Originally Posted by
049flyer
If "ON" is toward the rear, how is it possible to turn the radio "OFF" on a hand launch? As you push the aircraft forward wouldn't your hand tend to slide forward, especially on a recently flown glow powered plane? If your hand slid forward past the switch wouldn't it be better if you were sliding the switch "ON"?
Because I frequently hand launch, and because I HAVE inadvertently turned a receiver "OFF" on a hand launch as my hand slid forward on the fuselage when the forward position was "OFF", I always arrange the switch so that "ON" is always forward. Easy to remember, forward is GO, aft is STOP. Kind of like the throttle stick on your transmitter, your lawn mower, a full scale boat or full scale airplane.
The lamest explanation I have ever heard on this issue was when a local "expert" was explaining to a beginner that the "ON" position should always be aft. His "reasoning" was that a blade of grass could strike the switch on take off and turn the receiver "OFF" if the "ON" position was forward.
The ON position should be toward the rear, because as you launch the plane the switch will slide past your hand as the plane accelerates away. If your hand is near the switch it will turn it off if the ON position is toward the front. I've seen it done.
Blade of grass. Seriously??