Everyone has their own views about what is safe and what is not. I’d like to share some of my thoughts with the hope that it gives everyone a little something to think about when they are at the field.
The field is comprised of 3 parts, the pits, the flight line and our airspace. Each area has its own safety concerns, plus the time spent as you move from one area to the other. I know that makes it sound like “rocket science”, but it actually is just that. Even though they are called models, our airplanes are not toys. Regardless of their size or type of propulsion they use, they all can be dangerous if we don’t keep safety in mind. Here are my “Top 5 Lists” for each part of the field.
The Pits
1. Be aware of what is going on around you. If your “neighbor” has
his back to you, make sure he will not step back into you or your equipment.
He may not know you are there because he or she is paying attention to what
they are doing.
2. When you set up your plane (s) and equipment, make sure you don’t create
a trip hazard for the other pilots around you.
3. Make sure all the sharp tools in your flightbox have some kind of sheath.
I have cut myself on an xacto knife while rummaging through my stuff looking
for an allen wrench.
4. While starting or running your engine, make sure no one is standing near
the arc of the propeller. Also be aware of your propwash if you are running
up your engine. Its not just the “big birds”, every plane blows
dirt and debris when the engine is singing.
5. Before you leave the pits with your plane, make sure your engine is tuned
and ready for takeoff and all the gear you leave behind is secured so that it
will not create a problem for the other pilots.
The Flight Line
1. When you are moving from the Pits to the Flight Line, you must maintain physical
control of the plane all the way to the taxiway. Taxiing through the pit area
is not permitted.
2. Note the direction of the arrow on the flag pole. Do not take off or land
(except emergencies) against the pattern. If you can not take off and land from
both directions, you need to seek out an instructor and correct that immediately.
3. Make your intentions known to the pilots already flying. This applies to
everything: takeoffs, landings, touch and go's, deadstick, etc. Don’t
be afraid to speak up (remember it’s noisy and the pilots are concentrating
on their own aircraft).
4. When you “have the runway”, taxi your plane out and takeoff.
You should not be adjusting your engine at this point. If it’s not running
right, take it back to the pits and correct the problem.
5. If some declares an emergency and your plane is lined up for takeoff, then
do so immediately (be sure to announce it). If your plane is still on the taxiway,
wait till the emergency is over. DO NOT just hit the gas and takeoff across
the field. This is dangerous because you are taking off at 90 degrees to the
flight path of any planes that are currently flying, not to mention distracting
the pilot in trouble.
Our Airspace
1. Before you start your takeoff roll, “check your six” and see
where your fellow pilots are. Make sure no one is doing a close flyby while
you are taking off.
2. When you airplane clears the end of the runway, the first maneuver you should
make is a climbing turn away from the flightline. Anything else is not safe.
It doesn’t matter what super-duper plane/engine/servo combo you have,
your plane does not have enough inertia and altitude should a problem arise.
3. Make a trim pass or two to check your airplanes trim settings before you
“wring it out”. I don’t like surprises when I’m flying,
they’re never good.
4. After you’ve announced that you are landing, make a pass down the runway
to check your landing gear (I’ve had wheels fall off during a flight,
see my thoughts on surprises in #3). This also gives you an opportunity to double
check that the runway is clear for you to land.
5. After you’ve landed, taxi your plane off the runway and kill the engine
and bring it back to the pit area. Do not stop and have a conversation with
someone while leaving your plane out on the taxiway or runway.