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AMA recognizes three age groups – Juniors , Seniors and everything else called simply Open. The reason we encourage our younger fliers is obvious, which is why there is a double classification.
But since we are all getting older, at an increasingly alarming rate, there are many mature fliers among our ranks (me included). In fact, other sports recognize their older participants, including golf and sailing, to name a few. The same, in my opinion, could apply to AMA free flight as well, recognizing the achievements (records, winnings) of fliers in this group. In the case of winnings, recognition could amount to a hand shake – as our basements are bulging with assortments of old dusty awards.
A nice name would be Masters, since Seniors is already taken.
If this point of view is accepted, then there is a question of the initiation age. Some think that 60 is too young, while 70 is too old. 65, which is the standard retirement age, or the age you qualify for medicare, seems like a reasonable choice.
It has been said that three things keep us going: Motor cycles, Walstons and Viagra. Maybe a Masters age category could help as well?
This last weekend, at the monthly Skyscraper’s informal meet, I canvassed some of the older fliers about a new AMA Master age group. (Handshakes and no prizes+ a fresh record slate.) Two thought it is a good idea, and even suggested a 75+ age category. Another, on principal, opposed changing the universe’s order.
Dean,
We actually have such a category in the guise of Old Timer events. This was intended to widen the scope to all AMA events, allowing setting new records. My sense is that some (older) fliers support the idea, but they are either not computer literate or are reluctant to post their opinions in the public domain. Anyway, without support the idea will simply fade away.
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