The weather in the southeast has been terrible for flying lately. Ever since Hurricane Dennis blew through, there has been nothing but showers, heat, and humidity. It seems like every day at 5PM when I am just about to leave work the bottom drops out. Today I finally found a few minutes to head to my local flying spot. What made it even more fun was the addition of my neighbor who I was bragging to about my new plane (Hobbico TwinStar). He was very interested in seeing the twin fly, as was I. We arrived at the field and I began to setup my gear. The plane was assembled, fueled ad started without incident. I taxied into position and gave it one last run-up on the motors. "Let's fly!", I said. (Bad idea, i.e. never brag. The RC gods will catch you on it.) Full power on the dula 40LAs and the TwinStar raored off down the runway. A little up elevator and oddly enough, the plane does a nose stand? I thought it was a rudder/torque problem so I decided to correct and then I changed the elevator and gave it down. The plane immediately jumped into the air about 10-12' up. It was at this time I realized I had teh TX on the wrong model. I somehow managed to get it to land inverted, flat, from about 5' off the deck. (It was a strange 2 second flight that seemed to last an eternity.) Damage was suprisingly minimal. The vert stab and rudder were laid over, a clean break, 5 minute epoxy fix. The rough part was the wing joiner snapped clean in the middle. Repair on that is taking a bit longer using 30 min epoxy, several dowels (drilled out the bad joiner), and I will be fiberglassing the joint as well. A couple broken props, and she's in fairly good shape. I would call that a slap on the wrist from the RC gods.

Now comes the OOPS #2.

After the mishap witht he TwinStar, I decided to go back to my house and get another plane. This rounds' victim was the Air Flair Stickit IV. I had three flights with it this evening before I used the fatal words, "Hey, watch this!". It was at this juncture that I proceeded to see how low to the deck I could get inverted. I was pretty sure I was under 2 feet when the ground jumped up and grabbed the plane. Damage to this plane was not total carnage, but it is enough to make me strip the gear and burn it. I will try to remember the good times we had as I dance around it's smoldering carcass. All in all, I would call it a half and half trip to the field, eh?

Been hot here too in western PA. High 80's to 90's and lots of humidity. You sweat your @$$ off just standing still. Haven't flown any of my glow planes in over 2 weeks. Just some electric stuff.
I do have a couple of projects goin on, an old MEN trainer thats meant for a .25. Already framed up just needs covering and engine.
And a 60 sized stick that needs assembled, engine and servos. Been so hot and sticky that I dread hauling anything to the field.

Dave...

That's light jacket weather down here!

Sorry for your loss. And ya 120's down their in CA and AZ! Man I'm sweating standing still here in Chicago when it hits 80 lol.

That's light jacket weather down here!
[/quote]

Yea, but it's a dry heat...!

S&L Flt