102 MODEL AVIATION
THE TIME HAS come to address the
dangers of indoor RC blimps. We must begin
to put pressure on the operators of these
models, given the gravity of the situation.
Lighter-Than-Air (LTA) fliers make inflated
claims of harmlessness of their craft, but I
refuse to make light of the helium issue and
allow them to simply float through life.
This is a weighty matter, and the LTA
crowd’s arguments won’t hold air. There
have been bloated reports of trouble, and I’m
not just Macon this up. I am reminded that
blimps are Akron-ic problem here in Los
Angeles every time I Z-1.
My friend Shannon Doah said:
“The level of concern is ballooning. LTA
fliers are moored to obsolete ideas and are
puffed up with confidence, but you, Dave,
must puncture their arguments and make this
a Goodyear for indoor RC safety. Thanks for
letting me vent some gas.”
She does not take the blimp threat lightly,
and neither should we! Next time some
gasbag full of hot air advocates indoor
dirigibles, remember that operating these
models is not just a walk in the clouds.
Oh, and happy April Fools’ Day!
I just returned from January’s AMA
Convention 2005 at Ontario, California. This
well-attended model show featured many
new and old products that are worth a plug.
Following are a couple, and I’ll have some
next month too.
The Edjer Company displayed a vast array
Dave Gee
S a f e t y C o m e s F i r s t
Box 7081, Van Nuys CA 91409; E-mail: [email protected]
These Roc-It-Ups from Gizmos & Gadgets keep your glue in the bottle rather than all
over the table. The text contains details about how to win one.
RC blimp safety is a heavy subject. This
month’s column urges lighter-than-air pilots
to keep their feet on the ground. Jamie
Sorenson demonstrates his indoor airship.
AMA Convention 2005 RC area supplied sand buckets in case of battery trouble.
of fine hobby knives and accessories, but I
was especially drawn to its line of rotary
cutters. Do you use this type of tool? It
consists of a handle with a rotating circular
blade on one end, kind of like a miniature
pizza cutter. It’s hard to beat for slicing
fabric, covering material, or thin balsa sheet;
with a proper cutting board, it is much safer
than fixed-blade cutting.
My rotary is a Dafa-Cutter, and Edjer also
carries Olfa brands. I had to buy two because
my wife Sweet Diedra swiped my first one
for her craft work. These products are
available at hobby shops or you can reach
Edjer at (951) 925-2344. The company’s Web
site is under construction as I’m writing this.
As a chronic glue spiller, I was pleased to
see Gizmos & Gadgets debut its Roc-It-Up
glue holder, which seems designed
specifically to counter my clumsiness. The
photo shows how clever this product is. The
bottom half of the ball is heavier than it looks,
to outweigh your glue bottle and keep it
upright. I bought several and they work great.
Contact the company at Box 2106, Chino Hills
CA 91709.
I am thankful for the constant flow of kind,
helpful letters and E-mails from readers, and to
show my gratitude I will have a minor
sweepstakes this month. First prize is a new
Roc-It-Up glue holder.
To enter, send me your suggestion for a
topic that should be addressed here. Winners
will be randomly selected from all entries
received before the next issue of MA comes
out. Letters, cards, or E-mail messages will do
fine. Three arguably lucky runners-up will get
a new hobby knife, modified to keep it from
rolling off of the table.
Remember how I was finished with that
topic? Just after I sent in the column with the
“final word,” I got an E-mail from Bob Pinkus
stating that he drills a hole in the hobby knife’s
handle and, instead of a dowel, inserts a wire
keyring—the kind you get when you take your
car in for service. That way the knife can be
hung up when not in use. Apparently this
subject will never die because I keep getting
great new suggestions.
Bob’s E-mail also contained this month’s
quote. According to him, small electric motors
are sometimes not taken as seriously as larger
power plants, but we should “respect anything
that twirls a prop.” I second that thought, even
though my Indoor cronies will kid me about it
while winding their teensy rubber motors.
Speaking of E-mail, there has been plenty
regarding Jim Malek’s “Spotter Guide”
suggestions for helping an RC pilot. I’ve sent
out many copies of his full document, and it is
gratifying to see such interest in this topic.
