At 12:47 PM 2/17/2001 EST, you wrote:
>In a message dated 02/17/2001 11:22:42 AM Central Standard Time,
>[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
>
>> A quick search failed to come up with my AMA handbook - it's here
>somewhere,
>> but I assume 10.1.e is an AMA rule. I'm curious as to the background of
>> this
>> rule. If I was a winchmaster I'd never launch a contestant into a plane
>> that
>> was just flying along on the basis of what is essentially a "right of
way"
>> rule. It seems to me that you don't have to launch, but with a sailplane
>> you
>> do have to come down. Wouldn't it make more sense to give precedence to
>the
>>
>> flying or landing plane rather than the launching plane?
>>
>> Do I have to put on my flame suit over this innocuous question?
>>
>
>The way I learned it, the right of way is something to be yielded rather
than
>taken, so I'd agree with you there. I thought it a little strange for the
>launching plane to have priority as well, but consider that it may be easier
>to check for a launching plane since it occurs from a generally fixed
>location in the case of a winch launch. The launching plane would have a
>tougher time assessing the risk presented by a plane in the air, since it
>could be anywhere.
>
Rule 10.1.e has been in the rule book since at least 1988 (the oldest rule
book I have on file). The last sentence of Rule 10.1.e gives the reason
for the rule. "This rule is intended to keep models in flight out of the
launch area". I have added this rule to the pilot's briefing at contests
for which I am the CD since 1975. The plane on tow has very little control
and can do little to avoid a plane in flight. It also causes unnecessary
delay in the contest. Circling in the launch area is dumb, dangerous, and
selfish. On rare occasions, it may be necessary to cross the launch area
when out of lift, altitude, and ideas but the pilot does so at his own risk.
Chuck Anderson
RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and
"unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
