Cyclic Hardover

My Feedback: (3)

Today at the field, I had a situation come up. I also realized that I can also be a part of the problem. Any of you have something happen at the field which could be minor and fixable at the field but people come up and give too much advice or just blah blah blah while your trying to "think?"

I brought out a new Ultra Sport today with a Jett. .90 on it. Run ups were great. Ailerons were on ch 1 & 6 and one of them was not working. Doing the normal checks I found nothing. I knew it was in the Flaperon function somewhere. Since I do not go in that area much , I couldn't find it and it was time for the manual.

Took me 45 minutes to find that thing in the tx and book and fixed the problem in less than 30 seconds. I could have fixed it a half hour earlier had some of these people left me alone. One guy-while I was trying to find it was looking at my plane-"why did you do this and better change that" and my friend saw me start to fume and I'm like "get the 5678 outta here!"

I also thought about if I behave that way to others. Maybe sometimes but I think most of the time I am usually asked. After I packed up a guy who trained me 8 years ago was having problems with his new Saito 100. Since I also had one and he knew it and asked. Engine would not idle. Going by the threads here and what worked on mine, basically his low end was open way to much and brought it back to about 1 turn out and it purred like a cat and flew great and he was very appreciative.

Sort of like a guy wanting you to maiden his plane. Not me buddy! Now if he hollars for help, no problem, if I can save it, I will.

DBCherry

My Feedback: (4)

Sounds like you were wound too tight at the time. Don't let little issues, like someone asking questions while you're looking at the manual, annoy you so much. Were you really in such a hurry to fix the problem that you couldn't take a minute to talk with him? Did you have to get in a flight and get home for some reason?

Maybe it's an age thing, I don't know. But I find my life is a lot more pleasant when I don't allow myself to be annoyed by the little things. You could have just as easily been annoyed by the guy with the Saito 100 having problems, but you weren't.

We all have bad days and maybe this was just one of your's.
Dennis-

Cyclic Hardover

My Feedback: (3)

Possibly but it was such a simple fix and I just couldn't find it. What gets me sometimes is those who criticize who do not even remotely fly your style of plane. "I would have done this or that." Advice coming from a person on a plane that is 5 years down the road if ever for him. This guy who was running his mouth flys both Airplane and Helicopters.

Don't get me wrong, I get alot of people regularly looking things over to find something new or they maybe building the same plane and looking for tips and that is part of the fun having people admire or check things out. I think that when your trying to fix something though we may ought to just ask if they need help, if not fine, no problem, not stuff your face right down into the middle of it.

Thing is he regularly crashes both and publicly blames it on everything but himself. He programs while he flys. (not trimming) His airplanes consist of stik types, not something with an engine that costs more than his entire setup. "Oh don't use these" and yeh that looks okay here" and checking out my servos. I was not even asking for his opinons. It was like a small dog getting in your face and lap while your trying to eat (which mine does)

It's not that I was in a hurry but I knew this was fixable at the field. Sometimes things happen and although it maybe fixable at the time, it's better off to blow off the day and fix it right at the house.

Low Wing

My Feedback: (1)

Yes' DBcherry if it were a perfect world...But I think some people are not aware of the world around them and how to show a little restraint or finesse and tact...these people are what I call over the top...I believe when we are not straight up and real (in a nice way) when it's just not a great time to be bugging us and we hold back, it doesn't allow for forward (rude) people to become aware of how they are (over the top) and thus they go through life bugging the rest of the world to death and never really grow beyond that immature place...Iron sharpens Iron...I say it's good to let people know they need to back off...I mean for sure the hard head's...who by the way' may never (ever) have a real friend until they learn to tone it down a bit...But' we feel this need to be nice and kind all the time (impossible), I guess because we all just wanna be liked and not thought of as jerks...Love my friend is all-way's the truth, don't mistake honesty as a lack of it...(example) Yes' you don't have to tell me I'm fat (I know and feel bad already about it) but please' tell me if I'm stepping on your foot...

