[NSRCA-discussion] Arming Switch

Mon Feb 13 16:52:26 AKST 2012

True enough.

I have contacts with Castle..anyone have a contact with HobbyKing to check
with them?

Dave

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of John Gayer
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 8:17 PM
To: General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Arming Switch

Seems like we might want to be protected from the guy using a very cheap
chinese brand and weak shutdown processes, not just those with good
processes and topline equipment. It is still a latent 4 horsepower scimitar
sitting there in the pits either way.
John Gayer

On 2/13/2012 5:41 PM, Dave Lockhart wrote: 

I've made the inquiry to Castle.

Regards,

Dave Lockhart

Team Castle Creations

From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Keith Hoard
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2012 6:32 PM
To: General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Arming Switch

   I guess I'd have to defer to the ESC manufacturer on that one.  Does
anyone know Castle's official position about killing the receiver signal to
disarm the ESC?  Apparently Tony has done it enough that he's confident with
that method.  

Keith Hoard

Collierville, TN

On Feb 13, 2012, at 17:17, John Gayer <jgghome at comcast.net> wrote:

Keith

Tony advocated doing just that on RCU post #35:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10952866/anchors_10955113/mpage_2/key_/anc
hor/tm.htm#10955113

John Gayer

On 2/13/2012 3:45 PM, Keith Hoard wrote: 

Bob,

  OK, you're right, I thought you were talking about the transmitter.  I
couldn't imagine anyone wanting to turn off the receiver signal ON PURPOSE
as a means to disarm an ESC.  You're really relying on that firmware to do
the right thing. 

  Ya gotta treat these things like a loaded gun.  What's the best Gun
Control Law?  Use both hands!!

Keith Hoard

Collierville, TN

On Feb 13, 2012, at 16:12, Bob Richards <bob at toprudder.com> wrote:

Keith,

Agree with everything you say, except your #2. I said that turning off the
"rx" (receiver) is not completely safe. Perhaps you thought I said
"transmitter". Turning off the receiver has nothing to do with failsafe
settings as the rx can't output ANYTHING including whatever the "failsafe"
setting may be. Some of the so called "arming switches" included on some
ESCs do nothing more than turn power off to the rx, or disconnect the signal
wire from the rx to the ESC. As someone pointed out, this leaves the ESC
open to possible interference after it has been armed.

Bob R.

--- On Mon, 2/13/12, Keith Hoard <khoard at gmail.com> wrote:

Bob,

1)  So is leaving your canopy off with ESC plug displayed until you are in
the ready box.  I'd argue that it is more visible AND directly addresses the
problem.  Arming plugs are small and can only be seen from one side of your
airplane. 
2)  That is a failsafe setting issue that an affect your airplane any time
the batteries are connected, even during a flight where the disconnect
device is useless.  I agree with demonstrating proper failsafe setup.
3) Very true.

   What I don't agree with is the NSRCA issuing an "Airworthiness Directive"
("AD" in FAA-speak) requiring me to install equipment to address a potential
problem when I can address that problem in other ways.  I think the Board
would be much better off proposing a rule defining WHAT outcome they are
desiring, then allowing the competitor to come up with an effective way to
accomplish that objective.  I think we'd be better off adopting the FAI rule
that mandates when power can be connected to the plane and let the
competitor accomplish that objective in any manner they wish, either through
good battery management techniques or disconnect devices.

    Besides, if you read the NSRCA rule proposal, all it says is that you
have to install a disconnect device.  It does not mandate when it will be
utilized to arm or disarm the plane.  So. . . according to the rule, I can
install the arming plug and leave it connected at all times, thus not even
solving the original "problem".

Keith Hoard
Collierville, TN
khoard at gmail.com
<http://us.mc1616.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=khoard@gmail.com> 

On Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 2:18 PM, Bob Richards <bob at toprudder.com
<http://us.mc1616.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=bob@toprudder.com> > wrote:

Keith,

What you say it true.

What I have taken from this discussion:

1) An arming plug is an externally visible indicator of "ready and
dangerous".

2) Turning the rx off alone is not a completely safe condition, and less so
AFTER a flight.

3) No safety measure is 100% infallible, simply due to human error.

Regardless of how you render your aircraft safe, you still have to remember
to do it!!! People will forget, and that unfortunately will happen
regardless.

Bob R.

--- On Mon, 2/13/12, Keith Hoard <khoard at gmail.com
<http://us.mc1616.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=khoard@gmail.com> > wrote:

Just how many airplanes have we seen fly out of caller's hands at contests?
Is this a widespread problem, or just isolated to a couple contests?   Why
can't the caller maintain positive control of the airplane until the owner
gets over to disconnect the battery?  If the caller and/or pilot are that
distracted after a flight, what is to keep them from forgetting to removing
the arming plug?  

I think this is a solution wandering around looking for a problem.  If you
can't remember to disconnect your battery as soon as possible after a flight
and to only connect it just prior to flight then you won't remember to use
your arming plug to perform the same functions.

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