Jim has really performed a service for all of
us, especially the modeler who does not get hit
because of his advice. I published a shortened
version in the January issue, but if you want to
read the whole thing let me know.
Ted Davis, who is seldom seen at the field
without his gregarious young grandson
George in tow, sent me a note which follows.
“This morning I was at the flying site for
my typical weekend flight session. As is the
case nowadays there were lots of other
electric fliers. I had finished flying and was
standing at a table watching other fliers
prepare and tune their airplanes for flight.
Two fliers had the same version of the NAA
P-51. One had retrieved his craft from a
muddy off-field adventure and the second one
was tweaking his for a flight.
“The second flier was adjusting his trim
when his airplane lurched forward, at full
power, and chewed half the tail off the P-51
sitting in front of me! During this encounter I
looked at the transmitter the flier was holding
and it was in the closed position.
“This has awaken me to the fact that
regardless of how safe we think we are in our
field practices we should have stands for
these airplanes that, if unwanted power burst
occurs, will prevent them from surging across
tables or whatever and becoming unguided
missiles.”
Several months ago I published a photo of
just such a test stand in use. While taking that
photograph, I saw other engines being started
up under conditions that were not nearly so
safe. Please, friends, think ahead of “what
might happen if,” how things might travel,
and what is in the path.
When contemplating some unusual task at
work, I imagine how the accident report
would read and how I would explain it to my
boss. If the answer sounds lame, it’s time to
look for another way to accomplish the job.
Mark Arnold sent me some thoughts on
propellers. He wrote:
“I am a modeler returning to activity after
a 20 year hiatus. Tell me how come people
are still at the hungry end of models. In 1974
I got the glow plug wire tangled with the prop
of a Free Flight B Gas model and it was
pretty exciting as the engine went from
23,000 rpm to 0 in the blink of an eye.
“Later I built a tool box that contained a
starter that was activated when the model was
pushed into it, with the glow battery in my
hip pocket so there were no cords going
through the prop arc. Using it I survived
several prop failures (K&B 6.5 running a 10 x
4 prop) and a couple of slips of the fingers
into the rear of the prop. Let me tell you that
hitting the rear of the prop is much better than
hitting the front of the prop (known as The
Hungry Side).
“It was important to disconnect the battery
before starting the chase phase of the flight,
but I had many years of flying without a really
close call because I took a step to put some
control into a common practice. Why anyone
puts their body across the prop arc is a total
mystery to me.”
Mark earned his wisdom the hard way!
In the January issue I included a picture
showing RC pilots along a runway. They were
properly spaced and in designated spots, but
nothing is perfect.
Del Milne brought up the disadvantages of
being so far from other pilots, such as the fact
that warnings and other communications must
be shouted. He is right, of course, but the
standard arrangement of model airports has
been determined by decades of trial-and-error
experimentation.
There are good points and dangers to any
layout. The AMA sanctioned arrangement has
proven to be the best compromise of all
factors. Our job is to use caution and good
judgment as we balance the strong points
against the unavoidable drawbacks of trying to
control a moving aircraft from a spot on the
ground.
Fail-safe devices for RC models have been
mentioned frequently in the mailbag lately.
Ray Smith and Milt Peacock sent carefully
considered letters expressing their doubts
about these gadgets.
They are experienced RC modelers who
can probably make better landings than I can,
but I’m reserving judgment on the matter of
fail-safes. Although there are certainly
situations in which a fail-safe makes matters
worse, it seems that statistically there is an
overall advantage to having one.
More important, technology is zooming
forward, and I am certain that fail-safe features
will get better and smarter in coming years.
My crystal ball says that long before they are
mandated, we will all have them anyway
because they will become a standard feature
on new radios.
Next month I will make some suggestions
about how to speak to someone who is doing
something dumb or unsafe at the field. Since
I’m more often the tellee than the teller, I’ve
heard several good diplomatic ways to deal
with the situation without ending up in a
fistfight or a snit. MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/04
Page Numbers: 102,104
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/04
Page Numbers: 102,104
102 MODEL AVIATION
THE TIME HAS come to address the
dangers of indoor RC blimps. We must begin
to put pressure on the operators of these
models, given the gravity of the situation.
