Message from the President and the JPO Board

Recently, there have been posts on the BVM web site and RC universe concerning the need to support AMA speed limit regulations for turbine aircraft. The JPO organization was referenced in these posts, and I thought I would take a minute to speak directly on behalf of the organization and our board.

1) The JPO does endorse the need to support current AMA speed guidelines, regardless of their source or heritage. Having said this, the focus solely on speed is misplaced. For example, based on loss statistics collected by the JPO and other recent events, inexperienced pilots and flying unproven or unfamiliar aircraft in highly public environments would pose a greater potential for loss. Most of us have been flying long enough to understand the types of behaviors and issues that expose us to loss, and again, speed is only one of them.

2) For a variety of reasons, our segment of the hobby is coming under additional scrutiny and that is unlikely to change soon. Most of us have taken liberties with the regulations, but the time has come to tighten up compliance, individually and as a group. While the JPO is not an enforcement arm of the AMA and has no intention of becoming one, we are interested in safety and have encouraged the AMA to look at their role in policing the policies and regulations it promulgates. We would like for the FAA to continue the long tradition of allowing the AMA to set governance for model activities. We believe the FAA's inclination to do so may be influenced by it's confidence in the AMA to insure compliance.

3) The AMA looks to CDs and Clubs as their primary administrators to insure regulations are followed. The JPO would encourage everyone in the jet community to do their best to support CDs and Club Officials in their efforts. It is a difficult job to be sure, and they need the influence of community peer pressure on their side. If we can do a credible job in rules enforcement within our community, the AMA and FAA will possibly feel less need to do so for us.

4) On a personal note, having spent my career in the insurance business, I do not believe it will be possible for the jet community to avoid the "big one" forever, as a mechanical or structural failure can happen to any of us at any time. Despite our best efforts, attention to safety and personal diligence in following rules, the law of probability will catch up to us and injuries will occur. When that does happen and actions are second guessed, you do not want to be in a situation where your disregard for the rules resulted in injury or worse to others.

5) We would encourage everyone to be aware that everything we do publicly during these times is watched. Please be prudent in your forum and video postings as otherwise innocent items can be misinterpreted by the uninitiated. Let's also take this time to manage conflict and personal disputes out of the public eye and portray what we really are for the most part ... a group of great people who share a common passion for a hobby. Now is not the time to be calling attention to ourselves needlessly.

6) One last thought on speed. Simply put, pursuing the edge of the performance envelope and setting records is part of the American heritage. Thinking that it can be stopped is probably utopian thought. While now is not the time here in the US, at some point the JPO, AMA and FAA may agree upon a set of standards and safety guidelines that will allow the establishment of speed records supported by the FAI, the NAA and the AMA. Pursuit of these records under controlled conditions where danger to the public is contained may, and I emphasize may, be a possibility. To use an analogy, no one will be allowed to take their rocket car out on the freeway, but if you "have the need for speed", you are welcome to head to a "Bonneville Salt Flats" where you might pursue your interest without putting others in harms way. The JPO would be interested in your comments on this.

I would welcome any feedback or suggestions you may have. Click HERE to comment.

As always, the JPO appreciates the support of the membership, and we are working hard on your behalf in concert with the AMA, to preserve the freedom to enjoy jet modeling in any form.

Thanks,

Keith Sievers, President

About the JPO:

The Jet Pilots Organization (JPO) was founded in 1989 to promote and advance jet modeling technology, and the safe recreation and general fellowship of this fast-growing segment of our hobby. We are the Special Interest Group (SIG) officially representing USA jet modelers to our national organization insurer, the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA). If you are a jet pilot, or you are aspiring to be one, you will very likely find that your interests, concerns, and goals are also the JPO’s!

The JPO is active in several areas important to you as a jet pilot, and this is especially important now that turbines are becoming the engine of choice. Why should I join the JPO? Because……….

· As the AMA SIG, the JPO is the collective jet pilot’s pipeline to the AMA. We represent you!

· The JPO is a fast-growing body of experts and expertise. We wish to pass on that wealth of information and experience on to assure your jet flying is all the more successful, safe, and enjoyable. We look forward to meeting and assisting you at jet events, and you will receive our ‘Contrails’, an informative quarterly bulletin of jet happenings, technical articles, and event schedules.

· The JPO is your advocate for fair and responsible rules concerning turbine operation. If you are not yet AMA turbine qualified, let us help you become familiar with the Waiver process. If you are already a Waiver holder, then the JPO needs the strength of your numbers to achieve strong representation at the national level-in which there is greater need today, than ever before.

Our main goals are promoting the safe expansion of jet modeling: to make the AMA-required Turbine Waiver more accessible and less burdensome; and to work ever harder in maintaining the turbine safety record as the prime requirement to remaining insurable and viable. With each added Member, the JPO becomes stronger with just that much greater a chance of success.

So join us…………………protect your jet interests and your investment. Check out our web site, and become a JPO discussion list Member.

If you are a jet modeler, the JPO needs you, AND YOU NEED THE JPO

Announcements:

Contest Directors: The JPO put up a trial on-line registration site for the Pensacola Jet meet, featuring Paypal as a payment option. About 75% of the pilots registered in advance through the web site and 1/3 paid in advance through the optional Paypal link. If you do not have access to a web registration capability and are interested in having the JPO put up a free on-line registration site for your event, please contact the JPO Webmaster. If you do not see your event on the event calendar, forward the information please.

Members: We are always interested in posting pictures of your latest project. Please feel free to send your pictures to the JPO Webmaster.

Knowledge Bank: member contributions are always welcome for the knowledge bank as well. Please send any contributions to the JPO Webmaster and I will take care of formatting the information into a PDF document and posting it to the site. Please contribute!

Manufacturers: The JPO will post product announcements on the site at no cost as a service to our members. Please email specifics to the JPO Webmaster.