[NSRCA-discussion] arming device

[John Ford]

Ok, a few have asked what I use...
I have looked at several devices and systems for this, and I very simply chose to have the positive wire between battery and ESC exiting the side of the plane, hanging out in the breeze, with a 4mm plug and socket. 
Costs me $4…
My caller simply pulls the plug apart before picking up the plane. Game over…no ifs, ands, or buts…
If you ever see me fly, you see me pick up the plane by the spinner and belly to carry it back to the pits every time. 

I can honestly say that I don't mind having my son sit in front of my plane in the ready box if he wants to, because with the visibly open circuit, there is zero chance of a start, and there is no possible failure mode (all the wires in the plane have NO plugs, so you can't bypass/defeat the external plug, even if you wanted to). 
If I instead relied on an internal or radio-integrated electronic system built and marketed by the lowest bidder, I would not feel comfortable doing that. 

We all have our criteria for what's safe, but that's my personal criteria. 

John





On May 17, 2015, at 2:17 PM, David via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org> wrote:

> Like I said, I wasn't trying to stir the pot. Couple of comments on this group of replies. First, to test the failsafe by turning off the transmitter is not really a complete test of all possible failure modes but a check of one specific type of failure. It would be like pulling the trigger on a gun to make sure it's not loaded without actually without physically checking the chamber for a round. Second, as far as the AMA not taking a position on arming switches, how about we compare this to a different type of situation. For average car drivers, (millions of sport flyers),the government doesn't require roll cages or other specialized pieces of safety equipment. However if you want to compete with a car that is more powerful than an average street car in almost anything such as nascar or drag racing the organizing body for that special interest group does require the extra safety equipment. As far as with glow engines, yes that is a different story as far as safety concerns as my pro
> fessional expertise would keep me from making any kind of statement like this. At that point it would be just an opinion rather than an fact. 
> 
> The loss of signal is just one failure mode, which is one of the points I was trying to get across with the reopening of this can of worms. Just because the AMA doesn't require use of a safety device, shouldn't we as a special interest group take lead in the safety of ourselves and those around us. 
> 
> I am not advocating any particular device, just a type that physically breaks the circuit. I really like the way something like the Emcotec disconnect looks, and arms by removing the pin, but it being a circuit too is still subject to being another failure mode and wouldn't be a way I would depend on as a true safety. 
> 
> Again I wasn't trying to stir the pot, I was just trying to share with you something I have some expertise in. As far as spins and downwind turns, yes I have opinions on those, but that's all they are is opinions and not based on professional knowledge. 
> 
> David 
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