RADIO CONTROL COMBAT
Greg Rose, 1312 NW 196th St., Edmond OK 73003
Reflections on 2003 and Goals for 2004
As we enter the 2004 RC Combat season, it is a good time to step back and reflect on the 2003 season, what we want to do differently, and what goals we should set for improvement.
The 2003 season was a banner year. We flew more events, more fliers joined in the fun, and ideas evolved for new classes that have broadened the appeal of RC Combat to more modelers. In retrospect, it was a great season and I can't believe we could have had any more fun, but we can improve on last year by making 2004 the safest year in RC Combat.
Last year did not have a poor safety record, but there were a few incidents and close calls that serve as a reminder that we have room for improvement. We did well with our safety record considering the quantity of events, the number of fliers, and all of the "combat sorties" flown last year, but we can do better.
Three Safety Nets
I like to think of RC Combat fliers as having three "nets," or three levels of safety rules that help us maintain safety during events:
- The AMA Safety Code, which needs to be followed by all RC fliers.
- The safety guidelines written right into the event rules.
- Simple common sense that the Combat fliers should use while flying.
Perhaps the most important rule in the AMA Safety Code is the first one. Listed under General rules, it states, "I will not fly my model in sanctioned events, air shows, or model-flying demonstrations until it has proven to be airworthy by having been previously, successfully flight tested." This is the first rule in the AMA Safety Code for a good reason. A flightline full of Combat fliers is no place to test-launch a new or rebuilt model to see if it flies. If you haven't flown it first, don't even think about using it in a contest. If you didn't take the time to test-fly your model it can be frustrating, but a flier should not consider breaking or even bending this cardinal AMA safety rule.
Another important rule—specific to RC Combat—in the AMA Safety Code is Radio Control rule 6. This rule states, "For Combat, distance between combat engagement line and spectator line will be 500 feet per cubic inch of engine displacement. (Example: .40 engine = 200 feet.); electric motors will be based on equivalent combustion engine size. Additional safety requirements will be per the RC Combat section of the current Competition Regulations." I wanted to include this rule because it specifically refers to RC Combat and it is the only rule in the AMA Safety Code that does so. As far as I have seen, this rule has been closely followed at AMA events so we need to keep up the good work. As a reminder to all Combat fliers, the Contest Director (CD) may choose to increase the distance between spectators and the combat-engagement area if prevailing conditions such as a stiff wind blowing toward the spectators merit doing so.
RCCA Event Rules
The next safety net for Combat is the event rules established by the Radio Control Combat Association (RCCA). These may have the highest percentage of safety regulations written into the rules compared to any other sanctioned event. Of slightly more than 4,400 words in the RC Scale Combat rules, roughly 46% address some aspect of safety. It's a good idea to read the rules on a regular basis. Reading and understanding the safety rules can help make events safer.
Because of some experiences we had in 2003, it is a good idea to brush up on section 4.6, dealing with Interround Safety Inspections, and section 6.2, which covers the procedures followed after a model is involved in a midair collision. Unlike the "preplanned" safety issues such as safety line placements, both of these sections require the CD's judgment.
While we are on the subject of the CD, an important line in the AMA Combat rules states, "The judgment of the CD on safety matters shall not be protested."
Common-Sense Practices
The most important aspect of safety, not only in RC Combat but for all of aeromodeling, is the common sense that a flier has to use to ensure safe operation of his model. Ask yourself:
- Did you check your aircraft after that last midair collision? Was there any damage from that most recent hard landing?
- Did you check all of the controls before each flight? Not every belly landing is as smooth as silk; servos and linkages have been known to break loose.
- Are the wing and fuselage tethered in case of a midair collision?
- Did you "wag that tail" before the model left your hands to ensure that the radio was on?
- Are you confident that you will have positive control of the model as soon as it leaves your or your launcher's hands?
The worst incident that I witnessed in 2003 involved someone launching under windy conditions which caused a rapid loss of control.
The rules are there to minimize our chances of injury, but common sense is still required if we are going to have an injury-free season. Don't launch into a wind you can't handle; adjust the trim slightly down on any hand-launched model to avoid a free-flight runaway. Wag that tail to ensure that the radio is on before you launch, and position the receiver switch where you can't accidentally shut it off during the launch.
Think safety first, Combat second, and remember my credo: nobody has fun if anybody gets hurt. (My wife reminded me that I should include some sage advice about keeping your fingers out of the running propeller, apparently based on her belief that those who can do, do; those who can't, teach.)
Closing
Without a doubt, 2004 is going to be the best, the biggest, and the most enjoyable year in RC Combat ever. Let's all work to make it the safest year too.
That's all for this issue. Until next time, fly safely, fly Combat, and be sure to check your six!
MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
