SuperCubDriver
Well Known Member
Seeing all these nice RV videos here I thought I also need a GoPro camera. Bought one and made a mount for the wings and tail.
So a few days ago I tried the camera and the mount on different locations and while doing this did some mild aerobatics also with negative G?s. I made three flights relocating the camera on intermediate landings. On the third flight the camera was mounted on the vertical stabilizer top. All went well but on final approach during flare the elevator would not move - blocked !! The plane hit the (grass) runway with the main gear, not really hard but bounced back in the air and came back again on the main gears after applying a bit of power. I thought it will tip over, I was quick enough to retract the flaps and I immediately could feel I am on the ground for a save rollout. Strangely the elevator was free again but didn?t feel as usual. When I got to the tail moving the elevator by hand I feared something came apart under the empennage fairing. Removed it and immediately found the cause: An aluminum flash light which found it?s way up into this location while doing the aerobatics.
I did change the autopilot servo about two months ago and I probably missed the flashlight when I closed everything up after work.
I wouldn?t rate me as an inexperienced pilot or mechanic after building this plane, but this event shows that you never stop learning.
So now after working on the plane I will take my time to collect all tools used and then go over the working area again.
So a few days ago I tried the camera and the mount on different locations and while doing this did some mild aerobatics also with negative G?s. I made three flights relocating the camera on intermediate landings. On the third flight the camera was mounted on the vertical stabilizer top. All went well but on final approach during flare the elevator would not move - blocked !! The plane hit the (grass) runway with the main gear, not really hard but bounced back in the air and came back again on the main gears after applying a bit of power. I thought it will tip over, I was quick enough to retract the flaps and I immediately could feel I am on the ground for a save rollout. Strangely the elevator was free again but didn?t feel as usual. When I got to the tail moving the elevator by hand I feared something came apart under the empennage fairing. Removed it and immediately found the cause: An aluminum flash light which found it?s way up into this location while doing the aerobatics.
I did change the autopilot servo about two months ago and I probably missed the flashlight when I closed everything up after work.
I wouldn?t rate me as an inexperienced pilot or mechanic after building this plane, but this event shows that you never stop learning.
So now after working on the plane I will take my time to collect all tools used and then go over the working area again.