Can't believe I get to post on this forum...

I replaced my Hitec Eclipse 7 with a Futaba 9C and decided to set up my trusty LT-40 first to get the hang of things. At the same time I also did a "spring cleaning" and went over the airplane from tail to spinner. I carefully set the high and low rates, expo, etc. I must have spent 6 hours in total on it.

I got to the field and between other people flying and some weather delays I finally took off. I started a turn to the left and the plane went right corrected more to the left to compensate and before I knew it I had nosed in full throttle. Yes, I had the ailerons reversed. I must have looked at them ten times including just before takeoff and incredibly it failed to register.

I am a full scale pilot also and am religious about preflights, but I obviously was just going through the motions without really looking.

I totaled the airplane and am just glad I didn't hurt someone (fortunately I am in the habit of flying straight and gaining altitude after takeoff so my crash was well away from the field). The LT-40 survived my flight training (I've been in the hobby a year now) without a scratch and it really kills me to lose the airplane over something so avoidable. I feel like I've lost a friend (and a great platform the introduce friends and my kids to the hobby).

I guess the lesson in flying all airplanes of all sizes is never ever go through the motions. Always be thinking. Pay special attention especially when you change something radical (like your radio).

Man, am I mad at myself!