[NSRCA-discussion] Two killed by model airplane

[brett terry]

Even killing the engine only removes the spinning prop from the equation.
The mass of the plane still carries a tremendous amount of energy,
especially at "fly-by" speeds of 60-100 mph, or over 200 for some pylon
racers and jets.  An 11# pattern plane at 120 mph has roughly the same
energy as a 25# scale aerobatic plane flying 80 mph, or a 40# plane flying
around 60 mph.  Or, for that matter, your 2500 lb car at 5 mph.
Unfortunately the impact is typically focused about a single point, greatly
increasing the amount of localized damage.  Even getting hit by a wing would
feel like baseball bat.

I hate to even think of the damage caused by a direct spinner hit.

Scary stuff!

Fly safe,

Brett


On 5/21/06, Bob Pastorello <rcaerobob at cox.net> wrote:
>
>  I have oft wondered if an "ignition CUT off" that sensed loss of RX
> decoder outputs that would KILL the motor wouldn't help.  It would at least
> mitigate the energy of the impact.  Never heard of one out there that works
> exactly like I'm describing, and it would probably only be effective for
> gassers at this stage, but it may REDUCE the degree of injury.
>
> I fear full DUAL RF_Link redundancy in our future....
>
> Bob Pastorello
> www.rcaerobats.net
> rcaerobob at cox.net
>
> -
>
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