 |
|
|
MUST READ Beginner Flyers:
Firstly, welcome to the hobbies!Please read these important issues for park and backyard flyers before you start enjoy flying.
Your model
most likely operates on one of the 72mhz band aircraft model
frequencies allocated for use by the Federal Communications Commission.
Or it could also use one of the 27mhz frequencies, however that
frequency is used for both aircraft and ground models such as R/C cars.
Please note that it is a violation of federal law to operate a car or
boat on a 72mhz frequency, or a plane on the 75mhz band. When
you're preparing to fly your model, keep in mind that if two fliers are
operating their R/C planes closer than about 3 miles from each other
and are both using the same frequency, they could jam each other’s
controls causing one or both models to crash. That could result in
property damage, personal injury, and even death!
It's a very good idea to check with the
Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA)
and your local hobby shops to find all the local clubs in your area,
then contact those clubs and verify that your intended flying area is a
safe distance from other flying sites. When you go out to fly, watch
for other flyers in your area and check that your radio’s frequency
doesn’t conflict with theirs.
If you
take this responsible approach, not only will you save your fellow R/C
modelers a lot of trouble, but you might make some new friends as well!
Remember:
R/C models are not toys. They're real airplanes and they obey the same
laws of physics. The only significant differences are that R/C models
don’t weigh as much as the real ones, and the pilot is standing on the
ground instead of sitting in the cockpit. R/C models still need to be
built and flown with the same care and respect that you would give a
full-scale aircraft.
Take the
time to find an instructor to teach you how to operate your R/C plane.
You wouldn't think of trying to teach yourself to fly a full-scale
airplane, and it’s just as unrealistic to try to teach yourself to fly
an R/C model aircraft. It can probably be done, but isn't life too
short for you to repeat the same mistakes the rest of us have already
made many times? Plus, you could damage your plane beyond repair. Find
a good instructor or good simulator and you'll learn much faster, spare
yourself much grief and repair time, and you'll probably still have an
intact model when you’re done!
Even if
you're an experienced full-scale aircraft pilot, don’t assume you can
fly a model. The control inputs a model needs are essentially the same
as a full-scale plane, however, the pilot is not actually in the
airplane, and so the orientation skills required are different. Get a
good instructor! You’ll be glad you did.
For the
computer generation, flight simulators are excellent way to learn how
to fly. Once you've mastered the simulator it is still a very good idea
to find an instructor for your first few flights.
Your local hobby shop probably has contacts for instructors and local R/C plane clubs. You can also check with the AMA,
the national organization that regulates and promotes model aviation in
the USA to find groups in your area. They will be a tremendous source
for help and information.
You can reach the AMA through their website at:
www.modelaircraft.org
It's a good idea to join the AMA.
In doing so, you will be supporting the national organization that
stands up for your rights as a modeler. Many of the best flying sites
in the U.S. would no longer be open for flying and we would not have
the radio frequencies available to us had it not been for the efforts
of the AMA.
They have an excellent monthly magazine with all sorts of useful
information, and they can help you find local modelers and clubs, as
well as flying sites.
However, one of the biggest reasons to join is insurance. Your AMA
membership automatically carries with it supplemental liability
insurance coverage, in case you accidentally cause damage or injury
through your modeling activities. All AMA sanctioned clubs and most city parks that officially allow model airplane flying require AMA
membership as a condition to being allowed to fly there. In today’s
legal environment, flying without insurance coverage is extremely
foolish.
While you’re visiting the AMA website, take the time to read the AMA
Safety Code. These are a set of guidelines for safe operation of your
model. Their main points are based on the ideas of making sure your
model is airworthy, that you fly it in a safe manner, and that you keep
it away from things that are expensive and/or fragile -- such as
people. Although some small modifications may occasionally be needed
for specific flying sites, following the spirit of the AMA
safety code will save you a lot of repair time and expense, as well as
minimizing the odds that you will ever need to use that insurance
coverage!
EMERGENCY SAFETY ALERT
Lithium Battery Fires
Lithium batteries are becoming very popular for powering the control and power systems in our models. This is true because of their very high energy density (amp-hrs/wt. ratio) compared to NiCd’s or other batteries. With high energy comes increased risk in their use. The principal risk is FIRE which can result from improper charging, crash damage, or shorting the batteries. All vendors of these batteries warn their customers of this danger and recommend extreme caution in their use. In spite of this, many fires have occurred as a result of the use of Lithium Polymer batteries resulting in loss of models, automobiles, and other property. Homes and garages and workshops have also burned. A lithium battery fire is very hot (several thousand degrees) and is an excellent initiator for ancillary (resulting) fires. Fire occurs due to contact between Lithium and oxygen in the air. It does not need any other source of ignition, or fuel to start, and burns almost explosively. These batteries must be used in a manner that precludes ancillary fire. The following is recommended:
1. Store, and charge, in a fireproof container; never in your model.
2. Charge in a protected area devoid of combustibles. Always stand watch over the charging process. Never leave the charging process unattended.
3. In the event of damage from crashes, etc, carefully remove to a safe place for at least a half hour to observe. Physically damaged cells could erupt into flame and after sufficient time to ensure safety, should be discarded in accordance with the instructions which came with the batteries. Never attempt to charge a cell with physical damage, regardless of how slight.
4. Always use chargers designed for the specific purpose, preferably having a fixed setting for your particular pack. Many fires occur in using selectable/adjustable chargers improperly set. Never attempt to charge Lithium cells with a charger which is not specifically designed for charging Lithium cells. Never use chargers designed for Nickel Cadmium batteries.
5. Use charging systems that monitor and control the charge state of each cell in the pack. Unbalanced cells can lead to disaster if it permits overcharge of a single cell in the pack. If the batteries show any sign of swelling, discontinue charging and remove them to a safe place outside as they could erupt into flames.
6. Most important: NEVER PLUG IN A BATTERY AND LEAVE IT TO CHARGE UNATTENDED OVERNIGHT. Serious fires have resulted from this practice.
7. Do not attempt to make your own battery packs from individual cells.
These batteries CANNOT be handled and charged casually such as has been the practice for years with other types of batteries. The consequence of this practice can be very serious resulting in major property damage and/or personal harm.
Safety Committee
Academy of Model Aeronautics
5161 E Memorial Drive
Muncie, IN 47302
|
|
|
|
