Hi,

I just transitioned from glow to gas powered models. I was at the flying field the other day when one of the glow flyers asked me "where is your fire extinquisher"?? Until that moment, it never occurred to me that I needed one for gas any more than I would need one for glow? Do most of you carry an extinquisher with you when you fly gas, or isn't the danger of fire really a problem??

Thanks,

John

i carry a fire ex in my car 100% of the time (so i basically have it every time flying also) cheap insurance, you can get a single use for $10-$15.

Its best always to have a fire extinquisher around but I don't think you have any less reason for having it with glow fuel.

Gas is much more volitile than glow fuel. I always carry a fire extinguisher when flying gas!

We keep a larger size extiquisher at the clubhouse, a short distance to the runway.

I carry a "kitchen size" extinguisher in my flight box, its lightweight, and pretty cheap (under $20).

I also carry a larger one when I go to a fun fly or visit another club, and just put it up on the flightline for anyone to use.

Just for your info, I have had a glow engine backfire and start a small fire (through the exhaust) on more than one occasion... allthough gasoline IS considered a lot more dangerous, its nice to have the means to put out a fire all the time, not just when I am flying a gasoline engine powered plane.

AJC

keep an extinguisher close to hand when starting. tell your assistant that in case of fire check you first, plane second. from some of the answers i read some people do not apprecite the energy in an ounce of gas. a few ounces of spilled glow fuel is hardly a problem whereas the same amount of gas can cause a flash fire. you also need an electric fuel pump designed for gas not glow fuel.

It certainly makes sense to have one close at hand, but one of the old arguments is that it is no more or less dangerous than your weedwacker or lawn mower, and no one really comes un-glued about them[]

I thought it was an AMA safety requirement to have a fire extinguisher if you were flying gas powered engines, but I searched through the documents on the AMA web site and didn't find it.....Brian

bob_nj;
You have a point! but then again my lawnmower doesnt hit the ground @100mph! The Fire extinguisher is not only for startup. Saw an RC jet flame out and fall from 15" up as it was trying to land. First the black smoke, then the flames....It takes quite a bit to ignite but...... it happens.

too lazy to check, but i think it actually applies to turbine models only. as far as i remember, AMA makes no specific mention of different rules of glow vs gas.

The first time I saw a turbine fly, the guy had a flame out and spiraled into the ground. They grabbed fire extinguishers and hauled butt to the plane which was on fire by the time they got there. I just got into gas and that experience got me thinking that having a fire extinguisher handy is a darn good idea.

Well it sure as heck doesn't hurt to have one around. You never know, you might need to put out that cigarrete some doofus is holding over your plane as you fill her up. You know, there is always somebody that doesn't listen to your polite requests not to smoke near the planes. Consider it "cheap" insurance in the God awfull event of an accident.

A fire extinguisher is not a requirement for gas or glow powered engines. It's not a bad idea, though. Turbine engines have a much greater exhaust temperature, and any fuel spills making contact with a hot exhaust nozzle will almost always create a fire. If the fire occurs with the aircraft any distance away from the pilot, the aircraft will likely be lost, but spread of the fire can be prevented.

A gas powered plane can, and has been known to catch fire in a crash where the gas has been spilled and an ignition source was found, such as a shorted battery or servo lead. It's not common, but it happens.

The addition of oil to gasoline reduces the volitility of the gasoline somewhat. I would not want to depend on that reduction enough to drop a lit cigarrett into a can with a gas/oil mix.

I fly mostly gas models and do not have an extinguisher present when I do. I've thought about it a few times and admit to myself that I should get one and keep it near, but haven't done so yet. A little extra safety doesn't hurt, and it costs little.

In the meantime, standard levels of common sense dictate that you don't smoke or have or create an open ignition source around gas engines and the gas storage container. Keep the container in an area that is well ventilated and away from ignition sources. Don't carry a fuel container inside the passenger compartment of a car, pick up, or van. Storing a gas or glow model inside your home after it's been run isn't a good idea, either.

Think safe, act safe, be safe.

deputydog -> You are so right about that! I was referencing from a starting and running perspective.
I always keep one around anyway

I keep telling myself I should keep one handy, but I never seem to do it. I once saw a small flash fire in a gasser under the cowl. The guy had an extinguisher right there and instantly put the fire out, saved the nice warbird to boot.

bob-nj;
Just thought i'd throw in a little humor.... We take alot for granted! Hey, props are sharp so dont put your finger in there!!!! Working on military jets for 20 years has instilled"what can go wrong, WILL go wrong"! Jet fuel is less volitile than gas. It has a higher flash point. Normally when fuel hits a hot exhaust it just smokes white but can ignite. I've only seen glow fuel ignite once and that was a head on mid air! I've never seen a gas fire with an rc but you never know! Cant take the chance here in sunny so cal! If its not road then its dry brush(well not too much since the last fire!). It came to within 3 miles of my house.

Can't be too careful I guess. It occurred to me though, that if there was a crash, and they most likely are not on the runway, by the time we get there with the extinguisher, the fire will only laugh at us anyway[:-]

In October last year a friend at the field lost his 40% Extra. Soon after take off he lost all radio control so the plane flew out of sight before clashing about 3/4 of mile away. There was nothing left of the plane by the time we got to the spot. The only two items left was the charred DA150 and the landing gear. We were very lucky it went down in a cow pasture, had it been in a corn field or somewhere else it would have set the whole thing on fire. Even then it took us a while to put out the grass fire.

One extinguisher may not be merely enough but if everyone that fly gas has one at the field it might be sufficient to put out the resulting fire from an unintenional fire or crash. I would also like to add that not only do our planes carry gas on board but a lot of them also carry smoke oil.

The guys at my field gave me crap about the fire extinguisher too...

According to them, it's a "Federal Law" to carry one. So if you are using a lawn mower (or anything else which is gas powered), please make sure that you have a fire extinguisher at hand

Anything with Federal law or Homeland security sounds very impressive and intimidating though [>:]

I just jove it when ppl start telling me about the law. And they will argue till they are blue in the face even though it's obvious they have never even opened a penal code. The really fun part is when I say "After 12 years in law enforcement, you think I would have heard of that one by now. Guess I need a refresher course..." That's when I get "the look" and they finally knock it off... hehe... BTW Did you know that the world court has mandated that anyone flying an unmanned aircraft must use electric power only in accordance with the Kyosho Treaty? **teehee** No, really!