[NSRCA-discussion] Arming Device for electric airplanes

Wed Sep 26 09:42:24 AKDT 2018

As John mentioned, this rule was proposed last cycle and was shot down pretty aggressively based primarily upon AMA safety rules.  We felt that the AMA should take the lead on this.  As Steve pointed out, there are AMA guidelines about procedures that don’t dictate how to build the airplane.    In the end, if I can’t see that the battery is disconnected… it’s a moot point.  No one wanted a rule that requires the canopy left off so that everyone could see the battery.

The AMA is unlikely to pass a required external disconnect rule simply due to the number of BNF/Arfs that don’t have them and would require people to alter their brand new airplanes to be legal to fly.   Not to mention on smaller planes it does become more difficult both logistically and practically to add.

I’m still amazed at the number of people that trust their radio when it comes to arming.  Shutting off the radio (as we all know) does not disarm the plane, but I see so many that feel comfortable that it does.  And worse, they use a magnetic switch to do it.  More possible points of failure.

The best thing we can do is teach and exhibit good practices, and call people out when they don’t.

-M
MARK ATWOOD
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c.  (216) 316-2489
e.  atwoodm at paragon-inc.com<mailto:atwoodm at paragon-inc.com>

Paragon Consulting, Inc.
5900 Landerbrook Drive, Suite 205, Cleveland Ohio, 44124
www.paragon-inc.com<http://www.paragon-inc.com/>

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Powering The Digital Experience

On Sep 26, 2018, at 1:32 PM, Phil Spelt via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>> wrote:

It would have prevented the Oxai pit incident, unless the pilot armed his plane in the pit...

As I said elsewhere, an external arming device will not solve all the problems in the universe, but it does provide an extra layer of safety for el planes.

Phil Spelt, AMA 1294, Scientific Leader Member
SPA L-18, Board Member, KCRC Emeritus
Oliver Springs, TN (865) 435-1476v (865) 604-0541c

On September 26, 2018 at 11:47 AM Anthony Romano via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>> wrote:

Both of those incidents were due to pilots not following the statement below. Having an arming plug would not have prevented either incident.

________________________________
From: NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org>> on behalf of Patternpilot One via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>>
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2018 11:29 AM
To: Jon Bruml; General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Arming Device for electric airplanes

Right from the AMA competition guide.

At no time will a model be left unrestrained or unattended while running or with the electric motor power circuit(s) physically connected unless the model is on the runway.

All models that have the capability of Fail Safe in the radio shall have the throttle set to Fail Safe in a way that the motor/engine comes to a complete stop or a minimum idle if it were to lose signal from the transmitter.

Scott A.

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: Jon Bruml via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>>
Date: 9/26/18 11:10 AM (GMT-05:00)
To: Joe Lachowski <jlachow at hotmail.com<mailto:jlachow at hotmail.com>>, Vicente Bortone <vincebrc at gmail.com<mailto:vincebrc at gmail.com>>, General pattern discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>>
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Arming Device for electric airplanes

Okay how about the FAi pilot who accidentally advanced his throttle in the pits at a June contest and destroyed the entire back end of an Oxai ?
Only by grace was no one injured

Jonathan Bruml
Techstyles
www.techstyles.com<http://www.techstyles.com>
________________________________
From: NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org>> on behalf of Joe Lachowski via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>>
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2018 8:07:08 AM
To: Vicente Bortone; General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Arming Device for electric airplanes

So you want to require an arming device based on a sport flyers stupidity.

Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows 10

________________________________
From: NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org>> on behalf of Vicente Bortone via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>>
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2018 10:38:30 AM
To: Vogel, Peter; NSRCA NSRCA
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Arming Device for electric airplanes

This is real experience.  About 3-4 years ago I was getting ready to fly with another friend.  Both of our planes were already in the pits and we just were talking before starting the day.  A pilot came with an electric plane and parked between us.  He left it there and decided that he needs to go and get something.  About a minute later his plane came to live suddenly and took us from the pits.  It starting to do an small loop and was coming directly toward us.  It was so fast that my friend said "take cover". We were lucky that the plane crashed in front of us and there were no more pilots flying or around.  It was so fast that I didn't have time to move an inch and could have hit us easily.  The plane didn't have an arming switch outside so there was no way for us to know if was armed.  The owner came and we never were able to figure out what really happened.

I think makes sense to put together a formal request that will require external disconnect outside the electric powered planes.  It is easy to justify since is already a requirement of the National Electrical Code and OSHA.  Anyone out there wants to put together a draft.  I will help to signed since I am a CD.

!Gone Flying!

Vicente "Vince" Bortone

On Tue, Sep 25, 2018 at 7:41 PM Vogel, Peter via NSRCA-discussion < nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>> wrote:
Rule says you must disarm the plane before bringing into the pits, does not say how.  That can mean take off canopy and unplug.  I’ve moved to using a Jeti anti-spark bullet in-line on the red side of the battery-esc connection with the bullet routed to the outside of the plane.  Quick, simple, foolproof.  Anti-spark prevents carbon buildup on the bullets.

Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>
________________________________
From: NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org>> on behalf of Phil Spelt via NSRCA-discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org<mailto:nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>>
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2018 5:34:02 PM
To: General pattern discussion
Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Arming Device for electric airplanes

Guys, what is the current status of arming devices in NSRCA for you electric airplanes?  Does anyone know what the AMA says about arming devices -- I can't find my way around the new web site yet, and this is the easy way out!  lol

Thanks,

Phil Spelt, AMA 1294, Scientific Leader Member
SPA L-18, Board Member, KCRC Emeritus
Oliver Springs, TN (865) 435-1476v (865) 604-0541c

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