dkshema rrProfessor Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
| A few snippets from an earlier post:
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| A bizarre accident with a model helicopter killed a Houston man Sunday afternoon...
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| Some children were reportedly in the park when the accident happened and may have seen it...
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| Its 2-inch wide blades are made of fiberglass, but the engine spins with enough power to make them dangerous -- especially if the craft gets out of control...
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| the man operating the helicopter had been in one of this areas ten chapters of the Academy of Model Aeronautics for about nine months...
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My heart goes out not only to the victim's family, but to the poor soul whose heli it was. He, too, must be going through hell right now. I hope the local flyers are there to support both families, they need it.
The news has gotten the story, and from the quotes above, all the pieces are in place -- the danger, kids who are traumatized, bizarre accident, out of control.
We in the modeling community know that this is indeed a rare happening, as tragic as it is. A Sunday of fun and comraderie, an instructor who probably gave up most of his day to help a newcomer -- ended in tragedy that no one could have ever imagined.
The story as reported has the news hallmarks of one that could make the national wires, and may have far ranging repercussions not only for the future of RC in Houston, but possibly nation wide.
Let us hope that this accident is seen for what it truly was -- an accident. Let us all learn from it. Let those of us in the hobby take a moment to review the safety of our own day-to-day flying procedures and practices. The military has been known to "stand down" for a short period of time following a tragedy such as this -- to review their procedures, and remind the troops of the inherent dangers involved in their day to day operations. Please take a moment to do the same.
Has anyone local in Houston considered creating a memorial fund, a fund whose proceeds might go to the families involved to offset some of their immediate expenses caused by this tragedy?
Dave |