At least that's what I've had said if I had not just done it!


Picture this: Wife and I out for a cozy day flying and enjoying our time together. Perfect day, good field, and then it happens. First Zen-like enjoyment of the hobby, followed by complacency.

I turned base to final with my trusty LT-40 ARF practicing to see just how slow I could it bring it from various altitudes.

When suddenly, it sorta skids across the canopy of a 60 ft oak. This surprised me to say the least, so I sorta 'forgot' the TX, and watched in 'rapt funeral amazement' as the plane made an immediate 90 degree turn... Down.

I saw it a few times through the leaves and branches as it streaked THROUGH the tree, pointing down. All the while making HORRIBLE noises. My heart sank,and my wife asks "IS that happening?' (God, I love that woman!).

We start off on the 'Walk of Shame' together, even fighting about who should stay with the car, hoping to spare each others feelings.

We arrive, only to see a perfectly intact, non-damaged, prop-still-in-one-piece model, sitting wheels up, 1 ft from the trunk. After further inspection, I did find the nose wheel had 'shortened' the 1/8 inch space between it and the fuse.


Yep, I wouldn't believe it either if I had read it too.

Something similar happened to my Avistar last spring. I was just flying around when all the sudden I noticed that I was way too close to one of the trees that line our field. The plane flew into the tree, and I let go of the controls as it entered. I hear snap/crackle/pop. A second later the plane comes out at a 90 degree agle to how it entered (heading toward the runway no less). All the parts appear attached with the exception of the vertical slab which was attached only by the rudder control rod and clevis. The plane was however deadstick and I manage to control the plane through an easy descent into the tall grass. Upon inspection, there's absolutely no damage other than the broken slab. Amazing!

I was at a helicopter fly in a few months back, and a guy did a loop a little too low. He recovered about half way through a tree. It sounded like a giant weed eater. Then the heli came out the other side, completely undamaged!!! The wooden blades weren't even nicked!!