[Gordo]

Hey Dave Brown.......

CAN YOU HEAR US
NOW???

Have you heard, have ya? HUH???

Sandy Frank called me about 4 PM today (about 5 minutes after the vote) to tell me some freaking unbelievable news......the EC voted (they needed 2/3, and there was one abstention) to aprove the previously tabled motion to eliminate the words in rule 9 that prohibited tail touching.

That's right, thanks to all of you who pushed hard and thanks to Sandy, Dave Mathewson and others, we have today a VICTORY!!!!!!!! Wow, is that cool or what! I'm headed out to the field to do some legal tail touches, Sandy said it is in effect immediatly.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!

 

[Alfster]

Congrats Gordo !! You guys deserve a LOT of credit for keeping this thing alive.

Now we need to stay awake, and watch for other ways that they may try to limit our flying.

Great Work Guys !

 

[Jim D]

Congrats Gordo !! You guys deserve a LOT of credit for keeping this thing alive.

Now we need to stay awake, and watch for other ways that they may try to limit our flying.

Great Work Guys !

Yes, my appreciation to you Gordo and all the others who helped make a rukkus heard in the EC.

As far as staying awake, you are right Alfster. First things first, vote Dave Brown out. And while we are at it, you and I and all the other District V Bros need to mobilize against McNeil and get us out from under his thumb as well.

 

[TailTwister]

Anybody wanna join me in a sing along of "We are the Champions"?

 

[ChuckAuger]

As long as they don't over-compensate with a ridiculous set back next time around.

 

[TailTwister]

I guess it wouldn't be a huge surprise...

We will have to be watching!

 

[Gordo]

If they atart talking setback we need to be part of the discussion!!! I don't want a 25' for everybody, and I'd rather not have one at all. If it must be, it shouldn't apply to indoor, and should be small for smaller planes. 25' is probably ok for a bigger plane like a 40%.

 

[TailTwister]

I doubt that rule #8 will escape unscathed after this, and the setbacks will not be "nice".

I'd say that we need to stay with the more receptive members of the EC and try to make some positive suggestions. Should the set backs be based on size, weight, or engine displacement.

Maybe something as simple as two feet per pound (aircraft takeoff weight) up to 25 feet, then that is the max required set back??? That would have to also count for helis too, to be fair. Will that upset a great number of folks, or is there something similar to that which may be workable? That puts many foamys at about 4 feet, and most 40 sizers at about 10. Most 1/4 scale would be in the 20 to 25 foot range with the 40%'ers.

I'd almost want to say 1 foot per pound, but I doubt the AMA would go that close. Maybe suggest 1 foot and settle for 2?

Also, (boy is this gonna open a can...) I think we should not try to fight off the "no touchie" rule. Anybody got any thoughts on that?

Any thoughts?

 

[Gordo]

I agree Frank. Leave the "no touchie" rule as is. Not that I think it needs to be there, but it is reasonable. And we can use it to our advantage when they call us unreasonable and say we don'e want any rules, we can say "look, we're fine with rule 9 and rule 8 as they are, just no more restrictions!" I think technically it doesn't relate to hand launch or catch anyway, because the planes not flying before you let go, and it's not flying as soon as it's back in your hand, right?

I'd like to work towards no setbacks. First, it's not currently in the works so let's not bring it up! But I have already changed 2 minds at AMA on this subject by pointing out the the AMA field guidlines combined with rule 8 provide adaquate safety separation, while allowing pilot flexability. Setbacks cause lote of problems in many areas not related to 3D as well, so we want to try to keep it from happening if we can The average sport flyer comes closer than 25' during an average flight anyway.

well, that's my ideas anyway.

 

[ChuckAuger]

Yeah, leave #8 and #9 as they stand. Re-negotiate if there are 5000 injuries due to either one being inadequate.

 

[TailTwister]

I think the "no touchie" rule outlaws a catch, but not launch. When you catch, your hand contacts an airborne and flying/hovering aircraft.

Anyway, I have no intention of mentioning a set back to the AMA, but maybe we should have some ideas, incase it comes up. I'm good with dropping the subject too. Let's not load DB's gun for him...

I agree, rule 8 and 9, as now stated, protect people from the kind of dangers that don't wear Armani suits. Let's not give ourselves an "unreasonable" badge to wear. Simple courtesy and politeness won this for us, so lets stick with it.