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If you have any questions regarding the safe operation of your RC model aircraft, please turn to your
local model shop in the first instance as the staff will be pleased to help you.
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Propellers and other rotating parts which are powered by a motor represent a permanent hazard,
and present a real risk of injury. Don’t touch them with any part of your body. For example, a
propeller spinning at high speed can easily slice off a finger.
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Keep well clear of the rotational plane of the propeller. You never know when some part may
come loose and fly off at high speed, hitting you or anybody else in the vicinity. Never touch the
revolving propeller with any object.
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Take care with loose clothing such as scarves, loose shirts etc. Flapping cloth can easily be
sucked into the area of the propeller and then get tangled in the blades. This is extremely
dangerous.
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If there are passers-by or spectators at your flying site, make sure that they are aware of the
dangers inherent in your activity, and insist that they keep a safe distance away (at least 5 m).
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Radio-controlled models should only be flown in “normal” weather conditions, i.e. a temperature
range of -5° to +35° C. More extreme temperatures can lea d to changes in battery capacity,
material characteristics and other unwanted effects.
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Model fuels are toxic; do not allow them to come into contact with your eyes or mouth. Fuel
should always be stored in clearly marked containers, out of the reach of children.
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Never run an internal combustion engine in an enclosed space such as a cellar, garage etc.
Model motors produce lethal carbon monoxide gas just like full-size engines.
Motors should only be run in the open air!
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Adhesives and paints contain solvents which may be hazardous to health under certain
circumstances. Read and observe the notes and warnings supplied by the manufacturer of these
materials.
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Model fuels are volatile and highly inflammable. Keep them well away from open flames,
excessive heat, all possible sources of sparks and anything else which could result in a fire. Do
not smoke in the immediate vicinity of fuel or fuel vapours.
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Model engines produce a lot of heat. The motor and silencer in particular become very hot when
running, and stay so for quite a while. Touching the hot parts can give you serious burns, so take
care especially when carrying out adjustments - wear protective gloves. Hot engines can even
start a fire under certain circumstances.
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When the motor is running it expels hot toxic gases from the exhaust together with very hot fluid
combustion residues which can burn you.
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Remove all unused fuel from the fueltank and motor after every session.
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Every time you intend to operate your model check carefully that it and everything attached to it
(e.g. propeller, linkages, control surfaces etc.) is in good condition and undamaged. If you find a
fault, do not fly the model until you have corrected it.
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Model motors are usually started with the help of an electric starter which should be fitted with
the appropriate adaptor where necessary. With fixed-wing models an alternative is to use a
“chicken stick” - a length of thick wooden dowel with a piece of water hose pushed over it.
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Many model motors are very noisy, producing a sound level much higher than 85 dB (A), which
implies that you should wear ear defenders. Never run a motor without the silencer fitted. Even
with a silencer, model engines can easily disturb your neighbours. Don’t run motors when other
people expect peace and quiet.
