aircraft.  Paragraph 2, part (f), reads,
    (f) Ensure the aircraft is identified with the name and address or AMA number of the owner on the inside or affixed to the outside of the model aircraft. (This
does not apply to model aircraft flown indoors.)
There just has to be a "Jack Ass" in every crowd I guess.  But how many of these irresponsible flyers really belong to AMA anyway.  It just puts even more burden on all of us that are trying to be safe and want to continue to enjoy our hobby.

[Dave_Trible]

Doubtful he is even member,  maybe never heard of the AMA.  If he were I doubt he would have had his opinion about CL airplanes. 

Dave

[Mike Griffin]

Joe you are a better man than I.  If someone came up to me with that attitude ,  that helicopter would have been up his ass.

Mike

[JoeJust]

Thanks guys!  My faith in my fellow modelers has been restored.  BTW This guy is an AMA member and a club member of my friend Dave's AMA R/C club.  Mike, thanks for the Kudos, but my intent really was to throw the guy into the nearby Columbia river and toss his 4 copters to him and watch him drown!   Guess that really lets out my true nature.
Now, during our non flying  turns I did meet several new to me R/C guys that were a ball to talk with.  Considerate, fun to be with and a bit of envy from yours truly as to the quality of their built (Not ARF) planes.  True gentlemen. Nuff Said.
Joe

[Mike Griffin]

That would work too Joe. 

[Doug Burright]

This gets me onto my soap box, too.
That's what technology has done for us... put the hobby(sport) into the hands of people that have no business being around sharp, spinning things. It used to require effort and dedication to get into the air; now idjits can just buy their way into our way. (ha ha) Many, like the guy you ran into, probably don't know what the AMA is, or what it has done for, (or to) us that respect the rules, and where to fly. I wouldn't deny the people to go that route, ARFs; et al, but lots of modelers have opened the doors before he entered the scene, that allows him to have the ability to pursue his hobby. Too bad he has to be a jerk about as simple a notion as an AMA number is, AND- you were all probably on an AMA sanctioned field. Point that out, next time.

[Larry Renger]

Sorry, but I totally support the advent of ARFs. How many bowlers, golfers or fishermen would there be if they had to make their own equipment? How many light aircraft pilots are homebuilders? Come on, piloting skill has NOTHING to do with building skill. And it is a whole different mind set.

I state this as an AMA Hall of fame member who also has a whole list of articles, kits and designs to my credit, in addition to topping my career as the Director of Engineering for Cox Hobbies before it was gutted.

However that does not excuse any pilot from blatant disregard of safety and established rule regulations. Licensed full scale pilots have to comply to much more stringent regulations than we do,and heaven help them if they stray.

We need enforcement of existing rules, not more.

[Doug Burright]

Yep, ARFs have their place. It is when people get them, and don't seek advice, or help to fly, then fire it up in the neighborhood, and cause mayhem, that the idjits are screwing it up for the people that have a goal to achieve, and respect the current rules. When I was a teenager, my friends that saw my planes said:"Can you hook little bombs on them, and get a BB gun or a .22 to fly around and shoot?" Obviously, they did not become part of my circle of flying friends. The problem is: now their ilk can get something to perform those highly illegal operations, and the technology is there, so they don't even need to know how to fly. Look at the guy with the chopper-safety seems to be far from his checklist of things to do- if the omission of an AMA number is a hot button for him.

I have to admit...I have one C/L ARF, and one R/C ARF. They were both hand-me-downs, as no one else wanted them. They aren't of the quality that I would build into planes like that. Soft wood, poor glue joints, backward covering, on and on. The problem is also---they fly okay! They just will not last as long as a plane that you or I can build, ourselves. The newbies don't know that; and they just shell out their money.

So, without getting one's teeth knocked out by some idjit at the field, how can it be enforced? Everybody would have to be a tattle-tale. You know how a person has to be 21 years old to purchase alcohol? what would happen if you had to be an AMA member to buy modeling supplies? OH NO!

The rules are there for a reason, and the few who blatantly disregard them, are going to be the ones that screw it up for everybody else. The problem is: the few are becoming the many.

[Howard Rush]

Electric makes it worse.  They don't have to be smart enough to start an engine. 

[Gerald Arana]

Electric makes it worse.  They don't have to be smart enough to start an engine. 

What does this say for you Howard?

Jerry

[Douglas Ames]

Well Joe, you could have done your best Godzilla impression and claimed senile dementia.
Guys like that is the reason I quit flying R/C.

[JoeJust]

Well Joe, you could have done your best Godzilla impression and claimed senile dementia.
Guys like that is the reason I quit flying R/C.

Doug, and let my most secret problem become everyday knowledge?
Joe (I think this is me)

[George Hostler]

Thanks guys! My faith in my fellow modelers has been restored. BTW This guy is an AMA member and a club member of my friend Dave's AMA R/C club. Mike, thanks for the Kudos, but my intent really was to throw the guy into the nearby Columbia river and toss his 4 copters to him and watch him drown! Guess that really lets out my true nature.

Joe, sorry to hear of an unreasonable conflict from an arrogant individual. Is this a public or club run park? Wouldn't this be a matter to bring up before the club president and have the officers deal with this individual? If it is affecting the morale of others, this is not a good thing, as the park is a shared commodity that should accompany all fliers. There should be some form of agreed upon protocol to separate copters from fixed wing aircraft to prevent accidents and for all to enjoy. It should not just be for one person to enjoy at the expense of others.