Mhale71

" heheh, id laugh if he crashed"

"Dont choke!"

after crash: "can i have it?"

true story...

BasinBum

My Feedback: (2)

Cyclic,
You really need to visit the Basin. You described EVERY time I have worked on a plane, mine or someone elses. Every other person is a "mavin" (self appointed expert) with an opinion of what to do and they don't mind sharing. You have to turn on your BS filter because sometime someone will give some good advice but hair-brained suggestions are a dime a dozen.

I also try very hard not to be one of the people filling someones head with unsolicited advice but the urge to help when you think you might have the answer is very strong. I find the best thing to do is tune them out and focus at the task at hand. They usually figure out that you are ignoring them and walk away. The other option is for you to walk away for a spell so they don't have someone to ramble to and they will move on to the next receptive ear.

H. Wayne S

My Feedback: (18)

When ever I have a problem, I tell anyone and everyone that comes up to offer advice, " Thanks for your concern, but I had rather figure this one out by myself if you don't mind." You will be amazed, it does not offend them and they will walk on down the line.

DBCherry

My Feedback: (4)

That's a very true statement low, and quite likely what was going on in Cyclic's case. The guy was probably too dumb to realize he was being annoying.

Cyclic,
Don't be too hard on yourself over it. From what you said in your last post, I'm sure you're an asset to the club.
Dennis-

Chevelle

My Feedback: (2)

I dunno. I guess everyone is different. I like the interaction with others at the field. When I go, I am usually there 4-5 hours but only get in 3-5 flights because of all the jaw jabbering that goes on. I especially like it when "civilians" (non R/C folks) come up and chat. Sure, they ask odd and sometimes too obvious questions ("Does that fly?" or "Are you going to fly that today?")

I have a 1/4 scale Sopwith Pup that requires a bit of a procedure to get ready. With people talking to me, the process takes twice as long and I run the risk of forgetting something. (I did once. I forgot to tighten the outer strut screws. One backed out in fight. Got lucky that day.) Even so, I like the interaction.

Now on the otherhand, it depends on who is talking to you and what they are saying. I would not appreciate comments like, "That color scheme isn't scale." or "That cockpit isn't correct." or general assistance when it is obvious I have everything under control.

99% of the time, I have enjoyed the intereaction. I'm not at the field to hurry to squeeze in a couple of flights.

scottrc

My rules is this, I never test fly with people other than my spotter at the field, I had too many "experts" tell me this and that which would wound me up even tighter and low and behold, I missed something only to have them ask me "are you going to rebuild it or can I have it?". If I'm having problems and I can't think strait and I have a bunch of on-lookers helping, I just pack up and tell everyone that I need a break and we put the plane away and get another one to fly.

When I go to funflys or know I will be flying with a lot of on-lookers, I make sure it is with a plane I'm really comfortable with and that I have checked it out before coming to the field. This was advice I gotten from a full scale airshow pilot of an AT6 a few years ago. I was feeling pretty bad for aborting a demonstration with a 1/4 scale Mustang due to a carb problem that I couldn't track down. I was talking to him on the pilots lounge and he told me to do a full doublecheck pre-flight before I go to bed, and again when I get up in the morning before the show, that way the mind is clear to fix any of those little abnormalies that the gremlins have left. Everything will be taken care of when you arrive at the field and you will then have time to talk the breeze and answer questions with the on-lookers.

Cyclic Hardover

My Feedback: (3)

Don't beat me up to bad because i am including myself for maybe doing this to others also. I see many pilots fooling with their engines or something else a half hour longer than necessary. Some ask for help and some don't.

You know how these computer radios are. If your not in a certain screen very often , it's a pain to find it when you need it. I do mostly speed or warbird flying and I just do not use the mixing stuff like the aerobatic guys but that is where the Flaperon stuff is. Once i get their it's a quick fix



This was funny, yesterday an Instructor and trainer dump a plane. Now were facing the west. The plane takes a hard landing several hundred yards to the sswest. He walks out straight west-way out there. Four of us hollar out to him. He turns around and were all pointing to a different direction. He sees us and keeps on going. The heck with him. He's out there for an hour looking for this thing and we can see it hanging on a fence from the pits.

