Well I went up for my second flight today and did really well. First of all my mate took up his brand new PC 9 for its maiden flight, which flew great with the Thunder tiger 61 he has in it. He flew it nice and high and after about the third lap the engine died and he brought it in for a perfect dead stick landing. We were both ecstatic about the planes maiden flight and now it was my turn for my second flight ever with my 40 trainer.
I took off without any problems and flew really well. My mate Marshy trimmed it up for me and he was impressed at how well it flew. I brought it around for an approach and as I had got fairly low decided to land it. I came in a bit to fast and it bounced once but apart from that landed without a problem. Then it was Marshys turn with his PC 9 again and after a few laps trying out the smoke system he handed the controls to me for a fly.....BIG MISTAKE...At first I did okay but then he told me to try a roll. I rolled the plane upside down and didn't realize so when I gave up elevator she curved down wards and hit the deck at full speed.
The plane was totalled after flying only twice. No doubt some of you know the feeling I had inside. I had the same plane in my cupboard at home as a Christmas present to myself which I was going to build once i had learned on my trainer. I now have to give this to my mate to replace the plane I just totalled. I don't know what was worse, the feeling of totalling my mates plane, or the fact that my Christmas present is no more. I must admit my mate was good about it, he said he has done it before and that everybody will crash at some stage. He offered to go halfs when I am ready to get a new plane but I said no. He has said that we will fly again tomorrow as he doesn't want me to lose faith in the hobby and give up.

Well I certainly learned a valuable lesson today...Never fly someone else's plane.

Regards,

Troy.

Man that sucks big time....but would have to say, it isn't your fault...your friend is at more fault than you. You had flown 2 times total and he should never have told you to roll it. I am sorry but i don't feel sorry for him..i feel sorry he put you in that situation.

My thoughts

Thanks Awacs that just made me feel a lot better. I even showed my wife your post. I must admit I was a little hesitant to do the roll but at the end of the day I could have said no but instead I did it so that makes it my fault. I feel a lot better about it though.

Regards,

Troy.

Had lesson to learn,but I've been there.Now when some one ask me to test fly there plane I'll let them know up front if the plane visit's the earth gods its not my problem,other than testing there new planes I DON'T fly someone's plane for fear of having to replace it.

it was nice of you to replace his plane, but i dont think you had to he was the instructor and should be responsible.

Your mate should give you back your christmas present. He let you fly his plane...his risk. Sorry you feel bad about it. (Note this opinion changes if you were both experienced and you asked to fly his $5000.00 40%)

Darn you poor guy,that really bites. I dont think it was anyones fault. I think you both experienced a lapse in judgement. This happens sometimes. In this hobby that usually means splinters! I think that was very noble of you to give up the xmas gift, but I think your mate was right on with the offer of paying half of the cost for your replacement. LET HIM!

I think the blame is equal as well. He knew that you were inexperienced and should not have even let you fly it and at the same time you could have said no since you knew it would be too much for you to handle.

TROYP,
sorry about the misshap, it happens to everyone sometime or other. Could you please call your friend something other than your mate, I was glad to read you have a wife.( juuuust kiddin)

IMO it is entirely your friend's fault Troy. Beginners are beginners because they don't understand their limitations, they don't know what they can and can't do. If an experienced pilot gives an aerobatic model to a beginner and tells them to do a roll the beginner is perfectly entitled to trust that judgement. Experienced pilots ought to understand a beginner's limitations. Beginners can fly a stable trainer around and around, upright, in what appears to be perfect control as good as an experienced pilot. But give them an aerobatic plane with neutral stability and turn it upside down and the beginner has no chance, a crash is guaranteed. Beginners have no experience or understanding of just how quickly an aerobatic model can get out of their control and hit the deck even when they just try to keep it upright, so they can't judge that it is inappropriate for them to try to fly an aerobat or to do aerobatic manouvers, or at least to judge a sensibly safe height to try it which is what your friend should have ensured. It is no fault of yours Troy.

Harry

Troy,

Sorry to hear of the crash, but those things happen. I resist assigning blame 'cause it IS a part of the sport of RC flying.

Now, as for your lack of a second airplane, check out http://www.spadtothebone.com for some VERY inexpensive, fast building airframes. The plans are free and you can have an airframe together in one evening for probably less than $20... even cheaper if you head to the local grocer and have them donate a coroplast sign or two. You could be flying the day after Christmas, instead of returning cloths that don't fit.

flap,

Here in Aust we call friends our mates like you call them your buddys. I had never thought of it the other way. yes I do have a wife......
I have realized that I would have been quite awhile off being ready for the PC-9 anyway so its probably better that my mate builds it and flys it. When I am ready I will buy it from him at a good price already built and complete with motor etc.

regards,

Troy.