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If you have heard this
phrase before—or for the first time—it needs to be said again. When was
the last time you were at the field and saw something that you thought
looked unsafe? What did you say to that person who was committing the
unsafe act? Did you say anything or think to yourself, “that guy’s been
a pilot for a long time. I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.” Did you
know that, under the Official Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA)
Aircraft Safety Code, you should ask that person about their actions if
they appear to be doing something in an unsafe manner?
I was new to the club and
the pits were busy. Trying to stay out of other people’s way, I set up
my airplanes behind the line of airplanes in the pits. I remember
getting a few funny looks as if my fly was open. I won’t mention Rich’s
name, but finally this pilot told me that they could make some room on
the line for me and not to set up behind others in case something would
happen. Others looked at me while he acted!
Before I write this next
part, please knock on wood! The Aerohawks have not had any major
accidents. Does this mean that we are a safe club—yes! Does this mean
that because we are safe, we are immune from having a major accident—no!
This brings me back to
being a well-trained pilot. Here are a few selected safety rules and
practices that you might want to think about the next time you’re out at
the field. So grab your favorite book of faith or a Model Aviation
magazine, place your left hand on it while raising your right, and
repeat after me:
1.
I shall not willfully fly my model aircraft in a reckless and/or
dangerous manner. This one is self-explanatory. Don’t fly beyond your
skill level without a spotter or an instructor. If you are flying you’re
brand new high-performance model, have someone with experience help you
out, maybe even fly it for you the first time. |
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2.
I shall not fly my model aircraft until it has been proven airworthy.
This includes range checks, making sure everything is secured, battery
charged, fuel in the tank, correct control deflections. Have an
experienced pilot look at your airplane if you’re getting ready for its
first flight or after a major repair. Believe it or not, you might have
missed something!
3.
I shall not operate model aircraft with metal-blade propellers or with
gaseous boosts (other than air), nor will I operate model aircraft with
fuels containing tetranitromethane or hydrazine.
4.
I shall not fly over houses or buildings in the vicinity of the flying
field. No one, on or off the field, should ever have cause to feel
threatened by one of our aircraft. This is a big one! If you see it
happening, tell the individual and tell your safety officer. It needs
reported so the club can correct the wrong. If you do it by accident,
admit it so it can be corrected.
5.
Children under six years old are only allowed on a flightline or in a
flight area as a pilot or while under flight instruction. Watch your
kids! Yes, this can be a great hobby to involve your sons and daughters
in, but do you want to pay for someone’s airplane that was wrecked by
your child by accident? Worse yet, have your child end up one finger
short of a full hand. Aerohawks club policy includes that your children
must also have someone designated to watch them while you fly. Supervise
your family!
6. At all flying sites a straight or curved
flightline must be established, in front of which all flying takes
place. Only personnel associated with flying the model aircraft are
allowed at or in front of the flightline. When you’re pulling out of the
pits—ask, announce, communicate your intentions, and give the
right-of-way to the people flying. It’s just “plane” considerate! |
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7. No powered model may be flown outdoors
closer than 25 feet to any individual. When taxiing your aircraft to the
pits, do not point the aircraft into the pits. Kill the engine, grab the
tail, and push it the rest of the way. This one I saw firsthand and it
scared the you-know-what out of me.
8. AMA has seven of 17 bullet points that
just involve propellers. This means that fast, spinning, sharp things do
damage. In a nutshell, don’t use repaired blades, do keep all body parts
out of propeller arc, do check that your propeller is securely fastened,
do exercise extreme caution when making needle valve adjustments and
make them from behind the spinning propeller (unless of course you have
a pusher.)
9. Airplanes must be secured in the pit area
at all times when the engine is running, with engine facing the fence
and away from all spectators and the pilot. The use of some type of
restraining device is required when starting and running aircraft in the
pit area. Do not leave airplanes unattended during run-ups or break-ins.
These should be accomplished in the designated area at the south end of
the pit.
The preceding is an
abbreviation of AMA General and Radio Control Rules, Safety
Recommendations published by AMA, and the Iowa City Aerohawks club
rules. The full document for the 2007 Official AMA Aircraft Safety Code
is located at www.modelaircraft.org and you need to check out our Web
site for the full version of the club rules:
www.iowacityaerohawks.com.
Let’s all work together
and make this another safe year for the Aerohawks. Be considerate to
other fliers, communicate what you are doing when it comes to sharing
the air (last year I witnessed two mid-airs,) and if you see someone
doing something unsafe or that you might think is unsafe, say it! What
we do as an individual reflects the club!
Q |
