On Apr 20, 5:08*pm, Uncle Fuzzy wrote:
On Apr 20, 12:47*pm, Eric Greenwell wrote:



Adam wrote:

Consider the D-160" model, which will likely break 400 mph next Santa
Ana season. It weighs 50 pounds and the spar is designed to withstand
over 4000 lbf. So it can over 100g when you consider the wing make
over half the weight of the plane.

50 pounds moving at 400 mph could cause multiple fatalities if it plowed
into some bystanders. How do they make these models safe to fly? Do they
have insurance? How big/heavy can a "model" be before it becomes a UAV,
and perhaps regulated by the FAA?

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

* "Transponders in Sailplanes"http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* * * Sections on Mode S, TPAS, ADS-B, Flarm, more

* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" atwww.motorglider.org

Good point, but even a 1 pound plane could kill you at that speed.
Back in the stone age, when I was slope racing RC gliders, I think the
AMA imposed weight limit was 10 pounds.

The AMA limit is 55 pounds. However the AMA does not regulate, only
insure, lobby, and liaise. So if you want to be covered by the AMA
policy that membership affords, you best follow the AMA safety code
found he

http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/105.pdf

The FAA has this to say with regards to model aviation:
http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/540-C.pdf

Safety is a concern of course. Often the radar operator will stand
behind a very large pile of rocks or car. But many stand exposed to
the trajectory and by default accept the risks associated with that.

It is difficult to believe but more people have been killed
participating in a thermal duration model sailplane contest that by a
model sailplane engaged in dynamic soaring.

/Adam