Watching them squirm.
#1
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Watching them squirm.
White knuckles clench the transmitter as the newbie hunches over and cocks his head off to the side readying himself for the upcoming flight. His plane bounces a couple of times before wide open throttle is applied and he, himself, gives a little hop just as the plane leaves the ground. He raises his transmitter to his face as he prances with every wild motion his trainer makes, mumbling in a language known only to himself. I can hear the transmitter case creak as his grip grows tighter and watch the antenna whip to and fro as he "steers" the tx, willing his craft to follow his commands. His brow is knitted and I'm forced to wonder how anyone could contort a body like that. The plane is of course doomed from the time he stated "No, I don't need to use the trainer cord!" while glaring at me, hoping to humiliate me for having asked such a question. He'll show me. The end is near when he ignores my warnings to "Pull up!" and even green horns search for cover. When the front of the plane stopped the tail was still doing 60mph and wanted very much to become "one" with the ground. The newbie never looked back at me or the other onlookers, who were busying themselves by climbing out from where ever they had crawled, he just collapsed his antenna and swaggered out to his hastily placed pile of raw materials. He showed me, that's for sure!
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RE: Watching them squirm.
I take it you offered to help someone fly and they chose not to heed your advice? Ending with what seems to be a spectacular crash.
This is why instruction is a good idea.
This is why instruction is a good idea.
#7
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RE: Watching them squirm.
Interesting post. Just yesterday, there was a newbie who showed up with one of those SPAD things. There was also a NexStar trainer in the truck, but he left it there. Lots of wind; I had elected not to go up just yet, but this fellow was determined. I'd never seen him before, but I don't get out there every week-end. I asked him how long he'd been flying. "Three weeks," was the response. Hmmm....
He actually did okay, considering the relative aerodynamic efficiency of that SPAD thing's wing (the leading edge was rolled over and held on each end by a piece of wire) and the wildly varying wind. Later, when the rest of the crew showed up, he went aloft again; and promptly planted the thing rather close to two other pilots who were flying at the time.
Now, far be it for me to judge another. But if ever there was a demonstrated need for a instructor "check off", here it was. This fellow knew just enough to be dangerous. We supposedly have such a system in place at our club, but I spoke with two of the other three club IPs and they hadn't worked with this fellow. Since I gave up my IP status this year, I let it drop; but you can bet your next case of fuel I'll be keeping a close eye on any unfamiliar new members.
I think the Brits have the right idea; one has to become licensed, certified, whatever you want to call it, before being allowed to fly solo. The independent-minded among us will scream communism, socialism, don't abrogate my God-given right to fly, etc., etc., ad nauseum. All well and good; but we license drivers, and if you get right down to it, the situations are similar; a person is in control of a potentially lethal instrument in and around other folks.
I believe we've skated on this for so long because most modelers are indeed conscientious. During my 18 years in the hobby, I can say I've witnessed very few truly unsafe acts; and almost all of those were followed by contriteness on the part of the transgressor. IOW, they were unlikely to do it again. But all it will take is one high-profile fatality, and the government will likely get involved. If that happens, we're all hosed.
Food for thought...
He actually did okay, considering the relative aerodynamic efficiency of that SPAD thing's wing (the leading edge was rolled over and held on each end by a piece of wire) and the wildly varying wind. Later, when the rest of the crew showed up, he went aloft again; and promptly planted the thing rather close to two other pilots who were flying at the time.
Now, far be it for me to judge another. But if ever there was a demonstrated need for a instructor "check off", here it was. This fellow knew just enough to be dangerous. We supposedly have such a system in place at our club, but I spoke with two of the other three club IPs and they hadn't worked with this fellow. Since I gave up my IP status this year, I let it drop; but you can bet your next case of fuel I'll be keeping a close eye on any unfamiliar new members.
I think the Brits have the right idea; one has to become licensed, certified, whatever you want to call it, before being allowed to fly solo. The independent-minded among us will scream communism, socialism, don't abrogate my God-given right to fly, etc., etc., ad nauseum. All well and good; but we license drivers, and if you get right down to it, the situations are similar; a person is in control of a potentially lethal instrument in and around other folks.
