March 2006 151
Flying Site Assistance Wes De Cou | [email protected]
Liability: Alabama to Wyoming
FOR THE PAST three years I’ve had frequent E-mail exchanges
with AMA member and ardent Flying Site Assistance volunteer
James Shupe. Jim lives in Illinois and winters in the little berg of
Holiday, Florida.
My sense is that Jim spends much time trying to figure out
how to make AMA more inviting to the average modeler as well
as how to get more flying sites so we can help make the average
modeler happy. Throughout the years we’ve discussed revising
and reformatting the State Parks Flying Site video, revising the
Getting and Keeping Flying Sites booklet, recognition of
exemplary volunteer efforts—a whole host of extant issues in
need of solutions.
Of late, Jim’s efforts have resulted in the discovery of
resources directly applicable to one of the major problems I face
each time I present a flying-site proposal to a governmental body:
liability.
As it turns out, all 50 states have laws on the books which limit
the liability of private and public land owners who allow their
land to be used for recreational purposes such as model aviation.
These statutes, coupled with the AMA’s own site-owner liability
protection, should all but remove the liability issue from the table
as we move forward in our quest for future flying sites.
I have a page or so in which to convey useful information to
those of you who want to acquire or save a flying site. If you visit
the listed Internet sites, you’ll see a multitude of pages from
which you can glean state-specific details on owner liability with
respect to the recreational use of public and private lands.
If you are planning a presentation to an individual or to a local
governmental body in your quest for a flying site, read your
state’s information first. The information you discover can be
your best ally while you attempt to answer the site owner’s
questions as you negotiate to a yes! answer.
As you will see, other organizations whose recreational
activities require the use of public or private lands share our
liability dilemma. We are indebted to the International Mountain
Bicycling Association, the University of Texas at Austin’s Utopia
Web site, and American Whitewater for the information on the
following Web sites.
A word of appreciation, too, goes to Jim Shupe, whose tireless
efforts at the computer keyboard led to the discovery of these
nuggets.
Well done and I’ll bet he’s not done yet!
Recreational Land Usage:
Resources for Owners of Public and
Private Land Used for Recreational
Purposes
International Mountain Bicycling Association:
www.imba.com/resources/trail_issues/liability_chart.html
www.imba.com/resources/trail_issues/land_liability.html
University of Texas at Austin’s Utopia (Equine Law and
Horsemanship Safety section):
utopia.utexas.edu/explore/equine/recreate/recreate.htm
American Whitewater
www.americanwhitewater.org/access/liability.htm
Akron, Ohio, and in Lakehurst, New
Jersey. He has also competed at the
Buffalo Bills Field House in Buffalo, New
York.
David’s success earned him a place on
the United States World Junior Team. The
World Championships was held in
Romania and the United States Junior team
took first place as a country, and David
took fourth place as an individual. He
wrote, “It was an amazing experience and
I’m very glad I had the opportunity to go.”
David has held a part-time job since his
freshman year in high school to save
money for college. He was a four-year
honor roll student and a member of the
National Honor Society. David received
West Geauga’s Business Book Award and
Academic Letter Award.
He was a member of the varsity track
and cross-country teams, earning a varsity
letter in each. David participated in
fencing for four years, earned a varsity
letter in that, and was the team’s cocaptain.
He placed eighth in the Ohio State
Fencing Championships and was the
team’s most valuable player.
A member of the Boy Scouts of
America, David attained the rank of Eagle
Scout. He was a Boy Scout patrol leader
and participated in a number of volunteer
Scout projects.
David was a participant in Ohio
Business Week and Learning about
Business (L.A.B.) Camp where he was the
Company CEO.
David wrote, “Your grants will help me
achieve my dream and goal of one day
owning my own small business. I will
strive to reach this goal and dream through
hard work, dedication, and determination.”
AMA wishes you the best of luck,
David, and congratulations.
Wes De Cou, Coordinator
Western Region
Districts VII - XI
Voice: (480) 460-9466; Cell: (480) 296-9515; Fax: (480) 460-9434;
202 W. Desert Flower Ln.
Phoenix AZ 85045
E-mail: [email protected]
Finding—Preserving—Maintaining
Joe Beshar, Coordinator,
Eastern Region,
Districts I - VI
198 Merritt Dr.
Oradell NJ 07649
Tel.: (201) 261-1281; Fax: (201) 261-0223
E-mail: [email protected]
Register as an FSA
Volunteer!
The Flying Site Assistance Program
consists of a network of volunteers who
serve as the AMA’s eyes and ears.
These volunteers read newspapers and
listen to and watch news programs to be
aware of any activities that could impact
an existing or potential flying site.
It is just a matter of collecting
information regarding flying sites,
advising local modelers and AMA clubs
in the area, and passing it on to one of the
AMA Flying Site Assistance
Coordinators.
Join this ambitious program as a
service to your fellow modelers. Anyone
interested, contact Joe Beshar or Wes De
Cou at the addresses above.
Scholarships continued from page 150
Edition: Model Aviation - 2006/03
Page Numbers: 151