Safety Comes First
Dave Gee | [email protected]
Solar-powered battery storage and charging station
Do you remember the electrical charging station I described in a recent column? Dave Sweeney designed it, and Willie Gardner built it with a solar panel hooked to a storage battery and shelves attached to a metal building so that flight packs are in a safe and visible area during recharge.
I neglected to mention the top‑notch work Willie and Dave did on this project; in fact, I didn't print their names at all. Unfortunately space is limited, or I would have let them see their names in MA this month. Dave Sweeney and Willie Gardner deserve proper credit, especially since their invention is so popular that they are planning to expand the electrical storage system to provide more charging power on cloudy days.
Email has rolled in lately to tell me what a goof I made when I mentioned prescription eyeglasses but didn't say that such glasses alone don't provide full protection when using power tools. More than one eye doctor reminded me that particles can easily ricochet around standard glasses and that we need to use protection that fully covers the eyes. I should have made that clear!
There used to be little plastic end pieces that would clip onto glasses and provide side coverage. You could see them used at any machine shop, but lately I've been unable to find such a product. My glasses are oversized and leave no gaps at my nose or cheek, but the sides are still wide open. If you know of a source for the clip‑on side pieces I described, please email me or send a note to Box 7081, Van Nuys, CA 91409. You can also use these addresses to let me know how I goofed up this month.
Transmitter impound and Spektrum
Walt Keating thought he had me on a transmitter impound story, and he emailed his thoughts:
"In your story about a recent fun‑fly, you stated that even the new Spektrum system users understood that their radios belonged on the impound table. May I ask why?
"I recently attended Top Gun here in Florida and I can assure you that no Spektrum user was subjected to impound nor was there any 'understanding' relative to that issue. Spektrum radios do not require impound because they are not subject to interference like older systems."
Walt, I realize that interference is a nonissue with the new radios. But we are in a transition period, and that meet was many months ago when some fliers had still never even seen a Spektrum system. They impounded the radios for consistency, to make sure some new guy didn't see a nonimpounded transmitter in use in the pits and figure he could do the same with his 72 MHz system. It probably won't be long before this precaution is no longer needed, but at the time it was a good idea. You have to figure things by imagining what the dumbest guy on the field will do. (When I am not present they pick a new dumbest guy.)
Cutoff wheels and propeller safety
Another omission of mine was corrected by Jeff Hails, who wrote: "I was glad to see some discussion of safety with cutoff wheels. I grew up building slot car chassis and cutoff wheels were the tool of choice for cutting spring steel and brass sheet, or piano wire. The first lesson I learned was never, ever put your body in the plane of the wheel."
Jeff is absolutely right, and I should have covered that point. Visualizing an imaginary extension of the cutting disk is hard for some, but that is where things will fly if the wheel shatters.
The same is true of propellers. The "plane" of the spinning blades is a danger zone, and it is a good idea to minimize our exposure to this area. It helps me to picture the vertical lines that were sometimes painted on the fuselage of bombers to warn ground crews about the presence of a spinning propeller. The lines mark an extension of the propeller disk as it meets the airplane.
This reminder keeps my mind on "what might happen if..." and I try to position my work such that the edge of the cutting disk does not line up with my body parts.
Electric motor arming switches
I received an informative message from Camille Goudeseune, who is a columnist for Quiet Flyer magazine. He wrote:
"You mentioned that arming switches can be difficult for high‑current electric motors. This is not necessarily true. You can use a switch rated for low current at much higher currents—as long as you don't move the switch when high current would flow across it, arcing the contacts.
"So you don't need a heavy 50‑amp industrial knife‑blade switch on board. Just zero the throttle before you arm or disarm."
He is right, but I am the wrong guy to have such a setup since my policy is to commit whatever goofs are possible. If you are more organized and disciplined than I am, Camille's information could save you some onboard weight and provide a little performance boost.
Camille also complimented this column's "density." I'm pretty sure he meant that I cram a lot of stuff in each month and was not making a comment about my mental prowess (or lack thereof). Such flattery!
Photos, members and models
Look at the picture showing frequency pins with photos on them. Mark Miller made these, and he assured me that it is not a new idea. It was new to me, and I think Mark is clever for making it easy for other pilots to identify which model is on a given channel. (The little photos don't do justice to his beautiful models!)
The other photo shows Nikki Robichau with her electric helicopter. Note the training skids that she uses while her dad teaches her to fly. Nikki flies a Blade CX2, which uses a Spektrum‑equipped E‑flite radio.
She thought it was funny that I photographed her instead of the other helicopter pilots at the field. Model aviation is a relaxing hobby that brings generations together, and it makes them shout "pull up!" at each other.
Many AMA members came into modeling via RC and have never flown a CL model. What a shame! The distinctive "vroom, vroom" sound as a model races around the circle reminds me of the days when gas CL was the big thing.
Revolution CL system review
At the last AMA Convention I visited the P3 Models booth and saw its Revolution system: a setup that allows you to fly CL from outside the circle. I was interested in this product, and when the chance came to review it I eagerly volunteered. It is a great item and a fun way to fly a model.
The Revolution is basically a sturdy swiveling linkage that allows a pilot to fly a CL aircraft while standing still, outside the circle. A number of products through the years have tried to accomplish this, but the Revolution impressed me with its solid engineering and thoughtful design. It really works as advertised.
The center post has a swiveling head that takes the pull of the model and transmits control input from the pilot's handle. The parts are ruggedly built, but you wouldn't want to leave the Revolution out in the weather.
Setup is easy enough for even a columnist to do. P3 Models has a great video on its website that takes you through the process.
The components break down to fit into a handy storage box, but the system doesn't have to be fully disassembled every time you take it down. Leaving some of the parts hooked up saves time and doesn't take up much space. A DVD comes in the package and is available separately.
One person can start and fly the model without help or a stooge (not that I recommend operating a gas model alone at the field!), and the Revolution is especially good for disabled modelers who might not be able to turn 'round and 'round with a conventional CL aircraft.
Those who get too dizzy to fly CL would also be excellent candidates for the Revolution. (I've never gotten dizzy flying CL, even on very short lines, because I was taught to concentrate on the model, rather than on the passing scenery.) Student pilots can stand still with an instructor and not worry about the airplane's weight as they fly.
The swiveling control head allows for level flight, climbs and dives, and semi‑wingovers. You can't do the CL Aerobatics (Stunt) pattern with the Revolution, but I couldn't do the Stunt pattern even if I were channeling the spirit of Jim Walker.
There is no whipping possible, and the "feel" of being connected to the model (a special benefit of CL flying) is much more subtle than with conventional CL but still noticeable.
The standard version of the Revolution that I tested is designed for a full‑size gas or electric CL model. It needs a grass field because the center pylon is staked down. I understand that the company is working on a smaller version for 1/2A models and possibly a way to use the system on a paved circle.
The Revolution's introductory price is $299.99, which strikes me as quite a bargain for such a high‑quality unit.
Sources
P3 Models
- (800) 515‑5951
- www.p3models.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
