Safety

Brian, KMMFC safety officer, has compiled a comprehensive list of safety guidelines for model flying.

RADIO CONTROL
1) Ni-cads: Remember they don’t last forever. Check if yours are due for renewal.

2) Receiver Aerials: Do not use plugs or joins, i.e. must be one piece from receiver to end. A dab of glue on end of aerial stops water ingression and broken planes!!

3) Transmitter Aerials: Do not allow aerials to become dirty or oily.

4) Peg Board: Please remember you must use the peg board. Also, remove the peg after use.

PROP - RASH
Even a small engine will remove fingers !!!

1) Use a chicken stick (or heavy glove on big motors).

2) Do not start up on high throttle.

3) Ensure glow lead and battery are behind prop

4) After using starter, move behind prop to remove glow lead or adjust motor etc.

5) If prop breaks or detaches from shaft etc. They generally fly off forwards and or sideways –
Do not stand in this area.

6) Do not start motor up with Transmitter Aerial down, interference can affect Engine rpm.

No model can be flown at KMMFC before structural and noise test. Please help by checking the following items before bringing to the flying site.

Main failures on structural test

1) Hinges loose/binding

2) Snap links – clevises not clipped together (use a 'keeper')

3) Ni-cads and receivers not secured

4) Poor wing attachment

5) Servos loose or arms insecure

6) Poor repairs after crash damage

7) Linkages /snakes binding or insecure

8) Control surfaces / wrong mode or direction

9) Motors / silencers loose

Some plastic / nylon wing bolts have failed in the air, hollow type not recommended

AND FINALLY

Please do not set planes out behind other planes in pits for reasons mentioned in prop rash above

Any safety related queries contact brian.jones@kmmfc.org.uk

An example of a safety recommendation saving an aircraft.

My FunFly and it's horizontal tail parted when doing aerobatics. Fortunately, the tail did not separate completely from the aircraft and was held by the elevator linkage. The tail dragged behind the aircraft vertically, producing enough drag to slow the airspeed down. This provided some control to bring the aircraft safely down, without further incident.

I believe that the clevis 'keeper' (a section of fuel tube acting as a miniature rubber band) saved my aircraft. Otherwise the linkage would have failed with the horizontal tail parting completely. Without the tail section I would have lost total control with unthinkable consequences.

Closer view showing the clevis keeper doing it's job. Remember - safety recommendations do work!

This site is © Copyright KMMFC 2004, All Rights Reserved