Does being an amateur constitute an arbitrary category? Aircraft model flying is not the only recreational activity, where the borderline between amateurs and professionals might be getting somewhat blurred. For example, this condition today is already much more advanced in modern amateur astronomy than in model aircraft flying. And just as in model aircraft flying, it has been caused by the availability of advanced technology to the amateur.
The concept of model aircraft flying has in fact always implied that it is done by amateurs. And due to the advent of micro turbines, we now have a new branch of high tech model aircraft flying developing and extending itself. And this new development means, that the definition of the model aircraft pilot has to adapt itself to the new circumstance in such a manner, that the always implied amateur status of the model aircraft pilot has now to be made explicit.
In other words: The amateur status of the aircraft modeler has to become the key element in the definition of his product (the "model aircraft"), in distinction to the UAV or whatever. There are winds of change blowing, and the amateur model aircraft piloting community will not forever be able to shield them off.
And being a recreational amateur occupation, as long as private airplanes do not become as common as private cars, it ought to be self evident that the amateur has to remain on the ground while piloting his aircraft (no chase plane, and it seems almost ridiculous having to mention this).
If this is too arbitrary for the Guinness book, it ought not be too arbitrary for the FAI.
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ALL control line models MUST submit to a line pull test regardless of where and when they are flown? The only memory I have of seeing a CL model was during my childhood somewhere in the countryside. It was an impressive model of a WWII fighter, and not exactly small (50+cm). In spite of all of my fascination, when it flew I got scared and ducked. Some of the onlookers stood no more than 20ft (6m) from the passing airplane. Nobody of them cared to check the model if it satisfied AMA (or their german equivalent) regulations. Just a personal memory.
Peter