Safety Comes First

U Gary Shaw 4flcLby Nau WHEN STARTED writing column several years ago remember telling editor Id best make safety subject both factual informative yetfrn read tall order unless look diversity what ponder relationship safety activities sometimes take granted Ive found several new facets over years recently made visit local SAM Society Antique Modelers National Championships Pensacola Florida watching Free Right models cruise effortlessly up above couldnt help notice variety ATVs mopeds cruising retrieve models already come back Earth Although new see event explained use recreational vehicles retrieval new Free Flight Models often climb great altitudes cover large distances winds and/or thermals keep aloft no likes walk mile get model As watching models circles up above loud clunk off right side caught attention Next parked van off distance rather large model drifted other end field After several minutes individual small motorcycle picked up model headed back other side contest area least quarter-mile away did noise come wondered Being little curious decided walk over model landed check van see hit minivan large dent side owner modeler contestant suspect nowhere found modeler aircraft caused damage nowhere seen Since kids waiting car originally intended stay just few minutes wrote note vehicle owner describing what seen left name number future reference Wanting get some pictures eventand damage caused modelI dropped kids off home came back hour later camera hand Although van gone conversations several contestants indicated during large events such can common have vehicles hit models floating down free flight individual pointed large dent gas tank motorcycle another pointed out chip crack shell pick-up truck Although individuals rarely hit what annoyed modelers talked people knew models caused damage elected say nothing about modeler picked up aircraft suspect hit somethingit laying ground beneath door van retrieved Whats point Its obvious unless youre does what just described model damages someone elses property take responsibility try locate ownerits much better being hunted down irate individual intent being less nice point ARF Kits Blessings Burdens program should exist gives modeling community assurance ARF Ready-to-Fly model airworthy worth money December 1996 column included letter forwarded veteran flier Art Grabow Everett Washington described Almost Ready-to-Fly ARE quality control issues discovered recovered model purchased no-name manufacturer After stripping covering off ARF found ribs spars leading edges partially glued weak joints no fiberglass wing centers missing fuselage wood broken-but-repaired fuselage generally poor workmanship Ive received numerous letters supported Arts suggestionthat AMA consider developing ways review ARFs quality order discourage substandard manufacturing practices recently letter arrived modeler Edward Lidgard AMA 808 also supported review program Im old FF modeler since cant chase anymore getting RC visit excellent flying sites always stop trash barrels since generally ARE crash victims generally salvage various goodies Its easy since fall apart few tugs ARE manufacturers generally have some good lots some lot people spend lot money kits some darn costly can visualize no corrective process except word mouth slow know good builders buy RC ARE kits time-saving factor Its sort like buying knowing youll need another soon solution would AMA approve good ones would have label approval carton could show ads Buying Ready-to-Fly airplanes practiced lot Pattern competitors read costs thousands dollars dont believe customers suffer quality considerations Years ago bought Electric Free Flight ready-built model took six months finally got one-minute flight out Looking back dozen letters Ive received subject say basically same thing program should exist gives modeling community assurance ARF Ready-to-Fly model airworthy worth money believe several ways get job done having make AMA responsible Although would nice AMA supporting organization could help develop education and/or inspection believe program would work best supported and/or conducted clubs hobby shops modeling community would support use such program sticker certification something comparable might become feasible As industries product improvement requires analysis see processes out control Are seeing injuries caused ARE RTF models first place An insurance analysis injuries caused models might order determine inspection program warranted injurybased about database identifying equipment and/or dollar loss attributed poorly manufactured ARFIRTFs Normally education correction manufacturing defects making populations aware issues protect based analysis such data Only input AMA will encourage review available data youre concerued modeler suggest ask AMA review and/or share thoughts elected representatives nothing else enough requests HQ might encourage AMA have Safety Committee look issueits organization represents number areas Until AMA takes topic issue its still prudent careful buy inspect before fly Thats month Hope weather lets fly wings stay level h 1997 91