Safety Bulletin from the FFTC

1. Starting Engines.

There have in recent times been at least two instances where fliers have seriously cut their hands/fingers while hand starting powerful motors in freeflight models.

In each instance, it is understood, the main cause was the motor was being started by hand, and the accidents occurred either while the model was being transferred from one hand to the other for launching, or trying to reach the needle valve through the arc of the propeller.

The FFTC recommend that fliers should utilise a mechanical starter securely mounted in a 'Starter Box' with a foot operated remote switch wherever possible so that the flier is behind the arc of the propeller and there is no need to turn the model around or to transfer the model from one hand to another while the engine is running.

2. Starter Boxes

Having recommended the use of a Starter Box, attention is drawn to the recent BMFA Safety Bulletin on a 'Flight Box Fire' issued to all club secretaries.

A (RC) flight box recently caught fire, presumably caused by a short circuit on the starter battery in the proximity of glow fuel. Unfortunately, methanol burns with a pale blue flame which is barely discernible in daylight resulting in the flier and his helper being unaware of the seriousness of the situation. As the helper bent over to pick up the box and remove it from the flight area, the flight box exploded causing burns to his face and scalp which required specialist hospital treatment.
The BMFA Safety Bulletin advice is quite extensive and fliers are recommended to obtain a copy of the full text, which will no doubt be reprinted in the next BMFA News.
However, the simple advice from the FFTC is 'Do not store fuel with your Starter/Battery in your Starter Box'

Peter Tribe
FFTC, January 2002

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