In any case, I am not starting a debate which has higher risk factors. I also don’t want to imply that model turbine engines are small bombs waiting to explode – they just require a little more care and attention when using them.

Judgement Safety

I already talked about this in the is a RC turbine helicopter right for you section, but it is worth repeating. “If your knowledge about how turbines work and flying skills are not up to a certain level, please don’t even think of getting a turbine powered aircraft”.

Like I said before, turbine powered RC aircraft could cast a very negative image on our hobby if the care, attention, and respect they deserve are dismissed, forgotten, or ignored.

As the price of model turbines keeps getting lower, more and more people will be introduced to turbine powered flight. This is great - provided we all understand that the media loves to blow things out of proportion, and only a few RC turbine related incidents could have our hobby backed into a corner.

Failsafe Turbine Settings

Failsafe is a term that describes a preset condition of operation if your RC model ever looses or gets corrupted radio signals. For those of you with PCM or DSM radios, this term is already familiar too you.

For example, if you are flying your RC turbine helicopter or airplane and get interference or a loss of radio signal, the FADEC engine computer will first ride out the interference or signal loss for 0.5 seconds and maintain engine speed. If the radio signal is still corrupted or lost after 0.5 seconds the FADEC will set the engine speed to idle.

The idle speed setting is then maintained for 1.5 seconds and if the radio signal is still lost or corrupted after this 1.5 second idle command (2 seconds in total from the initial signal loss), the FADEC will then shut the engine down by turning off the fuel pump. If the radio signal returns any time during this 2 second period, the FADEC will reset the timer and return to normal function.

The times are programmed into the FADEC computer and cannot be changed. These model turbine safety guidelines have been determined by several model aviation governmental departments world wide.

The FADEC failsafe systems works with PPM, PCM, and DSM radio systems.

One very important safety point to mention if you are using a PCM or DSM radio - Always program your failsafe to shut the engine off, never fly a turbine RC aircraft with your failsafe on your radio set to hold. If you do and you have a signal loss, the FADEC won’t see this because your receiver has filtered it out and the turbine will continue to run at that hold setting.

Fire Safety

Unlike nitro engines or gas engines , model jet engines have a much higher chance of catching your plane, helicopter, or surroundings on fire. This is because of the high heat and the fact that the turbine has a steady flame burning inside the combustion chamber.

The most dangerous time for a potential fire is at engine start up. ECU’s have greatly reduced the risk, but if there is raw jet fuel in the combustion chamber for what ever reason, it can cause a large flame or serious fire when the turbine ignites.

My first experience with this was while starting my bird in the early spring when the grass was still dry and brown. I overfilled the isobutane starting gas bottle and a good 1 foot long flame shot out both exhaust nozzles when the turbine "popped" to life. Normally this isn't an issue and it looks pretty neat when it happens. Unfortunately, because the grass was dry, it caught on fire behind both exhaust outlets and I had to act pretty fast to get the heli out of of harms way. Lesson learned, start your bird over a non combustible surface if possible.

Always have a good quality, 5 lb or more, CO2 fire extinguisher on hand - it is a MANDITORY requirement for all RC turbine powered models. It has to be a CO2 type extinguisher since dry chemical extinguishers will damage the turbine engine. Hopefully you will never have to use it, but it is safe insurance should anything go wrong.

Like everything else, model turbine safety starts with basic common sense. Safety and fun really do go hand in hand.