Bad day at the field.
1st crash: An Instructor took off with his own plane an old one covered in silkspan and dope. Never made it to the end of the runway aircraft rolled right and auggered in just after lift off.
Ailerons were reversed, and he did a pre flight check he just missed it. Pay attention out there.

2nd crash: My dad (another instructor) was flying our old trainer, inverted and decending in a left turn do to a low inverted pass. Aircraft started to lose altitude gave all the down elevator there was. too low to roll out . gave throttle the aircraft snapped right and, totalled, center line on runway. Flew the aircaft beyond it's capabillities. I mean trainers are trainers.

3rd almost crash: A newly solo'd pilot (2 months) flying his second aircraft a Bobcat. Took off, the aircraft was just above stall speed until 50 feet or so. The aircraft was rolling left and right the tail was sagging, I thought it was gone several times. Landed ok. Found out he had the prop on backwards. Attention to detail.

The reason I am posting this is to help the newer folks. I hope you get the point always check your throws before the first flight. I mean stand behind your plane and really watch. My Dad always does and he taught me that (pounded it into the brain). i haven't and a reversed throw yet.

Pay attention to details, as for my Dad's crash. Don't fly past your or your aircraft's capabillites.

have fun out there

Let's see:

I've never reversed a control throw because I set them once and no one else touches my radios. When I used older radios with manual reversing switches, I put tape over them. On my computer radios, the only things I MIGHT change in the screen after the plane is trimmed are exponential and ATV.

Trainers are ment to fly upright and can often be VERY squirrely when inverted and the dihedral is "upside down".

That plane was stalled all the way, he's lucky. I've never put a prop on backwards, the lettering usually gives me a clue.

Say it to yourself as you move the controls. "Right aileron UP" "Left aileron UP." "Elevator UP." etc....

You're right, ALWAYS preflight your plane, check everything.

What is a little scarey is these are NOVICE mistakes that INSTRUCTORS are making...

Dr.1

Instructors are people too -- we all suffer from brain farts.

I've been an instructor for 15 years, never did any of that, though.

Dr.1

I have to agree with Dr1 on this. I've been an instructor for many years, CFI as well.
These are novice mistakes that Instructors should not be making... or they shouldn't be Instructors.

That said, Instructors are human, we are prone to some errors, I have been known to over-estimate the abilities of a student... but never twice.

I think you're missing my point. Iam not being critical of anyone.
I was trying to show the newer pilots out here that mistakes can be made even by instructors. That you need to be attentive, for our hobby is an unforgiving one to mistakes.
Further more Ive never seen a perfect pilot.

have fun out there

Hi,

In regards to the third item, wouldn't a prop installed backwards produce backwards thrust (if the engine was running in the proper direction)and push the plane backwards? How could the plane get off the ground with a reversed prop unless it can fly backwards? :-)

Tom

Think about it, Tom. The blades are angled the same way whether the prop is on correctly or not. It's like flying inverted, the ailerons roll the plane the same way as upright. You'd need a reverse pitch prop to make the plane fly backwards.

Dr.1

I'm an instructor also, for over twenty years. All of us have done dumb things. Point well taken, never take anything for granted, especially safety!

omg never say i never did that.............lol..you are cursed now

oops thats twice