I think it's time to retire this airplane

[Tim Wescott]

The FAA will rule that it's pilot error, probably for trusting the ground crew too much.

I was just noodling, testing out an Enya 19.  At the moment this happened I was flying level then the thing darted into the ground from about 12 feet up.  The control system looks intact -- I suspect that the horizontal stab (which I had built up long ago, and which has been repaired a few times) just gave way.

[Randy Powell]

Seems done to me. 

[Tim Wescott]

Seems done to me. 

You know you've post-holed it good and proper when you have to really tug at it to get it out of the dirt.

[Mike Alimov]

If you left it in the ground and watered it every day, do you think you could harvest baby Flite Streaks in the fall?

[Tim Wescott]

It'd be worth it for the Enya 09's alone -- but how do I know when they're ripe?

[Allen Eshleman]

I used a shovel to get an LA 40 on a Banshee out of the ground.  Both engine and plane are still flying - the motor was cleaned up by Motorman and the plane is there, but a terrible flyer.  It won't stay out there on the end of the line.  There is weight in the wing tip, offset of motor and rudder.  I don't know what more to do with it.  Flies on 60 ft. lines.

[Steve Helmick]

I used a shovel to get an LA 40 on a Banshee out of the ground.  Both engine and plane are still flying - the motor was cleaned up by Motorman and the plane is there, but a terrible flyer.  It won't stay out there on the end of the line.  There is weight in the wing tip, offset of motor and rudder.  I don't know what more to do with it.  Flies on 60 ft. lines.

Sounds like an engine problem to me!  Steve

[Andre Ming]

I thought "Lawn Darts" were pulled off the market a long time ago?

Andre

[pat king]

Always sorry to see one go. That is what we call a "High angle of attack landing". Worst subsoil job I did was to bury my Enya 29 1/2 of a revolution with a 9 X 8 prop. The combat wing was doing about 90 MPH. OOPS.
Think about building the replacement.

Pat

[Ken Culbertson]

You can tell by the look on it's face that it was surprised. 

[Dennis Leonhardi]

If you left it in the ground and watered it every day, do you think you could harvest baby Flite Streaks in the fall?

 

Dennis

[Tim Wescott]

Think about building the replacement.

Building is happening really slowly around here, and there's a backlog -- but:  here's one.  I'm also thinking of a Ringmaster that actually weighs less than two pounds.

[tom brightbill]

Scale up the Aqua Bat and use an Impact wing!

[Serge_Krauss]

If you're tired of it, let it go. Otherwise, why not just fix it gain?

[Phil Spillman]

I'd vote to make a new stab and elevator and use it as a break-in engine plane! That way you'd not be wasting fuel at the expense of annoying the neighbors and actually getting use out of the old carcass! many of my old planes still give me satisfaction and fun in fact I just repaired an old Sterling Mustang which I started in 1985! This one was silk covered and I actually found scrap pieces to use to fix the most recent tears!

Phil Spillman

[John Hammonds]

It's quite impressive when it's electric and all the magic smoke escapes. 

The Airframe, Motor and ESC are still giving sterling service (However the Prop and Battery are not).

TTFN
John.

[Dennis Leonhardi]

"I think it's time to retire this airplane"


Proof again that our logic is often flawed.

The proper question: Is it time for the pilot to retire?

 


Dennis

[Dennis Leonhardi]

I used a shovel to get an LA 40 on a Banshee out of the ground.  Both engine and plane are still flying - the motor was cleaned up by Motorman and the plane is there, but a terrible flyer.  It won't stay out there on the end of the line.  There is weight in the wing tip, offset of motor and rudder.  I don't know what more to do with it.  Flies on 60 ft. lines.

So .......  you take a shovel with you when you go flying!?!  Hey, I gotta ask!


Dennis

[Tim Wescott]

"I think it's time to retire this airplane"


Proof again that our logic is often flawed.

The proper question: Is it time for the pilot to retire?

 


Dennis

Never!  Particularly in this case -- on investigation by the proper authorities (me), a decision was made that the pilot (me) was only in error for not giving it a sufficient pre-filght.  The real culprit was the A&P guy (me) who performed an inadequate repair on the severely-damaged horizontal stabilizer, which failed in flight.

[Nova Joe]

If you left it in the ground and watered it every day, do you think you could harvest baby Flite Streaks in the fall?

Add some compost and a bit of nitrogen. 

Nova Joe

[FLOYD CARTER]

Any C/L model is a good candidate for a rebuild after a mishap.

With one exception...


                    ANY PROFILE


(these are best left in a broken state..however minor)

[Steve Scott]

Another reason why I still fly CL.  I never have to walk further than 60 feet to perform 'rites'.   I was flying a high performance RC foamie wing a couple of weeks ago.  After a high speed pass, it shut down and fell from the sky, plowing through several branches before it hit the ground.  I had to slug through ankle-deep mud, corn stubble, briars and spent another 10 minutes trying to locate it (I did).

It's repairable - when I get around to it...

[John Gluth]

I vote with Phil! Been given so many foam airplanes requiring repair in the last 12 years. Also re-kitted several balsa CL stunters. Here to say, more successful and happier working balsa. With a little TLC and patience, balsa restoration and finish consistently turns-out nicer. To repair or not to repair? My criteria, how much oil soaked and can that be rectified?

[john e. holliday]

Yes, rebuild/repair the plane.  Then help other that can't afford this hobby fly it with help/coaching.   A lot of flying time left it I would guess.

[Tim Wescott]

Yes, rebuild/repair the plane.  Then help other that can't afford this hobby fly it with help/coaching.   A lot of flying time left it I would guess.

There's not a stick of wood longer than six inches in the leading edge, or about 12" in the TE.  It's not a plane -- it's a collection of repairs.

[FLOYD CARTER]

Hey Tim.  I would be happy to send you a new leading edge.  Contact me with detailed dimensions, etc.