Lighter-Than-Air (LTA) fliers make inflated
claims of harmlessness of their craft, but I
refuse to make light of the helium issue and
allow them to simply float through life.
This is a weighty matter, and the LTA
crowd’s arguments won’t hold air. There
have been bloated reports of trouble, and I’m
not just Macon this up. I am reminded that
blimps are Akron-ic problem here in Los
Angeles every time I Z-1.
My friend Shannon Doah said:
“The level of concern is ballooning. LTA
fliers are moored to obsolete ideas and are
puffed up with confidence, but you, Dave,
must puncture their arguments and make this
a Goodyear for indoor RC safety. Thanks for
letting me vent some gas.”
She does not take the blimp threat lightly,
and neither should we! Next time some
gasbag full of hot air advocates indoor
dirigibles, remember that operating these
models is not just a walk in the clouds.
Oh, and happy April Fools’ Day!
I just returned from January’s AMA
Convention 2005 at Ontario, California. This
well-attended model show featured many
new and old products that are worth a plug.
Following are a couple, and I’ll have some
next month too.
The Edjer Company displayed a vast array
Dave Gee
S a f e t y C o m e s F i r s t
Box 7081, Van Nuys CA 91409; E-mail: [email protected]
These Roc-It-Ups from Gizmos & Gadgets keep your glue in the bottle rather than all
over the table. The text contains details about how to win one.
RC blimp safety is a heavy subject. This
month’s column urges lighter-than-air pilots
to keep their feet on the ground. Jamie
Sorenson demonstrates his indoor airship.
AMA Convention 2005 RC area supplied sand buckets in case of battery trouble.
of fine hobby knives and accessories, but I
was especially drawn to its line of rotary
cutters. Do you use this type of tool? It
consists of a handle with a rotating circular
blade on one end, kind of like a miniature
pizza cutter. It’s hard to beat for slicing
fabric, covering material, or thin balsa sheet;
with a proper cutting board, it is much safer
than fixed-blade cutting.
My rotary is a Dafa-Cutter, and Edjer also
carries Olfa brands. I had to buy two because
my wife Sweet Diedra swiped my first one
for her craft work. These products are
available at hobby shops or you can reach
Edjer at (951) 925-2344. The company’s Web
site is under construction as I’m writing this.
As a chronic glue spiller, I was pleased to
see Gizmos & Gadgets debut its Roc-It-Up
glue holder, which seems designed
specifically to counter my clumsiness. The
photo shows how clever this product is. The
bottom half of the ball is heavier than it looks,
to outweigh your glue bottle and keep it
upright. I bought several and they work great.
Contact the company at Box 2106, Chino Hills
CA 91709.
I am thankful for the constant flow of kind,
helpful letters and E-mails from readers, and to
show my gratitude I will have a minor
sweepstakes this month. First prize is a new
Roc-It-Up glue holder.
To enter, send me your suggestion for a
topic that should be addressed here. Winners
will be randomly selected from all entries
received before the next issue of MA comes
out. Letters, cards, or E-mail messages will do
fine. Three arguably lucky runners-up will get
a new hobby knife, modified to keep it from
rolling off of the table.
Remember how I was finished with that
topic? Just after I sent in the column with the
“final word,” I got an E-mail from Bob Pinkus
stating that he drills a hole in the hobby knife’s
handle and, instead of a dowel, inserts a wire
keyring—the kind you get when you take your
car in for service. That way the knife can be
hung up when not in use. Apparently this
subject will never die because I keep getting
great new suggestions.
Bob’s E-mail also contained this month’s
quote. According to him, small electric motors
are sometimes not taken as seriously as larger
power plants, but we should “respect anything
that twirls a prop.” I second that thought, even
though my Indoor cronies will kid me about it
while winding their teensy rubber motors.
Speaking of E-mail, there has been plenty
regarding Jim Malek’s “Spotter Guide”
suggestions for helping an RC pilot. I’ve sent
out many copies of his full document, and it is
gratifying to see such interest in this topic.
Jim has really performed a service for all of
us, especially the modeler who does not get hit
because of his advice. I published a shortened
version in the January issue, but if you want to
read the whole thing let me know.
Ted Davis, who is seldom seen at the field
without his gregarious young grandson
George in tow, sent me a note which follows.
“This morning I was at the flying site for
my typical weekend flight session. As is the
case nowadays there were lots of other
electric fliers. I had finished flying and was
standing at a table watching other fliers
prepare and tune their airplanes for flight.
Two fliers had the same version of the NAA
P-51. One had retrieved his craft from a
muddy off-field adventure and the second one
was tweaking his for a flight.
“The second flier was adjusting his trim
when his airplane lurched forward, at full
power, and chewed half the tail off the P-51
sitting in front of me! During this encounter I
looked at the transmitter the flier was holding
and it was in the closed position.
“This has awaken me to the fact that
regardless of how safe we think we are in our
field practices we should have stands for
these airplanes that, if unwanted power burst
occurs, will prevent them from surging across
tables or whatever and becoming unguided
missiles.”
Several months ago I published a photo of
just such a test stand in use. While taking that
photograph, I saw other engines being started
up under conditions that were not nearly so
safe. Please, friends, think ahead of “what
might happen if,” how things might travel,
and what is in the path.
When contemplating some unusual task at
work, I imagine how the accident report
would read and how I would explain it to my
boss. If the answer sounds lame, it’s time to
look for another way to accomplish the job.
Mark Arnold sent me some thoughts on
propellers. He wrote:
“I am a modeler returning to activity after
a 20 year hiatus. Tell me how come people
are still at the hungry end of models. In 1974
I got the glow plug wire tangled with the prop
of a Free Flight B Gas model and it was
pretty exciting as the engine went from
23,000 rpm to 0 in the blink of an eye.
“Later I built a tool box that contained a
starter that was activated when the model was
pushed into it, with the glow battery in my
hip pocket so there were no cords going
through the prop arc. Using it I survived
several prop failures (K&B 6.5 running a 10 x
4 prop) and a couple of slips of the fingers
into the rear of the prop. Let me tell you that
hitting the rear of the prop is much better than
hitting the front of the prop (known as The
Hungry Side).
“It was important to disconnect the battery
before starting the chase phase of the flight,
but I had many years of flying without a really
close call because I took a step to put some
control into a common practice. Why anyone
puts their body across the prop arc is a total
mystery to me.”
Mark earned his wisdom the hard way!
In the January issue I included a picture
showing RC pilots along a runway. They were
properly spaced and in designated spots, but
nothing is perfect.
Del Milne brought up the disadvantages of
being so far from other pilots, such as the fact
that warnings and other communications must
be shouted. He is right, of course, but the
standard arrangement of model airports has
been determined by decades of trial-and-error
experimentation.
There are good points and dangers to any
layout. The AMA sanctioned arrangement has
proven to be the best compromise of all
factors. Our job is to use caution and good
judgment as we balance the strong points
against the unavoidable drawbacks of trying to
control a moving aircraft from a spot on the
ground.
Fail-safe devices for RC models have been
mentioned frequently in the mailbag lately.
Ray Smith and Milt Peacock sent carefully
considered letters expressing their doubts
about these gadgets.
They are experienced RC modelers who
can probably make better landings than I can,
but I’m reserving judgment on the matter of
fail-safes. Although there are certainly
situations in which a fail-safe makes matters
worse, it seems that statistically there is an
overall advantage to having one.
More important, technology is zooming
forward, and I am certain that fail-safe features
will get better and smarter in coming years.
My crystal ball says that long before they are
mandated, we will all have them anyway
because they will become a standard feature
on new radios.
Next month I will make some suggestions
about how to speak to someone who is doing
something dumb or unsafe at the field. Since
I’m more often the tellee than the teller, I’ve
heard several good diplomatic ways to deal
with the situation without ending up in a
fistfight or a snit. MA