The Optical part is to provide isolation from the noise generated by the engine's ignition systems.

People who favor using an optical kill switch would say that by providing quick and dependable way to kill the engine from the transmitter it increases safety, and in the rare event of losing throttle servo control, the engine can be killed when the pilot choses, rather than when it runs out of gas.

The smaller number of nay sayers will point out that it an added failure point and that a properly tuned and setup engine can be killed by the throttle trim or a separate choke servo.


Personally, Ifly with an optical kill switch.

Paul