Barnyard Buzzards Newsletter January 2008 Page 5

Buzzard Droppings January 2008

Text Box: Here we are at the beginning of another year. We were very fortunate last year - we didn’t have any major injuries, let’s keep it that way for the 2008 flying season. Keep in mind, in the winter we wear heavier clothes and for the most part, loose fitting coats with bulky sleeves. Be careful around the moving propellers. Most of the time all that happens if we run into the prop is an embarrassing hole in the coat, but it can be much worse. If you are that close to the prop you had better re-think how you are doing things. What do you do with the your used Xacto blades? Ken Mowrey suggested that pharmacies have contains for sharps that you can buy. When it is full you take it back and they will dispose of them properly. I know that I have hit on this subject before, not that I’m picking on the electric guys, (well maybe a little). When you are ready to connect the battery and arm the system, make sure your plane is secure, and you are following all the Cautions, Dangers and other Warnings that the manufacturer has detailed in the operator’s manual that came with the ESC. The two ESCs that I have work like this: Turn on the Transmitter before connecting the motor battery, then put the throttle lever to high speed and then back to low speed and the thing will beep a couple times. When you next advance the throttle the motor will go. Remember, you can inadvertently move the throttle lever by other means and the control could be reversed!!! The important things to remember are to make sure the prop is clear, no one is in the prop arc area, and the plane is secured. And of course Know what you are doing. In this respect Electrics are far more dangerous than the internal combustion engines because they are run at full torque immediately. Also, as a precaution, when you land, disarm or disconnect the battery before turning off the transmitter. Speaking of propeller planes, there are many other things we use that have rotating mass. Like the cut-off wheels we use on the Dremel tools. Stay out of the rotational plane of these. They are very easily shattered (as anyone that uses them knows). It is safer to use the reinforced type grinding wheel, although they do make a wider kerf, require more power, and generate more heat. When you are grinding and cutting, wear safety glasses with side shields. Gloves would also be helpful considering the sparks and heat. Let’s keep it safe this year. UNTIL NEXT TIME, BE SAFE BE COURTEOUS Vince Bell, SO

110 inch wingspan SIG Rascal

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