Helicopter Safety

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As much fun as flying radio controlled helicopters can be, they can also be very dangerous. Blades spinning at over 2000 RPM can do some major damage, no matter how small or lightweight they may be. Whether you're a novice or a veteran pilot, safety should always be on your mind. Even the most experienced pilots can "forget" or have a mechanical failure that can cause severe property and physical damage, and in the worst case, death to the pilot or a bystander. In this article we've compiled our top ten rules of helicopter safety. The rules are in no particular order because they all should be followed at all times, with no exceptions!

1.Perform Your Pre-Flight Check Every Time
This is the first rule because it's very important. Performing a thorough pre-flight inspection procedure before each and every flight will help keep you and your heli safe. An entire article can be written on the topic (in fact it was in RC Heli #1) but here are some basics. Inspect your radio's operation, make sure all the servos are functioning properly, look for loose screws or broken pieces on your heli, do a radio check, make sure your frequency is clear, make sure all of your linkages are in place, and check your battery voltage. Going through a thorough procedure before every flight will help keep you and everybody else around you safe. It's a good idea to make yourself a pre-flight check list, make multiple copies, and check off each item as you go before each flight.


	2.Hold On Tight at Start Up (pic of someone starting following this procedure) When starting your glow or gasser be sure to hold onto the head or the blades at the grips firmly. Also, make sure that your radio is in normal mode and that the throttle/collective stick is in a down position. Make sure the transmitter is within reach and you have access to the fuel line in case you have to kill the engine. If you need to goose the throttle a little bit, do it while holding on tightly to the blades. I have a pair of thick leather gloves that I'll put on my left hand while starting my heli up. Once it's up and running and I'm a safe distance away I'll shake off the glove.


		3.Never Hold Your Heli WithThe Blades Spinning They may not look dangerous, but this goes for small micros too. Never hold onto the boom, skids, or anything else on your electric or glow heli when the blades are spinning. This can be very dangerous should you have a mechanical failure.

4.In the Beginning, Never Fly Alone
If you're a beginning pilot, never fly alone. It's great to have an experienced pilot by your side as you're learning to fly. Whether on a buddy box or not, they can give you direction while in flight, and can grab the radio in an emergency. Also, should something terrible happen they can call or go for help if somebody happens to get injured.

5.Avoid Using a Test Stand
Some guys will tether their helis to a test stand or work bench to make engine adjustments or pitch changes. This is not a good idea! Using a stand means you're up close to the heli with the blades or load simulators spinning. If something should come loose or the stand should become unstable you could have some serious injury and damage on your hands. Instead, perform adjustments at the field. Be patient, take your time, and do it right.

6.Keep Your Distance
There's no need to be inches from your helicopter, especially while in flight. Always keep at minimum a 15 to 20 foot distance between your helicopter and you or bystanders. If you're performing a difficult or 3D maneuver, double that distance. No matter what the size, helicopters move very quickly. The more distance between you and it, the more time you'll have to react should you need to quickly duck and cover

7.Know Your Surroundings
Before you take flight, survey the area. Make sure that there are no trees or obstructions that could get in your way. If there are, fly somewhere else, or if you're comfortable flying near these obstacles, remember where they're located. If it's too windy, just don't fly. Also note where the sun is and don't fly into the sun, as you could become blinded even for a split second and lose sight of your helicopter. With that in mind, it's a good idea to wear sunglasses or yellow tinted "shooting" glasses to reduce glare.

8.Hold That Stick
If you need to transport your helicopter, glow or electric, with the engine running, or the power system armed be sure that you're holding the stick down or utilize throttle hold. Holding the radio simply by the handle, or on your neck strap can allow you to accidentally hit the throttle stick.

9.Be Prepared
Should you have an accident, be sure to have a first aid kit and cell phone on hand.

10.Always Use Common Sense!
Of course many of these rules will help you avoid this circumstance, but should you have a crash or lose control of your helicopter either in your pit or at the field, don't overreact. Be calm, assess the situation and use common sense. Common sense coupled with these rules will help keep every flying experience safe. Don't be afraid to speak up if you see someone at your field not paying attention or not aware of one of these safety rules; politely bring it to their attention. Flying RC helicopters is a hobby that's even more fun in numbers, so keep your buddies safe as well.






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