ORIGINAL: Jim Thomerson
I have a large number of 1/2A engines. I think the decision to exclude internal combustion engines from the Park Flier definition was wise. I think the general public person: school principal, soccor mom, councilperson, etc. regards electric and IC power plants quite differently. They see the former as innocous, and the latter as loud and dangerous.
It is a shame that we are allowing such silly notions and misconceptions to be perpetuated...after all; collectively we claim to be an academy. 1/2 glow is much safer than electrics for many reasons. Consider this; They can be heard coming and the engine usually instantly quits if it hits something...electrics on the other hand, sneak up and keep grinding…let’s not even talk about the danger of fire from lipos…
Yes a roaring ½ A parkflyer is much safer than a similarly powered electric. Nothing wrong with making a little noise while the sun shines either
… Our job is to educate the ignorant…not just give in to erroneous perception…never…ever…no matter what.
It never ceases to be amazing that so many of us will turn their back on a great facet of our hobby in a silly/vain attempt to grow the membership base….why in the he11???? Even at twice the membership level it would be of little consequence in the grand scheme of things…it is all so silly. The only thing that really matters is growing the hobby…not sucking from the hobby to grow the membership as PPP attempts to do. dang