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<div>We've had two recent incidents where, for 16.00 and Unified
students, the electric powerplants turned on
inadvertently with propellers attached. Electric motors encountering a
physical load will demand more power from the battery, i.e. the motors
will apply<i> more</i> torque rather than less. The propellers are
very sharp and can easily cut flesh.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>In the instances cited, one student suffered minor cuts and in
the other, several stitches were required to close a severe gash. The
lesson here: be very careful around these battery powered devices any
time power is applied, and when checking out the controls,<i> remove
propellers before applying power.</i></div>
<div><i><br></i></div>
<div>Col Young</div>
<div>-- <br>
Peter W. Young, Col., USAF (ret.)<br>
Senior Lecturer<br>
Director of CDIO Initiatives<br>
phone: (617) 253-5340, fax (617) 253-4002<br>
<br>
Massachusetts Institute of Technology<br>
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics<br>
77 Massachusetts Ave., 33-240<br>
Cambridge MA 02139</div>
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