Top Flite TOPA0410 - Manual (Page 55)

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ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Note: Failure to follow these safety precautions may
result in severe injury to yourself and others.
Keep all engine fuel in a safe place, away from high heat,
sparks or flames, as fuel is very flammable. Do not smoke
near the engine or fuel; and remember that the engine
exhaust gives off a great deal of deadly carbon monoxide.
Do not run the engine in a closed room or garage.
Get help from an experienced pilot when learning to
operate engines.
Be sure to use safety glasses when starting or running
engines.
Do not run the engine in an area of loose gravel or sand;
the propeller may throw such material in your face or eyes.
Keep your face and body as well as all spectators away
from the plane of rotation of the propeller as you start and
run the engine.
Keep these items away from the prop: loose clothing, shirt
sleeves, ties, scarfs, long hair or loose objects such as
pencils or screwdrivers that may fall out of shirt or jacket
pockets into the prop.
Use a “chicken stick” or electric starter to start the engine.
Do not use your fingers to flip the propeller. Make certain
the glow plug clip or connector is secure so that it will not
pop off or otherwise get into the running propeller.
Make all engine adjustments from behind the propeller.
The engine gets hot! Do not touch it during or right after
operation. Make sure fuel lines are in good condition so
fuel will not leak onto a hot engine, causing a fire.
To stop a glow engine, cut off the fuel supply by closing off
the fuel line or following the engine manufacturer’s
recommendations. Do not use hands, fingers or any other
body part to try to stop the engine. To stop a gasoline
powered engine an on/off switch should be connected to
the engine coil. Do not throw anything into the propeller of
a running engine.
AMA SAFETY CODE (excerpts)
Read and abide by the following Academy of Model
Aeronautics Official Safety Code:
GENERAL
1. I will not fly my model aircraft in sanctioned events, air
shows, or model flying demonstrations until it has been
proven to be airwor thy by having been previously
successfully flight tested.
2. I will not fly my model aircraft higher than approximately
400 feet within 3 miles of an airport without notifying the
airport operator. I will give right of way to and avoid flying
in the proximity of full-scale aircraft. Where necessary an
observer shall be used to supervise flying to avoid having
models fly in the proximity of full-scale aircraft.
3. Where established, I will abide by the safely rules for
the flying site I use and I will not willfully and deliberately
fly my models in a careless, reckless and/or dangerous
manner.
7. I will not fly my model unless it is identified with my
name and address or AMA number, on or in the model.
9. I will not operate models with pyrotechnics (any device
that explodes, burns, or propels a projectile or any kind).
RADIO CONTROL
1. I will have completed a successful radio equipment
ground check before the first flight of a new or repaired
model
2. I will not fly my model aircraft in the presence of
spectators until I become a qualified flier, unless assisted
by an experienced helper.
3. I will perform my initial turn after takeoff away from the
pit or spectator areas and I will not thereafter fly over pit or
spectator areas, unless beyond my control.
4. I will operate my model using only radio control
f r e q u e n c i e s c u r r e n t l y a l l ow e d by t h e Fe d e r a l
Communications Commission.
IMAA SAFETY CODE (excerpts)
Definition: For the purpose of the following IMAA Safety
Code, the term Giant Scale shall refer to radio controlled
model aircraft, either scale or non-scale, which have a
wingspan of 80 inches or more for monoplanes and 60
inches or more for multi-winged model aircraft and have a
ramp weight (fueled and ready to fly) of 55 lbs or less.
Section 1.0: SAFETY STANDARD
1.1 Adherence to Code: This safety code is to be strictly
followed.
1.2 The most current AMA Safety Code in effect is to be
observed. However, the competition sections of the code
may be disregarded.
Section 3.0: Safety Check
3.4 Flight Testing: All Giant Scale R/C aircraft are to have
been flight tested and flight trimmed with a minimum of six
flights before the model is allowed to fly at an IMAA
Sanctioned event.
3.5 Proof of Flight: The completing and signing of the
Declaration section of the Safety Inspection form by the
pilot (or owner) shall document as fact that each aircraft
has been successfully flight-tested and proven airworthy
prior to an IMAA event.
Section 5.0: EMERGENCY ENGINE SHUT OFF (kill
switch)
5.1 All magneto spark ignition engines must have a coil
grounding switch on the aircraft to stop the engine. This
will also prevent accidental starting of the engine. This
switch shall be readily available to both pilot and helper.
This switch is to be operated manually and without the
use of the radio system.
5.2 Engines with battery power ignition systems must have a
switch to turn off the power from the battery pack to disable
the engine from firing. This will also prevent accidental
starting of the engine. This switch shall be readily available
to both pilot and helper. This switch shall be operated
manually and without the use of the Radio System.