Safety Comes First
ELECTRICS SPRING TO LIFE: For those of you who enjoy flying Electric models, I'm sure you're already aware of one of their greatest advantages: they start with the push of a button! I'm also sure it would come as no surprise if I mentioned one of their greatest disadvantages: they start with the push of a button! Confused? Let's try to clear it up. Push the button; the model is now "armed" for flight. Push the button again; the model is no longer "armed" for flight. What a concept! So simple that no one would ever expect a safety concern to come of it, right?
Safety Comes First
SINCE I WROTE about the BTA autopilot in the November and December 1994 columns, I've received several cards, letters, and calls from individuals who have found it difficult to get in touch with the company. The following address and telephone number should solve the problem: BTA Automatic Piloting Systems Ltd. 2422 Richmond Way Costa Mesa CA 92626 (714) 979-8948 Most of the mail regarding the autopilot has been from folks needing flight assistance due to varying degrees of physical disability. It's nice to know there's something on the market that promises to open horizons to the otherwise disadvantaged. A unique, somewhat opposing viewpoint was in a letter sent by Tom Cooperider of Cameron, Missouri who recommended a "go slow" approach in promoting its use. Tom feels that use of the product by modelers might have a strong tendency to make lazy pilots:
Safety Comes First
SHOT DOWN OVER THE WEST COAST: As mentioned in my June 1994 column, I was surprised to hear an Associated Press news story about an individual in France who was so frustrated with an RC model club near his home that he allegedly took matters into his own hands. The individual allegedly had made it known to the club that passes of radio controlled aircraft over his property would no longer be tolerated. Since the problem continued to go on for some time and negotiations to solve the issue were unsuccessful, the landowner went to court and obtained an order to make the flyovers stop. Evidently the order had little effect, as the landowner's airspace continued to be violated-that is, until airplanes mysteriously began falling from the sky. Eventually the landowner was arrested and charged with using radio gear that allegedly caused the demise of nearly 100 aircraft. At last report, both sides were awaiting a court date to explain their positions.
Safety Comes First
Audio-Visual Indicator: I'm sure that those of you who enjoy flying Electric powered models took note of my March 1995 column, which pointed out one of their greatest advantages: "they start with the push of a button!" I'm also sure it came as no surprise when I mentioned one of their greatest disadvantages: "they start with the push of a button!" Still confused? I'll try to clear it up one more time. Push the button-the model is "armed" for flight. Push the button again-the model is no longer "armed" for flight. Simple enough, right? Well, not quite.
Safety Comes First
Glad to be Back: I believe it's appropriate to begin this column with an apology for the sudden disappearance of my column about six months ago. As indicated by the Publications Manager in the June 1995 Model Aviation, I found out on very short notice I had a new six-month job assignment with the United Nations in Croatia/Bosnia, which required that I give up writing for a time. I survived the "experience" and eagerly returned home to my family and friends. I guess I can honestly say that I enjoyed the opportunity to work for the UN, although I truly missed spending those lazy summer afternoons at the flying field with "the gang." Funny how being out of the country for long periods makes the home coming that much sweeter. I'm glad to be back!
