Safety Comes First
ARFS-BLESSINGS OR BURDENS? With summer days behind us and winter months lurking just around the corner, it's the time of year when many of us decide to return to old projects, pick out something new, or begin construction on the dream machine that's been hiding in the closet for the past few seasons. Whether it's a jet, a helicopter, a quarter-scale model, or a glider, the choices have become so varied that even making up your mind can be difficult. If you're like me and enjoy flipping through model magazines to pass the time, you'll no doubt have noticed the trend toward advertising ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) or RTF (Ready to Fly) aircraft. They're attractive aircraft that seem to fit the bill for many modelers, for a number of reasons-they're easy to build, especially if you have a lack of building knowledge, space, time, or tools. As for my project this winter, I fall into the limited-building-time category, which had me seriously considering an ARF-until I read a letter from veteran flier Art Grabow of Everett, Washington:
Safety Comes First
FOR MANY YEARS I've looked forward to a little quiet time at the end of a day and the opportunity to spend a few moments flipping through the pages of a model magazine (in peace) to see what new gizmos were for sale, to laugh a little with "The Microhenrys," or just to read up on emerging technologies. It seems like no matter where you look in this hobby there's so much happening that being able to absorb it all-at least for me-seems to be virtually impossible. I find the diversity of the hobby to be fascinating. Even though I've been involved for a number of years, there always seems to be something new on the horizon that spikes my interest, then suddenly I go off again spending countless hours trying to master the new attraction, or at least learn to do it safely.
Safety Comes First
Without a doubt, flying RC is the hobby I enjoy doing the most whenever I find an opportunity, or simply just an excuse to get out of the house and do it. That's why I'm sitting here wondering why I've spent most of the last few days inside a garage fixing models for a friend who's obviously intent on keeping me in the salvage business. Yep, you guessed it - the weather has been perfect, I've had time to fly, and the models are ready to go; but no . . . I'm spending my free time gluing firewalls and gear blocks back in place while the last good days of summer slip quietly by! Go figure? OK, yes, if for lack of another reason, I wanted to hear how the models got wrecked, do a little laughing, and get some column material. Only thing I have to do now is convince myself that building is fun whenever I get glued to balsa.
Safety Comes First
When I started writing this column several years ago, I remember telling the editor that I'd do my best to make "safety" a subject that was both factual and informative, yet fun to read. A tall order, unless you look at the diversity of what we do and ponder the relationship of safety and activities we sometimes take for granted. I've found several new facets over the years, most recently when I made a visit to a local SAM (Society of Antique Modelers) National Championships in Pensacola, Florida. While watching Free Flight models cruise effortlessly up above, I couldn't help but notice a variety of ATVs and mopeds cruising by to retrieve those models that had already come back to Earth.
Safety Comes First
It's fun to go to the flying field to see what's whipping through the air, or what's static between fuel refills. Although if I had to pick something I enjoy most about a day of flying, checking out aircraft setups comes close to the top of my list. I know what you're probably thinking: Most people arrive, unload, fly, chat a little, load everything back up, and head for home - not me. Lately I find myself seeking out newcomers to the hobby and offering them a helping hand, unless it's obviously not wanted. Yes, there are those who don't want help unless they ask for it, and I try to respect that.
