Hi opjose
Sometimes it is hard to get the attention of the other club members. I purchased the material for the stand I redesigned after discussing it with a few members and I donated the stand to the club. Material cost was about $60.00. After about one year, four other members have donated money and are building four more stands. At least two of our members feel so strong about the safety issue that they built their own stand for use at an alternate field they occasionally use. We now have wheels on all of our stands so they can be moved by one person for grass mowing.

This time of year it is cold outside and a few brave pilots still enjoy flying. While at the field the other day I witnessed another pilot wh had a hoodie style jacket on. Started his plane from the front and when moving to stand up, the little pull strings from the hoodie caught the tip of the prop and sent the knotted end zipping into his eye. This caused him to panic. Fortunatly he only stung the snot out of his eye and embarresed himself. This could have been much much worse. One must be very consious to keep fingers and any loose clothing even your long pony tail out of the path of the prop.

Another good idea I have seen is to use a pair of old tube socks filled with sand and tied together. Draped over the tail section this provides a nice weight to hold the plane down when your not using it.

Ouch! I've done that very thing... actually, both. Usually when carrying the plane out to the flight line, I accidentally bump the throttle. Then I've smacked the antenna with the prop on a few occasions. Ah.. 2.4 GHz.. short antennas.. but these pose different problems, don't they.

The transmitter with a neck strap, has it's own "center of gravity". With 72 MHz, the extended antenna usually takes care of that. But with the new 2.4 Ghz systems, letting go of the transmitter usually causes it to flop down at the bottom and the controls hit your belly, often the throttle. This needs to be watched.

I bought a gizmo for my DX7 that moves the neck strap connector lower and then the transmitter CG is different. When letting go of the transmitter, it usually stays put.

CGr.

I watched with terror as one of our most experienced members ideled one of his DA 150 engined planes back toward the pits. He apparently hit the throttle accidently and the plane lept forward between two tables. It bent both 4x4 table legs before taking off the wings and killing the engine. This took place with people all over the area. You would have read about this one if people were in diffrent places......[:-]
This guy would have been offended if anyone said anything as he was the club safty officer at the time.

We do not allow taxiing around in the area behind the flight line. It just isn't permitted. We must carry our planes to the flight line and from there, we can set them down and taxi them out to line them up for take off.

We teach our new students to announce "ON THE FLIGHT LINE", "ON THE RUNWAY", "TAKING OFF" and "LANDING" when we are doing those evolutions. It is also a courtesy to pass the word and let anyone know on the flight line that you are getting ready to land so that they don't do it at the same time and give you lots of room.

Then, once landed, get out, get the plane, and get off the runway.

We had one character that would take off after we were in the air, do about four orbits, then just land. He never burned a full tank of fuel as far as I can remember. He has often caused a dead stick landing for some folks because he would just land while someone was up doing an approach, stroll out to his plane, sit there and fiddle with his carb, and of course because it was to noisy, he could not hear us yelling at him to get off the runway.. causing dead stick landings for some. Very irritating and inconsiderate.

We try to teach our newbies not to do this, but to let people know what's going on.

CGr.

[color=#FF0099]Gentlemen,

We have recently installed vertical (removeable) pvc poles on all our tables at the field to hold planes.... (put in by our MPPA club)

We also have the no taxiing rule at our field and as safety officer I have had to get after people on occasion for taxiing through the pits.

Also, I do stand behind the "black line" once I have started my plane....and once while there (starboard side) I had the spinner break off and fly right across the front of my face...had I not been in the safe zone, I would have been hit (it actually hit the far inside of my visor as it went by...now that's close)

I've seen guys start their planes on the ground...and have the transmitter sitting on the ground...Behind The Plane!!!! and then have to walk around the running, untethered "weed wacker" to get it!!!

And, yes, I've driven the walking wounded to the hospital to get stitched up!

And NEVER, EVER fly at a field alone no matter how good you are....accidents can still happen, and someone needs to be nearby to help if, heaven forbid, they are needed.

SAFETY FIRST PEOPLE!!! Threads like this are good reminders!!!

Bev

At my field we also have tables, and no one is aloud to taxi behind the tables. We also have to anounce when we are on the field, taking off, landing, or have a dead stick.

