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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: Tim Wescott on April 14, 2020, 02:22:31 PM

Title: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Tim Wescott on April 14, 2020, 02:22:31 PM
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.
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Randy Powell on April 14, 2020, 02:36:45 PM
Seems done to me.  ;D
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Tim Wescott on April 14, 2020, 03:52:16 PM
Seems done to me.  ;D

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.
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Mike Alimov on April 14, 2020, 04:18:37 PM
If you left it in the ground and watered it every day, do you think you could harvest baby Flite Streaks in the fall?
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Tim Wescott on April 14, 2020, 04:23:47 PM
It'd be worth it for the Enya 09's alone -- but how do I know when they're ripe?
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Allen Eshleman on April 14, 2020, 06:17:30 PM
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.
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Steve Helmick on April 14, 2020, 06:39:34 PM
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!  LL~ Steve
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Andre Ming on April 14, 2020, 07:47:18 PM
I thought "Lawn Darts" were pulled off the market a long time ago?

Andre
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: pat king on April 14, 2020, 09:13:13 PM
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
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Ken Culbertson on April 14, 2020, 09:26:15 PM
You can tell by the look on it's face that it was surprised.  LL~
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Dennis Leonhardi on April 14, 2020, 09:36:57 PM
If you left it in the ground and watered it every day, do you think you could harvest baby Flite Streaks in the fall?

 LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~

Dennis
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Tim Wescott on April 15, 2020, 09:57:28 AM
Think about building the replacement.

Building is happening really slowly around here, and there's a backlog -- but:  here's one (https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=3456).  I'm also thinking of a Ringmaster that actually weighs less than two pounds.

Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: tom brightbill on April 15, 2020, 10:05:27 AM
Scale up the Aqua Bat and use an Impact wing!
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Serge_Krauss on April 15, 2020, 10:13:25 AM
If you're tired of it, let it go. Otherwise, why not just fix it gain?
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Phil Spillman on April 15, 2020, 10:30:47 AM
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
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: John Hammonds on April 15, 2020, 11:33:22 AM
It's quite impressive when it's electric and all the magic smoke escapes.  y1

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

TTFN
John.
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Dennis Leonhardi on April 15, 2020, 09:49:26 PM
"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?

 LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~


Dennis
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Dennis Leonhardi on April 15, 2020, 09:52:30 PM
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
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Tim Wescott on April 16, 2020, 08:40:09 AM
"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?

 LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~ LL~


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.
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Nova Joe on April 17, 2020, 08:24:54 PM
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
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: FLOYD CARTER on April 18, 2020, 06:39:45 PM
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)
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Steve Scott on April 19, 2020, 06:05:53 PM
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...
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: John Gluth on April 19, 2020, 07:39:57 PM
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?
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: john e. holliday on April 20, 2020, 10:48:07 AM
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. D>K
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: Tim Wescott on April 20, 2020, 01:06:57 PM
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. D>K

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.
Title: Re: I think it's time to retire this airplane
Post by: FLOYD CARTER on April 21, 2020, 04:08:20 PM
Hey Tim.  I would be happy to send you a new leading edge.  Contact me with detailed dimensions, etc.