Mr_Scary

My Feedback: (6)

I almost lost my plane this weekend. I was trying a low hover type thing and was falling out of it. Just then I am startled by "How do those quad flaps work?" right beside me. I didn't even hear anyone walk up beside me. Uh, I pulled up a little too hard with the distraction and found myself recovering right over the pits. Had to settle myself quick and get her turned around. My knees were a little shaky for a couple of minutes, but I managed to explain that yes, they were activated with a switch, but usually I just left the flaps and airlerons coupled together for faster roll rate.

50+AirYears

Being at the age I am, I don't often get somebody giving me unasked for advice. I also don't try to give unasked for advice to others unless I see somebody doing something patently unsafe. Then I try to make an offer of help in the form of a question. As far as my read of the posted irritation, two rules:
1, don't sweat the small stuff, and
2 Everything is small stuff.
Just give the guy credit for trying to help, and leave it at that.

forestroke

I can see both sides of the coin here. I also dislike those that can't fly giving newbies bad suggestions. But most of them keep their opinions to themselves when they among seasoned pilots. In the event that someone does offer his advice, I just listen. It's when he grabs the tools from you and decides he's going to have a go that I have to take a stand. Naturally, solicited help is the only type of help that is definitely always welcome.

But I also agree with Chevelle. When I was contemplating continuing my hobby after relocating, I went to the field a lot to try to make some friends. All of them were curt to the point of being rude. Most would completely ignore you. This is at a government sponsored site. For that alone, I almost didn't want to continue the hobby. Interaction, as Chevelle put it, is important. Without it I would not want to fly with people. I'd rather fly isolated, alone. But if there going to hordes of people, I'd much rather them be personable, irritating even, than curt and rude.

Good thing is that after I brought my plane, people seemed to treat me nicer.

ben flyn

We don't have this problem at our field. No says anything, or helps, hopeing to see a good crash.! If they do help, they all come together, and it's all for fun picking the plane apart.
God... I love those guys!


BTW Cyclic,
How did that combo fly? Jett90 in an ultra sport, WOW I bet it was a rocket! Did you clock the speed?

You know you could tell that guy he could open an information booth at the end of the runway.

jettstarblue

I once pushed a guy off a cliff for that very kind of thing....


What's worse than the "overly knowledgeable helper" is the guy who is just bugging you so he can BORROW SOMETHING! "Howdy neighbor, oh, don't stop what your doing there...... What ARE you doing? Oh yeah I hear that...... So...how's the weather? Not trying to rush you, but hey when you get done do you think I can borrow that screwdriver? No rush, just when your done....."

Scar

My Feedback: (3)

Ha! That's a good one, I'll have to remember it.

I've had people offer lots of advice when they think my retracts aren't working right, and I'm in flight. I recall thinking of an annoying gnat, and tuning out the noise.

Then again, I walked up to a friend the other day and asked "Is your right wheel missing?" I walked up clearing my throat and got kind of aside him, first, and waited until his plane passed to my side once, so he caught a glimpse of me, with his peripheral vision. He hadn't noticed the missing wheel, and we talked about it for a minute. When he landed, he greased it in and hit left aileron as it touched down. It eventually caught, spun the plane around, no damage.

I think I'm glad I talked to him about the wheel. I think I'm glad I inherited that "selective hearing" from my mom.

Oh, and when people heckle my students (notably, one guy's kids were heckling him!) I hollar "Ahem. We usually give the new people some slack, here!" They don't need any more distractions than they already have.

Just throwing in my two cents worth,
Dave Olson

JoeAirPort

My Feedback: (41)

I never work on a plane at the field unless you absolutely have to. You will end up explaining what the problem is to 10 different people people. Then if you blow them off you're a jerk. Yesterday I was trying to get my Moki 1.80 running right. Luckily we have a test bench far enough from the pitts that nobody wants to walk that far. Works great.