I believe we've skated on this for so long because most modelers are indeed conscientious. During my 18 years in the hobby, I can say I've witnessed very few truly unsafe acts; and almost all of those were followed by contriteness on the part of the transgressor. IOW, they were unlikely to do it again. But all it will take is one high-profile fatality, and the government will likely get involved. If that happens, we're all hosed.
Food for thought...
#9
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RE: Watching them squirm.
ORIGINAL: Steve Campbell
I think the Brits have the right idea; one has to become licensed, certified, whatever you want to call it, before being allowed to fly solo. The independent-minded among us will scream communism, socialism, don't abrogate my God-given right to fly, etc., etc., ad nauseum. All well and good; but we license drivers, and if you get right down to it, the situations are similar; a person is in control of a potentially lethal instrument in and around other folks.
Food for thought...
I think the Brits have the right idea; one has to become licensed, certified, whatever you want to call it, before being allowed to fly solo. The independent-minded among us will scream communism, socialism, don't abrogate my God-given right to fly, etc., etc., ad nauseum. All well and good; but we license drivers, and if you get right down to it, the situations are similar; a person is in control of a potentially lethal instrument in and around other folks.
Food for thought...
[:'(]sounds like a subject for the AMA forum
#10
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RE: Watching them squirm.
ORIGINAL: XSDEVOTEE
White knuckles clench the transmitter as the newbie hunches over and cocks his head off to the side readying himself for the upcoming flight. His plane bounces a couple of times before wide open throttle is applied and he, himself, gives a little hop just as the plane leaves the ground. He raises his transmitter to his face as he prances with every wild motion his trainer makes, mumbling in a language known only to himself. I can hear the transmitter case creak as his grip grows tighter and watch the antenna whip to and fro as he "steers" the tx, willing his craft to follow his commands. His brow is knitted and I'm forced to wonder how anyone could contort a body like that. The plane is of course doomed from the time he stated "No, I don't need to use the trainer cord!" while glaring at me, hoping to humiliate me for having asked such a question. He'll show me. The end is near when he ignores my warnings to "Pull up!" and even green horns search for cover. When the front of the plane stopped the tail was still doing 60mph and wanted very much to become "one" with the ground. The newbie never looked back at me or the other onlookers, who were busying themselves by climbing out from where ever they had crawled, he just collapsed his antenna and swaggered out to his hastily placed pile of raw materials. He showed me, that's for sure!
White knuckles clench the transmitter as the newbie hunches over and cocks his head off to the side readying himself for the upcoming flight. His plane bounces a couple of times before wide open throttle is applied and he, himself, gives a little hop just as the plane leaves the ground. He raises his transmitter to his face as he prances with every wild motion his trainer makes, mumbling in a language known only to himself. I can hear the transmitter case creak as his grip grows tighter and watch the antenna whip to and fro as he "steers" the tx, willing his craft to follow his commands. His brow is knitted and I'm forced to wonder how anyone could contort a body like that. The plane is of course doomed from the time he stated "No, I don't need to use the trainer cord!" while glaring at me, hoping to humiliate me for having asked such a question. He'll show me. The end is near when he ignores my warnings to "Pull up!" and even green horns search for cover. When the front of the plane stopped the tail was still doing 60mph and wanted very much to become "one" with the ground. The newbie never looked back at me or the other onlookers, who were busying themselves by climbing out from where ever they had crawled, he just collapsed his antenna and swaggered out to his hastily placed pile of raw materials. He showed me, that's for sure!
#11
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RE: Watching them squirm.
ORIGINAL: Pilot Chad
Nice story. Whats the title of the book called?
Nice story. Whats the title of the book called?
You thought you knew more..... or
If common sense was so common, why didn't that guy have any....... or
What happens when you put technology in the hands of a dumb*****....... or .............
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RE: Watching them squirm.
I don't see where this message will assist the beginner.
Lets contribute to the growth of the hobby, not degrade those who are less skilled or knowledgeable.
Lets contribute to the growth of the hobby, not degrade those who are less skilled or knowledgeable.