When we go to a contest, or just out test flying, we take all of the support equipment, and hopefully all of the pieces of the models we intend to fly. We often leave behind the most important item. SAFETY!!

There are an infinite number of things that we do that are potentially dangerous. Here are just a few that come to mind. All could be a disaster. I'm sure that all of you could add to the list.

At Home:

1. Leaving a container of thinner or acetone open with a brush in it to clean the brush.
2. Using a soldering iron or small torch near the above or near our containers of dope or glue.
3. Using a grinder without safety glasses.
4. Using a grinder near our open solvent container.
5. Putting solvent soaked or oily rags in the trash.
6. Painting or doping with poor or no ventilation.
7. Holding a piece of metal with our hand while drilling a hole on the drill press.
8. Getting CA glue where it was NOT intended to go.
9. Spray-painting indoors, especially with a gas hot water heater in the same space.
10. Not having a serviceable fire extinguisher of the correct type near your workbench.

Traveling to the flying site:

1. Placing model parts in the vehicle that block your view out of the rear of the vehicle.
2. Leaving items that can fly forward in a sudden stop un-tethered.
3. Carrying fuel in the same box with starting battery and tools. Especially bad if battery terminals and tools are open so that tool could short battery and set fuel on fire.
4. Motorcycle trailer with no safety chains attached to tow vehicle.
5. Motorcycle trailer with poorly working lights.
6. Low pressure in trailer tires.
7. Poorly maintained trailer wheel bearings.
8. No spare tire or no jack or lug wrench.

Now that we have survived the workshop and the trip to the field what could possibly go wrong.

Flying site safety failures.

1. Setting up to fly without being on flight line that is correct distance from vehicles or spectators.
2. Using damaged propeller rather than quit flying.
3. Poor management of glow plug wire while cranking engine.
4. Winding large rubber model with poorly anchored stooge.
5. No ear protection when running high rpm engine.
6. Riding chase bike through crowd.
7. Riding chase bike while looking up at plane and not observing other traffic or obstructions.
8. Failure to give power model propellers and surging engines their due safety consideration.

Two last items:

1. Failure to point out a safety problem to another flyer, or failure to accept safety criticism openly.
2. Failure of the CD to enforce all safety aspects of flying.

Fly Safe and don't forget to sign-up at least one new member this year.
See you on the flight line.
Rex Hinson