I have to plead Stupidity, Distraction and Exhaustion.

I originally noticed that the ailerons were reversed while programming the radio the night before (@ 6AM, after pulling an all-nighter to finish the bird.) I originally reversed the ailerons in the radio, but then noticed that my landing mix (UP spoiler) was reversed as well. This means that I had the ailerons swapped at the receiver.

It was late and I was tired - I just didn't want to disassemble the plane at that point - so I decided to do it before flying.

(that was the Exhaustion bit.)

I then switched the ailerons back to normal in the radio so as to restore the spoiler mix.

(that was the Stupid bit.)

Off to the field.

One of the guys from work that has been 'threatening' to come watch showed up. We got to talking - office stuff, R/C stuff, etc. I excused mysely, fueled up and fired up. Did a quick power-on range test. O! The ailerons are still reversed. I shut down the engine, pulled the wing off and swapped the aileron servo leads

BUT!

I neglected to check the radio programming or checked the direction that the ailerons were going in. Talking with my mates and the physical act of swapping the leads allowed me to mentally check-off the 'aileron box.'

(that was the Distracted bit.)

Took off. Rolled like mad... first one way, then the other. By the time I'd gotten it upright it was heading for the street, and traffic. I decided to cut the throttle and put it down rather than nail someone and cause an accident... then the chainlink fence grabbed it.

So. What have we learned from this little missive?

1. some of us don't function all that well on two hours of sleep.

2. have one of your flying mates look over your new plane before you take it up. A fresh set of eyes can see things that you can't, or won't.

3. its late, and I'm tired, so I'll just end this here