G'day

I have been playing with these little finger biters for over fifty years. I have a few small cuts to show for it; most collected when I was flying control line and electric starters were unheard of.

More recently I have only needed stitches once and that was when I was trying to start an older (new) engine which fired, appeared to die then came back to life as I reached over the prop (almost).

I have managed to miss out on serious damage by the following simple rules.

1. Have your model held securely when you start it. I use a starting table or pegs and if I can get it, I ask someone to hold the model as well. Having someone hold it stops it suddenly moving back should the engine start in reverse. If your model suddenly moves, you are likely to make a reflex grab for it and .......

2. Once an engine is running, move behind the prop. This way, you won't be hit by a prop that gets thrown (they usually go forward) and if you do put a finger into the prop, it will be from behind and is less likely to do any damage. Always do tuning and other engine activities from behind the engine. NEVER reach over a spinning prop.

3. Keep other people behind your engine when it is running.

4. Use a chicken stick or electric starter on anything over 40 size - especially if it is new or unknown.

One of the biggest problems is the "reflex grab" where someone tries to grab a plane that suddenly moves. This can produce some really nasty accidents.

Any more RULES?