R/C safety issues around aircraft and boats
Obviously, the golden rule should be “safety first” when operating an R/C airplane or boat. Injuries can range from minor scrapes to the loss of a finger – – – or worse.
Here are a few simple steps you can take to avoid injury:
Aircraft
- Propellers can turn at any moment. Treat them as though they are “live” all the time. Also be aware that pieces of the propeller can break off and sail through the air. Wearing goggles and gloves are a great way to protect yourself from these mishaps.
- Disconnect the propeller before performing any maintenance on your airplane.
- Make sure that electric-powered aircraft is secured before attaching a power source and before starting the motor. Use a tie-down or have someone hold it down.
- Glow plug and gasoline-powered planes should be given a firm tug to make sure they are tied down securely.
- Stay clear of the propeller arc when tuning your airplane. A rule of thumb here is to adjust the tuning when the plane is shut down,
- Make sure you have activated the throttle lock or throttle kill function on your transmitter.
- Keep spectators away from the propeller.
- Always replace a damaged propeller. The risk of injury from running an aircraft with a broken prop is extremely high.
- Make sure you have a well-stocked first aid kit in your workshop or car.
Boats and other Watercraft
Make sure you have fresh batteries installed on your boat and in your transmitter. It may be a good idea to use rechargeable batteries and charge them before every use. You can also check on the freshness of your batteries by using a voltmeter.
- Install a fail-safe device on your boat. This will prevent the boat from careening out of control or endangering the safety of others in the water. Many of these devices will automatically put the boat in idle mode when it’s out of range or there’s a loss of signal from your transmitter.