Well, my plane crashed...
 

Yep.

I flew it today after the mods and as soon as it took off, it just flipped left and landed upside down on the runway. I don't know what caused this, but it could be one of the following:

1) Bad alieron trim.
2) Engine mounted too high pointed "up," thus stalling. But this still doesn't explain the roll.
3) Too much wind.

Luckily, nothing broke. The carb came off, but no other visible damage. I found the servos inside (which were connected with servo tape) had come loose. It could very well be that I didn't notice this before taking off, thus, having absolutely no relevant alieron control.

It was a good experience, even though it was pretty embarrassing. I think I will make a servo tray from plywood and attach it securely to the fuse and get the alieron thing figured out.

Any other tips, advice? [&o]

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

What is servo tape?

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

Pretty much double sided tape with a small cushion in-between.

http://www.lakesregionrcparts.cityma...736/379494.htm

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

Scuby,

Bring it out to El Mirage this coming Sunday, and I'll take a look at it for you. I know it's a drive, but it may save you a plane.

Let me know.

Gary

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

Hi Gary,

I would like to do that, but I can't make it, unfortunately. Thanks for your offer, though. :)

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

Scuby,

Ok, perhaps you'd like to meet somewhere, sometime, someplace, for me to help you out. I'm here for ya, but ya gotz to work wit me! :D

Lose the servo tape for one, and SCREW them down. I wouldn't trust the tape to hold the "torque" of a servo.

Wish we were closer......

Gary

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

Or at least add a zip tie with the tape. They won't come loose then.

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

Any chance the ailerons were reversed?

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

Thanks for the replies, guys.

I checked the alierons before flight, and they were fine. Moreover, I did not apply any alieron once the plane took off. I suspect it was the wind, but the fact that the servos came loose probably meant I could not control it even if I had wanted to.

I think the fact that my engine is slightly pointed upwards doesn't help matters. It could be that the plane got off too fast, took the wind under the right wing, and flipped it over.

The investigation continues. [:-]

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

Unless the plans call for up-thrust, (very few do) I would make certain the engine had downthrust and possibly a little right thrust to counter engnie torque.

What type and size of plane are we talking about?

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

So, the guys saying learning without an instructor is so rewarding. Are you starting to believe it yet? How are the rewards so far? :eek:

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

Ed: I will be doing that. The plane has a span of about 30 inches, and has a .15 engine. Weight is two pounds even, and the plane is very slightly nose heavy.

Flyboy: This wasn't my first flight and I've had previous ones with an instructior. Landing is a bit hard for me, but taking off and flying with a plane that doesn't flip over during takeoff is easy for me. :D

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

No worries scubyfan, didn't mean any disrespect. Just keep reading posts about blowing up planes on the first flight from students who won't get help.

On a training note, I have seen a lot of new ones crash because of trim problems. Remember one thing. Never quit flying the plane. It doesn't matter how far out of trim it is, get it flying, hold the sticks where you have to so it will fly, and get it up high enought to trim it. If it is not controllable, get the power back or all the way off before it hits the ground.

You probably knew tht already, but I said it anyway for the guys that didn't. I have flown many out of a bad situation and guys always say they would have let it hit the ground. Don't try to fly it out if it will endanger the guys on the ground or in the pits though.

Good luck. You will get it.

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

Thanks for the encouragement, FLYBOY. I'm definitely not going to give up, as set backs come with everything. Since nothing broke, I will be tightening the carb, screwing down the servos, and attempting again! :D

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

They aren't students until they GET help. But if I rememeber correctly, I was the same way. Thought I knew it all.

It could be that the plane DIDN'T get off fast enough, and stalled the left wing and ROLLED over. Just a guess.

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

That could be a possibility too, Aeronaut. :)

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

Down Thrust--Down Thrust--Down Thrust

With all that up thrust, I suspect the plane took off prematurely and stalled; just as Aeronaut contends.

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

That is on the to-do list and does seem very possible. I will make the corrections and let you guys know how it flies! :)

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

A couple weeks ago i was on the buddy box with the instructor,wind blowing way too much,as i began turning it to the right it did a flip and was on it's back headed for the ground but the instructor saved it,not once but twice doing the same turn,
finally said we did good twice and it's time to get it down.I didn't realize the wind could get under the wing and cause havoc like it did.

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

It happened way too fast in my case, faster than the blink of an eye! [:@]

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

Same here but the instructor was ready,seems it happens once in awhile with gusting winds.

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

Hey,
Do you have any idea of how fast the wind was blowing.

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

Not too fast so as to be excessive, as there were other birds flying just fine. 5mph? 8mph? Thereabouts.

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

That little amount of wind shouldnt have rolled your plane over. Maybe it was radio interference. I have never had wind do that to my plane. What plane are you flying?

RE: Well, my plane crashed...
 

It's a heavily modified HOB 1/2 Stealth Sport. Since I've made so many changes to it, it's really irrelevant that that is the model underneath. :D