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Post by J-G on Apr 8, 2016 11:45:51 GMT -4
Wondering...
So I understand the value (safety wise) of installing an optical kill switch to a plane so you can switch off your ignition module and kill your gas motor. From what I've been reading it's an additional safety if your engine servos dies and you don't have a choke servo. Who here has one? Has anyone thought of installing one?
Cheers
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cf105
Gold Member
My airplane is balanced, so I don't have to be...
Posts: 130
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Post by cf105 on Apr 8, 2016 12:17:31 GMT -4
Dave was inquiring about them on RCC a couple weeks ago. I think he's planning to add them to his planes. They seem like a good idea to me! But I'm a complete newbie to gas (1 engine, no plane yet).
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Post by yorcram on Apr 8, 2016 15:24:58 GMT -4
Pretty sure kill switch is mandatory for gas engines for maac. I have them on all my gas planes.
marc
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glen
Instructor
Posts: 647
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Post by glen on Apr 8, 2016 15:54:54 GMT -4
Correct Marc, it's mandatory. Look at any of my gassers if you want to look at one.
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Post by krmckay "Bombs away" on Apr 8, 2016 16:35:59 GMT -4
I too have 1 gas Engine but no plane but I do have an optical kill switch already. Absolutely mandatory to be covered by MAAC.
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Post by J-G on Apr 8, 2016 17:04:55 GMT -4
Right, I know a kill switch is mandatory. The throttle servo setup as a kill switch meets that requirement, does it not? See ref below para 2. I was asking specifically if anyone has an optical one? Found the reference: www.maac.ca/en/documents.php policy and Procedures Documents 3, para 2.
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daver
Members
Posts: 2,268
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Post by daver on Apr 8, 2016 19:38:28 GMT -4
Guys, it's not mandatory, and that's from one of the MAAC Execs, and a pile of pro Gas flyers that belong to MAAC, and fly at competitions. What J-G refers to is: 2) All R/C models equipped with a radio system with a fail safe function should be programmed to move the throttle to idle or shut down in the event of loss of signal..
I.E. if your radio has a fail safe function, use it. Go to the RCC forum on gas engines, you'll find my thread, and the plethora of people stating it's not a MAAC requirement to have an optical kill switch. If I get the energy, I'll post the link.
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Post by J-G on Apr 8, 2016 19:41:53 GMT -4
Thanks dude. I was just looking for input on what people thought of them that use them.
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daver
Members
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Post by daver on Apr 8, 2016 19:45:05 GMT -4
www.rccanada.ca/rccforum/showthread.php?t=413178Here's the link. All the big guns are saying it's not a MAAC regulation to have an Optical Kill Switch. Does seem to be an IMAC Rule, so if you're planning on flying in an IMAC competition, might want to check that out. Here's a specific explanation of why so many think it's a MAAC Rule. The Kill Switch Regulation comes from the IMAA (International Miniature Aircraft Association) that was started as a SIG (Special Interest Group) of the AMA. The IMAA essentially started and governed "Giant Scale" in the early 1980s. The regulation stated that every IMAA legal plane with a gas engine required a secondary switch to kill the gas engine. This could be a manual switch on the side of your plane or a TX remote kill switch. If you wanted to fly at an IMAA event (which at one time was pretty much all "Giant Scale" events) you had to the kill switch. They also had regs for airplane size - you had to have an minimum wing span of 80" (60" for biplanes). The IMAA was active in Canada. The IMAA folded in 2014 - Giant Scale has become very popular. So I guess the IMAA was a success as it really helped grow Giant Scale. (This is from the owner of Thunderbolt R/C) The Kill Switch reg is also found in the AMA regs for Giant Scale racing, and Combat.
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daver
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Post by daver on Apr 8, 2016 19:45:57 GMT -4
If you're looking for input on what to buy, and how they work, go to the above RCC link! Lots of input from the pros.
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Post by J-G on Apr 8, 2016 20:28:44 GMT -4
Thanks!
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daver
Members
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Post by daver on Apr 8, 2016 20:37:03 GMT -4
I was curious too, they may not be mandatory, but I certainly think they're a good idea, just didn't know a whole lot about them, quality, prices, etc.
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daver
Members
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Post by daver on Apr 8, 2016 20:38:47 GMT -4
Should have added, think they're a total waste of time though, on a 10cc gasser. We don't use extra kill systems for nitro engines, even up to the bigger 30 plus cc ones. On a larger gasser though, could be a very good investment.
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