I have enclosed two statments from our club web site that may give you a laugh. The first writter is by me (still the Beginner) and the second by my friend,the seasond flyer of many years.


The big think that I did was to take off with the ailerons reversed. Now because I was doing what Ian said and that is using the rudder on take off I got clear of the ground and then because of my lack of flying skills I was able to fly with thinking I was going the other way, this worked till I got close to the ground and I could see which direction I was going. then back to the rudder till I hit the long grass. Not even the wooden prop broke. I know how lucky I was.
I did five circuits of the field wondering what I could do.

I ***CANNOT*** believe Paul was able to fly for a few minutes and then pull off a safe arrival with ailerons reversed. Paul, you would be the first person in history to do so. Even I'M not that good! And I don't have to be either! Coz I check my controls directions before each flight! Let me show you how one day! I use the six P's to save my bacon.

Lets hear how you go on when and if it happened to you. Yours Paul T

Wellllll... I can't say it ever happened to me, but I CAN say that I've seen the results. And, it was pretty spectular, from the perspective of a spectator. It wasn't so happy for the pilot.

This is why I always say to beginners, the very last thing you do before leaving the starting bench or the ground starting point, even before doing a range check, is to stand behind the plane and move the aileron stick. Move it to the right and the right aileron goes up, the left goes down. Move it to the left and the left goes up and the right goes down. Anything different, shut down and fix the problem.

But, congrats on saving the plane. We can say that this could only happen to a beginner, but you had enough savy to use the rudder and get it back on the ground safely. Great start in a fun filled hobby.

CGr.

yep ailerons reversed has happened to me. Four seasoned pilots and myself did the reflight. We got distracted by trying to program the flaperon settings on the Dx7. none of us noticed the ailerons were reversed. It happened on my balsa nova 40. Took off, did a right steer correction about 3 foot off the deck and of course it left steered right into the ground. Busted the landing gear and that was about it. Got lucky with that. Haven't made the same mistake since

You are a natural RC pilot, Paul!!!

Thanks for sharing the story.

To add a little to CG's instructions:
Stand behind the plane with the bottom of your thumb on the aileron
controller such that the the thumb is pointing up.
Move the thumb to the right, the thumb points up to the up aileron.
Move the thumb to the left, the thumb points up to the up aileron.
Good Job & Good Luck,
KW_Counter

Man do I know that feeling all to well! lol Took off with my chippy then relized the ailerons were reversed.. Holy crap!! I was able to get it up high so I could figure out what to do then my engine stalled...
I was able to land it safely with no damage lucky me! I never want to go through that again! I was terrified. I kinda hurts to switch your brain in reverse..lol