ORIGINAL: Edbaker
I find it hard to believe that with all the Lightnings out there flying and only 1 issue that there is a design problem. You guys are looking at the crash photos, did you not notice that there is a servo screw missing and I could be wrong here but it looks like a plastic servo arm in the photo. Come on, you don't build a $10K airplane and not use all the parts or use cheep parts and then say it a poor design when it breaks. I sure would hate to see CARF's rep hurt if they are not at fault, I for one can't afford to buy a $20K UB. I love my Lightning and will want another one when I wear this one out.
Sir
The fact that this is bad design practice is not questionable in my opinion. Ask ANY mechanical design engineer and he will tell you the same.
Also please note, the fact that others have not failed at this time also does not mean that this is not bad practice.
History is littered with issues where bad design practice has survived for many years, the issue is, how close to the edge do you want to be?
Aircraft (full size) are built to exacting standards and each item is designed with a large factor of safety, that is the best us mortals can hope to do.
This however does not stop failures occurring and full sized planes crashing due to miscalculations or lack of forethought in design.
What you will NOT find in full size is a design feature breaking what are fundamental basic mechanical design laws.
What i say here should not be taken wrong.
I have no issue with CARF, I very much like the Lightning and the Flash and what CARF have done to lower prices and deliver product worldwide.
Dave Wiltshire is in my club and flys the Lightning and Flash regularly, he is a great pilot and the planes perform admirably.
This fact however does not distract me from my above concerns and the facts as they exist.
As i said before, i am sure CARF will take all actions necessary to correct any issues they feel exist.