I hope I can keep writing these things, it makes me think and organize and plan and that cramps my style! It cramps my style of life but not necessarily my approach to flying RC. I like to have a plan for an airplane for an event. That keeps me focused on the mission of completing and test flying the airplane in time to fly it at the scheduled event. If that is your style, you know that the closer the event comes the faster you work, the later at night you work and maybe the more careless you become. I try to keep a note pad by the bench so that as I think of things I really need to do before I complete the airplane, I can write them down. For example, if I have test fitted the engine and mount so that I can cut out the cowl but I haven't tightened the engine mount bolts or the bolts attaching the engine to the mount, I write it on my list so that I will remember to check that before I take it flying. Maybe I hook up controls but don't have lock tite on the machine screws holding the metal servo arms to servos that have metal output gears; I write it on the list so that I won't lose a control surface on a later flight. Keep a note pad near your work site so that while you are daydreaming at work (you all do that) you can write yourself reminders to take home and put on your list.

As I mentioned last month, I have a checklist to go through before every take off. If you get in a habit like that, you can head off problems on the takeoff/flight. Since I was a soldier for 26 years, I am accustomed to acronyms so my checklist is CAWTT. I tell my students "Don't get CAWTT taking off without using your checklist. Go through the checklist BEFORE you take the main runway!"

CAWTT:

• Controls - Check control direction and all switch positions. With computer radios, you can have the wrong airplane or you may have changed something you didn't want to while changing a mix or throw between flights. Check for high/low rates, mix switches, or trim positions.

• Antenna - I don't like to work on, start or tune the engine with the antenna out so I keep it collapsed until I am ready to take the runway and I am safely behind the airplane and propeller. Make sure the antenna is completely pulled out and screwed in tightly.

• Wind - Check the wind direction so you know which direction to take off. If there is no wind, take up the same pattern other pilots in the air are using. Note the wind check is after the Antenna up check so that you can use the antenna flag as your wind sock.

• Time - Start your timer or check your watch so that you will know when to land.

• Traffic - Clear yourself to taxi with other pilots. We don't have air traffic controllers so you have to do it yourself. Ask loud enough for all other pilots to hear, if you can come out. Do not take the runway until all pilots at flight stations (or their spotters) clear you. So many times I see people yell "coming out" then they add power and run out on the runway. Not only might that startle another pilot distracting their attention away from their own airplane but, maybe your airplane will die or flip over on the runway creating a hazard for someone who might be at the end of their fuel. Besides, it is more courteous to ask. After you are cleared by the others, quickly take the runway and get in the air. They didn't clear you to sit in the middle of the runway and do more checks. That is why I say to go through the check list before you take the runway.

If you get in the habit of doing a checklist like this before every single take off not just the 1st one of the day you will be safer. When I teach a new student, I draw their attention to a good pilot as he is preparing to take off. Hopefully, they will methodically go through a checklist and reinforce your teaching. But if they don't, point out the things you think were left out and the reasons they should be done.

I tell everyone there are 1,000 things that can kill a model airplane and I have 750 of them covered. Every time you have an accident or see and accident do a post mortem to see if you can isolate the problem so it won't attack another airplane in the future. More on this in a later safety note.

Fly Safe and Have Fun....Safe Aeromodeling is No accidEnt (SANE)

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