Out of Line?

The past few days, here in Portland we have had spring like weather. We had 14 people flying on the 1st!!
As Saftey Officer, New planes, lines, and equipment should be subject to pull test, and expection. He is not a club member and wants to use JB WELD as the way He balances props!! TIME OUT OREGON!!! so I put IT to him, even though this is a city park AMA rules Don't Apply (because anyone can fly) I told him that his balancing procdure is very unsafe and I would'nt launch his planes, HE became concerned that he was being singled out. I went to my flight box and GAVE him a BY&O 10x6 to use on his NEW McCoy 35 rework from GMA. Of corse it worked and every one was happy. Was I out of line? Should we AMA members cross the line? He want's to fly and Learn, However, He hates AMA and there rules. And I'm being light on the hate. Our flying field is OPEN to anyone one. But I put saftey First. BE kind.....scott

>As Saftey Officer, New planes, lines,
>and equipment should be subject
>to pull test, and expection.
>He is not a club
>member and wants to use
>JB WELD as the way
>He balances props!! TIME OUT
>OREGON!!! so I put IT
>to him, even though this
>is a city park AMA
>rules Don't Apply (because anyone
>can fly) I told him
>that his balancing procdure is
>very unsafe and I would'nt
>launch his planes, HE became
>concerned that he was being
>singled out. I went to
>my flight box and GAVE
>him a BY&O 10x6 to
>use on his NEW McCoy
>35 rework from GMA. Of
>corse it worked and every
>one was happy. Was I
>out of line? Should we
>AMA members cross the line?
>He want's to fly and
>Learn, However, He hates AMA
>and there rules. And I'm
>being light on the hate.
>Our flying field is OPEN
>to anyone one. But I
>put saftey First. BE kind.....scott

I don't think AMA or not even enters into it, since there's nothing in the AMA Safety code or rule book about how to balance props. That may just be a chip the guy carries around, but it seems invalid here.

I think you did the right thing, and probably about what I would have done, safety officer or not. And there's nothing compellng you to launch his airplane. I would also say that it's not intrisically unsafe. I mean, in the limit, it's just like putting on an extra coat of paint. But I assume that you mean some small, discrete mass of JB Weld that could fly off.

It's a little different situation, but I have seen people not allowed to use props with various things (like graphite "anti-vortex" tips, and BB's in holes) glued to them at contests not being allowed to use them. The ED can disallow anything considered unsafe.

Scott,

Being kind, I would say you were well intentioned and giving the guy a prop was a noble gesture, and it sounds like that gesture kind of defused the situation. That is your plus.

We all hate to discourage a guy who wants to fly CL instead of that battery controlled stuff, so you bring a good question to the forum. Did you go so far as to convince the guy that CL fliers are unreasonable snobs? Doesn't sound like you did.

You will get the answer in a few weeks. Does the guy keep showing up with safer equipment? Or did you chase him off? This forum won't answer that, but you will know the answer for yourself. If you got his name and phone number, might be worth a call to check out his reaction.

No you were not out of line. I work in a large refinery where safety is a prime concern. With safety you know when you did a good job because everyone goes home with all their various parts and they survive another day. Safety works best when everbody works at it together. Don't alleinate folks but help them to see why it is to their advantage to apply safety to their hobby. I have seen the cost up close of unsafe practices. I bear the scars of other folks mistakes. They died, I survived. I pray to God almighty no one ever has to go through the pain I did. As gently as I can put it, Do what you have to do to ensure the safety of all concerned. I dont live anywhere near you, but you can fly with me anytime. Wallace Lynn George

Scott, I think you did exactly the right thing in expressing your concern, and did your best to defuse the situation by giving him an alternative. Folks need to understand that these toys we love are potentailly very dangerous and that building/flying safely and sanely does not impune one's manhood or destroy one's Constitutional rights. It's just common sense not to do things that get innocent people killed or injured. What has happened to the rights of the injured party? You don't have to like the AMA to practice the hobby sanely. I don't want to be around someone who is careless or malicious about safety. Hope your fellow sticks with it and doesn't think you were beating on him in some way. If he can't deal with it and fly safe, then if he goes away it's his loss, not yours. Sorry for the rambling nature of this-trying to say a lot in a small space.
Kelvin

Maybe you were just a little out of line, Scott. Personally, for a McCoy .35 I think you should have given him a 10-5

Really, I think you did fine. I hope the guy enters Beginner this spring.
Nils

I he'll be there flying BUT he flys ADVANCED!!! I talked to him and He's not going to change his ways.. AT least for awhile. Scott

Scott:

A couple of thoughts.... first, your tale brings the need of all to be safe! A problem (poked out eye, torn up hand) could cause the city/conty fathers to simply "give up" on your site as too much bother! We recently obtained county permission to fly on their property, and the key was that we would post a sign proclaming "AMA satefy rules apply".

The other thing, and I often overlook it because I feel like I wear eyeglasses in my sleep and therefore EYE PROTECTION is almost second nature. It's a good idea, if even the cheapest pair of sun glasses.

Remember: there is no cure for stupid. You did right.

See Ya

So far I know I did the right thing and I hope that this incedent is over. Thanks for all of the input. SCOTT