This afternoon I experienced a near-catastrophic equipment failure. I was flying inverted at 3/4 throttle toward the 15 freeway when I tried to pull up elevator in order to make a turn and right the plane at the same time, in other words, half of an outside loop starting from an inverted position,....(I don't know how best to describe it).

When I did, the plane glitched a bit and went toward the ground, recovered, continued upward to vertical and I cut the throttle. As the plane dove, I increased the throttle whilst repeatedly yelling 'NO ELEVATOR' ...and some other words I won't repeat here. This pattern continued briefly across the field toward the forest ...up to vert, cut throttle, dive, increase throttle, up to vert again.

I was able to turn with ailerons and use the throttle to get the plane back safely to find that 5 of my 6 elevator hinges had come out and the elevator was cocked in the full-up position as it relates to the stab, probably due to the remaining hinge working against the control horn. I had to give throttle a few more times before touching the ground in order to keep the plane from nosing in. It went so very smoothly, I could'nt believe how much concentration I was able to muster, ( I have noticed that dead-stick landings are that way too. It's like magic landing-potion to have some kind of failure). I was very impressed with myself for several minutes afterward. Then I realized that I had no planes ready to fly and I was busy for the next few days.

Yes, I did pull on the surfaces and do a range check....for once, (Probably because I felt like people were watching what I was doing today). Apparently, I did not pull hard enough top catch the failing elevator hinges. When I repair it, I will pin the hinges through the balsa and use a bit of epoxy, as well as get an exhaust deflector and aim my muffler away from the wing. I kept it flowing onto the wing so I could monitor the color of the oil. BAD IDEA!

No real question here, just a real confidence-building drill for a newbie. I have used over 5 Gallons in my little .46 XLS (H-9 Super Stick), since the first of the year and it seems to have paid off for me here.