ORIGINAL: RCER88
EVERY plane has an expiration date. The problem is we don't know that date. The last crash I had was a spectacular midair I was laughing before all the pieces finished falling. The plane was a totaled but oh well. Even the engine was broken. ASP61FS That hurt but I accepted the loss.
I try to determine the cause. Learn from it and move on. I see guys get all upset. Those people are in the wrong ''HOBBY'', **** happens.
Proper setup, preflights and battery care can prevent many crashes. I learned that years ago!!!
If you do not learn from the crash then you are destined to repeat. Learning from the mistakes and accepting the fact it happened will make you a better pilot.
You have to be able to ''crash reconstruct''. In twenty plus years I have only had one crash that I was not completely sure of the problem. I wrote that one off to pilot error. Every other crash I was able to determine the cause. Most were ''pilot error'' by being completely honest with myself not playing the ''blame game''. Some were obvious failures (parts breaking in flight).
That is important: To learn form your crash. Sometimes you can also learn from an "almost crash". Two weeks ago I was at the club, had the Telemaster in the air, and I noticed it acted a bit goofy when turning at the far end after take off, then again next turn. Then I realized my antenna was still lowered.
Have to admit, I was lucky not to crash. On the other hand, wow, what a range! Unfortunately my buddy was unloading his models so he did not see the antenna low either. Did this ever happen before NO.
We have to remember Inspector Custeau. They said he never did the same mistake twice, he always made new mistakes... Same applies to us:-)
Gerry