I was Koting my horizontal stab and for some reason
it seemed too tough to work with.
But I got it covered , and proceded to cut the excess off...
and it was then I realized that I forgot to remove the Backing!

Monokote sure comes off easy when the backing material is still on.

Lesson learned: if you're going to cover your plane, don't let your dog distract you!

Fast-Fob:

Everybody pulls their own version of "Two left wings."

The important part is to learn from it.

You want a good one? Counter rotating engines in a twin, and putting the props on the wrong sides. Didn't manage to get it off the ground, but it sure went fast in reverse.

Haw.

Bill.

Yes, I think we have all put monokote on at least once with the backing still applied. What I hate with monkote is that it is hard to tell which side is (up) and if you ever stick you iron to the glue side then its off to get the acetone.

Don't stick your wing tips in the ceiling fan!! Man talk about sticking something in a Prop!!

I fiberglassed the left side of a rudder once, sanded it down nicely, and then glassed the same side again.....duh

I also put a 3" piece of red Monokote trim on the end of an aileron on a pattern plane. Flew the plane a while, and then sold it to a friend, who flew it several months, and then at a contest noted that the trim was lifting......lifted real easy with the backing still on....amazing that it stayed on as long as it did! I still get kidded about that, and it was like16 years ago!

Clair

I wish I could make an error. Oh Woe is me!

Kraus

I see we're sharing.

My first experience with iron-on coverings was Solarfilm (I think... over 20 years ago). I covered the entire plane (a Mambo) without ever realizing the stuff had a backing that had to be removed.

The stuff worked ok... go figure.

My latest boneheaded move? Sheeted the L.E of my Waco and forgot to install the modified strut mount I'd just spent several hours perfecting.... Now I'm trying to install it through the sheer webbing I removed.

Forgetting to attach the glow ignitor when attempting to start and engine. :stupid: Also forgetting to make sure the glow plug is securely tightened, and watching it fly three feet into the air while getting glow fuel everywhere. :stupid:

Thick CA....Had to pee REEEAAAALLLL bad...
Need I say more?

ROFLMAO!! Now that had to be a scene. Has anyone seen my debonding agent??

Man, takes a lot of heat to do monokote with the back on. I know a guy who did the whole plane. I had to re-do it for him. He wouldn't touch it. Not fun.

Was kidding... My childish attempt at humor...

I heard stories though...

Classic, would have loved to have seen that...especially the expression on your face!

One of our members habitually starts his engines at full throttle, reaches over the prop to remove the glow starter, then reaches for the transmitter to idle the engine down. Don't ask me why. We finally talked him into using a retainer, and he got the kind with the hinge. You start the plane, get ready, then pull the plane back. The hinge lets the big "U" flop down on the ground, then you can taxi forward.

He got the engine started backwards! Plane backed up real fast, the retainer flopped down, plane kept backing up, into an assembly bench. I'm glad the bench was there.

True story.

Dave Olson

Welelfla ifffqon i hadnt gluesd my rigght handetf to the wwiing i woold typef thiisf betger

Once I was really pleased with how the OS .52FS was running with a truly amazing throttle response. Always ran great but was running like it had an onboard glow or something. As I was making a low circle to begin my landing approach I noticed that I DID have an onboard glow system. Amazing how that igniter stayed attached thru all the rolls, loops, hammerheads and so on I had been flying...

Mistake made by a Not So Rookie and discovered yesterday at the field. My father installed the fuel tank in his Kadet Senior ARF upside down. For some reason the fuel just pumped right back out of the vent line...

In one flight the aileron were not functioning... I did not connect the servo to the receiver. I got the rudder an take it down. What a landing !!!

Lolo

The number of times I have started the engine, then wondered at the lack of throttle response, only to realise that turning on the RX may help. Manage that most days!

Also managed to turn off a plane on my way the strip, once again causing concern at the lack of throttle response.

Bet everyone that has built their first mechanical retract plane has done this: set plane on wheels in pit area. Accidentally bump the retract switch on the TX to the "gear up" position. Turn on TX. Turn on plane. Watch plane collapse on its belly, to fellow pilot's great enjoyment!

Clair

got to the field, put my 4*60 together. Then remembered I'd better check the battery to ensure it was fully charged. Took the wing back off, checked the battery, it was OK. Upon take off, left wing tip touched the ground, so naturally, I figured I'd trim it out in the air. Only after the plane had enough altitude for the wingtip to clear the ground, was it able to finish the aileron roll it had begun (left wing tip touch) on take off. After a moderately successful inverted landing into a bush, I pull the plane apart to discover the aileron leads hanging. I should have taken my chances with the battery.....