sad news

[Sukhoikid]

I believe the kid should be able to still fly. Just stick with airplanes at airshows for now. Helis can go out of control in a split second. And it is just not him. I believe people running the events need to push a lot of spectators back when doing Heli Demos. It just takes one dumb thumb. I remember when I first started flying at 8 I would go out and just fly and wouldnt think of anything else. What I mean by that I would not think about the surrounding area. About couple of months I started thinking ahead of what the plane is going to do. These are not toy airplanes or helis. You do need to have common sense and be a little mature to fly these r/c machines properly.
I do know for one thing. If I hit someone on accident I probably couldnt fly for couple weeks. We had one guy in our club that had a accident and he was out of the hobby for many many many years. This is serious stuff we are messing with these days and they can do a ton of damage to someone or something.

[thewrap]

Another reason to carry insurance. From what I read it wasn't his fault so I can't blame him for anything. That sucks that he and his dad have to go through this abuse.

[mxcop]

Dude, this is a joke. That kid is no more dangerous than the at least one guy at every club. Yeah, like it or not there is at least one at every club that is always using bad judgement and flying unsafe aircraft. What does everyone do about it, they all take a step back and say look out "---- " is flying, and whether people want to admit it or not they watch for the crash. You people are bashing a little kid who most likely has better reflexes than most of us. You are bashing his father who is very careful and saftey minded when it comes to Justin, I have spoke with him about this in the past and trust me he is very concerned about saftey. Does anyone actually know why that heli crashed, I don't think so. Stop blaming the pilot and stop blaming and bashing equiptment that was used in it. This is just a tragic accident that can happen to any one of us any day regardless of age or skill.

[pitviper51]

	Quote: Originally Posted by mxcop
	like it or not there is at least one at every club that is always using bad judgement and flying unsafe aircraft. What does everyone do about it, they all take a step back and say look out "---- " is flying, and whether people want to admit it or not they watch for the crash. .

yup! some of us have more then one haha but its no big deal maybe theres 7 ppl at the field..
mike

[Lance J.]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Ion01
	Lance J.- Is it a fact he put the tx down during flight to go potty? I agree that his father is responsible. He knew the risks and was willing to take them. That is part of being the father. I feel this is one of the problems today is that parents are taking for given the responsibility. Its the childs fault or societies. Even though he is responsible for his child doesn't mean he was the cause, he could have prevented the accident, or his son shouldn't fly.

Just what was posted in the threads,on the other site, is what that's based on.

[dontmesswithgus]

BUTT, the real question is how long before AMA jumps in and starts putting an age limit on flying.

[pitviper51]

an age limit would be interesting.. considering the only way to keep kids getting into the hobby and addicted for life is to start then early. tho a limit on size and type would work.. only at big events.. folks this is why there are zagis... if they hit you, it dont hurt ya.. a chopper spinning 3200 rpm blades.. well, you get the picture

mike

ps, what ever happend to the ' no flying toward pits rule"

[mxcop]

Yeah I hope that doesn't happen, if you looked at all the incidents at different places I bet the large majority were older pilots. Youth is and should continue to be a big part of this hobby. I feel bad for Justin and his father, regardless of the outcome they will have to deal with and think about this incident for a long time.

[pitviper51]

a rc pilot certification corse.. that covers commen sense.. if this was a machanical malfuction.. oops.. it happens to all of us.. this thread is pointless.
mike
ps, right on target about the older guys flying crazy to.. we have one here that yells'' wheres my plane" alot hahah

[IMACmike]

[quote=pitviper51;306616]a rc pilot certification corse..

this would probably eliminate most of the FOG's in nearly every club!! Go for it!!

[Craven]

I believe the median age of the AMA members is 56. We do need more kids. Unfortunately video games are dominating the younger generation.

[Wojcigitty]

I don't think an age restriction is necessary. I really love seeing the youth in RC. I started when I was 12, and I've met some amazing young pilots (Shoemaker, Getz). Not only is it not appropriate (some eight year olds are more qualified than some ten year olds, for example), it is not that widespread of an issue. How many accidents in the last five years were caused by the pilot being too young? Far fewer than were caused by sloppiness, recklessness, and hubris, I'll wager.

What it comes down to is the parents. There's more to flying than the muscle memory, coordination, and depth perception. There's the enormous responsibility of controlling a piece of machinery that could kill someone. Can a child handle that? More importantly, does the child deserve that if something goes wrong, as has happened here? If I ever hurt someone with one of my models, be it from my own error or a mechanical failure, I can't imagine what I'd do. Imagine that burden on a five year old.