Well I went up for my second flight today and did really well. First of all my mate took up his brand new PC 9 for its maiden flight, which flew great with the Thunder tiger 61 he has in it. He flew it nice and high and after about the third lap the engine died and he brought it in for a perfect dead stick landing. We were both ecstatic about the planes maiden flight and now it was my turn for my second flight ever with my 40 trainer.
I took off without any problems and flew really well. My mate Marshy trimmed it up for me and he was impressed at how well it flew. I brought it around for an approach and as I had got fairly low decided to land it. I came in a bit to fast and it bounced once but apart from that landed without a problem. Then it was Marshys turn with his PC 9 again and after a few laps trying out the smoke system he handed the controls to me for a fly.....BIG MISTAKE...At first I did okay but then he told me to try a roll. I rolled the plane upside down and didn't realize so when I gave up elevator she curved down wards and hit the deck at full speed.
The plane was totalled after flying only twice. No doubt some of you know the feeling I had inside. I had the same plane in my cupboard at home as a Christmas present to myself which I was going to build once i had learned on my trainer. I now have to give this to my mate to replace the plane I just totalled. I don't know what was worse, the feeling of totalling my mates plane, or the fact that my Christmas present is no more. I must admit my mate was good about it, he said he has done it before and that everybody will crash at some stage. He offered to go halfs when I am ready to get a new plane but I said no. He has said that we will fly again tomorrow as he doesn't want me to lose faith in the hobby and give up.

Well I certainly learned a valuable lesson today...Never fly someone else's plane.

Regards,

Troy.