This isa Chapter ending in the modified Apprentice story - Got the birdall set up. Perfect CG balance Had to add one cent coin to bottom tip of right wing to balace on roll axis. All control surfaces aligned. Using DX5 transmitter there is only low and high. With low you still get 70% control movement. High is 100% of course. I stayed on low. Measuring the actualcontrol throw it was stillat 100% (still on selected Low setting by switch) movement and couldn't get it to less than that without taking loose all the servo arms and moving pushrods closer to axis - that is to say in to the 2nd or 3rd or even 4th hole on the servo arm. The control horm was already as far out as it wouod go. I was too lazy and left it as is. Ican't decide if that was the second or third stupid thing Idid in a chain of classic stupidity......

Took it to the flying field for taxi tests. I actually wanted to see how the nose gear and 3.5 inch wheels did in the grass. The plane was a pleasure to taxi, either on grass on on asphalt - did really well.

After a couple or so increasingly swift runs on the asphalt runway things were going so good I just added a bit more power and off we went! Yes - Iknow this was a major step in the stupid chain. Well, the elevator was, as warned, very responsive, even touchy. Got that tamed and turned downwind. It was balanced and trimmed well with wind out of the SW about ninety degrees to the runway, but only about 5 kts or so.....

The Apprentice handled well but very touchy. Ifound myself seriously wishing Ihad taken the trouble to reduce the control throws by adjusting linkages even more. Made a sharp left turn to come around on left hand pattern and approach for landing, low pass, touch and go, or whatever it turned out to be... The sharp turn required some back pressure - up elevator- as it began a descent in the steep turn - that started a porpose so I just let go the sticks to let it smooth itself out as opposed to my overcontrolling.

At that point I realized I was heading for the trees on the north side of the field. Fumble, panic, clutch, twitch, crash. The sound of that Apprentice crashing through the tree tops was an awful, terrible, sound that I still hear.

So on the unplanned maiden flight of my "Super Apprentice" I flew the durn thing into the trees.

As Iam old, fat and not at all athletic I did not elect to try and climb the 30 foot sweet gum. Elect shoot! I coulnd't climb it if I had to.. Well I was there all alone and the poor Apprentice was hanging there upside down on a limb dutifully beeping the ESC every twenty seconds to tell me it was still ready and willing. I really hate the think about it all alone out there in the woods, beeping its heart out. I hope the LiPO doesn't ignite when it discharges way past where it should. I most sincerely hope I don't add forest fire to my list of sins.

I am going to attempt to hire a tree company in the morning and get them or one of them to go out with me and either climb the tree, use a long lasso, or basket and get the high dollar Apprentice back. I must do that as the Gulf hurricane effect is due here Sunday night or Monday and have at least two to four inches of rain and wind. That will pretty well finish the tree bound Apprentice. Hope I can get it down with the tree company help, of course. By the way - we have had many weeks and months of douught. Dry as a bone. Soon as I put my Apprentice in the tree top comes the monsoon and tropical rain with wind.

If I do get it back in any kind of usable condition- first up will be to bind the thing (after repairs and replacement components) to my DX8 so Ican program EXPO and mix. Then Iwill adjust the control linkages to book values. Imay also seek out a friend and ask him to kick me hard in the butt.

I never said Iwas a really smart guy. I continue to have that demonstrated to me through stupid misadventures and screw ups such as this CF. MIke.