Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Propeller 1 - Finger 0

Monday night I added a new airplane to the hanger. Pictured below are my two RC airplanes. The small yellow one is an ultra micro HobbyZone Champ. The larger white one is an Airport Cessna 182 Sky Trainer which is the newest acquisition.

Champ and Cessna
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While checking out the controls on the Cessna the motor spun up an the plane started running off the table towards me. My reaction was to try and stop the plane with my right hand. I honestly think I just reacted without thinking too much about it. Big mistake! The spinning propeller struck my middle finger and nearly chopped it off at the first joint. Donna and I spent about 3 hours in the ER getting X-rays and stitches. Here's a couple of shots of my hand after returning from the ER.

Finger
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Finger
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I've had a follow-up visit with an Orthopedic specialist and I guess I was very lucky that I didn't lose the tip of my finger. I have a new brace that I will have to wear for the next 8 weeks while my finger heals. So what have I learned from all of this - plenty:

1 - Always remove the propeller when you hook up the battery when indoors.
2 - It's better to do these checks outside.
3 - I don't have the ninja-like relexes I used to have.
4 - I have an incredible wife. Donna has bent over backwards to help me out with things I need to do even though she's in the first week of her new dental assistant program.
5 - Not being able to type with my middle finger sucks!
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6 comments:

  1. KimberlyAugust 25, 2010 at 10:37 AM

    Yikes! I once tripped in the kitchen and put my hand on a burner to break my fall. Not a good idea. It hurt.

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  2. bpennphotoAugust 25, 2010 at 4:19 PM

    Holy cow! Glad that it wasn't any worse! Here's a tip: my grandfather flies model planes, and whenever he does a check outside, the plane is on the ground, tethered to a metal spike stuck into the ground. It's enough so that the plane can reach the end of the short tether and go no father. Keeps it safe, with no need to grab at it :-)

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  3. Photodude ImagesAugust 25, 2010 at 6:24 PM

    It could have been worse... It could have been your shutter finger.

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  4. Zack JonesAugust 26, 2010 at 8:48 AM

    @Kimberly: I did the same thing as a kid. I almist became a lefty because of it.

    @Brent: From now on all tests are done with prop off and model on the ground and most likely outside.

    @photodudeimages: Very good point! Especially since I'm shooting at an RC airplane event this coming weekend. I hope my hand holds up.

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  5. K.J. MacDonaldMarch 5, 2011 at 7:41 PM

    How's the hand healing?
    I found this because I spent the day debating with myself about getting the AIRFIELD Cessna 182 Sky Trainer when a friend suggested I start smaller. I came home with the Champ. My next plane will be the Sky Trainer 182, so I admire your taste in RC aircraft!
    Too windy here in FL to fly it though. So, I'll just gaze at it and wish for calmer skies.
    Great blog, btw.

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  6. Zack JonesMarch 6, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    Thanks for the kind words. The finger is doing much better. I'm starting to get some feeling in the tip of it so that makes typing much easier than before. The Champ is a great starter plane. I still love flying mine. I migrated from the Champ to the T-28 and just fell in love with the parkzone war birds. I now have the following: T-28D, F4F Wildcat, P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang (two of them One stock and one souped up). I have learned a TON of stuff about RC flying over at rcgroups.com. Check it out and if you sign up let me know.

    The Airfield 182 is a nice plane but I don't know what parts availability is like for that plane. I would take a long look at the Parkzone line up of planes. If you want a nice high wing plane consider the Stinson Reliant.

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