How do most clubs handle damage to property? If there is damage, does the flier pay the deductible?
Our club displays a Enter at your own risk sign. But if one of my rockets were to do damage I would feel obligated to fix the damage.
I agree it should be the flyer's responsibility if they were negligent in some way. Unfortunately not all share this thinking. I was at a TRA launch where a flyer obviously did not tighten his aft closure fully. The rocket was super underpowered off the pad, arched over into the flight line, and impacted the roof of my car doing severe damage. It also came inches from hitting to people standing next to my car. The flyer said "we all know the dangers out here", walked away and did not take responsibility. The TRA officials did NOTHING to help. Pretty lousy experience. I gave up on TRA after that.
I agree it should be the flyer's responsibility if they were negligent in some way. Unfortunately not all share this thinking. I was at a TRA launch where a flyer obviously did not tighten his aft closure fully. The rocket was super underpowered off the pad, arched over into the flight line, and impacted the roof of my car doing severe damage. It also came inches from hitting to people standing next to my car. The flyer said "we all know the dangers out here", walked away and did not take responsibility. The TRA officials did NOTHING to help. Pretty lousy experience. I gave up on TRA after that.
but if the flier pays club dues or pays a fee to join the launch, and the club sets up all the launch pads, launch controllers, flight line, viewing area, parking area, etc., the RSO inspects and clears the rocket, club members supervise the igniter hookup and launch angle, the LCO does the countdown and presses the button --- in that case, I think the club has taken on a lot of responsibility for the outcome of the flight.
Our club displays a Enter at your own risk sign. But if one of my rockets were to do damage I would feel obligated to fix the damage.
No, the club does due diligence to make sure all obvious hazards are minimized (not eliminated) in accordance with the safety code, common sense and to avoid negligence. The club does not guarantee safety. Responsibility lies TOTALLY with the individual who decided to put that rocket on a club pad.
Dont go to a launch if your that worried about it. Dont drive yor mercedes. You know the risk going out there. $hit happens
I'm just pointing out what I see as a practical reality of how liability works in this country. The club cannot just say, " it's on the individual, and that's that."
My point was not to let the flier off the hook, just to show that the legal and practical reality might be different, regardless of what the club and flier agree to BEFORE the accident.
Dont go to a launch if your that worried about it. Dont drive yor mercedes. You know the risk going out there. $hit happens
Our club displays a Enter at your own risk sign. But if one of my rockets were to do damage I would feel obligated to fix the damage.
It really does not matter. RSO/LCOs help lower the risk, but it will never be nil. The flier must accept the risk and pay the damages. It is a high risk hobby.
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