Geistware

My Feedback: (16)

I guess what I do is a little more rude but I don't mean any harm. I just ignore them and keep working. Usually they get the hint and leave me alone.

*Crash*Johnson*

My Feedback: (7)

For the most part I'm patient with the people, it is after all a hobby and supposed to be relaxing...

Sunday for some reason all the signs were there to abort flying and go home to download porn and play Xbox... It's rare but even the most patient of folks can lose their cool from time to time.. When everything that can go wrong does and you can't seem to get anything right...Time to pack it up and call it a day.

50+AirYears

Agreed! It frequently seems that if you try to force or squeeze in one last flight - - - It usually is!!! new plane time!!!

khodges

My Feedback: (1)

I have occurrences like that from time to time. Some people can't focus on the obvious, so you have to help them sometimes. I don't try to p*** anyone off, and I stay out of the way when I see someone deep into a problem like you were having with your radio; I'll offer to help if it's something I know about, but I don't press or barge in. And I'm not bashful when it comes to telling somebody to hold off and let me work out my problem and then I'll answer anything you want. Some people just don't know when they're being a PITA, some do and don't care, some do and can't help it. Iwas at the field by myself the other day, trying to fine tune a plane I'm taking to a Southern Scale Warbirds meet. It's nice to have company, but be careful what you wish for. A guy shows up that doesn't come out much, and immediately becomes a tick, hanging on and sucking me dry. I tried to be friendly without encouraging much conversation, but he just WOULD NOT SHUT UP. Some people, if you just walk away, will take the hint, but this guy followed me everywhere I went, from the pin board, to the workbench, to my truck, back to the workbench, and just kept a constant stream of questions and observations. I asked him politely the first time he lit a cigarette not to smoke around me while I was fueling my plane and he said, "oh, I'm sorry!", but 15 minutes later when I was refueling for another flight, same thing. Lit one up; this time I just told him get away from me with that f***ing cigarette. I won't go into how I feel about cigarettes in general, but you get my drift. I get started up and he proceeds to pick up my plane and start to the flight line without so much as a "by your leave?' That was too much. I spelled out for him that although I appreciated his desire to help, he should not do anything with my aircraft without asking, as a matter of courtesy if not one of safety, if I had not asked him beforehand.

The thing is, he had his own plane in his car, but spent his first 45 minutes at the field bugging the p*** out of me-even came out to the flight station when I taxied out to take off, and stands there bending my ear while I'm trying to fly a plane I'm not totally comfortable with anyway. I gave up and landed as soon as I could, shut it off and pointed back to the safety zone and told him to go stand there and not to bother me any more. I was so mad I could have spit. He finally left without even getting his stuff out. I hate to be rude, tried my best to be patient, because it was obvious that he didn't have a clue how big a pest he was being.

I'm all for being intersted in other people's planes and asking questions, that's how you learn; but not at the expense of distracting someone from their focus.

"Tonto--We're surrounded by Indians!!" "Whattaya mean we, Kemosabe?"

*Crash*Johnson*

My Feedback: (7)

What I would do in that situation:

Whip out my potato and start peeing on the ground. Chances are he will walk away. Killed two birds with one stone.

khodges

My Feedback: (1)

I don't know--this guy would probably have just stood there and watched, asking if that was as far as I could pee, did I have prostate problems, has it always been that big or did I get bestung on it, or how he had to go real bad one time and couldn't wait either, blah, blahblah, blah...

Cyclic Hardover

My Feedback: (3)

THis is a great setup. I have 12 flights on this thing and now that I have a good handle on it , its time to tweak it. It's very sluggish in the corners. Sort of feels like too much expo even though I have none in it. Being in the speed area, I don't mix anything but after telling a friend of my situation, he suggested I do some aileron/rudder mixing to help it corner a bit better