ORIGINAL: NJRCFLYER2
It seems like the main argument for standing on the runway for a maiden flight takeoff is to give the pilot a better chance to cope with unexpected stuff that may happen once in the air. Stuff that might just require an immediate return to the runway in some cases. Makes me wonder how well you can scramble to safety in reverse gear while handling the situation. The most amazing part of this argument is that the only part of the entire flight that this can possibly help with is the takeoff roll. If you can't keep the model reasonably straight on takeoff while standing in the pilots box, then it basically comes down to this:
A) There's something wrong with setup. Abort the takeoff, investigate the cause and correct it before attempting another takeoff. Take notes of what was wrong to help avoid this on the next maiden flight of a new model.
B) The wind conditions for a maiden flight may exceed the capabilities for the model and/or pilot. Get help from a more competent pilot, not necessarily a more experienced one. Or perhaps wait for the wind conditions to change to something that you know you can safely handle
C) You don't yet have the necessary skills to safely control an RC model while accelerating on the ground in the proximity of people and obstacles. Ask for help from a more competent pilot. Make sure to have him teach you how to manage the rudder and throttle together so that you can develop the confidence in your skills so that it will never occur to you again that you need to stand directly behind the model in order to safely control it.
+1
You put it much more eloquently than I could!
Here is a quote from Giant_Scale_Gasser from earlier in the thread:
If I am maidneing a new airplane that I have say $3000 or $4000 invensted in... I'll make sure my fellow club members are okay with me maidening the aircraft and I'll stand anywhere I damn please for the first flight!
I am a competent veteran pilot, can fly from any pilot station, on any day, in any wind, with any ship including helis.
But if I choose to stand behind one for WHATEVER reason, the very last thing anyone needs to hear is some rookie know-it-all who recently graduated to .60 size low wingers that cost less than my spinner & prop start giving their 2 cents about ANYTHING.
It is this kind of elitist attitude that alarms me! Just because one has invested more time and $$ in their plane, they think they are more experienced, or possess greater skills? Shouldn't the veteran, skilled pilot with 3 or 4 thousand wrapped up in their plane have the skills to take it off from the approved pilot stations?
The even more alarming part is where Giant_Scale_Gasser goes on to say, and I quote,
We are supposed to support our fellow pilots and members and help them. We are supposed to enjoy other peoples airplanes and encourage them and be supportive. Seems like many people here with an elitist attitude and that whole I know everything persona going on would make for some really great (read - sarcasm) fellow member to be around.
Sounds like the pot is calling the kettle black! LOL!
Regards,
Astro