Insurance when flying RC or CL

I remember being asked all the time to get off the runway and get behind the spectator fence when out at the flying field during events. I was always out there with friends or helping someone with their engine. They would try to explain that it wasn't only because I wasn't a member of the club but because of insurance reasons. I wasn't a part of their club, I never joined because I rarely flew planes since I was more interested in the engines themselves.

There was one time when someone plowed their out of control plane into the edge of the roof of a shelter over some picnic tables, pieces flew everywhere and one of the guys said he heard a prop blade whiz by his head. They had signs posted all over out there that you are there at your own risk and severe injury by flying objects is possible.

If you get a lot of spectators, you could maybe print up some signs with a warning and get some metal t-posts or something and put a few up around wherever you are flying just so people can't say they didn't know what could possibly happen.

Basic AMA membership includes $2 million in coverage (or thereabouts) after your homeowners claim runs out. So it's secondary coverage.
Rusty

Frequent topic of argument at our club. The AMA insurance not only is a secondary policy but if their minimum safety guidelines for field layout, safety line, spectator separation etc are not followed or exceeded, the underwriter will not pay

If you are a AMA member do not assume but go to the web site and read document 500 L entirely

I have good home owners insurance and increasing personal liability is not too expensive (I don't advertise the limits of the policy) That said, for my own peace I carry enough that if I were to kill someone I should not loose my home

I pay attention no matter where I spectate or fly but the one event that scares the crap out of me is the insane maneuvers 3D helicopters are put through.... As a former Army Helicopter repairman I know what catastrophic failure looks like on the real thing

fredvon4 wrote:...the one event that scares the crap out of me is the insane maneuvers 3D helicopters are put through.... As a former Army Helicopter repairman I know what catastrophic failure looks like on the real thing  

You ain't shhhuckin' corn, those are scarey machines. I always stand behind the bleachers. If it got away for whatever reason, there would be ZERO time to react... or you might at least get your eyes shut in time...
Rusty

Yes sir...The 3D larger airplanes flown very close to the pilot don't strike me as too dangerous but I have seen a gust of wind surprise the pilot and cause a near accident

In fact our club safety Nazi does not like any 3D airplane flying ( we suspect cuz he can't do it) so is always making a fuss even though they are flown IAW our club safety limits and AMAs recommendations

That said, I am sort of astounded that the AMA has not increased every minimum safety line relating to 3D helicopter flight

Back on topic... I am curious about GB and Europe requirements. I was sent to Germany for 5 different tours, close to 15 years of my life. I spectated at a few RC clubs but never flew. For some reason I do not recall one conversation about licensing or insurance, just engines, planes, and radios