Safety Comes First (2008/04)
Virtual spectators and simulator hazards
Just when you think all the safety topics have been covered, something new pops up. I love computer-simulated RC flying programs, but there is a sinister new aspect to digital flying that may be news to you: the continued improvement of background-scenery software. Some manufacturers have reached extremely high levels of detail and are now adding simulated spectators to the screen view. This is a big change and could present a big problem.
We should take great care to fly our models in a way that protects spectators from risk, but it is much more difficult to do this on a simulator screen when you cannot always see the locations of virtual people. Readers who are familiar with my notorious lack of piloting skill can only guess how many imaginary aircraft I have destroyed through the years. Now imagine the virtual carnage that could result from one of my average simulator flights if the field were lined with unsuspecting digital spectators!
I raised this point with a supposedly reputable manufacturer and was unable to get a serious or proper response. The factory rep told me the company would consider producing a software add-on package with an EMT crew and virtual lawyers. I was not amused.
Although software companies will bear much responsibility for whatever simulated incidents occur, another dangerous aspect of computer flying is related to users and their hardware. Many pilots "fly" their programs using the keyboard rather than a fake transmitter on a cable. With the advent of laptop computers, this brings the operator’s hands much closer to the monitor screen.
I have seen modelers fly helicopter simulators on a laptop computer, with their fingers on the keyboard mere inches from spinning digital rotor tips. One false move can send these binary choppers careening out of control — and I specialize in false moves. Would you really want to have your hands so close to a flying shard of pixelated rotor? It is only a matter of time before a virtual disaster strikes some unsuspecting simulator pilot.
And by the way, happy April Fools' Day.
Sky Harbor covers — safety for senior flyers
On an almost serious note, George Crabtree is an active member of the Los Angeles–area Old Farts Flying Club (OFFC), a subgroup of the famously eccentric Black Sheep Squadron. The OFFC, true to its name, is composed mainly of retirement-aged modelers.
The group meets at Stonehurst Recreation Center, where members fly outdoor models on the ball field and indoor models in the cozy gym. There are plenty of obstacles in this room. A long pole can rescue models from the cables and ledges, but someone has to climb up and untangle things manually when an airplane lands in a basketball net.
George was worried about his senior-citizen friends tottering on chairs and stepladders, so he designed and built a set of unique "Sky Harbor" covers for the hoops. Features include:
- Simple cardboard disks that sit on top of basketball hoops and prevent models from falling into them.
- A clever socket tube on each disk that allows installation and removal with a pole.
- Nesting design for compact storage.
The ingenious Sky Harbor system is credited with saving uncounted models from damage and has prevented risky situations for the pilots, allowing them to keep their feet safely on the ground. George produces some mighty fine models too!
2.4 GHz jammers — reader input requested
Several modelers have e-mailed about a new tech issue: purpose-designed jamming devices available on 2.4 GHz frequencies. These are meant to disrupt telephone and TV signals, but they may also affect our RC systems.
I know little about such things, but an Internet search showed that these radio jammers come as plans or kits with a warning that building the device will violate assorted laws. Since prison food disagrees with me, I did not order one; I consulted two RC experts instead.
- One expert said there is nothing to worry about.
- The other said the military uses these jammers to defeat roadside bombs and that such jammers would absolutely interfere with 2.4 GHz digital spread-spectrum (DSS) RC systems.
So do we worry about some nut with a soldering iron shooting down our DSS models? Neither of my experts has ever seen or tried an illicit 2.4 GHz jammer, but I'll bet some readers know all about them and will set me straight.
Please be patient: MA magazine has a long lead time, and it will be a few months before you see more information here. I realize that anyone who has the know-how we need may have skirted the law. I will protect my sources from the authorities, if it comes to that, and then we can sell the TV rights to our sordid story.
Contact:
- E-mail me (please mention "MA magazine" in the subject line so I know you're not a spammer).
- Or send a note to: Box 7081, Van Nuys CA 91409.
If you have a good question or comment, I will include it here and make you famous.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
