101 Ways to Stop a Spinning Propeller

by Don Nix, Insider Safety Column Editor

Unfortunately, we are limited to only a single safe one: Stopping the engine.

Yeah, yeah. Everyone knows that. Right? Well, if so, then why are more than half of all model accidents caused by model propellers—while turning? Because we do very stupid things sometimes. Because we get careless. Because we get too casual. Because we are inexperienced. Because we are so experienced we think common sense safety is for beginners. Because, because, because.

Well, that be the cause!

K&B engines might not be very familiar to newcomers to the hobby, but oldsters will remember that K&B was the leading American manufacturer of model engines for decades, having been started by Johnny Brodbeck back in 1946.

About 20 years ago, I was flying at the pilot’s station next to one occupied by my good friend, John Brodbeck; the “B” of K&B engines, and son of Johnny, the founder. John was test flying an engine sent in by a customer seeking a solution to a puzzling problem. (Yes, company owners really used to do such things.) John had made a couple of laps around the field, but felt the engine was too lean, so he landed and taxied to the front of the pit to change the needle setting.

Now here’s a fellow who is the owner of a model engine company, who had probably been weaned from Mama Brodbeck to a baby bottle filled with glow fuel, and had been around and using model engines since the earth cooled. One would think he would be extra careful; be sure the model was secure and tune the engine from behind. Instead, wanting to get on with the test, he reached across the propeller from the front. I can tell you it stopped the engine. However, flying was over for the day for both of us because I had to drive him to the emergency room to have a deep 3-inch gash in his forearm neatly stitched.

Yes, he was hurt, but said the worst pain was the embarrassment of being an engine manufacturer who would do such a dumb stunt (his words, not mine) at Southern California’s busiest flying field in front of about 60 modelers.

My guess is, there are very few modelers who have been flying more than a couple of years who have not donated a little blood and possibly flesh to carelessness with propellers. For some of us, once is enough. Others have a little slower learning curve. It would be bad enough if their carelessness just injured themselves, but all too frequently an innocent person is hurt; sometimes more than just stitches.

I think I’ll cut this column shorter than I had planned to allow you faithful readers (all six) to submit some of your own experiences that might quite possibly make others think twice before doing something stu … er, ill-advised.

Always glad to hear from you: flyerdon@aol.com or flyerdon@ yahoo.com. You will get a reply. Q