President's Perspective

Presidents PERSPECTIVE K\ ViFV will fly safely sounds like good idea Breaks over back heads goes punch line old bad joke After getting last month off officers columns back didnt have write columns last month surely doesnt mean took time off seems like sprint committee meeting another lately have slowly methodically increasing dependence committees way contending increasing workloads Its important prepared change way business world live changes Only having committees dedicated particular areas concern can hope stay abreast times talking Don Lowe predecessor AMA President now chairman Safety Committee related incident involving friend should scare us friend old gallon can fuel shed attempted open can exploded causing him severe injury/burns man expected survive will least year recovering accident What scary about accident far can determined can exploded spontaneously known external spark source possible spark generated cap twisted loose pliers can full airspace shouldnt explodeeven spark What has Don others concerned judging brand can fuel very old 20 years formulation might have used chemicals became unstable over long periods time problem just dont know may never sure exactly what happened dont know fuel became shock-sensitive exploded result being moved exposure air caused detonate can probably rusty did have something have questions answers time decided important enough relate situation you can extremely careful come across old can fuel dont know what should come across old can fuel shed garage basement know Id rather take chance being ridiculed overreacting calling authorities take chance ending up recovering severe burn unit also know might tempted ignore Id have hard time living myself some kid chanced upon got hurt Ijust dont know what Id Please understand very old can fuel believe may have contained some ingredients typically used todays fuel Speaking safety fly some full-scale aerobatics belong International Aerobatic Club members push safety paramount goal organization seem have concluded unsafe acts peopleas opposed mechanical failurecause accidents have adopted new program involves having members sign aerobatic safety pledge says will fly safely also observe someone else flying unsafe manner will non-threatening manner talk individual pointing out unsafe practices sounds like good idea long doesnt become confrontational limited true safety items As example couple weeks back attended small fly-in near end day spotted old friend alone out field starting engine holding airplane left hand starting right hand ran out held airplane responded neednt bother right simply told him felt better holding airplane watching him start alone much safer confrontational effective relating concern Hopefully few others standing around got message Brown AMA President dbrown@dbproductscom January1999 7