"experts"
10-22-2014, 07:20 AM
#1
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"experts"
THIS IS NOT A RANT!!!!!!!!!!!! One thing I have noticed over the years, not only on this forum but on every forum I have ever read to any extent, the folks who profess to "know" something do not always agree. One guy can make a simple statement and the very next post will directly contradict that statement. For instance a guy can say something like "an Edge 540 is easy to fly" and the very next post will say something like "an Edge 540 is a real handful to fly". Now, it seems to me that "experts" should agree on any aspect of a particular subject, shouldn't they? Maybe what they should have said is "boy, my experience with an Edge 540 went smooth as glass" and the other guy could say something like "man, my experience with an Edge 540 really sucked". This could be really confusing to a noobie, maybe to the point that they will either drop out of the forum or completely quit the hobby. I don't know what the answer is. Both guys in my example were completely honest with respect to their personal experiences, but those experiences led them to make very conflicting statements. Where is a noobie to go to get really valid advice?
And then, of course, there are those few who lurk in the shadows and jump at every chance they see to be contrary and contradict someone else's observations. We soon learn who those folks are and tend to disregard their responses, even though they may write quite well and seem to be an "expert" on every aspect of every subject.
Maybe this is a rant.
And then, of course, there are those few who lurk in the shadows and jump at every chance they see to be contrary and contradict someone else's observations. We soon learn who those folks are and tend to disregard their responses, even though they may write quite well and seem to be an "expert" on every aspect of every subject.
Maybe this is a rant.
10-22-2014, 07:45 AM
#2
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The fact that 2 people had conflicting experiences does not make either of them invalid. If you get conflicting answers, it usually just means you need to be more specific and/or get additional data points. I'd rather get 2 conflicting answers (and know I'd better do more homework) than be led astray by one "valid" answer that does not really apply because my question was not specific enough to my particular situation. I am sure that in the superset of Edge 540s, there are well designed ones and poorly designed ones as well as ones that have been set up properly by the pilot and those that have not been. Are your 2 responses comparing a foamy electric Edge versus a 33% or 40% Edge? And Edges are likely going to have different perceived flight characteristics depending on whether you set them up and use them for 3D or for more typical IMAC type aerobatics.
To ask "Are Edge 540s easy to fly?" you'll probably get many answers, most conflicting, and never know which answers are really applicable to your situation because your question is far too generalized and your responses will likely be generalized as well.
To ask "Are Edge 540s easy to fly?" you'll probably get many answers, most conflicting, and never know which answers are really applicable to your situation because your question is far too generalized and your responses will likely be generalized as well.
10-22-2014, 10:22 AM
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The fact that 2 people had conflicting experiences does not make either of them invalid. If you get conflicting answers, it usually just means you need to be more specific and/or get additional data points. I'd rather get 2 conflicting answers (and know I'd better do more homework) than be led astray by one "valid" answer that does not really apply because my question was not specific enough to my particular situation. I am sure that in the superset of Edge 540s, there are well designed ones and poorly designed ones as well as ones that have been set up properly by the pilot and those that have not been. Are your 2 responses comparing a foamy electric Edge versus a 33% or 40% Edge? And Edges are likely going to have different perceived flight characteristics depending on whether you set them up and use them for 3D or for more typical IMAC type aerobatics.
To ask "Are Edge 540s easy to fly?" you'll probably get many answers, most conflicting, and never know which answers are really applicable to your situation because your question is far too generalized and your responses will likely be generalized as well.
To ask "Are Edge 540s easy to fly?" you'll probably get many answers, most conflicting, and never know which answers are really applicable to your situation because your question is far too generalized and your responses will likely be generalized as well.
If you (the OP) look at this edge 540 as an example, as they have low wing loadings, big horizontal and vertical tail surfaces, they generally track and glide well making them very 'easy to fly'. But, and it's a big BUT, these same planes normally have huge power to weight ratios, and HUGE control surfaces with massive angles of deflection being possible, that if not set up correctly, or within the specific pilots 'ability' range, can indeed make them an over responsive monster that can easily overwhelm an under skilled pilot in seconds.
