Greetings fellow modelers! This month the Snoopster has been busy testing new gear, looking forward to and preparing for the new contest season. The weather hasn't been exactly cooperative, but I'm doing the best I can. (Hey, those new planes have to survive a windy day, best to know if they will now!) Ahh, that brings up my safety topic for this month! Propeller safety!
There is much more to this than just keeping clear of them. For instance, when you purchase a new propeller that is non-wood, there is a very good chance that the edges are very sharp. A little sanding is in order to knock off the "flashing", and will make your prop not only safer, but more efficient! This is also a good time to check for proper balance. When you balance the prop, lightly sand the front side (rounded) of the heavy blade. Do not sand the back of the blade, as this can change the pitch, and make the prop less efficient. Use extreme caution when sanding or trimming a prop, so that you do not affect the strength. Do not over-tighten the prop nut, especially on a wood prop. Over-tightening the prop nut can crush a wood prop's hub, and cause cracks or otherwise weaken the hub. There is also the possibility of causing engine damage by stripping the crankshaft stud, nut, or even crushing the drive washer. Be sure that when you mount your propeller that the drive washer is fitting and seated properly. Most modern engines do not have this problem as they have a split cone type driver under the drive washer, instead of drive teeth like a Fox engine has. Other tips; make sure that any spinners used are installed properly, and they don't touch the propeller blades in any way. A special note on composite propellers: most are shipped in the "white", meaning that they are shipped un-finished. They must be sanded to shape and balanced before use. Use care when sanding fiberglass props, don't breathe the dust, and wipe it down with a clean rag often to keep catching the fine particulate material.
Ok, so here you go, new plane new engine, new sanded and balanced prop, all that's left to do is, fill 'er up and go flying, right? So, you grab your starter, starting glove, or "chicken stick" and your new engine starts on the second flip (ha-ha! yah right! Anyway) and you need to remove the battery, and adjust the needle valve. Sounds simple, right? I see people do this time and time again. Please, please, PLEASE don't reach around that spinning propeller! It is one of the most dangerous things to do! We have all done it, I know, but, most of us have also had some contact where we shouldn't! And that's no fun at all! Go around behind the model to make your adjustments, as we should never be in such a hurry that one suffers an injury! Going around behind keeps your body behind the engine, and in a safe zone in the event of a failure, like a crankshaft, or propeller comes apart. I have seen both happen, and crankshafts DO fail from time to time, especially in a high performance application. It also ensures that a coat or shirt doesn't end up caught in your prop. One last point, never stop a running engine by throwing a rag or other object into the prop. It's hard on everything, and could cause one of the failures above, or other engine / prop damage. Ok, enough about that. I just don't want anyone's weekend of flying to be ruined by a trip to the hospital
OK now, with that been said, The question was asked, The Snoopster will answer! (Just remember, you asked for it!!!)
Around 20 years ago, in the small southwest town of Reno, Nevada, a group of northwest modelers sat in a lounge and decided, (after a moderate amount of liquor was consumed) that the Seattle area modelers needed nicknames. Then after a few more rounds, Muppet names came up. Well, it's been a long time, but after some research and bugging a few people, I have compiled this list, as complete as I know.
I'm sure there are others that have been forgotten. If you happen to think of more, be sure to let the FL staff know, as this is a fun bit of modeling history! May the air flow smoothly over your wings, and your flights be safe from beginning to end!
--Snoopy
This page was upated April 13, 2006