jb48
08-04-2006, 01:25 PM
I belong to a small RC flying club (8 members total) and most of the time I fly at our field alone or with only another member. Yesterday afternoon, I went flying there and we were 5 members at the field. One member use channel 15 and channel 20 (he has many planes and 2 TX). I fly channel 15 also on my only one TX and 2 planes.
My friend (we are all friends in this club) was flying a Telemaster on channel 15. I prepared my Superstar ES and my Easy Star while he was resuming his flight. His Telemaster was back at the pit since at least five minutes and asked everyone if channel 15 was free. Got an affirmative answer. I hand launched my Superstar as usual, it climbed to about 15 feet and suddenly nose dived full power in the grass. Extensive damage happened when the power pack went thru the firewall and jammed under the motor. We all checked what happened, tested connections, servos, rx, trims, everything except one.
Mystery crash not solved, I took my faithful Easy Star, checked it, and hand launched it. Same thing at the same height! Front fuselage 90% broken at about wing`s leading edge position. Damn it. We checked everything again and found nothing. I was then thinking that my radio tx had a problem (Optic 6). I removed the crystal module et put it in tight. Then, I remembered my friend`s channel 15 tx. I asked him to check if it was off. His tx was standing by his Telemaster, 3 bright lights illuminating his JR Quattro! Culprit found! I glued back the Easy Star fuselage and made a beautiful 20 minutes flight.
Can I tell you that I swear to double check any other channel 15 tx before flying. To worsen aggravation, we have a flying board with all channels and clothespins...that nobody use! A big lesson there.
My friend (we are all friends in this club) was flying a Telemaster on channel 15. I prepared my Superstar ES and my Easy Star while he was resuming his flight. His Telemaster was back at the pit since at least five minutes and asked everyone if channel 15 was free. Got an affirmative answer. I hand launched my Superstar as usual, it climbed to about 15 feet and suddenly nose dived full power in the grass. Extensive damage happened when the power pack went thru the firewall and jammed under the motor. We all checked what happened, tested connections, servos, rx, trims, everything except one.
Mystery crash not solved, I took my faithful Easy Star, checked it, and hand launched it. Same thing at the same height! Front fuselage 90% broken at about wing`s leading edge position. Damn it. We checked everything again and found nothing. I was then thinking that my radio tx had a problem (Optic 6). I removed the crystal module et put it in tight. Then, I remembered my friend`s channel 15 tx. I asked him to check if it was off. His tx was standing by his Telemaster, 3 bright lights illuminating his JR Quattro! Culprit found! I glued back the Easy Star fuselage and made a beautiful 20 minutes flight.
Can I tell you that I swear to double check any other channel 15 tx before flying. To worsen aggravation, we have a flying board with all channels and clothespins...that nobody use! A big lesson there.