My Take on Safety

by Chad Douglas
(Seattle, WA)

Logo 14 Camera Ship

The RC bug bite can really swell up if you’re not careful. But after a couple years at the sticks, I can happily report that RC helicopters & airplanes have brought continued joy throughout. With each incremental step in size there’s an elevation in concern for safety. There are a few real simple habits that can keep you from being bitten and keep you on the intended road of RC fulfillment.

AP is where I lean most these days. In fact, aerial photography is a hobby-born business that has allowed for continued growth in both RC modeling and in the competitive world of video & photography. It has also brought added light to the issue of safe operations.

My hangar has grown and evolved to questionable size and degree. With few exceptions, the helicopter family hovers on the upper end of expense compared to the airplane collection. From a decked out Maxi Joker 2 that set me back nearly 15 grand to the standard AP ships at or around 5 grand., not counting photo gear. So clearly that “bug bite” has swollen quite a bit since my first Trex 450. Moderate earnings from the small business itself have supported this mania as I hope to further elevate all aspects in the coming year.

If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that the learning never stops. Just when I think I’ve reached some pinnacle of expertise, I get smacked back down to a novice. But that’s a good thing. The never-ending challenge is what makes this whole thing so gratifying.

Nevertheless, I’d like to contribute my experiences. If I had to focus on my area of most confidence, it’d be helicopter building and setup first, flying second. This relates to the electric helicopter kit more than anything.

Knowing there are no hard-set rules or tricks that apply universally, there is a workflow that applies commonly with all kits. It starts with routine and a system. Naturally no two are alike (people or kits) A good mechanical setup takes linear thought and the basic understanding of its design. While the rotor heads of a Trex 450 and Trex 700 share the same basic Bell Hiller design, the differences are dramatic. Overlook a primary flight component on the 450 and you’re in for a rebuild. Simply forgetting to thread lock the grips to the feathering shaft on a 700 could be fatal. The point is.., by employing a good system of assembly and testing., you’ve addressed the first steps of safety while getting on track for optimal flight potential regardless what size model you have.

Good habits early really pay off later. I’ll never forget my first spool up on my Logo 600. After nearly messing my pants some months earlier at the sticks of my Logo 14, the 600 inaugural test was nearly stress free due to my fear-induced attention to the build.

Even a Trex 450 can be dangerous. And since this was the place I was inspired to make the next leap in size, my first “experienced” contribution would be to encourage safety via a system that works for all builds big & small.

Those new to the hobby should take the extra time with the build but also afford the effort to research various flight components including lipo packs. There’s been a lot of attention and warning given to the dangers. Heed them. That is assuming you’ve gone in the growing direction of electrics. Fuel machines get their own set of safety measures.

If you fly at a field requiring membership/AMA card, etc then you’re already aware of rules that promote flight safety. If you fly in a park then we’ll assume you’ve brought your share of common sense. I cringe when I hear stories of pilots flying over people.
On the job I bring another person(the “Dog Spotter”)to put another set of eyes on my surroundings. The park can be no different. It’s always better to have someone with you. I guarantee that someday it’ll pay off.

I hope I’m not sounding preachy. I tell my kids that I don’t know if I can truly teach them anything as much as they can truly learn from my mistakes.

I’ve spent more than enough time on other sites and forums where inevitably a story of near tragedy gets more attention than the ways to avoid one. And in those forums, there’s always the guy that wants to appear “smarter” than the rest and riskier for the sake of attention. I’m by no means smarter and I’m certainly not asking for a headline.

To be honest, we’re about to see new FAA laws here in the US regarding UAVs and RC AP. For many years there have only been guidelines. I’m told that anytime, could be 2 weeks or 2 years to expect a letter. Laws get written faster AND tougher when someone does something stupid to require them. The crosswalk doesn’t get a light until someone gets run over.

I want the remaining functional life I have to enjoy RC models. I don’t want to reminisce to my grandchildren about the days when flying helicopters at the local field was legal.

Thank you RC Airplane World for being a great source of information and for giving this old guy an enjoyable place to learn.


Fly safe!!


Chad
http://www.pugetsoundaerial.com/