It's for those reasons that both opposing sides in the example you gave are both actually correct in their views - it can indeed be a great and very easy plane to fly (if set up correctly for that given pilot), or an utter nightmare for someone who has set that same plane up incorrectly for them-self and their abilities.
As others have stated, you just need to ask the 'right' questions of people, and then try and take their specific situation and reply into account with some form of self-educated pre-thought to get the best answer for you (personally I'll often take a wide range of answers into account and take an average of them to get the most reliable answer - IMO it removes the 'personal' responses and gives me a better and more factual answer instead).
PS - it was a rant.
10-22-2014, 10:46 AM
#6
Great topic, As for myself I love to help others. The way I look at it, every success is another nail in the foundation of our hobby. There were a few key individuals that saw enough in me when I got started to help me when I needed it. I like to give some of that back. Bob and I I think are in the same boat. We have been flying and building at a high lever for many years and have a great amount of experience to share and are happy to do so.Now comes the issues. Human nature is to accept the answer one WANTS to hear. When the answer is contrary to what someone wants to hear that person will search until he gets the answer he was looking for. It matters not that he was given the correct answer from the get go.The other issue is when that happens, in the past I would try to defend my answer by explaining where I gained the experience that supports my advise. That typically leads to me being called self promoting and a blow hard. For those who know me, that could not be farther from the truth but that's the label that gets applied. The end result is that when I see a topic where I think I can be of some help, I do so. If someone comes in and does his best to dis-credit me, I leave the thread. This has lead me to not offer help as much as I used to.
10-22-2014, 11:01 AM
#8
Andy, you are of course correct and in fact bring up a good point. Sometimes it's not what is said but the way it was presented. However, you and I have both been told we are dead wrong about something we have been doing successfully for years. I hate to say it but at times RCU seems like high school drama at times. As a father of 4 teenagers I hear about that type of drama all the time LOL.
10-22-2014, 11:27 AM
#10
Global warming. No I'm not trying to change the subject or make it political. I'm using that this subject as an example of where two completely opposite views are adamantly given on a scientific principle. Also, string theory.
And you had to know it was coming - downwind turn.
And you had to know it was coming - downwind turn.
10-22-2014, 11:36 AM
#11
Global warming. No I'm not trying to change the subject or make it political. I'm using that this subject as an example of where two completely opposite views are adamantly given on a scientific principle. Also, string theory.And you had to know it was coming - downwind turn.
10-22-2014, 02:25 PM
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This is very simple. Two people, experts included can have varying answers to a question and both can be right. Both could even say the same thing but with different words and the perception of their answers could be constrewed by others as different. Now the fact remains that unless your question is 100% without a doubt proven to have only one answer than people will always have their own opinions. Take two Professors of any college subject. They can debat all year over a question in their field and have two completely different takes on that subject even though it is written only one way in their subject books. PERCEPTION and OPINION !!!!!!!!
10-22-2014, 04:00 PM
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I realize that what most of you guys are saying is true, that differing opinions on most subjects exist. I probably didn't clarify very well that I was primarily concerned with how this might impact on some noobies. What actually brought this to mind is that in a thread just prior to mine, someone was asking about the flying characteristics of Cubs. One guy said they fly well and the very next post said no, they don't. How does that affect a noobie who is honestly wondering whether or not to buy a cub and he comes here to ask those who "know"?
10-22-2014, 04:23 PM
#21
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But what if you're new to the hobby and don't have enough experience to know what you like and what you don't like so you come here to ask the folks who do know? And you get diametrically opposed answers to a simple question?
10-22-2014, 04:32 PM
#22
This is where I think the hobby could do a better job. It used to be a beginner would make two stops. The local club and the local hobby shop. Either had people that could direct the student in the right direction. Now that WE THE HOBBIESTS have pushed for cheap products one resource for the beginner is all but gone. Replaced by the Internet with people willing to give their opinions without any accountability. It's no wonder our hobby is dying. As for the Cub, yes they are easy to fly however ground manners are not suitable for a beginner.