sad news

[Stu_D]

Poor kid , hope the little bloke is ok .

I was going to write about saftey / shock and the fathers responsability but all I can think of is the panic the little boy would of been witness to .

Hope dad gives him a big hug .

Stu

[flying skunks]

this is something that can happen to a seasoned flier no matter what age,the only difference is the older pilot will analyze the situation as it happens and the young pilot will just try fight the situation and get the aircraft where it belongs.
Donnie

[Edge 540]

Glad it was only a small cut. A 600 could do serious damage. I'm picturing the guy who got hit in the face with a 30 size raptor with wood blades. No one knows what happend, no one will. Simple as that.

[whirlyspud]

The same thing could happen to any one of us. I have no doubt of that. I don't think age had anything to do with it. I also don't see where being an adult would make someone more likely to ball it up rather than fight a crash. I've seen plenty of guys do stupid things when their model was having trouble, and none of them were kids.

That being said, I still think it is nuts to put the kid on a busy flight line. Someone said it is no differant than putting a kid on a motorbike. I agree. I think that is nuts also. People can cry that this is just the father trying to bond with his kid. I see it as something more than that, and I myself have very little respect left for this kids father.

Mike

[MadMonkey]

Personally, I think the kid is just too young. Maybe not physically, but think about his 5 year old mind... he can have the skills, but his problem-solving ability and senses aren't fully developed like an adult. There's no way I'd be letting someone that young fly ESPECIALLY at a large event with spectators without a trainer cord at MINIMUM. Seems like it's more of an ego thing for the dad... "Ooh, my kid can fly better than you, I'm so awesome!". Maybe not, but that's what I see probably 70% of the time a guy has his kid out.

This is a sad incident, and sure, it could have happened to anyone, but this could have been avoided by keeping someone so young off the sticks in front of so many potential targets..

As for those of you saying that a kid on a dirt bike is no different, I beg to differ... it's much, much different. You're in complete control and you feel instant feedback, you always know what direction you're going, you can get a good sense of your surroundings and plan for your next move, but most importantly you probably aren't going to run into the crowd and hurt someone.

[50%plane]

Whatever happened, it's sad when an aircraft hits someone. Justin does have a lot of skill. I hope he isn't scared for life from this. I haven't seen any video, nor do I want to of this tragedy, so I'm unable to have an accurate opinion of the accident. However, it sounds like Justin froze up when the model wasn't going the way it was supposed to. As far as being 5, maybe that contributed to it. Maybe not. As far as his father, I would be lying to say I've never had any arguments with him.


50%

[whirlyspud]

"This is a sad incident, and sure, it could have happened to anyone, but this could have been avoided by keeping someone so young off the sticks in front of so many potential targets.."

Thats the part I don't really agree with. When control is lost there is nothing anyone can do, and a buddy box would not matter. When I say loose control, I'm talking like with a radio failure or a battery problem or bad switch. I don't meen someone getting mixed up and loosing orientation. In that case a buddy box might help. I know many people that fly with their kids, and I don't have any problem with it. They just do so in a much more controlled setting.

Mike

I just wanted to add, I have no idea if the problem was loss of orientation or a radio problem. I have seen enough people with issues on 2.4 to where I don't see it as being rock solid by any standard. If in fact it was a radio problem, I don't see where an adult at the sticks would have changed anything.

[Craven]

I agree it's a sad accident. But, a 5 year is too young to understand the whole meaning of "consequences".

[Al Czervik]

I was just thinking this past weekend watching the 2007 Joe Nall video how great it is that teenagers and even younger kids can enjoy this hobby. On the video is a 13 year old doing a good job of flying a 100cc Wild Hare.

From my experience in this hobby, many if not ALL of the kids under 18 seem to do a fantastic job at flying RC. I mean...there are some kids out there that are fantastic! Would anyone have thought it a good idea for a Kyle Wyshonsis, Chris Maier or Animal Jesky to not start flying because they were too young? As long kids are aware of issues regarding safety, I say give them a shot.

I have see far too many adults at clubs act more immature than kids when it comes to flying their planes. On top of that, I have seen older pilots present safety hazards due to poor eyesight and just plain poor judgement. You can't tell them not to fly because that is considering politically incorrect of course. I notice the same thing with driving when it comes to older citizens...but no, I don't suggest kids start before they're 16 when it comes to driving...

As for Justin, obviously flying at such an early age is quite unique which is why he flies demos. His dad is never too far away and also accepts responsibility for Justin's flying. Let's hope he sticks with it and that things stay safe in the future. But let's not stomp this kid to death.

Personally, I'm surprised there aren't more accidents happening. I've almost had my head taken off by someone flying their trainer...and a 100cc Ultimate almost landed on me that came from 75 feet up that had structural failure.

Anyone else out there w/ close calls?

[maineflyer]

I had a hots come down one time with a broken elevator linkage and hit within 3 ft of me. Good thing was it was 1' from the garbage barrel because it returned to "kit" form. I have never heard of or seen anyone killed or maimed from a giant scale plane. The only ones I have heard of were .60 size or smaller. It woule be interesting to hear of any accidents with Giants.
Anyone got any tales?
Jeff

[SuperDave]

WOW! That kid has like 11 sponsors. That's a lot of pressure for a 5 year old.

Unfortunate accident. However, I've been scared by more grumpy ol' dudes than kids.

[Edge 540]

Buddy box? Who could possibly react to the wrong input during a 3d demo and save the heli!? Theres is no way someones going to be like...wait!!!!....that input during the on the deck piroflip was a little off,.... let me correct it before it goes in. No way anyone could identify a problem, release the switch and correct the issue during a heli 3d freestyle. But if it makes people feel better...