Hi Guys, (oops I forget I'm Aussie) so G'Day Cobbers as well. I have just come from our latest club meeting and a point of discussion was turn-around safety. Lately we have had a few incidents where the turn-around has been propelled back towards the winches. As the club membership grows and model technology advances and launches get harder we are trying to think of the best way to secure turn-around stakes. Fixed points set in concrete are of consideration for a home field, but what about when flying at a nearby park or other club's field that isn't so equipped? Safety cables securing the stake in case it departs company with the ground will probably be the answer but I'm interested in what other clubs are doing around the world. So here are the questions, has any one measured or worked out the forces involved during a hard launch at the turn-around and come up with solutions regarding: a. Different types.....star picket, rod, bar, plate and peg etc? b. Different material.......stainless, bright steel etc? c. Different diameters? d. Best angle to drive in the stake? (What about when flying past the turn-around to ping off back towards yourself?) e. Stake length? f. Safety cable type, position and setup? g. Best way to secure for varying soil types, moisture levels? h. Turn-around pulley above ground height? (Above ground would appear better if using a safety cable) i. Ease of portability? j. Ease of removal? All suggestions are welcome and I will post the results on our club website. P.S. I'm actually going to update it next week as I finally have arranged some time to do it. Thanks -- Brian Ford Visit The MRSSA Web site: Stafford http://www.bit.net.au/~mrssa Brisbane Moreton Region Sports Soaring Association Inc Queensland ...Queensland's Premier R/C Soaring Club... Australia AUS 55723 RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
