Disabled/Veterans Radio Control system

[Hai-Lee]

I had been developing a 6 Channel radio control interface for use by amputees in flying a radio controlled model aircraft. I said HAD because I hit a wall of local ignorance and a person with power and control issues.

For the radio to be operated using a single hand, the control needed to be mounted on a platform and attached to the user by a harness. This means that putting the radio down is not really an option once the radio is fitted so I determined that the use of a "Smartsafe" type setup is needed and this would allow the user to be protected from all accidental transmitter operation by simply switching it off at the end of the flight and power up the receiver first when preparing the model for flight.

Well didn't that start a storm! I battled against the ignorance for over three years until recently when the main, (self-professed) expert became a club committee member whereupon he started to issue raules, (edicts), to prohibit the use of a smartsafe setup. (without a single committee meeting as I was a committee member and official flight instructor). This also included rewriting the competency tests so that I personally, the radio I was using, and those using Smartsafe would be permanently excluded, (all of my students.

Well it all came to a head a month ago now where I was ejected from the club for "Breaking" the club rules, and teaching unsafe setups to student pilots.

The club rules only statement on the required safety is to follow the federal regulations. I had previously sought advice from the federal regualtor directly and was told that my setup was OK. As for the teaching of unsafe setups, Smartsafe has been a safe setup and operation method publized by Spektrum since around 2007 and is even an included feature on the other DSMX recievers, (orange and lemon).

Well the nett result is that I cannot fly anywhere in my local area now and so the radio development is halted/cancelled along with the manufacture of specific trainer models to match the local Veteran community requirements. I am seeking legal advice of course but if such an ignorant and arrogant stand causes you as much upset as it does to my students and I, then you can let them know on facebook. BNEMAC.

I will update where the legal takes me when it finally gets rolling.

Now just trying to get back to having fun!

 

[PsyBorg]

Sounds to me like you should have left long ago. Things like this is exactly the reason I ONLY use AMA because of Flite fest.

On a bright note.. nothing says you have to stop development of the radio because you are no longer in a club. It also means that its probably time you start your own AMA club some where and watch all the defectors from that dictatorship come to you.

 

[Hai-Lee]

Sounds to me like you should have left long ago. Things like this is exactly the reason I ONLY use AMA because of Flite fest.

On a bright note.. nothing says you have to stop development of the radio because you are no longer in a club. It also means that its probably time you start your own AMA club some where and watch all the defectors from that dictatorship come to you.

Always a level head!
Well I endured it for three years, part of my upbringing I suppose, as I was taught NEVER let a BULLY win! You may run in to him elsewhere in the future and he may just continue where he left off!
Defamation laws here are quite good and I have the goods on him. I research a lot and keep records of everything I do!
I hopefully start having fun next week, (Lawyer willing!).

 

[LitterBug]

Any recourse by going through AMA headquarters?? Seems to me they should have a way to check up on their clubs....

Cheers!
LitterBug

 

[JasonK]

Any recourse by going through AMA headquarters?? Seems to me they should have a way to check up on their clubs....

Cheers!
LitterBug

IIRC Hai-Lee isn't in the US, so it talking about a different club

 

[Hai-Lee]

Any recourse by going through AMA headquarters?? Seems to me they should have a way to check up on their clubs....

Cheers!
LitterBug

I wish but in Aus.
Been accused of using and teaching an unsafe setup which the federal regualtor and Spektrum both agree is actually safe!

 

[JasonK]

based on your goal -> "make it so disabled people can be part of the fun," it sounds like you could likely throw some 'handicap accessability' stuff at the situation also. But frankly, it sounds like said person needs to be removed from their role as the power has gone to their head.

 

[JasonK]

Frankly... I would be worried about _any_ RC plane that isn't safe to be turned on with the TX off... because as far that the RX is conserned, TX of, TX out of range, Signal issue... all look exactly the same. If someone doesn't think their RC planes are safe with the TX off, then their planes aren't safe at all. (yes i have an Electronics Engineering Degree, had (and regetting) a HAM radio license, etc, etc, etc... I have a passing knowledge about how this stuff works).

 

[Hai-Lee]

Frankly... I would be worried about _any_ RC plane that isn't safe to be turned on with the TX off... because as far that the RX is conserned, TX of, TX out of range, Signal issue... all look exactly the same. If someone doesn't think their RC planes are safe with the TX off, then their planes aren't safe at all. (yes i have an Electronics Engineering Degree, had (and regetting) a HAM radio license, etc, etc, etc... I have a passing knowledge about how this stuff works).

I also have an electronics background through militarty training and at one time I was the only Spread spectrum wireless networking engineer in my pat of the country!

Mind you part of the attack is to belittle my training and of course the usual "you know nothing about radio control systems at all". We used to build our own back in the seventiies, (last century I really am getting old).

 

[JasonK]

I suppose there isn't a way to formally get the unsafety director removed from their post?

