Those Whacky RC DS guys

On Apr 20, 5:08*pm, Uncle Fuzzy wrote:
On Apr 20, 12:47*pm, Eric Greenwell wrote:



Adam wrote:

Consider the D-160" model, which will likely break 400 mph next Santa
Ana season. It weighs 50 pounds and the spar is designed to withstand
over 4000 lbf. So it can over 100g when you consider the wing make
over half the weight of the plane.

50 pounds moving at 400 mph could cause multiple fatalities if it plowed
into some bystanders. How do they make these models safe to fly? Do they
have insurance? How big/heavy can a "model" be before it becomes a UAV,
and perhaps regulated by the FAA?

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* "Transponders in Sailplanes"http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* * * Sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" atwww.motorglider.org

Good point, but even a 1 pound plane could kill you at that speed.
Back in the stone age, when I was slope racing RC gliders, I think the
AMA imposed weight limit was 10 pounds.

The AMA limit is 55 pounds. However the AMA does not regulate, only
insure, lobby, and liaise. So if you want to be covered by the AMA
policy that membership affords, you best follow the AMA safety code
found he

http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/105.pdf

The FAA has this to say with regards to model aviation:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/540-C.pdf

Safety is a concern of course. Often the radar operator will stand
behind a very large pile of rocks or car. But many stand exposed to
the trajectory and by default accept the risks associated with that.

It is difficult to believe but more people have been killed
participating in a thermal duration model sailplane contest that by a
model sailplane engaged in dynamic soaring.

/Adam

Adam wrote:

The AMA limit is 55 pounds. However the AMA does not regulate, only
insure, lobby, and liaise. So if you want to be covered by the AMA
policy that membership affords, you best follow the AMA safety code
found he

http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/105.pdf

Wow, they've really raised the weight limit since I was flying models!

Also, the thermal fliers regularly exceed the 400 feet, don't they? Not
likely an issue for the dynamic soarers, I suppose. Personally, I've
never even seen a model while I've been flying, except waaay down there
on a slope soaring hill.

The FAA has this to say with regards to model aviation:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/540-C.pdf

This document is 28 years old. Does the FAA know what's going on now?

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* Sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org

On Apr 20, 10:21*pm, Eric Greenwell wrote:


This document is 28 years old. Does the FAA know what's going on now?

Bwahahahaha ROTFL! .... sorry, I couldn't help myself. You mean model
'gliders' aren't made of balsa sticks, tissue, and dope any more??
--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA

On Apr 21, 12:21*am, Eric Greenwell wrote:
Adam wrote:
The AMA limit is 55 pounds. However the AMA does not regulate, only
insure, lobby, and liaise. So if you want to be covered by the AMA
policy that membership affords, you best follow the AMA safety code
found he

http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/105.pdf

Wow, they've really raised the weight limit since I was flying models!

Also, the thermal fliers regularly exceed the 400 feet, don't they? Not
likely an issue for the dynamic soarers, I suppose. Personally, I've
never even seen a model while I've been flying, except waaay down there
on a slope soaring hill.



The FAA has this to say with regards to model aviation:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/540-C.pdf

This document is 28 years old. Does the FAA know what's going on now?

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* "Transponders in Sailplanes"http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* * * Sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" atwww.motorglider.org

Eric,

The document is current. Read the following regarding current
developments in UAVs and current model practice (same as 1981):

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/E7-2402.htm

I repeat, AMA is not "law", just a lobbying group and insurer. I have
no idea from where the 55 pound limit comes.

DS, slope and thermal planes can all easily exceed 400' but FAA
recommends against such activities.

What is your concern with today's modeling practices?

/Adam

Adam wrote:

Eric,

The document is current. Read the following regarding current
developments in UAVs and current model practice (same as 1981):

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/E7-2402.htm

I repeat, AMA is not "law", just a lobbying group and insurer. I have
no idea from where the 55 pound limit comes.

DS, slope and thermal planes can all easily exceed 400' but FAA
recommends against such activities.

What is your concern with today's modeling practices?

Just curiosity. I'm fascinated by how things have changed since I was a
big time modeler in the 50s and 60s, when I flew controline, free-flight
and RC gas and gliders (towed and hand launched), and then microfilm
indoor models while in college. Two buddies from college still do it,
one RC slope mainly, the other a wide variety (he even worked for Fox,
Estes, and Cox at various times), so I still hear bits and pieces about
the scene.

The development of autonomous gliders that's going on could almost get
me modeling again. I was particularly interested in the Canadian one
launched with a high altitude balloon, and figured out when to release
and how to get back home by itself.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* Sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org

Eric Greenwell wrote:

Also, the thermal fliers regularly exceed the 400 feet, don't they?

Absolutely! When I flew thermal R/C sailplanes the winch launch height
was typically 400'+. After that the height was limited only by the
thermals and your ability to see the model. I'm sure 1000'+ AGL is
common, especially with a large span model. My open class model had a
146" span and was not hard to see "way up there". I recall several
cases where low flying GA aircraft flew *under* our models.

Regards,

-Doug

Some points to remember, currently 91-57 "Advises" only, and
Recreational model aircraft are flown "Line of Sight" or VFR if you
will.

Next, please remember that the vast majority of model aircraft pilots
are just as interested in safety as we are, and fly in areas that are
not normally flown by full sized planes. Most experienced modelers are
very aware of the power and risks of high spped model flight. Many
"Radar Operators" aren't aware of much more than the radar gun and
getting a high speed recorded, but after seeing one loss of control
incident, become believers in a car or large pile of rocks.

Yes they're a long way from stick & tissue and it's just as exciting
to them as when Bell & Jeager broke the sound barrier, or Lindberg
flew the Atlantic ( a model has done it! and more than 3 years ago).

As usual, laws and rule making are way behind the technology to do
things not even thought of 5, 10 or 20 years ago.


Have fun and stay out each others way!

Wayne