Austin

I crank when I'm alone at the field. I sometimes am the only one out there for long periods. I also crank on the grass. The big thing is to always think ahead when cranking in any situation. It is like a checklist. Radio safe and at or near idle. Get in a safe position for starting with a mind for any problems that may happen. Always have a firm grip even when the model is restrained by devices. Don't trust them. Always expect the worst and be prepared. I've had full throttle starts but was ready for them. They aren't fun, but it happens and you should expect it every time you pick up the starter or flip the prop. I always do the same things. I don't vary my procedure. Distraction is dangerous.

No kidding.

I'm considering going ahead and building a seperate start-up table, then bringing it out to the field and leaving it there.

I'll bet it would be very popular.

This is what I use.

Sorry, to hear that happened, this hobby isn't just fun, it can be serious as well. I guess thats why my dad will be starting my engine for me while I'm training. Thanks for posting.


-- TakingFlight96

Hi blw
I am more safe than the average person. However, I believe in the belt and suspender approach in dangerouse or critical situations. Every time I make a mistake I try to learn something from it. After 72 years of making mistakes I'm actually quite smart and have found that no matter how careful I am or have planned, I will occasionally screw up. If I can design out or at leased minimize a problem, I jump at the chance. The Engine Starting Safety Stand that I designed, use, and recommend is my belt and suspender approach to safer engine starting.

Villa,

I don't completely trust the uprights on our tables, if I can get one free and unused. I've had a plane want to climb those. I tether mine to the table legs when I need to do a big adjustment to the needle valves, or have somebody hold the model. Usually, the holder is always wanting to give me advice which I can barely hear over the engine anyway. I hate being distracted when an engine is running and it isn't safe to divide ones attention like that.

Hi blw
I don't understand the second part of your first sentence. I am also concerned about your experience that the plane can climb the uprights. Can you discribe the uprights that you believe to be a problem? Have you seen the uprights on the stand I designed and have been refering to? I mention where you can download the drawings. I have also posted a few photos of the stand on RCUniverse. I don't recall now if I mention it in building instructions, but we wrap the uprights with a soft durable material such as Indoor/Outdoor carpeting or some weather resistant foam rubber. This is done to prevent damaging the wing. I have lifted my plane many times with the engine at full throttle and held it vertical to check the mixture and there was no feeling that it could move up the uprights. I have to vigorously pull the plane backward before I can lift it. The thought that the plane might climb the upright never occured to me. I'll look at it tomorrow when I go flying. If you see a problem with my design please be as specific as possible so I can make changes as needed.

In the helicopter forums someone posted a truly scary story about a begginer that had an instructor build and set up his heli for him (he told his instructor that he had flown before) he later went to the field, started up and tried to hover, unsuprisingly he could not sustain it and it went " out of control" and slit his instructors throat and killed him.

sry for spelling

This happened to me about a year and a half ago. I was not minding my throttle as I should have, one hand on my plane and one on my controller... sweater caught my throttle and I ended up with an open knee cap that stopped the prop(.46 AX). Could have been avoided by simply restraining my plane and minding the throttle. Treat that throttle with respect and restrain your plane. Not just for yourself but for those around you - they'll appreciate it.

Safety first.

somegeek

Villa- if the field is crowded then all of the tables are taken. It doesn't really bother me. I sometimes use my truck tailgate to set up.

I can't remember which model I was flying, but it was a high wing model. Maybe a tail dragger. The wings wanted to climb up the uprights at full throttle. They are wrapped with an outdoor carpet material. Our club built the newer tables from plans from the AMA. I haven't seen your design.

I could see that happening if uprights are vertical and not tilted back a little. Not good.

somegeek

What a great idea... mind if I swipe it?

Me too!!!!!!!!

At our field no plane is started in the pit area, only at the flight station. there are two people starting the plane. One is always in the back holding the plane. There is no rule about this. We all do it because we want to help each other. When I take my GS to the flight station, three people will jump up to help. Try holding a 150cc gas at full throttle. Everyone at our field is responsible for the safety of everyone and we teach this to the new people. Even our guests are asked if they want help in starting their plane. If they are along they get our help anyway. Dennis