Buzzard Droppings October 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

Just For Fun

I became aware of a tragic accident that occurred in Wakeman, Ohio.

Casey Rowe was taking a break between flights, when a biplane piloted by another modeler lost control. The problem with the model was preventable, but the pilot thought he’d get in one more flight and fix the problem later. The plane that had been 300 yards away made a gentle turn and headed straight for the canopy where Casey was seated.

Unfortunate for Casey. He tried to get out of the way, but was unsuccessful.

The plane stuck him in the back and he sustained major injuries, including a lacerated kidney, and a leg that was nearly completely severed. He was med-a-vac’ed to the hospital.

Thank goodness he didn't lose his life. He will recover.

PLEASE,  take some time to reflect on what YOU can do to improve your own safety procedures.

We absolutely must "police" ourselves and ensure the highest possible level of safety.

So, please .......think about your own flying habits.......talk about this with your flying buddies and fellow club members.  If a fellow club member makes a suggestion think about it before you just think “No, I’m not going to accept the suggestion… at least not now…”        

REMEMBER............. 

Next time you’re at the field, set your carb to lean and mean and set your personal settings to COOL and CALM.

 

Randy Turner. Safety Officer.

The model smoothly rose from the runway and gently circled the field. The engine started to sputter and then stopped. The model glided to the runway barely bouncing at all as it landed. Other pilots congratulated the pilot for his successful dead stick landing.

The pilot replied,” Yea, guess it was lucky I didn’t fuel the plane or who knows where it would have gone. Next flight I’ll turn on the receiver!”