Had a spinner come off a fellow flyers plane today, It went hurtling through the air. It broke into pieces at full engine R.P.M. Probably 12,000 RPM. We were lucky that it went in the direction that no people were. When talking to the owner after the ordeal, He commented that it didn't surprise him Because the spinner had a very small "CRACK" in it. Well "thank you, you dumb***" This shocked the H@ll out of me because this flyer has been at it for over twenty years.

POINT OF ISSUE!! Do not use a spinner that has ANY KIND of bad spot in it. These things become extremely fast projectiles when they release, and it's not always going to be as lucky as we were today! And it should be needless to say but the same goes for props. If it's cracked, nicked, or stressed in any way, THROW IT AWAY. I was shaved by a 13 inch APC, PATTERN prop. The guys watching was sure that it had taken my eye out, so much so that one of them wouldn't take "I'm ok" for an answer. stay out of the LINE of the props also. It knocked my glasses and cap off. Some of these things we ALL get a little lax at. That was my case, I was talking to a guy while he was tweeking his needle valve, the 4 stroke went lean and backfired, off came the prop, he didn't have the second safety "LOCK" nut on it.


DESERT RATT

Every club only needs one rule:

1. Don't do nothin stupid.

Rule # 2 read and heed rule number 1.

If it ain't broke don't fix it. If is broke don't use it.

EXCAP232

Good Advice! Makes you wonder just what people are thinkin sometimes

Thinkin'???

We've got a guy in my club... decades of experience, very skilled flyer, friendly, one of our instructors, helpful attitude, frequent source of advice, role model... so what's wrong with this picture? Well, he sits on his leg on the ground in front of his planes and starts them pointing right at his crotch with one hand on the transmitter, one hand turning the prop, and one hand holding the... oh, no, wait a minute... that doesn't leave any hands to hold the plane. Oh, well, what's the worst that could happen?

Thinkin'? Naw, ain't none of that goin' on in this picture!

Unfortunately the sum total of the intelligence on the planet is a constant,,, and the population is growing

You know it's crazy!! I'm REALLY tough on DESERT MOUSE and safety. I still don't let him start his engine yet. (his arms aren't long enough to keep the wing at length) And some of the guys have made comments as to how stringent I am with him, Then something like this happens, And it was to one of them that thought/think I'm tough on Cody.? Go figure! I didn't say to him what I really wanted to. I know it would have hurt his feelings, and probably our friendship. And it's this guy that has in the last year, been to the hospital with PROPELLER lacerations to (ONE) his hand, (TWO) his leg. the one on his leg took over 30 stitches. 3.2 gas engine not tied down for starting and he hit the throttle while on "ONE LEG with the prop pointed at his crotch" It turned an APC PATTERN prop into a GINSU knife.

DESERT RATT.

this summer one of our club members,with over twenty years of experience,started his engine with a cracked spinner,spinner exploded,cutting him at both inside thighs,and bruising one thumb. Accidents do happen occasionally,stupid mistakes just speed the amount of accidents.
Have a goodun,John.

I saw an injury that I previously didn't even think possible. A guy was starting his engine (O.S. .40 LA) with an electric starter. Somehow, the prop nut came totally off, and the spinner with the prop in it jumped up and hit him in the forehead with enough force to give him a pretty good cut. I doubt it required any medical attention, but I figure if it could cut his forehead that bad it probably could have severely injured him if it had hit him an inch lower and caught his eye. Scary!