Safety strap

[Dave Nyce]

When flying control line with Cox Babe Bee engines for sport flying, is a safety strap required for the control handle? We never used safety straps as kids.

[Dan McEntee]

When flying control line with Cox Babe Bee engines for sport flying, is a safety strap required for the control handle? We never used safety straps as kids.

   If you are a member of the , uh, older generation ( ) like most of us, I would recommend it. If you happen to get dizzy and start to fall, the handle might slip out of your hand. While it may not be really tragic, who knows where the airplane might go. Doesn't have to be anything elaborate, just some heavy string or light cord that will take 10 or 15 pounds pull, not that it will matter too much. Have it secure to the handle where it won't get into your way and a loop that will fit over your first nice and easy. I like them to be able to be snugged sort of tight so they don't move around. If you are an AMA member, it's in the general safety code and if one were to get away and hurt some one  or cause any damage, that will void any insurance coverage.

  Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee

[Brett Buck]

If you are an AMA member, it's in the general safety code

   It is?  It is required in the competition rules, but I see nothing about it in the safety code. In fact the safety code says essentially nothing now, "safety programming" is completely meaningless.


• I will fly Free Flight (FF) and Control Line (CL) models in compliance with AMA’s safety programming.

     Brett

[Dan McEntee]

   It is?  It is required in the competition rules, but I see nothing about it in the safety code. In fact the safety code says essentially nothing now, "safety programming" is completely meaningless.


• I will fly Free Flight (FF) and Control Line (CL) models in compliance with AMA’s safety programming.

     Brett

     The Safety Code sends you to the Safety Program;

Before flying, inspect and pull-test your complete control
system, including the safety thong where applicable.
The pull test will be in accordance with the current
Competition Regulations for the applicable model aircraft
category. Model aircraft that don’t fit a specific category
will use the Control Line Precision Aerobatics pull-test
requirements.

  The  Safety programming sends you to the specific type of competition regulations, and if none apply, use the Control Line Safety Regulations regulations. And the Competition Regulations call for :   

The control handle/device, thong, connections, lines and internal control system
of the model, up to the point of attachment to the model (e.g., bellcrank or other
device) will be in good condition, free of kinks, rust, etc., regardless of whether
the equipment has already withstood the pull test. The Contest Director/Event
Director or their designated official(s) will be final in regard to safeness of a
model or equipment. Any of these contest officials shall exert their authority to
disqualify a model deemed unsafe for flight. Safety precautions must be adhered
to by the contestant while the model is in flight, with unnecessary and/or
persistent low flying under 1.20 meters (3.9 feet) being grounds for deduction of
points or disqualification. The flier will retain the control handle in his hand at all
times during which the model is in motion.

     The Control Line General Safety Regulations call for:   
     
     A safety thong connecting the handle of the Control Line models to the pilot’s
wrist, and strong enough to prevent accidental release of the model, shall be worn
during all flights of Control Line events except all Racing events. The safety
thong should have a minimum amount of slack to preclude accidental release or
interfering with the controls. Releasing the controls during flight or before the
model has come to a complete stop shall constitute a foul if the safety thong
restrains the model and lines from flying free; if the contestant releases the
controls and the safety thong during flight or before the model has come to a
complete stop, the contestant shall be barred from further participation in the
event and all of previous flights canceled. In those events not requiring the use of
a safety thong, releasing the controls during flight or before the model has come
to a complete stop shall bar the contestant from further participation in the event
and void his previous flights in the event. The safety thong may be a point of
attachment for conducting the pull test or the thong may be tested separately from
the test of control handle, lines, and control mechanism. When the thong is tested
separately, it must be pulled to the test load specified for the particular model
involved. The method of thong attachment shall also be able to withstand the
required pull test. Failure to use a safety thong in those events for which they are
required shall constitute a foul. Although safety thongs are optional in Racing
events, their use is encouraged in all events, particularly when Junior and/or
Senior fliers are involved.

    So, I guess in a round about way, it is in the safety code. It took me a long time to find it! I take it as more or less, that if it's a control line model, the minimum safety requirements go along the lines of what is required for Control Line Precision Aerobatics, which includes the thong requirement.  I guess the loop hole here would be to declare that it's a mouse racer!

     Your would think that they would make it really easy to find these specifics. I know that ignorance of the law is no excuse, but I think that a good lawyer could prove that if you require some one to have a competition license (AMA card) than you should provide them with the rules and regulations in an easy to read and understand format, such as a well laid out rule book !! I still think that if you want and need a rule book, they should provide you with one if you ask for one , instead of making people hunt allover a not very well laid out web site.

    Type at you later,
     Dan McEntee

[Craig Beswick]

Groan......

[Ken Culbertson]

"Before flying, inspect and pull-test your complete control
system, including the safety thong where applicable.
The pull test will be in accordance with the current
Competition Regulations for the applicable model aircraft
category. Model aircraft that don’t fit a specific category
will use the Control Line Precision Aerobatics pull-test
requirements."

Now there is one we all follow to the letter every time we go out.

Ken

[Brett Buck]

"Before flying, inspect and pull-test your complete control
system, including the safety thong where applicable.
The pull test will be in accordance with the current
Competition Regulations for the applicable model aircraft
category. Model aircraft that don’t fit a specific category
will use the Control Line Precision Aerobatics pull-test
requirements."

Now there is one we all follow to the letter every time we go out.

  Note that it says "before flying", not before every flight. That was intentional.

    Brett

[Ken Culbertson]

  Note that it says "before flying", not before every flight. That was intentional.

    Brett

It just that I cannot remember anybody ever doing a pull test at a non-contest session with the exception of a new plane or new lines which I do both, but I haven't seen anybody else do it.  Still that doesn't make it right.  Probably should do it more.

Ken

[John Rist]

 

[Dan McEntee]

  I do a good visual inspection beginning each session, of the lines, handles, etc. I also have a set of lines and handle for each model I fly, they almost never get used on another airplane.  The pull test is in excess of what normal flight loads are, and every contest they get pulled, sometimes twice, so I don't think it's necessary to keep stressing everything each flight or before each practice session with more stress and strain.
  Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee