wonwinglo

One thing that has developed over the past few years and in particular since the advent of model turbines,has been the interest shown commercially in models like this,most people now know that this project was built to advertise the products of Wren the engine manufacturers,nothing wrong with that,however what must be understood is that just like any commercial sponsorship there are pressures.
The model was contracted to fly at public shows,as we all know sometimes the pressure to fly in conditions that are perhaps unsuitable are governed by circumstance,the operators give us assurance that the model was perfectly capable of handling a strong crosswind and had been checked out in same,the sheer logistics and pressures of an operation such as this need to be looked at in the light of their opeation,the British nationals would mean a lot of potential in terms of getting her airborne which they did.
Judging from the video coverage it was apparent that the operation was covered as safely as could be in terms of actual airspace away from the crowds,it would have been a CAA requirement anyway that the model was flown in front away from the crowdline just like any full size airshow,personally I would feel much safer seeing something such as this in flight as some much smaller models at public shows but we have another element to consider that has come about because of the sheer nature and of the power units of these models-Fire.
It has been proved now that such motors can and do explode on impact,a phenomenon virtually unheard of before,there have been cases in the States whereby jet models have crashed into fields of dry crops and set the whole field alight,this could prove a few problems with the insurance side for the future.
So on reflection there is room for improvement,to re-iterate-
1/ Better inspection more akin to a full size homebuilt aircraft with due consideration to known stress factors,logs and tables.
2/ The training of inspectors/engineers to undertake such work on behalf of the authorities,perhaps an extension of what the LMA are already doing but with more consideration given to machines which will be known to be operating commercially at shows etc and are exposed to the public.
3/ The better training of pilots for operating such models,with a real need and understanding of the operating limitations of such very large models.
4/ The need to perhaps have a design organisation undertake sresss and design criteria for such projects and to make such knowledge more freely available for potential builders.
Without seeing such large models grounded there are certainly considerations of safety to be considered that were not before apparent,let us just hope that this is just a warning as to what can and will go wrong.
After all full size machines fly over our heads every day safely,it is always the one that goes in that will cause the concern such as this one,yes they do look impressive and command praise for the sheer dedication and skill of their builders,but the writing is on the wall for the future to tighten up the act of building and operating such models will require just a bit more thought with regards for public safety.
What is now needed is for a meeting of the LMA with the CAA as to the way such projects will need handling in the near future.
The BMFA will conduct their own enquiries as to the future of handling such models at future events as the nationals.

__________________
'And there I was oil on my goggles from a broken pipe,then I looked at the altimeter,all I could see was the makers name !'
www.wonwinglo.scale-models.net/