But what I am seeing here says that by using a PCM can and will save lives ,Sorry I'm having a little trouble with that one.
A plane hitting someone in the head even with a dead engine can and will do massive damage .Just because the engine is either dead or at a idle dosent mean the plane isnt going into the crowd ,just not as fast .
Cyberwolf,
They were my comments implying that PCM may save a life or prevent serious injury. Clearly, you are correct that an idling/dead engine is very dangerous when out of control. I would make two points:
1. An engine running at speed will do more damage than one at idle. If you are going to be hit better that the prop is turning at 2,000 rather than 10,000.
2. An engine running at speed has a greater "zone of damage" because it will fly further and be going faster when it impacts the ground/person/property. Many airfields are close to roads or poputated areas, if the plane is set to idle is is likely to crash much earlier and therefore less likely to hit someone/something.
Are these events likely, no, but they do happen. The fact is that at least one person has been killed because PCM was not used (or not used correctly) - the child I mentioned earlier in the UK. Will it happen again? I pray not but I can tell you it will not be due to one of my planes flying away on me because my throttle cuts back to idle if I lose control. Bad things do happen but I think that using PCM makes it less likely that they will happen.
Changing tack slightly, there was a suggestions a few posts back that mentioned a new type of PPM Rx that allows PCM type features while operating on PPM. Maybe that's worht a look for people who are not comfortable with PCM.
Regardless of all of this it's good to have the debate, thanks for thall the inputs.