Warning: Ground Check
06-13-2003 | 03:37 PM
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From: Commerce Twp,
MI
Warning: Ground Check
My son wants to start training. So I get my old trainer out (soloed with it in 2000) and get it ready to fly. Add an engine, receiver and a couple of new servos. Get it set up on my computer radio and get the throws set up. I get the engine running and tuned. Great, off to the field to test fly it.
At the field. Fuel it, check the cg, check the batteries, range test it and then start it. Everything looks ok. Put it down and flex the controls. Run it out on the runway. Start the takeoff run, it pops up off the runway and off we go. Looks good. Crosswind is pushing it left, which is the way I want to turn. So I start to fed in some right aileron to slow the turn down. It keep turning left, but even harder, So I give it more right. Now it is heading straight down. So I cut the power, let go of the ailerons and pull back on the stick hoping I have enough altitude. The plane lands across the runway with no room to spare. I even clipped the high grass on the other side of the runway.
What happened?
Three of us walk out and take a look.
Some how after setting up the plane I reversed the ailerons.
I was lucky to get it down in one piece.
So, pilots, don't forget to check everything before you fly.
I got complacent and almost lost this plane.
Bill
At the field. Fuel it, check the cg, check the batteries, range test it and then start it. Everything looks ok. Put it down and flex the controls. Run it out on the runway. Start the takeoff run, it pops up off the runway and off we go. Looks good. Crosswind is pushing it left, which is the way I want to turn. So I start to fed in some right aileron to slow the turn down. It keep turning left, but even harder, So I give it more right. Now it is heading straight down. So I cut the power, let go of the ailerons and pull back on the stick hoping I have enough altitude. The plane lands across the runway with no room to spare. I even clipped the high grass on the other side of the runway.
What happened?
Three of us walk out and take a look.
Some how after setting up the plane I reversed the ailerons.
I was lucky to get it down in one piece.
So, pilots, don't forget to check everything before you fly.
I got complacent and almost lost this plane.
Bill
06-13-2003 | 04:32 PM
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From: San Antonio,
TX
Warning: Ground Check
Good advice and nice piloting skills/recovery. 
I once hand launched one of my e-flyers on the wrong model memory number on my computer radio. Big mistake.
I once hand launched one of my e-flyers on the wrong model memory number on my computer radio. Big mistake.
06-14-2003 | 02:23 AM
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Warning: Ground Check
I once hand launched one of my e-flyers on the wrong model memory number on my computer radio. Big mistake.
Anyway, had a friend hand launch for me, same deal, wrong model on my 6XAS and reversed ailerons. (And hollered it as soon as I realized.) I was fortunate though, was able to recover and actually managed a full circuit of the field and landed it quite nicely. (And I don't have rudder on this thing.)
Got a round of applause, but it was the single scariest circuit I ever flew!
Dennis-
