this came from Gemini, not a legal source so take it as a suggestion

what would be an appropriate disclaimer of an eaa chapter website that includes aviation news and updates. is there anything that should be avoided for liability reasons

An effective website disclaimer for a local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter provides strong protection by setting clear expectations about content, liability, and governance. Below is an appropriate sample disclaimer tailored for an EAA chapter website, followed by key actions and content to avoid for liability reasons.

Sample EAA Chapter Website Disclaimer

Terms of Use & Legal Disclaimer

1. Informational Purposes Only

The content on this website—including all aviation news, newsletter archives, calendar items, technical tips, and member updates—is provided solely for general informational, educational, and community-building purposes. Nothing on this site constitutes professional aviation instruction, official flight training, certified maintenance advice, or legal advice.

2. No Official Flight Safety or Operational Reliance

Flight operations, aircraft maintenance, and pilot decisions must rely strictly on official Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) publications, certified Flight Information Publications (FLIPs), official METAR/TAF weather briefings, and approved Aircraft Flight Manuals (AFMs/POHs). Do not use information from this website for pre-flight planning, navigation, or operational decision-making.

3. Limitation of Liability

Under no circumstances shall [EAA Chapter ###], its officers, board members, webmasters, or chapter members be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from the use or misuse of information published on this website. All information is provided on an "as-is" and "as-available" basis without warranties of any kind.

4. Third-Party Links & Content

This site may contain links to third-party websites, external news feeds, FAA portals, or sponsor pages. [EAA Chapter ###] does not endorse, guarantee, or assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any third-party content or external links.

5. Opinions & Member Submissions

The views and opinions expressed in member articles, guest posts, or forum comments belong solely to the original authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of [EAA Chapter ###] or the Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc. (EAA National).

6. EAA National Disclaimer

[EAA Chapter ###] is an independent, non-profit local chapter affiliated with the Experimental Aircraft Association, Inc. (Oshkosh, WI). EAA National is not responsible for the content, maintenance, or operation of this local chapter website.

What to Avoid for Liability Reasons

When running a local aviation chapter site that publishes news, safety topics, or technical articles, pay close attention to these major liability pitfalls:

1. Do Not Publish Unverified Technical Advice or "How-To" Modifications

  • Risk: If a member writes an article on how to modify a homebuilt aircraft fuel line or fix an avionics bug, a reader might follow it, suffer a failure, and hold the chapter responsible.
  • Best Practice: Include an explicit warning on technical articles stating that all aircraft modifications must be performed or verified in accordance with FAA regulations (e.g., FAR Part 43/91) and manufacturer guidance.

2. Do Not Provide Live or Unverified Operational Flight Data

  • Risk: Linking to a local airport webcam or casual weather station without a disclaimer might lead someone to rely on it for preflight planning, leading to an incident.
  • Best Practice: Avoid hosting local METARs/TAFs unless you clearly state that official flight planning must be conducted through FAA-approved channels (1800wxbrief.com, ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, etc.).

3. Avoid Implying EAA National Liability or Direct Endorsement

  • Risk: Local chapters are separate legal entities. Publishing content that appears to speak on behalf of EAA National headquarters in Oshkosh can create trademark issues or exposure for both parties.
  • Best Practice: Keep a clear statement that the chapter is an independent local entity.

4. Do Not Post Copyrighted Material or Photos Without Licenses

  • Risk: Reposting full news articles from aviation media (e.g., AOPA, AVweb, Flying Magazine) or using copyrighted stock aircraft photos can trigger copyright infringement claims.
  • Best Practice: Provide short summaries/quotes and direct links to the original news source, or use member-submitted/royalty-free photos.

5. Avoid Unmoderated Public Comment Sections or Classifieds

  • Risk: If the site has a "Classifieds" or "For Sale" page for aircraft/parts, buyers could attempt to hold the chapter liable for misrepresented gear or bad transactions.
  • Best Practice: If you list member aircraft or equipment for sale, add a specific buyer-beware note stating the chapter does not inspect, warrant, or verify any items listed.

6. Do Not Overlook Event Liability Contexts

  • Risk: Announcing fly-ins, Young Eagles rallies, or poker runs on the website without proper event registration or waivers can complicate insurance coverage.
  • Best Practice: Ensure all event announcements reference official participation forms, registration links, and standard EAA liability waiver requirements.

Would you like to tailor this disclaimer for a specific state's jurisdiction, or add specific clauses for featured section areas like a chapter classifieds page or photo gallery?