Costly mistake

[mrmagoo]

Wanted to share this event with y'all. I had a Venture CP which I built and had in the backyard checking it out for a first flight. Started the engine and got the rotor speed up and noticed the swash was backwards on elevator. Instead of shutting if off, I entered setup mode on my radio and in my haste I reversed the wrong channel. The engine immediately sped up and in my panic I pressed my hand on the head button hoping to stop it or keep it from flying away. I had a neck strap on my radio and when I leaned over the antenna got caught in the rotor blades. When the heli jumped it caught my hand in the blades and at first I thought I had lost a hand. When I saw it was still there there was blood everywhere and my fingers hurt like a m_____ f_____. Trip to the emergency room nothing broken but fingers all cut up and sprained thumb. These were wood blades. If they had been carbon I might not have been so lucky. I sold the heli after that and am just now getting back into helis. Moral of story. Think it goes without saying. Be CAREFUL and don't get in a hurry.

magoo

[JohnnyG]

It goes to show that getting into certain habits can be a good thing. Silly little things like checking the throttle is at idle before doing anything else. TX on before RX and the likes...To start with you have to force your self to stop and think. After a while you do it without thinking but there are pit falls with that as well!!

Glad to hear you were OK...I've been smacked by the little blades on my model and I can understand your position.

[hawkman]

Mistakes are made....its that simple....I can see your point about selling the machine after getting put off.

RC helis are dangerous little things....even the smaller electric ones can cut/injure. Nitro powered helis harbour an awsome amount of energy which can seriously ruin your day if it all goes wrong.

A typical 30 size nitro has around 100 kgs just at the blade grip bolts....the blade tips are going at some incredible speed....probably near the speed of sound.

Carbon blades....wooden blades.....both are going to cause damage...if you get in the way.

Try making up a simple check list and keep it handy.....nothing wussy about it....full size heli crews use check lists......before starting the engine you can always check your control inputs.....this should be done regardless of how old the heli and setup is.

Good luck and stay safe

Rob

[post_break]

Well Im a noob and I learned quick.

I hit the 3d switch on my radio and figured out really fast what it was for... Anyways here is what I learned...

Before you turn anything pretend the heli and radio is already on. Go through the motions you would like take off. This will let you realize if you are at full throttle or 0 before its too late.

[Evilone]

Sorry to hear about your mishap.I always check the switches on my tx are correct then turn the tx on and check the model is correct and the throtle stick is down then turn on rx and check battery charge then start her up and while spooling up i check servo control inputs are right and away we go.It really doesnt take that long to do compered to a trip to hospitial for you and your wallet.its so easy to take things for granted.i replaced a servo and it wasnt until spooling up i realised the aileron input was reversed it was then i learnt JR and Hitec servos move iin oppisite directions to eachother.I hope your back up and flying again..Have you got another Heli yet????