Buzzard Droppings July 2004

Our club is dedicated to the safe pursuit and advancement of model aviation. We offer the newcomer free lessons to learn how to build models and to fly them. If you should have any questions about the club, flight instruction or membership requirements, call any of the club officers. We have a safety checklist available for those new to our flying field.

Use of a computer simulator is advisable. This allows you to practice safely and will end up saving you hundreds of dollars in the long run.

Still, in any case, the best way to learn to fly R/C planes is by finding an instructor to help. Learning on your own can be expensive and somewhat less safe.

We provide instruction for both building model aircraft as well as flying these models. In most cases, a buddy box system is used at the flying field. Experience has shown this to be the safest method to learn.

Those who want to enroll in the pilot training should

contact Rick Hanners (phone number is on the list below)

or our club secretary, Bob Martin at (425) 483-2348.   

Pilots already enrolled in the training program are

welcome to contact any of the club instructors.                         

Current Flight Instructors:

Dave Bell                     425 672-4249

Ray Gilkey                   360 668-2746

Rick Hanners             360 668-1312

Karl  Schaefer            425 259-1824

Ron Swift                     425 788-6045

I don’t know of many people who make a habit of working on their lawn mower deck while the motor is running and as many of you know, working around our engines is almost the same thing (at least some of the guys are cutting the lawn with their props out there!). We must observe all of the safety rules that have been published about working around running machinery.

Some of these concerns are being careful of loose clothing and dangling glasses, etc. Loose shirts or jackets can get sucked into the turning prop. Zippers have been torn loose. Make sure that there is nothing in your pockets that can fall out. You should be making every adjustment, including removing the glow igniter, from behind the engine. You wouldn’t believe how many have reached through the running prop to “prevent” some mishap. It happens… Stay behind the prop and this unconscious reaching to catch something won’t cause you harm.

Many don’t realize the potential harm of the sound pressures our

engines can cause (electrics included!) Wear ear protection if you are

going to be near your engine for any length of time. Also, give your

fellow flyers a break and don’t spend lots of time tweaking your engine

in the pits.  When a model is on the tables and on the ground, the

sound travels further and effects those who are flying (and observing).

Test stands are a really good way to debug engines before you get to

the field.

Safety is no accident.   Have  a safe day!   Randy