Why SAMAA

[Drusky]

you need SAMAA membership to fly there
Please don't think I'm just trying to rock the boat here but:
Why should I join SAMAA?
How much is it to join SAMAA?
Why are only SAMAA members allowed to slope Hermanus?
Who enforces these restrictions and how do they do so?
I can see why people who are competitively involved in the hobby would want to join a controlling body but...

[rebell]

Why? - For the same reasons the people where talking so much about why to join AMA in USA. Apart from all the other benefits, if it where not for SAAMA we would not have legal frequencies to fly on. Just like all the other modellers, you also reap the benefits from it.

Cost. - The yearly membership is R210 and the joining fee is about the same.

Why are only SAMAA members allowed to slope Hermanus? – I cannot speak for the club there, but it must be that the club is registered under SAAMA. They then must do it to enforce the club rules and to have insurance if something should happen. And don’t say a slope model can’t do any damage. Did you see what a DS model could do at 400 km/h?

Who enforces these restrictions and how do they do so? – The club in conjunction with SAAMA. SAAMA report in part to the SA Civil Aviation. At the end, the restriction can be enforced by court.

Join and enjoy.

[Punky]

Thanks rebell that makes sense. I'm sure SAMAA has a website, I'll go have a look.

[aragon]

Drusky, they enforce it by asking for your SAMAA number when registering to fly at Hermanus (I'm talking about the annual event). This is done by the Atlantic Flying Club (www.atlanticfc.org.za).

The primary concern for why flyers must be SAMAA registered is the insurance issue. If you ever go to the Hermanus event you will see why. Imagine 30 or more planes in the air simultaneously. There is a lot of room for disaster.

As to why must you join SAMAA? Well, if you're into Slope Soaring you are likely doing it with other people and/or doing it in a public place. Again, insurance. One could argue that drivers are not required to have road insurance, but the problem is this is a small hobby and being irresponsible might lead to a bad rep towards all of us. As it is, things are already difficult in Cape Town finding slopes to fly at without the Parks Board jumping down our throats.

All that said, SAMAA need to catch a wake up regarding park flyers.

[Drusky]

I've checked out that link. I agree SAAMA membership is essential if you are going to fly with other people. If you can somehow only ever fly on your own I suppose it would be an exercise in futility.

30 planes in the air simultaneously... shucks. I've only ever sloped with 3 max. Can't imagine the mayhem. The local slope is quiet here but then I've only been flying for about a year and mostly park stuff. Perhaps the slope (Maitland PE) has a busy season.

I must go back to that site. I've got a few questions that need answering. I'd like to know if SAAMA insurance covers vehicle hits and personal injury to observers outside of a club environment. What happens if the other pilot in a collision is not a SAAMA member?

R120 per annum was the rough estimate I think.

[Drusky]

All paid up members of the SAMAA, flying from SAMAA registered fields and using SAMAA approved frequencies are covered.I think this is my primary problem. I don't think there are any SAAMA slopes near me. I enjoy trying to find new slopes anyway.
Member-to-member cover is also included in the policy (If you should accidentally crash into another SAMAA member, his aircraft or his motor vehicle, you will be covered for claims that may arise from such an incident).Only over a SAAMA site?
The policy protects against claims that may arise from personal liability for damage or injury to third parties and their property (a third party is any person other than the insured himself and his dependants).Also only over a SAAMA site?
The policy does not cover members against damage to full-sized aircraftYou get to dig a hole and bury yourself instead :eek: ;)

One would obviously pay membership fees to fly with the guys at Hermanus or any similar event, flying site.

[aragon]

Yea, Hermanus is hectic. This year was actually my first time. I'm glad I only went up on the Sunday. I ended up waiting until after 16:00 before I had my first flight. Dodging other planes is just not fun IMHO.

As far as I know the insurance covers you against personal injury and 3rd parties of all kinds (including cars, other property, people, members and non members). It does not cover damage to your own equipment (plane, etc.) nor does it cover any accidents that occur at a non-SAMAA approved flying site. If you're hiking around the Cape's vast mountain ranges alone or with friends, you probably aren't covered. I'm sure some local vets there will know which slopes are approved by SAMAA. Most of Cape Town's slopes are approved, but there are a couple of good ones that aren't.

Also, it's possible the insurance requirements may change soon. In future members might have to pass a proficiency test before being liable for coverage. Not a bad thing IMHO given the hobby's current size.

SAMAA ought to publish a list of all flying accidents and their respective insurance claim results. I've heard from atleast one person that they've had many successful claims, but no details to substantiate anything...

[aragon]

I think this is my primary problem. I don't think there are any SAAMA slopes near me. I enjoy trying to find new slopes anyway.
Yup, mine too. I enjoy exploring the mountain side with a plane under my arm too. ;)

If SAMAA get this proficiency test under way, I really think they need to push for dropping the "only over SAMMA approved site" rule.

[Drusky]

A list of claims would be most informative. The prificiency test is a good idea, still there are always those who though skilled and experienced will do silly things. I suppose that's why one's own model is not covered.

Ja, and what about the Spektrum DX6. I fortunately was buying into computer radios when this technology came out so everything I have flies on the 2.4gHz range. I'm not sure it is a legal frequency tho 8|

I'm still keen to slope hunt out towards Graaf Reinet to find some nice sites. Wonderful hobby this :)

[aragon]

Oh, 2.4 is perfectly legal! DX6 isn't ideal for sloping though as it isn't "full range". 2007 is going to be the year of spread spectrum radios I think. The latest wave of radios will all be spread spectrum and the high end ones will have builtin telemetry - fun. :) Check out the Nomadio React (car controller). DX6 is just the tip of the iceberg.

So do you guys have any DS sites up there?

[Drusky]

Glad to hear the spread spectrum stuff is legal. Gotta say I can't see further than my tranmitter can transmit especially with these small slopies so I find it works just fine.

DS sites? Not that I know of. Interesting thing DSing. Dunno if I'm much of a speed nut though, time will tell :D Did you find that elusive CT DS site?

Anyway knocking off now. Thanks for the help, catch u online another time.

Andrew

[aragon]

DS absolutely rocks. I wish we had better sites here. Signal Hill works, but it likes to eat planes. There's another site that should work, but I've yet to try it. Once you've tasted DS, front side just isn't the same anymore. :D

Cool man, catch ya later.

[Declined]

samaa have to catch me doing some 'illegal'...
i fly just out of range of the '15km' club radius or whatever the number is...slope soaring in Stell isnt too bad......duno what there policy is