ORIGINAL: paf
Tragedies happen. Look at this unfortunate accident, when a son killed his own father with a golf ball on a golf course...
http://golf.about.com/b/a/149814.htm
Since many R/C accidents seem to be related to a loss of radio link, a FCC rule allowing for a more reliable radio link (the technology is here) would be VERY helpful. For starters a use of TWO independent RF channels to control the plane using 2 INDEPENDENT receivers would solve at least 90% of the "loss of RF link" problems. However, under current FCC rules this is PROHIBITED. I guess a similar rules apply around the world. Ultimately, a spread spectrum technology in a LOW RF band (not the finicky,directional, suspectible to almost everything 2.4GHz stuff) would be great.
A PCM failsafe to kill/idle an engine is a desirable feature and should be demonstrated at every event involving large number of people. However, that in its own will not prevent accidents - looking at the hungarian video, it would have made no difference there
I'm 95%+ sure the plane is/was a Composite-ARF PITTS - I have one in my garage waiting to be finished. (not that it makes any difference in this discussion)
P.
What's the point of mentioning golf? What does that have to do with anything at all? MANY people get killed playing golf. Guess what? Golf is still not getting banned anytime soon, and if you want a SURE way of alienating any government entity, or public opinion, all you have to do is say "but GOLFERS get such and such..." and you just blew it, because chances are there are at least a few golfers in the room, and they have money and power...