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!

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.

RE: Watching them squirm.
 

You aughta write a book! :D:)

RE: Watching them squirm.
 

I think he just did. First of many identical chapters, unfortunately. [:o]

RE: Watching them squirm.
 

im a newbie and i've done that before unfortunately!:)

RE: Watching them squirm.
 

The bad news is that you won't be the last. [:o]

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:eek:) 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...

RE: Watching them squirm.
 

Nice story. Whats the title of the book called?
:)

RE: Watching them squirm.
 

[:'(]sounds like a subject for the AMA forum:eek:

RE: Watching them squirm.
 

He knew that all eyes were upon him without turning around to see. The scent of spent Nitro Fuel was still hanging in the breeze, and little whifs of smoke were passing by his head each spelling out the word FAILURE as they drifted by and then gently fading away! If only I had went left instead of right, or up instead of down, or ............then he paused! "Is that my right, or is that the Planes right"? "Maybe I was supposed to add in some up elevator,..... or was that down"? "Why all of the sudden am I so confused", he thought? "I was just sure that I knew everything I needed to know about Flying Airplanes". "Maybe It was the Planes fault, or maybe I was shot down by another Transmitter"? Confusion is suddenly replaced by a feeling of anxiety, as his mind quickly dreams up potential culprits to lay blame for this disaster! As he begins to collect his wreckage, thoughts of a conspiracy against him still run through his head, and he quickly forms a lineup in his head of potential traitors. "That old guy in the pits who thinks he knows it all probally turned on his Radio while I was flying", was a first thought. Then a movement from out of the corner of his eye grabs his attention as he slightly turns to see that the Old Man is strolling his way. " I bet he is comming over to tell me what an awful Pilot I am"! "I bet he is going to rub it in", he mumbles under his breath. As the Old Man draws near he slowly leans over and picks up a few pieces of leftover AirPlane in his path. Then as he comes to face with the New Pilot he says "Let me help you carry that stuff back to the Pitts"! " "I have been in your shoes before and it is nice to have a friend nearby to help when such things happen". Anxiety quickly turns into guilt at this point, and from somewhere inside himself an inner honest voice in his head says "Why didn't you just ask for help"? As his day neared an end he knew that he had learned his first big lesson since joining the Club, and for the first time since joining he finally knew that he had alot more to learn. He also knew that next time he would listen to those that came before him, so as not to have a repeat performance.

RE: Watching them squirm.
 

Another one bites the dust...... or

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 ............. :D

RE: Watching them squirm.
 

<<... a subject for the AMA forum...>>

You won't catch me in there. Too many guys with nothing better to do, just waiting to pick a fight.

But I figured someone would get their knickers in a twist...;)

RE: Watching them squirm.
 

nice titles:D

RE: Watching them squirm.
 

You forgot the ending... "And they all lived happily ever after!"

RE: Watching them squirm.
 

Apart from the plane...

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.