SAFETY COMES FIRST
PROPELLERS
AND FINGERS:
CAN’T WE
ALL JUST GET
ALONG?
By Dave Gee | safetycolumn@cs.com
PASQUALE LUCIANO had a serious incident and knew that the only positive thing about it would be to warn fellow pilots to help prevent a similar situation. His report prompted a big decision from me, but first, his story:
“What happened is my fault. I did not remove the propeller. “I received a Spektrum NX10+ [transmitter] for Christmas and wanted to try it out. It was to be used with the receiver in my Extra 300. I bound the receiver in SAFE mode but did not understand that, with the equipment I was using, failsafe has to be set up in forward programming.
“To check my failsafe, I proceeded to shut down the transmitter. It gave me a warning: Do you want to continue? I said yes, which immediately led to a serious problem. The propeller began to turn at high revolutions and my hand was in the way. If I had removed the propeller, there would have been no injury, even with the incorrect binding.”
It was so very kind of Pasquale to think of others and to share this mis-adventure! Using a new set of matched RC components, you can carefully follow the instructions step-by-step and safely program all of the features, including failsafe. If your RC system is not purchased as a complete set, it is even more important to know how the matched-up pieces should work together. Be sure of the proper way to bind and program the components! Pasquale is correct that removing the propeller is a wise precaution that has saved many modelers from trouble.
The quandary? Pasquale included clear photos of the aftermath. Should they be printed here? No way! The propeller sliced through his thumb lengthwise from the tip. Believe me, it is better to read about this than to see it! He said that it will be a long time of healing before he is able to fly again. I wish him a smooth recovery and send gratitude for reminding us how serious “read the instructions” advice can be.
Arms Swap Sends Chills Up the Spline
Servo arms, that is! George Lumpkins kindly sent a reminder that servo arms are not all the same. They can have a slightly different number of splines (the little gear teeth that mate to the servo output shaft) and don’t always interchange well. Mixing the wrong pair can result in servo slippage
at inconvenient moments, such as when the model is airborne. It’s hard to tell the difference between 23-, 24-, and 25-tooth splines just by looking. You might even find servo arms with different spline counts but made by the same brand!
This is a time when details matter. Make sure that the arm and servo match exactly and save yourself a bunch of trouble!
Misty Memories
A reader sent this tale and asked for anonymity, which is granted.
“Earlier this year, I was flying with an instructor using his buddy box. Unfortunately, once we were airborne, the visibility decreased and heavy clouds rolled in. This was a problem because we were flying a white airplane. Of course, it was a mistake of judgement to even get into such a jam.
“We ended up having to make an emergency landing because all we could see was a silhouette of the airplane. We couldn’t tell what direction the airplane was pointed, or even if it was upside-down. There were several times where it really was upside-down, and things nearly got nasty.
“To further complicate matters, there were some kids at the field, and one of them ran out toward the runway. If it wasn’t for my instructor’s quick thinking, the airplane would’ve provided excellent kindling. In other words, keep an eye on the
youngsters, and steer clear of IFR [instrument flight rules] conditions!”
Getting Back on the Horse
Bill Smith’s story starts with disorientation, but it’s actually about determination. He wrote:
“I was flying at the local field one day when a light crosswind carried the airplane overhead. I turned around to find it and was blinded by the sun. My first reaction was to gain altitude, so full throttle and full up-elevator. Later, I found out the airplane did three complete loops before I was able to get it under control. The last loop was much too close to some picnic tables with people nearby.
“No one was hurt, and I was able to make a good landing, but I was really shook up. I was very close to quitting RC. It was a month or more before I was able to get the courage to go back up.”
Many pilots have had incidents throughout the years. A close call many years ago was my fault and nearly led to harm. I felt embarrassment and shame. The urge to “pack it up” was strong. I had the advantage of advice from a wise, older modeler. She said that anything you do in life could hold some bad outcome, but leaving one hobby would only negate the experience you’ve already gained. She said to learn from it and do better in the future. Bill and I both did so, and I recommend that choice.
Mystery Airplane
This month’s mystery airplane lives at the Joe Davies Heritage Airpark in Palmdale, California. It’s a famous cargo workhorse that “flew the Hump” of the Himalayas during World War II and helped with the Berlin Airlift afterward.
Use my email address at the beginning of this column to send me your guess and you’ll win digital plans for a unique cartoon airplane.
Prize Plans
I wear a Citizen watch that features my favorite mouse flying an airplane. People frequently notice and compliment me on this very nice timepiece. My local club recently held a cartoon airplane event, so I enlarged the tiny image to model size. The resulting aircraft wasn’t too bad!
You’ll receive plans for the latest version with improved stability and duration. It’s an old-fashioned Lo-Cal (all-balsa profile) model that is easy to build. Rubber power comes standard, but this airplane would also fly well with a transplanted micro-RC system from an ARF foamie.
In the photo, my pilot is incognito only to keep the copyright lawyers at bay. Build one and you can put anyone you like at the controls.
SOURCES:
Joe Davies Heritage Airpark
(661) 267-5611
www.cityofpalmdaleca.gov/205/Joe-Davies-Heritage-Airpark
“Mickey’s model airplane really flies!”
YouTube
www.youtube.com/shorts/MyeyW4kPyDQ
