Michael White
Well Known Member
I originally posted this in another thread, but thought it would be better off in a thread all it's own.
My dad and I learned this lesson (the hard way, of course) with one of his R/C models a few years back. The reason is because the ailerons are the one control that can be reversed and remain undetected until you're in the air and it's too late.
Think about it...if the rudder's reversed, you'll notice it during taxi (why does it go left when I push right?). If the elevator's reversed, you won't get off the ground (and will probably need to replace the prop, too). The only way you'll notice reversed ailerons on the ground is with an in-cockpit control check where you're specifically looking for reversed throw (stick goes left, left aileron goes DOWN, something's wrong here). A little complacency here and it's easy to miss (Dad and I have both been flying R/C for almost 40 years...and we both missed it!). Then, on takeoff, one wing dips a little...opposite stick to catch it...the wing dips more (because ailerons are reversed)...and the instinctive reaction is more opposite stick. By the time your brain catches on, it's too late...the wingtip hits the ground and over you go. I wouldn't be surprised if this is just what happened to the Spectrum pilot, but I haven't heard for sure.
The advantage of R/C is that you get to walk away from all your landings, and the only thing that gets hurt is your ego. Since our mishap, Dad and I do control surface checks before every flight looking for reversed controls. It's a habit now, and only takes a few seconds. Might be worth adding to your pre-takeoff checklist.
Best,
L.Adamson,Originally Posted by L.Adamson
A bit off topic, but has anyone seen the NTSB report on the Spectrum 33.
After 45+ hours of flight, some re-working took place in the area of the assembly that connected the aileron linkages. The linkages were mis-rigged when replaced, which gave reversed aileron control. The aircraft banked nearly 90 degrees after takeoff, which caught the wing tip and cartwheeled.
I know this type of mistake has occured with numerous aircraft, but it always surprises me that no one seems to notice the reversed control surface movements.
L.Adamson
My dad and I learned this lesson (the hard way, of course) with one of his R/C models a few years back. The reason is because the ailerons are the one control that can be reversed and remain undetected until you're in the air and it's too late.
Think about it...if the rudder's reversed, you'll notice it during taxi (why does it go left when I push right?). If the elevator's reversed, you won't get off the ground (and will probably need to replace the prop, too). The only way you'll notice reversed ailerons on the ground is with an in-cockpit control check where you're specifically looking for reversed throw (stick goes left, left aileron goes DOWN, something's wrong here). A little complacency here and it's easy to miss (Dad and I have both been flying R/C for almost 40 years...and we both missed it!). Then, on takeoff, one wing dips a little...opposite stick to catch it...the wing dips more (because ailerons are reversed)...and the instinctive reaction is more opposite stick. By the time your brain catches on, it's too late...the wingtip hits the ground and over you go. I wouldn't be surprised if this is just what happened to the Spectrum pilot, but I haven't heard for sure.
The advantage of R/C is that you get to walk away from all your landings, and the only thing that gets hurt is your ego. Since our mishap, Dad and I do control surface checks before every flight looking for reversed controls. It's a habit now, and only takes a few seconds. Might be worth adding to your pre-takeoff checklist.
Best,