For years I have disliked the ARF because the beginner who did not know how to build was not encouraged to get the skills to repair his accident when using an ARF. I (sort of feel like) had the market place shove that down my throat with the advent of the giant scale ARF and the wide acceptance of that type of model. I have even gotten into trouble because I have concern for those who fly and do not build since I see that they tend to take more risks because it is just a purchased model instead of many hours of work to create. Frequently that attitude tends to show in thier approach to safety and I don't enjoy that part. However, WE as a group are beginning to have a real problem with the ARF and I think it has become time to discuss some sort of a solution (that I DO NOT HAVE!).
Recently there have been reports of ARF's with serious structural problems (H9, possibly Cermark, and others). Most of the reports have surfaced after the aircraft was lost. In many cases the vendors provided replacement and or redesigned the models involved. However I have seen many cases of firewalls departing the aircraft while under power. I have taken the position of warning all new folks I see with ARF's to check glue joints and bracing around the firewall, but I don't think that is a solution since not everyone gets those warnings. More importantly, it seems that AMA is experiencing some financial losses due to injuries from those types of failure.
ORIGINAL: J_R
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I attended another seminar that Carl held on insurance. He gave examples of some personal injury claims that have caused large settlements and rules changes. There was a good news/bad news issue. The medical coverage policy has been renewed for the same premium as it was last year, The bad news is that the deductible will jump from $50 to $750. We are suffering cuts from props in increasing numbers. They range from a few stitches to serious injuries. We are hitting cars in increasing numbers. More planes are biting the pilot when they are not restrained. Spotters are not being used as much as they should be. He stressed a couple of times, that if there is an accident, report it NOW. As he pointed out, the longer the time before reporting, the shorter the memories of those involved. Firewalls are coming loose with running engines at an alarming rate. He strongly suggested that planes not be started in the pits.
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JR
Please read the next to last sentence again to see 'official' recognition of what I have observed in the 'literature' of on line reports.
Anybody got any good ideas? I don't think Carl's idea of not starting in the pits is going to significantly reduce the injuries since MOST of the time the body parts in the prop arc are the pilots own. His implied suggestion of additional restraint is a good one since I have seen more than one accident where the free plane ran into a pilot. I have a student who keeps trying to hand tach his engines, this is after he HAS run into himself. However we all need to remember that even from the back side when the plane is restrained the prop WILL cut, as my student has shown.