22-Aug-2016, 06:12 PM
Greetings all….
I had a little incident happen this weekend that brought to mind the necessity of being safe, as it relates to quad copters. I was not injured badly and what I was doing was not unsafe, but it emphasized to me how easily we (or someone else) can be injured if something goes wrong. Many times it’s nothing we can control (accidents DO happen), but accidents due to poor or nonexistent safety habits we CAN control. So the reminder of the post is just going to be a list of safety items/ideas that we do have control over. Please feel free to add the ones I’ve forgotten, or make any improves or corrections you see need to be made. This is just my take on the subject and should by no means be taken as gospel.
KNOW THE MECHANICS OF YOUR MACHINE…..Most of us built the machines we are flying and thus are pretty familiar with them. However, for those that were purchased pre-built, take the time to learn how they’re built and what parts they have. Read the owner’s manual if it came with one. This will make you better able to spot and fix potential mechanical problems.
MAINTAIN YOUR MACHINE…..Ever heard the expression, “Racing is rubbing”? Well, flying is crashing and crashing takes a toll on your equipment. Regularly go over your quad(s) looking for cracked arms/frames, loose screws/fasteners, frayed Lipo straps, worn connectors/wires and fractured/bent or stressed props. Failure of any of the above can make your quad fall out of the sky like a brick.
KNOW HOW TO FLY YOUR MACHINE…I think all of us push the envelope a bit when flying….it’s how we learn and improve. Pick your time and place to do this. Use a little common sense ...... don’t try three flips in a row for the first time directly over a family having a picnic in the park. I know none of us here at IntoFPV would EVER do such a thing….but just in case. : ) Never outfly your ability to be point of comprising safety and putting yourself or others at risk.
KNOW HOW YOUR MACHINE OPERATES….I have found that the safest policy is to never put your quad on the bench to work on it without first removing the props. The question then becomes, “well, why…all I am going to do is check the video connections, or tighten some screws…..”, which then becomes, “OH, let me just plug it into CF for a second to check…..”, which could turn into many stiches, or property damage and/or destruction of your quad/laptop. Extreme case……yes it is. Could it happen….yes it could, so why take the chance? Are there exceptions to this, yes of course….stability test come to mind, but make sure all tools/fingers and other body parts are well away from spinning props and that machine is securely restrained. Always turn the radio on before plugging the lipo in and always unplug the lipo before turning the radio off. When retrieving your quad please be sure it’s disarmed….don’t be like me and pick it up and then have your belly (maybe not a problem for most) bump the throttle and the damn thing try to eat you.
PICK YOUR FLYING AREAS CAREFULLY….In this day and age in many areas, it is getting more and more difficult to find open unoccupied areas to fly in. Ideally, one would have an unpopulated, unimproved area to zoom around it. Unfortunately it’s not an ideal world. That said, try and find a place that has as few folks as possible and as little infrastructure as possible. For many of us that will be just about impossible, so fly smart! Pick times when there are as few people as possible. Use a spotter, particularly if you’re flying with goggles. They can see things that you can’t and let you know of impending situations that will affect your flight path. Avoid extreme acro maneuvers when the area is heavily populated.
CHILDREN OPERATING QUADS……No. There are exceptions or course, but in most cases children should not be allowed to handle or attempt to fly a quad UNLESS they know what they are doing and are accompanied by an adult who does know at all times.
ASK PERMISSION…..If you happen upon that perfect area to fly, restrain yourself until you’ve had a chance to get permission to use it. It doesn’t matter who it belongs to, you know it doesn’t belong to you, so you need permission. Also, make sure the person giving you permission is authorized to do so. Even if its public land…..in some cases ESPECIALLY if it’s public land, be sure to talk to the governing authority before you fly.
GET ALL NECESSARY LICENSES…..Be sure to obtain all necessary licenses/permits from local and federal authorities for both radio and video frequencies you happen to be using.
FOLLOW ALL LOCAL AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS…..In the US, you may not fly above 400 feet or closer than 5 miles to an airport. I am sure other countries have their own regulations and whatever they are, follow them!!!
I many areas of the world, multirotors “enjoy” a dubious reputation. All of us here as stewards of the sport have a responsibility to try and educate as much as we can, the uninformed public. One of the ways we can do that it is to have uncompromising safety habits, leading by example.
