Can't believe I get to post on this forum...

I replaced my Hitec Eclipse 7 with a Futaba 9C and decided to set up my trusty LT-40 first to get the hang of things. At the same time I also did a "spring cleaning" and went over the airplane from tail to spinner. I carefully set the high and low rates, expo, etc. I must have spent 6 hours in total on it.

I got to the field and between other people flying and some weather delays I finally took off. I started a turn to the left and the plane went right corrected more to the left to compensate and before I knew it I had nosed in full throttle. Yes, I had the ailerons reversed. I must have looked at them ten times including just before takeoff and incredibly it failed to register.

I am a full scale pilot also and am religious about preflights, but I obviously was just going through the motions without really looking.

I totaled the airplane and am just glad I didn't hurt someone (fortunately I am in the habit of flying straight and gaining altitude after takeoff so my crash was well away from the field). The LT-40 survived my flight training (I've been in the hobby a year now) without a scratch and it really kills me to lose the airplane over something so avoidable. I feel like I've lost a friend (and a great platform the introduce friends and my kids to the hobby).

I guess the lesson in flying all airplanes of all sizes is never ever go through the motions. Always be thinking. Pay special attention especially when you change something radical (like your radio).

Man, am I mad at myself!

Tweet don't be too hard on yourself... your just the newest member of a VERY LARGE club I joined about 8 years ago... I had already soloed and been flying my trainer for probably 3 months on my own. My JR max 6 radio had a wonderful convenient feature... dip switches for servo reverse on the front of the bezel where almost ANYTHING could bump and change the switch, I also did a brain OFF pre-flight... took off and rolled it right into the ground about 200ft from the end of the runway. sounds like you learned your lesson... I know I did


John

Don't feel so bad. I dorked my FuntanaS on the 2nd flight due to a bad solder joint on the elevator. I worked hard on that ARF and didn't get to enjoy it too much. But I got another and have flown it 15 times. Just go get another one and you'll feel fine. My lesson taught me to put my planes together so they are solid. It has to be a good job, every step, or I'll just stay on that step until I figure out a way to do it right. If I have a bad feeling about some step in the assembly, I'll stop right there and work it out.

BTW, I always look at my ails and pretend a wind is hitting it and see which way the plane turns. If I can't do it in my head, I won't take off. But I understand that we all lose our concentration some times and get careless. Heck, after losing my first Funtana, I took my 2nd one off without doing a range check. Ooops!!! I should have known better.

Guys,

Thanks for the words. Here I am up in the middle of the night kicking myself unable to sleep. It is really bothering me. I do have another airplane that is almost as easy to fly with my kids (a Four Star 60) so I probably won't replace the LT-40. I guess the thing that bothers me is that I am normally pretty careful and I STILL fell asleep at the switch.

Well, I have learned a lesson (I hope). I probably fly full scale the same way...make sure the controls are free and clear without paying enough attention to CORRECT. Now that is scary. Of course, you don’t reverse the servos on full scale, but maintenance is performed. You never know.

There sure is a steep learning curve associated with this hobby.

Tweet, I feel your pain. I have been flying for a little over 10 years, and just joined the RAC (reversed ailerons club) about 8 months ago. I did essentially the same as you, swapped a radio, did all the preflights, I even thought I checked for aileron reversal (guess not). Got off the ground, gained around 50 feet of altitude, started to roll right so I gave it some left and was real surprised when she flipped over to the right and went in. Glad to hear you've got another plane, just keep flying and don't worry about the crash too much. It happens to the best of us (or in my case, maybe the worst ).

p.s. I see you're from Windsor, do you fly at the field off highway 14? I'm new to the area and looking for the best place to fly.

2left_thumbs, I'm already feeling a bit better. Just disappointed in myself. Well, on to the next thing.

Yeah, I fly at the field off of 14 (Love-Air RC club). There are a couple of other clubs in the area and I think they're all pretty decent. The field off of 14 is very convenient for me so that drove my decision. Come on out sometime and see if it works for you. Let me know and I can meet you there and you can fly as my guest.