Buddy boxes as a second line of protection for experienced fliers?

[Robin Colbourne]

Reading David Davis's thread 'Aeromodelling at Seventy Four', about scaling back on his aeromodelling, got me thinking.

Primary reasons for R/C fliers giving up flying are failing eyesight and slower reactions.  Initially larger models help them with the former, and slower models with the latter.    There comes a time though, when, at some point in the circuit, one realises that it was largely luck that oneself and one's model through a moment of disorientation.
Like model flying, full-size gliding has a rapidly increasing average age amongst its participants.   The solution has been for the more elderly experienced pilots to fly with younger ones, so as a team there is the combined benefits of years of experience from the older pilot when flying cross-country and the eyesight and reactions of the younger pilot for situational awareness.  Even Derek Piggott, the renowned instructor, stunt pilot and author flew with a safety pilot in his later years.

We already have buddy boxes for training, so maybe its time we should consider it normal to use them as a means to keep older fliers flying safely, so they can remain active and valued members of our clubs?

[Graham Bowers]

Up to the individual, in my opinion. I'd have no problem asking for whatever help I thought I needed, but may be less receptive to institutionalised buddy boxing. However i't a theoretical discussion so my take is I'd be incorporating electronic aids such as stabilisation and RTH in order to retain independence before asking for a buddy box.

[Don Fry]

I could live with a buddy box. A modern wireless system is not intrusive. 
I got bitten last winter. I had a cataract developing in the right eye. Thought my left (non dominant eye) could cope. It was fine until I was a bit casual in finals, and put the flaps down going a bit fast, and from then on;

low, slow, winter light,  not many ideas, and struggling to see. A nice big heavy winter hack was broken. It was a lot further away than I thought.

Eyes now sorted. 

[Simon Chaddock]

My take is if I get to a point that I am not happy to fly then I will stop.

But it still wouldn't prevent me from criticizing the faults of those that do!  😉

[Frank Skilbeck]

I have done this with a club mate, he builds some great models but doesn't feel confident to fly some of them solo, put them on the buddy box and he can at least fly them.

[Martin Harris - Moderator]

It’s something I’ve done fairly regularly with a couple of flyers of advancing age, lack of confidence or with infirmities. 
 

It needs to be seen as good airmanship to ask for assistance rather than any form of judgement so something to be encouraged rather than imposed. 

[J D 8]

  I was hoping to give this a go next year, see if those club members who only fly electric foamie's a go on heavier IC type's.

[Robin Colbourne]

15 minutes ago, J D 8 said:

  I was hoping to give this a go next year, see if those club members who only fly electric foamie's a go on heavier IC type's.

Good idea JD8.  I'm sure they would discover a larger IC trainer a lot easier to fly than foamies that cover their own length far too rapidly.