 

[Hai-Lee]

I suppose there isn't a way to formally get the unsafety director removed from their post?

The club is supposed to be, and is promoted as being, friendly!.
All unsafe model operation should be reported to the national regualtor! by law, (but my radio operation has already been effectively approved by them).
Sadly the person concerned has a history of extreme temper displays when anyone disagrees with him, (I have experienced more than my share)! The ealrier targetted rule changes, (targetted at my students and I), were his response when he believed that he had the power to do so and his previous attempts at intimidation had obviously failed.
My next concern really is that I could receive a clubbing or knifing as a result of the upcoming legal action! His temper has no apparent limits and he will do almost anything to have his own way. I will stand my ground regardless!.
So if I stop all posting you will know what happened.

 

[Bricks]

Where are the rest of your club members? Too afraid to speak up our club is totally different as long as you do things safely nobody will say anything, may even prod you on to do some stupid things.

 

[Hai-Lee]

Old and either fearful, ignorant, or just not wanting to get involved! I spent 2 years on the committee and there was not a single committee meeting and yet new rules kept appearing and adopted without a single club vote!

Some people should never be given positions of power and responsibility especially if they have a personal agenda to pursue or a vengeful nature.

 

[leaded50]

Yes, but in a club, the majority decides, and if they dont want , dont want to interfere, dont wanna be committee participants, then even your points are falling to ground. Your alone, against everything who happend. Get other committee members & clubmembers to agree on you, and dare to show it... then you got chance for changes, if not, its just a dead case.

 

[Hai-Lee]

I agree with you in what you posted and took a number of days to consider any response!
In my case I have had my radio operation approved by federal authorities and the club rules are based around and quote the federal regulator regulations and advisory publications. Now obviously you would think that the "rule maker" would have read the rules but apparently not as there is a couple of "Clauses" written into the advisory that allow for approved operation techniques to overrule the advisory, (and mine has been through that process)!

So by definition being ejected from the club for breaching the rules is wrong, and the using and teaching of unsafe setups is also wrong!

Telling others that I breached the club rules or use/teach unsafe setups is defamatory and with a large degree of malice or vexatiousness which will guarantee a greater degree of punative damages!

The taking the individual committee members to court, (one at a time), is the only way forward for me now! There are additional deliberate isolation clauses in the legislation around defamation and it all adds to the damages!

Just waiting for my lawyer to get over his current illness for the case/s to proceed!

More as it happens!

 

[leaded50]

As written, if you dont get a majority of members/board agree with you eg. it wouldnt matter if win anything in court either.... in practice. It doesnt matter who get right, as long everybody there dont "like you".

 

[Hai-Lee]

As written, if you dont get a majority of members/board agree with you eg. it wouldnt matter if win anything in court either.... in practice. It doesnt matter who get right, as long everybody there dont "like you".

You are correct but the like me issue is not a problem as I was popular enough to be given the post of member support and instructor. I think those awards upset the rule maker and started the process to have me ejected.
If for reasons beyond the club's control that my membership is to be permanently rejected then that means more damages!
As the old saying goes, (amended to suit the current topic) It's all fun until someone loses his shirt!

 

[OliverW]

This sucks man. I can't wait for your lawyer to feel better so you can get this guy out of your club!

 

["Corpse"]

You are correct but the like me issue is not a problem as I was popular enough to be given the post of member support and instructor. I think those awards upset the rule maker and started the process to have me ejected.
If for reasons beyond the club's control that my membership is to be permanently rejected then that means more damages!
As the old saying goes, (amended to suit the current topic) It's all fun until someone loses his shirt!

It's more fun when someone loses his shirt! (If you're in the right, and are more dangerous)

Back on topic, If you were to make this, you probably would have a huge market for it. There was an FPV pilot, (I don't know his name), who was a US vet and an amputee. He learned how to fly a mode 2 controller with one hand and actually RIP really hard! If you were to do this, it would get so many amazing people into the hobby, and the hobby as a whole would improve!

I can't donate any $ to this, but I will donate my ideas as long as it get's injured people into the hobby!

 

[Hai-Lee]

It's more fun when someone loses his shirt! (If you're in the right, and are more dangerous)

Back on topic, If you were to make this, you probably would have a huge market for it. There was an FPV pilot, (I don't know his name), who was a US vet and an amputee. He learned how to fly a mode 2 controller with one hand and actually RIP really hard! If you were to do this, it would get so many amazing people into the hobby, and the hobby as a whole would improve!

I can't donate any $ to this, but I will donate my ideas as long as it get's injured people into the hobby!

No donations required!
The only thing I would suggest is to support it via the internet by mentioning it in your travels.
I cannot do much testing as flying is out because of the club and rule maker.

As is usual with me there are a number of different approaches of differing cost and complexity. My current favourite is the stand alone controller which connects to a standard transmitter via the trainer connection so that it can be vendor agnostic!