Another RC heli fatality

[old gimmer]

How often have you heard pilots encouraged to take risks when having won a competition by the shouts of lower lower when flying the winners demo flight and all done just a few feet in front of themselves I fear it's only a matter of time before this foolhardy approach to safety results in a serious accident and organisers of competitions and flyins need to stop this before we are posting how tragic an accident it is again

[J-S-Q]

How often have you heard pilots encouraged to take risks when having won a competition by the shouts of lower lower when flying the winners demo flight and all done just a few feet in front of themselves I fear it's only a matter of time before this foolhardy approach to safety results in a serious accident and organisers of competitions and flyins need to stop this before we are posting how tragic an accident it is again

I'm not sure about it being only a matter of time -this is the 3rd death that I've read about in the last six months that involves a 700 size heli.

[rachel]

this is a real tough one , most of us have got to close at one point or another, ALL of us have mucked up a control input , some of us have had a mechanical,.......

you just can't eliminate these accidents , the thrill of a model heli, is that it can change direction and or speed in a heartbeat !
I have seen a model IN throttle hold completely clear the pilot after a crash and go a good 30mts away !
I have seen broken blades go over 100mts !

You just can't eliminate freak accidents like this one seems to have been.

However You CAN fly safe! I attend a huge amount of flyins , comps etc and the vast majority fly safe , keep their distances , fly safely and have fun , I WILL and have told the odd person about the risk they take , but at the end of the day it is Their Life! but please these guys ,......... remember your death affects us all ,..... emotionally or by sanctions imposed ....

The sadness that is filling my heart today over Romans death will keep me flying safe for many years .

RIP Ronan ......

[highlightshadow]

I think its also not necessarily that they're so close, although that is seriously unnerving to watch some of this fast hurricanes a mere couple metres in front of themselves .... but also there seems to be a push towards doing moves with the tail rotor virtually skimming the deck ... almost feels like its inviting trouble lately

[old gimmer]

I'm not sure about it being only a matter of time -this is the 3rd death that I've read about in the last six months that involves a 700 size heli.

But so far it has not happened in the UK

[J-S-Q]

I think its also not necessarily that they're so close, although that is seriously unnerving to watch some of this fast hurricanes a mere couple metres in front of themselves .... but also there seems to be a push towards doing moves with the tail rotor virtually skimming the deck ... almost feels like its inviting trouble lately

Certainly true but I'd say the danger factor goes up hugely if flying hard 3D very close up. Regardless, it's tragic and quite shocking to hear about this.

[highlightshadow]

Certainly true but I'd say the danger factor goes up hugely if flying hard 3D very close up. Regardless, it's tragic and quite shocking to hear about this.

100% agree ... not only are the pilots pushing the models harder and faster (stress/strain on components) but lower to ground only takes a clip to lose rudder control

Have no doubt that these are tragic and freak accidents we've encountered of late, despite seemingly having at least the last 2 being involved with competition grade pilots, i hope its not the start of a trend for everyones sake. Also hope its taken in context by those OUTSIDE of the hobby ...

This latest one was in general doing everything right ... vice-pres of his club, flying in designated site, accompanied, highly experienced, (hopefully) well maintained model etc etc so you'd hope he was being reasonably safe .. i guess we may find out if this was mechanical failure or 'dumb thumb' at some stage ... maybe his club puts out a statement or something since it was witnessed (horrible for those present - feel for them all)

[Dan22]

Rob, I was in the pub with, let's say " a top competition pilot " before the evening flying at Zone village. I watched him knock back 3 double-vodka redbulls plus several beers before he ventured out to join that flying session that we all watched.

That's why I stood right at the back the whole time ....

If an accident had happened, could you have lived with yourself having witnessed that pilot knocking back alcoholic drinks?

Dan.

[tomatwalden]

If an accident had happened, could you have lived with yourself having witnessed that pilot knocking back alcoholic drinks?

Dan.

Curious question. I'm not an organiser of Zone, I was merely a spectator. There were plenty of people in that pub that witnessed the same thing. Many of those people were there later during the flying. In direct answer to your question, I suppose it depends. If something had happened to that particular pilot, I would have been saddened, but yes, I could have lived with myself - I'm not his father or keeper. If somebody innocent had been hurt, then I suppose in retrospect I could have mentioned my concern to one of the organisers. I think at the time I was not aware of just how reckless the evening was going to get .... I've not been to many comps or flyins, so I am not sure how unusual (or not) that situation was.

If I was presented with a similar situation again - I would probably mention it to the organisers.

[tomatwalden]

But so far it has not happened in the UK

What difference does that make ?

[Dan22]

Curious question. I'm not an organiser of Zone, I was merely a spectator. There were plenty of people in that pub that witnessed the same thing. Many of those people were there later during the flying. In direct answer to your question, I suppose it depends. If something had happened to that particular pilot, I would have been saddened, but yes, I could have lived with myself - I'm not his father or keeper. If somebody innocent had been hurt, then I suppose in retrospect I could have mentioned my concern to one of the organisers. I think at the time I was not aware of just how reckless the evening was going to get .... I've not been to many comps or flyins, so I am not sure how unusual (or not) that situation was.

If I was presented with a similar situation again - I would probably mention it to the organisers.

And on reflection, you probably wasn't to know he was about to take to the sticks either.

Dan.

[aviatech22]

Sad news for the hobby

[KnifeEdge]

Terrible news. Take care people.

[FuturaSE]

Horrible news.. :/
I already decided to put my 700's away 6 weeks ago

500 size is my new maximum to fly

[Peper]

Horrible news.. :/
I already decided to put my 700's away 6 weeks ago

500 size is my new maximum to fly

Can I have your 700's than?
unfortunetly a 500 can and will be as dangerous as a 700 if flown close.

best practice is keep it at a safe distance and know your limits, even than accidents can happen.
it is a tragic loss to the heli comunity and I am sad for that, but this accident should be an eye opener not a reason to give up on things...