Giant Scale Safety.

[buildingjets]

I think we have enough here to write a book however , I know of 2 recent accidents just in my area . In one case a man almost lost his hand . Yea thats right not a finger a HAND ! So just for the record this is what I do .... EVERY TIME .
#1 check RX. & TX batterys .

#2 check fuel - completly full every time .

#3 I always strap the tail of my planes to something secure ( 800 LBS rattchet straps from Home depot are only $15.00 for 4 . Picnick tables , 4 X 4 posts are good . I carry a 1/2" X 36" steel rod , when placed 16" into FIRM soil it can hold my 3W-150 T.O.C. full throthle all day ) then under the stabs and over the top of the Fuse in front of Fin .

#4 TX. "ON" RX. "ON" throtle stick DOWN ! All surfaces move with stick movment -GOOD !Now is a good time to place TX. ( with neck strap ) on the grond within arms reach but out of the flight path of the plane .

#5 Start engine . Remember engins can start any time the prop is flipped so be ready !

#6 Remove strap and stand if front of stabs warm-up engine all surfaces move wit sticks - GOOD !

#7 Follow your clubs rules on Taxieing on Take-off procedure .

#8 Allways have fun

#9 Observe and respect the Flight line at all times .

#10 LANDING ( this is always so much fun ) Annouce that you are Landing . Make a good aproch nose into the wind ( as much as possible ) if it dosn't look and feel good go arround for another . For most of us with 50cc and up the planes almost land themselfs if we don't try to run the show too much .

So thats it this is what I do every time I fly . EVERY TIME !
And I have 8 fingers and 2 thumbs to prove it !

[louu]

	Quote: Originally Posted by crazyjoe
	People do those things for the same reason people do the dozens of other activities that are dangerous. Skiing out of bounds, doing back flips on motor cycle and snowmobiles, climbing mountains, ice climbing, base jumping, ski diving, drag racing, full size aerobatics and on and on. I dont agree with someone going out and grabbing the tail but hovering up close and on the deck is a rush. Use common sense and maintenance your equipment and you lower the risk of injury. The most dangerous part of flying is the drive to the field.

you for got to say doing back flips on quads, much safer than flying a model airplane lol.

[rcakropilot]

	Quote: Originally Posted by 3DSky
	Great thread and I would like to share the rules I try to live by.<O</O 1)Work from behind the propeller.<O</O 2)Don’t get distracted when turning on your TX and starting and engine.<O</O 3)Use a plane stop and have a helper hold the plane.<O</O 4)Proper engine kill systems. <O</O <O</O <O</O <O</O I am a believer in having an optical kill that is controlled by the TX and an outside switch. Your helper should know where the kill switch is on the outside of the plane and it would be a good idea to have it easy accessible from the helpers position. I also like having the red LED visible showing that the engine is hot.<O</O <O

Anyone who doesn't have a kill switch is asking for trouble. I have used the Fly-Smart optical kill switch for years. They even have them built into many of thier power systems which even makes it easier. They even have a LED which I place next to my receiver switchs to let me know the status of the ignition.

On my airplanes I have three ways to kill the engine. The kill switch, throttle cut on the transmitter and the throttle trim.

[rcakropilot]

	Quote: Originally Posted by ken crane
	if you need help program the local number for the police and fire into your phone and post it on the board. dont use 911 on your cell. they wont find you fast enough.

I have been told tis as well by the fire/EMS people having jurisdiction of our field.

[phippsj]

Also, have the GPS coordinates of your field posted on the board. Would be very helpful in an emergency if your field is out in the sticks.

[rcakropilot]

	Quote: Originally Posted by phippsj
	Also, have the GPS coordinates of your field posted on the board. Would be very helpful in an emergency if your field is out in the sticks.

The truly sad part is, that most of those who get hurt actually do know better. It's the complaciency that kills.

[mtstopa]

Precisely why I follow this thread - hoping to learn from the mistakes of others while I gain experience in the hobby

[garfred]

	Quote: Originally Posted by mtstopa
	Precisely why I follow this thread - hoping to learn from the mistakes of others while I gain experience in the hobby

Totally agree with that. Another thing. When i am at the field and someone is flying i always keep my eyes on them! You never know! Sometime around 40 years ago, while watching a nats event that was being held at a local airport west of town, i witnessed an event that has been ingraved in my mind for all these years. We were sitting on some grandstands that were erected close to the pits, behind a 3 foot fence of chicken wire and metel posts about two feet in front of the grandstands. I was watching someone start thier engine to the left of us, and in the other ear i heard someone yell lookout! Well it wasn't but a split secound later the airplane hit the concrete ramp, right in front of us. 6 inches from the fence. It left a hole 6 inches wide by 3 inches deep in that concrete. Well i dont have to tell you what that would have done to my hat if it landed another 4 feet to the south. I always keep my eyes on everyone!!! Period.

[rcakropilot]

	Quote: Originally Posted by garfred
	Totally agree with that. Another thing. When i am at the field and someone is flying i always keep my eyes on them! You never know! Sometime around 40 years ago, while watching a nats event that was being held at a local airport west of town, i witnessed an event that has been ingraved in my mind for all these years. We were sitting on some grandstands that were erected close to the pits, behind a 3 foot fence of chicken wire and metel posts about two feet in front of the grandstands. I was watching someone start thier engine to the left of us, and in the other ear i heard someone yell lookout! Well it wasn't but a split secound later the airplane hit the concrete ramp, right in front of us. 6 inches from the fence. It left a hole 6 inches wide by 3 inches deep in that concrete. Well i dont have to tell you what that would have done to my hat if it landed another 4 feet to the south. I always keep my eyes on everyone!!! Period.

I know what you mean. Having a spotter is nice and a good idea but not always possible, so unfortunately you sometimes have to fly your own airplane while looking out for everyone else's.
Much easier said than done. I always eyeball the pit area when I get ready to fly. If someone else that I consider questionalbe is also getting ready, I'll wait until they are done before i go fly. Have saved my but a few times doing this. Lost an airplane a few years ago before I started this practice and have seen a few others come close to getting hurt.