Hi Steve ! Try range checking with the plane on the ground next time LOL ! FWIW, I found a nice guide on how to bring back a plane which has been "specked" out :

“STICK IN THE DIRECTION IT IS GOING” - TO BRING IT BACK

In order to steer an R/C plane toward the pilot, the stick is moved in the direction the plane is headed. If the plane is drifting to the right, then the stick is moved to the right of the transmitter. If the plane is drifting to the left of the pilot, then the stick is moved to the left on the transmitter. This process serves to turn the plane towards the pilot at all times, and can be used bring the plane back to the field from a long distance, as well as, to steer it on the ground when taxiing back to the pits. This process works regardless of whether the plane ,d is going away from the pilot or heading towards him. At some time during the course of instruction the student should be made to experiment with this action to verify it and have confidence in using it.

The technique “STICK IN THE DIRECTION ITS GOING” is essential in bringing an airplane back to the field in the event it has drifted out so far that its wings cannot be discerned, its shape is not distinguishable, or it has become a ‘dot’ in the sky. In this case, the pilot must fly the ‘dot’. If the ‘dot’ (of and airplane) is moving to the right, then the stick is moved to the right and vice versus for the left direction. The ‘dot’ can be made to go up or down and turn to eventually return the craft to the field. The instructor should have the student pilot practice this control and become familiar with it. It can prevent an airplane from flying away and losing it.

“STICK IN THE DIRECTION ITS GOING” !!! CAUTION - all movements while flying the ‘dot’ should be very slight, otherwise, a tight turn will cause it to spiral in. Just a touch and watch for the response.

Hope it's useful to those who need it..........