dumb thumbs today
 

I went out this morning with a small 48 inch wing span S P A D plane that I had built to fly when the wind is to strong for balsa. That and I like to try new stuff with the spad's first. Well anyway this morning I took off and flew around a while. I did a loop and tried to keep it upside down out of the loop, but it wanted to keep going down. Well instead of pulling out of the loop my thumbs got stupid and didn't know what to do so the plane looked like a yard dart[X(] thankfully it wasn't balsa so I wasn't out there picking up a bounch of splinters. The plane was destroyed. (about $10 worth) so no big deal. the only damage is the needle valve broke off the back plate of the engine. it looks like a clean break and maybe could be JB welded back on. Not sure what a new one cost I'm sure its not much. I knew it would happen to me so enough I'm just glad it was with a spad...

RE: dumb thumbs today
 

Yet another reason to try SPAD's:D

Sorry it had to happen though, any crash is bad when the plane is lost, even if it was a SPAD:(

Soo, just have to ask.. What you do? Pull instead of push then freeze up or what?

RE: dumb thumbs today
 

here is a little ditty that I teach my students....when inverted, and in doubt, roll out...everyone gets dumb thumbs, I've had em a couple of times, so far has cost me a plane both times
Good Flyin

RE: dumb thumbs today
 

I tried to keep it inverted till it started a dose dive then pulled then went back to pushing and then GROUND[:@] It was like I've never flown before. My thumbs just wouldn't work.:eek:

RE: dumb thumbs today
 

that's why I gave you that little ditty...when in doubt roll out...you tried to loop out then reversed the loop....maybe it will come to you and you'll throw ailerons instead of elevators...like I said I've done it myself...
I was doing some field maintenance painting the freq board and impound when I heard wham...looked over and a guy tried to loop out of inverted...the ground rose up and got him.....
Good Flyin

RE: dumb thumbs today
 

like Jetmech said a pushout (down elevator) from stable low inverted to vertical or a half outside loop to level upright flight is a difficult manuver to perform without inducing a roll on the stick during the pushout and when this happens the natural response to panic and pull the stick which of course is a big ground contact mistake.

Always try to form the habit of rolling for recovery with a small pushout (down elevator) just before rolling.

John

RE: dumb thumbs today
 

Classic brain fart.

Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt.