Finally had a decent day to fly.

[James Mills]

After several weeks of wind and rain (we got 5 inches Friday alone) we finally had a nice day to fly.  First problem was half of the circle was under water.  Decided to try at my sons school up the road.  The grass was a little high but thought I could take off of the parking lot and then walk out over the grass.  Either something on the asphalt turned the plane or the lines snagged on some grass, but it went straight up over me about 20' and started heading to where I had told my little boy to sit untill I got it up (scared me half to death) but I was able to grab the lines with my other hand and yank down.  The picutes show the results.  I never did get a full pattern on the plane, probably not 10 total flights (at least I can save the wing and stab for the future).

James

[Randy Powell]

As my old boss at the body shop I worked at in high school said, every thing is repairable. Just depend on how much effort you want to put in. This is certain fixable.

I suspect everyone has a similar story of doing something silly we thought we would get away with. Can't tell you how may times I've had a dandelion or whatever snag a line. The result almost always looks like yours.

Best advice is, put it away for a couple of weeks until you get over the wreck, then survey and decide if you want to fix it. Don't do it now as your tendency will be to trash it.

[Richard Grogan]

Looks very do-able James. Nothing that some thin ply and Epoxy cant fix. Thats a nice paint scheme and even if you cant make it absolutely perfect again(paint wise), it will make a great practice plane while you build another front row model just like it! Instant back-up!

[john e. holliday]

James the plane can be repaired, but, I seen the statement that you grabbed  the lines.  That is one terrific no-no.  I have seen too many people taken to emergency rooms to have hands/fingers stitched back together.  I know you were worried about your youngster.  If he was the stooge he should be educated on moving away from circle on launch.  Better luck next time.  DOC Holliday

[James Mills]

James the plane can be repaired, but, I seen the statement that you grabbed  the lines.  That is one terrific no-no.  I have seen too many people taken to emergency rooms to have hands/fingers stitched back together.  I know you were worried about your youngster.  If he was the stooge he should be educated on moving away from circle on launch.  Better luck next time.  DOC Holliday

He wasn't the launcher, he was sitting on the side, and where I had told him to sit and I thought he was more than far enough away, the plan just took a weird flight path.  I yanked them down to keep it from getting near him, better me going to the E.R. than him.

James

[Randy Powell]

James,

I understand completely. Kid comes first. Hope your hand is OK.

Weird feeling watching a CL plane fly past and having zero control. Happened to me once. Flew about 20 feet over my head. Certainly was fun when it got to the end of the lines.

[James Mills]

James,

I understand completely. Kid comes first. Hope your hand is OK.

Weird feeling watching a CL plane fly past and having zero control. Happened to me once. Flew about 20 feet over my head. Certainly was fun when it got to the end of the lines.

Randy,

The hand is fine, didn't even break the skin.  I tried running the opposite direction but the knee isn't to a point yet that I can run full speed (not that my top end is very impressive anyway ).

Right now I'm leaning toward building a new fuse later.  The wing cracked on the top going into the wing/fuse joint.

James