As a non electric flier, but serious compeditor, it would be silly not to stay abreast of whats happening in the world of electric.

I read with interest that RC Aerobatics have just released a new rule :

At the recent European Championships the below domestic rules were enforced and these rules have now been put forward to be included as part of the permanant F3A rules. All pilots of electric models should immediately make sure their models comply.

1. For electric powered models, the electric power circuit(s) must not be physically connected, before the competitor is instructed to start his 8- minutes flight time and must be physically disconnected right after landing.

This means simply that electric motors should not be connected to power until they are in the ready box and asked to do so by the line director

2. The propulsion system(s) must automatically shut-off or fully idle at the moment a R/C signal failure should occur. (closed throttle in failsafe)

And, this means that all fliers using electric models must have their failsafe programmed to cut the throttle to zero (including idle) if there is a break in trasmission or severe inteference.
We will be introducing a rule at the next rules change opportunity that states: All electric models flown at APA sanctioned events must have an external means of connection and disconnection of power.

Im aware its being proposed in Stunt already.

My point was, obviously we are not alone in thinking there are issues with safety.

I just found it interesting, nothing more.

it IS interesting - and it is also a bloody good idea.........

and a possible bloody hand if you don't.................   

Im in strong favor of the Brett Buck rule proposal.

I wonder how many electric fliers are out there in any land - CL / RC who think that having some style of arming plug is counter-productive to their flying time..


Here is a link to the discussion of arming plugs and the proposed rules put forth by Brett buck on the matter, I think its as good a interpretation as possible.

FYI - for those who wonder why as a Non EL flyer Im even commenting is Im a strong advocate for safety - Ive spoken to people who for reasons or not, seem to think as CL fliers on tethered aircraft should be immune to such laws becasue our models " have the same chance of hurting someone as a golf bag "

All thats required is ; 1 person to be seriously injured, and there be a sever Knee jerk reaction and everything we are working hard for ,flying sites, contests, developers could be lost - the threat of litigation is there.

Im in favor of the following Brett Buck rule thread :
http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=25426.0

If someone is not going to disconnect their battery after a flight they are just as likely to not disconnect an arming plug. As to chasing it down and pulling an arming plug... give me a break! Are you going to go put yourself in the way of an uncontrolled model with a motor turning full tilt? Not likely. They guy with the runaway rc plane who did not unplug his battery after the flight only had to pull the throttle back. He was right by the transmitter. THAT is the safe way to disarm that situation. The rule that the battery not be plugged in until ready to launch and be disconnected before leaving the circle or landing area unless restrained is the way to handle this safely. Not installing another device to fail or not be used. The only place I feel an arming switch has any safety advantage over just unplugging the battery is if there is a multiple battery system with a Y harness incorporated. In this senario an error could be made and one side of the Y harness disconnected and not the other leaving the motor still hot to a battery. I have seen this particular circumstance take place. The model was restrained and no injury occurred. This is not a likely situation in CL but it is a common installation in larger rc models. In this situation the arming plug disarms both packs and I can see it makes sense there.

I have been flying electric cl for over 6 years now and electric rc for 11. Unplug the battery. Is that so hard?

bob branch

On my larger RC models with multiple batteries in series I've started using a Y-harness setup as in the attached image.  With this setup the power system is never armed until both batteries are plugged in.  By disconnecting either battery the circuit is broken.  As was stated previously, most electric models are designed for quick battery swaps and this by design makes it possible to easily disarm them by simply using the built in arming plug...the battery connector.

Thanks,
Jason

"When I see the proposal that outlaws carbon fiber props on IC powered models then I will know that people are going after REAL hazards, ones that actually happen and cause serious injuries all too often.  CF props mean that there is no such thing as a minor injury.  Of course that would hit too close to home wouldn't it???"


Dennis

That is just silly my friend, The worst I have ever seen anyone cut was by an APC prop on an Electric ship. ALL props are dangerous, so using your logic..if anyone did..  would be the end of Model Aircraft because ALL props can cut you and take a finger off, not just CF ones
By the way the worst and only 1 of 2 times in my life I was cut was by a 1/2 A with an APC prop.
So lets outlaw the APC s  too.

Randy