Additional throttle-hold safety for electic models

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For electric models, I'd like to see an addition to the throttle-hold scheme.

As an option for any given model, when an assigned throttle hold switch is 
disengaged (throttle active) an on-screen pop-up menu would appear, asking for 
confirmation ...

THROTTLE ARM?
[MENU LONG] to confirm
Any key to cancel.

If cancelled, the throttle hold switch would need to be set and reset again 
before another confirmation would appear.

Why? Because electric models can be dangerous -- that's a given -- and because 
it's easy to bump a throttle-hold switch when carry models, etc -- however much 
we may think it is not.

Also, once when working on my electric 450 helicopter, with throttle-hold 
engaged to set up main blade pitch angles, I have actually had an accident 
where a piece of loose clothing flicked the throttle hold switch to "armed" 
when reaching for a tool! The result was anything but pretty, to be true!

Credit for this idea goes in part to Brano, in Ontario Canada. He implemented 
throttle hold using the [EXIT LONG] key in an on/off manner, favouring it to 
the toggle switches for extra safety. I came up with this slightly different 
idea when he described his solution to me.

(Yes, I know that two or more switches could be used for added safety. But that 
uses up switches often best put to other uses -- and it still isn't as fool 
proof as this system INHMO.)

Original issue reported on code.google.com by gru...@gmail.com on 2 Aug 2011 at 2:59

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For times when both a safety throttle hold switch and a traditional, 
unencumbered in-flight throttle hold also needed -- perhaps for practising 
auto-rotations on an electric helicopter -- we'll need to have some other 
option.

I would suggest however that the now existing "flight phases" feature should be 
used, such that one of the flight modes (phases) becomes the "zero throttle" 
(or idle for nitro helis) scenario. This in fact would be assigned to the 
traditional idle/throttle-hold switch preference, while the 'safety' intended 
by the issue/request could be assigned to some other switch -- or even simply a 
menu selection, for that matter -- since it would never be intended to be used 
during flight anyway.

So perhaps not as first described then -- but simply a menu option -- or a 
keypad driven thing -- more like the way Brano's original idea has it working.

Original comment by gru...@gmail.com on 22 Aug 2011 at 11:11

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Original comment by gru...@gmail.com on 8 Oct 2011 at 9:53

• Changed title: Additional throttle-hold safety for electic models