I had a little incident happen this weekend that brought to mind the necessity of being safe, as it relates to quad copters. I was not injured badly and what I was doing was not unsafe, but it emphasized to me how easily we (or someone else) can be injured if something goes wrong. Many times it’s nothing we can control (accidents DO happen), but accidents due to poor or nonexistent safety habits we CAN control. So the reminder of the post is just going to be a list of safety items/ideas that we do have control over. Please feel free to add the ones I’ve forgotten, or make any improves or corrections you see need to be made. This is just my take on the subject and should by no means be taken as gospel.
KNOW THE MECHANICS OF YOUR MACHINE…..Most of us built the machines we are flying and thus are pretty familiar with them. However, for those that were purchased pre-built, take the time to learn how they’re built and what parts they have. Read the owner’s manual if it came with one. This will make you better able to spot and fix potential mechanical problems.
MAINTAIN YOUR MACHINE…..Ever heard the expression, “Racing is rubbing”? Well, flying is crashing and crashing takes a toll on your equipment. Regularly go over your quad(s) looking for cracked arms/frames, loose screws/fasteners, frayed Lipo straps, worn connectors/wires and fractured/bent or stressed props. Failure of any of the above can make your quad fall out of the sky like a brick.
KNOW HOW TO FLY YOUR MACHINE…I think all of us push the envelope a bit when flying….it’s how we learn and improve. Pick your time and place to do this. Use a little common sense ...... don’t try three flips in a row for the first time directly over a family having a picnic in the park. I know none of us here at IntoFPV would EVER do such a thing….but just in case. : ) Never outfly your ability to be point of comprising safety and putting yourself or others at risk.
KNOW HOW YOUR MACHINE OPERATES….I have found that the safest policy is to never put your quad on the bench to work on it without first removing the props. The question then becomes, “well, why…all I am going to do is check the video connections, or tighten some screws…..”, which then becomes, “OH, let me just plug it into CF for a second to check…..”, which could turn into many stiches, or property damage and/or destruction of your quad/laptop. Extreme case……yes it is. Could it happen….yes it could, so why take the chance? Are there exceptions to this, yes of course….stability test come to mind, but make sure all tools/fingers and other body parts are well away from spinning props and that machine is securely restrained. Always turn the radio on before plugging the lipo in and always unplug the lipo before turning the radio off. When retrieving your quad please be sure it’s disarmed….don’t be like me and pick it up and then have your belly (maybe not a problem for most) bump the throttle and the damn thing try to eat you.
PICK YOUR FLYING AREAS CAREFULLY….In this day and age in many areas, it is getting more and more difficult to find open unoccupied areas to fly in. Ideally, one would have an unpopulated, unimproved area to zoom around it. Unfortunately it’s not an ideal world. That said, try and find a place that has as few folks as possible and as little infrastructure as possible. For many of us that will be just about impossible, so fly smart! Pick times when there are as few people as possible. Use a spotter, particularly if you’re flying with goggles. They can see things that you can’t and let you know of impending situations that will affect your flight path. Avoid extreme acro maneuvers when the area is heavily populated.
CHILDREN OPERATING QUADS……No. There are exceptions or course, but in most cases children should not be allowed to handle or attempt to fly a quad UNLESS they know what they are doing and are accompanied by an adult who does know at all times.
ASK PERMISSION…..If you happen upon that perfect area to fly, restrain yourself until you’ve had a chance to get permission to use it. It doesn’t matter who it belongs to, you know it doesn’t belong to you, so you need permission. Also, make sure the person giving you permission is authorized to do so. Even if its public land…..in some cases ESPECIALLY if it’s public land, be sure to talk to the governing authority before you fly.
GET ALL NECESSARY LICENSES…..Be sure to obtain all necessary licenses/permits from local and federal authorities for both radio and video frequencies you happen to be using.
FOLLOW ALL LOCAL AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS…..In the US, you may not fly above 400 feet or closer than 5 miles to an airport. I am sure other countries have their own regulations and whatever they are, follow them!!!
I many areas of the world, multirotors “enjoy” a dubious reputation. All of us here as stewards of the sport have a responsibility to try and educate as much as we can, the uninformed public. One of the ways we can do that it is to have uncompromising safety habits, leading by example.
"Damn the torpedoes!!! Full speed ahead!!!"