ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Note: Failure to follow these safety precautions may result in severe
injury to yourself and others.
• Keep all engine fuel in a safe place, away from high heat, sparks
or flames, as fuel is very flammable. Do not smoke near the engine
or fuel; and remember that the engine exhaust gives off a great deal
of deadly carbon monoxide. Therefore do not run the engine in a
closed room or garage.
• Get help from an experienced pilot when learning to operate engines.
• Use safety glasses when starting or running engines.
• Do not run the engine in an area of loose gravel or sand, as the
propeller may throw such material in your face or eyes.
• Keep your face and body as well as all spectators away from the
plane of rotation of the propeller as you start and run the engine.
• Keep items such as these away from the prop: loose clothing, shirt
sleeves, ties, scarfs, long hair or loose objects (pencils, screwdrivers)
that may fall out of shirt or jacket pockets into the prop.
• Use a “chicken stick” device or electric starter; follow the instructions
supplied with the starter or stick. Make certain the glow plug clip or
connector is secure so that it will not pop off or otherwise get into
the running propeller.
• Make all engine adjustments from behind the rotating propeller.
• The engine gets hot! Do not touch it during or after operation.
Make sure fuel lines are in good condition so fuel will not leak onto
a hot engine, causing a fire.
• To stop the engine, cut off the fuel supply by closing off the fuel
line or follow the engine manufacturer’s recommendations. Do not
use hands, fingers or any body part to try to stop the engine. Do not
throw anything into the prop of a running engine.
Read and abide by the following Academy of Model Aeronautics
Official Safety Code excerpt:
General
1. I will not fly my model aircraft in sanctioned events, air shows, or
model flying demonstrations until it has been proven to be airworthy
by having been previously successfully flight tested.
2. I will not fly my model aircraft higher than approximately 400 feet
within 3 miles of an airport without notifying the airport operator. I
will give right of way to, and avoid flying in the proximity of, full
scale aircraft. Where necessary an observer shall be used to
supervise flying to avoid having models fly in the proximity of full
scale aircraft.
3. Where established, I will abide by the safety rules for the flying site
I use, and I will not willfully and deliberately fly my models in a
careless, reckless and/or dangerous manner.
7. I will not fly my model unless it is identified with my name and
address or AMA number, on or in the model.
9. I will not operate models with pyrotechnics (any device that
explodes, burns, or propels a projectile of any kind)
Radio control
1. I will have completed a successful radio equipment ground check
before the first flight of a new or repaired model.
2. I will not fly my model aircraft in the presence of spectators until
I become a qualified flier, unless assisted by an experienced helper.
3. I will perform my initial turn after takeoff away from the pit or
spectator areas, and I will not thereafter fly over pit or spectator
areas, unless beyond my control.
4. I will operate my model using only radio control frequencies
currently allowed by the Federal Communications Commission.
The moment of truth has finally arrived. You’ve put a lot of effort into
building your model and it looks great! Protect your investment by
following a few simple tips:
1. If possible, have an experienced modeler look over your work
before you head out to your flying field. It’s easier to fix problems in
the workshop instead of on the flight line.
2. Become familiar with starting your engine, and break it in before
going for your first flight. Be sure the engine will stop when the trim
lever is pulled all the way back.
3. Assemble a simple flight kit (a shoe box is fine to start with) which
should include a starting battery and glow-plug clip (or ni-starter),
“chicken stick” for flipping the prop, fuel and a means of filling the
tank, a couple of small screwdrivers, #64 rubber bands (or wing
bolts), spare prop and glow-plug, 6" adjustable wrench, and a pair of
needle nose pliers. In addition to tools, you should also take along
some paper towels and spray window cleaner to remove fuel residue
after each flight.
4. When you load up to go to the flying field be sure that the batteries
have charged for at least 14 hours, and that you have your fuselage,
wing, transmitter and flight box. And, most important, you have your
AMA license.
5. Range check the radio! See page 19.
USING RUBBER BANDS
The rule of thumb is to use two #64 rubber bands per pound of
model weight. If your model tipped the scales at 7 pounds, you need
14 rubber bands. It doesn’t matter too much how many you run
straight across the wing or how many are criss-crossed, so long as the
last two are criss-crossed. This trick stops the other bands from
popping off. Do not use oily rubber bands for more than a few flying
sessions. Check each rubber band before using it; watch out for
cracks. Rubber bands can be conditioned by storing the oily ones in
a zip-top storage bag partially filled with talcum powder or corn
starch. Both products will absorb the oil.
FLYING YOUR TOWER TRAINER 40
AMA SAFETY CODE
20
