AMA membership level for sanctioned contest

From: Don Slusarczyk <don_at_slusarczyk.com>
Date: Sun, 03 Jan 2010 16:36:35 -0500

I have a quick question for those involved with many FAC outdoor and
indoor meets. Is the AMA Park Flyer membership legal for use at
sanctioned AMA contest if the person does not fly any AMA rulebook events?

Per the AMA website:
*5) Q: Can Park Pilots fly at sanctioned events?
A: Park Pilot members may not fly in sanctioned AMA rulebook events.
They may participate in sanctioned non-rulebook inter club, intra club,
and Class C events as long as the model they fly meets the definition of
a Park Pilot model. The event's Contest Director would verify the
individual's membership status at sign in. *

This says to me they can fly non AMA rulebook events like FAC events,
Jetco ROG etc, however, the rule above also says it must meet the "Park
Model" definition which is:

*"Park flyer models will weigh 2 pounds or less and be incapable of
reaching speeds greater than 60 mph. They must be electric or rubber
powered, or of any similar quiet means of propulsion. Models should be
remotely controlled or flown with a control line, remain within the
pilot's line of sight at all times, and always be flown safely by the
operator."*

So for example, a FAC peanut scale model will be rubber powered which
meets the requirement, the weight is not an issue so it is down to RC or
not. Well the rules say "should" be remotely controlled but does not
say "must" be remotely controlled, so to me a person with an AMA Park
Flyer membership can fly free flight FAC at an AMA sanction contest that
has FAC events listed on the published schedule. Does anyone know if
this is actually true or not? Please accept my apologies if this has
been discussed already.

Don Slusarczyk
Received on Sun Jan 03 2010 - 13:36:16 CET