I am a Crasher

[Phil 9]

Can crashing become a habit and are some people more prone to crashing.

It could just be a lack of patients but a soon as I master something I get a little bored and try something new. Normally something way above my skill level with the inevitable results.

What I need is a training program so I can progress in stages. With one manoeuvre following on from the next. Is there some around like this?

[andy watson]

If you keep getting bored and tryig new things you will crash far more often, but you will also improve your flying faster.

 

I have the opposite problem, I have only crashed once in 3 years, because I stay well within my comfort level- and I see others that started at the same time as me now being much better fliers for it.

 

I suppose there is a hppy medium somewhere!

[Jonathan Lewzey]

if you want to improve:

 

SIMULATOR SIMULATOR SIMULATOR!

 

full size pilots do it to train and practice, so so should we. if you've done a maneouvre 100 times on the sim before trying it for real, you won't get stick inputs or orientation wrong and shouldn't crash. my estimated reduction of chance of crash: 90%

 

another thing, discipline your flying so everything is in a plane or pre-visualised pattern, do not blindly fly aerobatics one after another, plan ahead as you fly.

 

and of course, make sure all your models and equipment are in tip top condition

[Vecchio Austriaco]

As I learned flying when there was no PC - let alone simulator programs for PCs - on the market I do not agree 100% to Jonathan.

 

Flying on the simulator is always easier, even if you put it on the max. difficulty level.

 

The tip top condition is really important - I saw a lot of crashes because of technical reasons. From loose push rods to servos connected the wrong way

 

I suggest to fly " in the first floor" if you want to try something new - means to fly so high that you can catch the plane should it stall. And then you can practice the same move again and again until you have the confidence to do it also a bit lower.

VA

 

[Phil 9]

It is defiantly a discipline problem. It only ever happens is I find myself alone at the field. When others are there any feelings for doing something stupid a quashed.

But having got a grip of myself a list( in order) of manoeuvres to master would be very useful.

I find I have to train myself. There are a lot of helpful guys at my club but my work hours mean I never see the same guy twice in a month or I am up there alone.

 

The other thing I do is I find it hard to adjust my flying mid flight.Inbetween flights I can analyse what I am doing but not during. I gess that is a lack of experiance

[Kelly]

Hi Phil B

 

I think the main reason apart from badly set up models is a lack of understanding of how  aeroplanes fly. and the effect of control inputs.

 

A simulator is  good ,better still a book on  flying a full size aircraft is the first thing you should do, PPL level,not jet fighters or airliners. grasp the basics then apply to your model flying,a model after all is just a scaled down version of the real thing.

 

We all crash sometimes, apart from the few demi-gods who don't or at least not admit to being imperfect like the rest of us .

 

Keep on flying, don't give up and learn as much as you can about the theory of flight, it will all come together in the end .

 

Kelvin

[Phil 9]

Thanks for your words of advice.

[Peter 'Ivanna Crashalot' Savage]

There are certainly a lot of people at the field who crash more than others, whether it be people who think they are ready to fly 3d (with 50 degrees of movement!!!!) planes when in fact, they have only just got past their trainer aircraft and then the people who are just destined for helis and nothing else! XD

Edited By Peter 'Servo Scrounger' Savage on 01/06/2010 17:16:46

[TAIL DRAGGER]

    You did'nt state the conditions when you crash  ie:take offs,landings low flying ,If it is take offs and landings then practice bumps and cicuits untill you get it rite,if you keep crashing it will become a costly hobbie , but what ever you do good luck . TD

[ken anderson.]

hello phil-it's all down to discipline--when i started off been able to land and take off on my own i thought it was opportunity knock's when i arrived at our club site and i was the only one there.....so i could do what i wanted and fly where/how i wanted....i learnt the hard way that this was the road to heartache...as i smashed several model's trying to be a smart***.......and quickly learnt that it was better to take my time than go home with a load of matchstick's...... 

 

 ken anderson.......ne 1....

Edited By ken anderson. on 01/06/2010 18:56:53

[Phil 9]

conditions of last crash.

 

the weather did play is part. It was raining and the build up of water on my glasses made vis poor at time of crash.

 

my take offs and landings are good no problem there.

 

what I was doing was fast (full throttle) circuits at a low (too low) level. on the last turn the model dipped a wing and lost hight. I did pull it up just before it hit but I still did not recover full control it lost hight again and hit the floor. I was lucky it landed in the grass so its not a right off.

 

I hope I have learned my lession about trying stupid stuff (or at least try it at a decent height)

[Phil 9]

Thats exactly what I was doing Ken

[ken anderson.]

well there you go phil-hands across the water etc--we are all the same...the lad that learnt me to fly was commenting how i could do roll's really well...But only after the model had gone by me...i thought AHA.....i'll try comming toward's me...goodbye to a wot4 and a low winger in the space of two day's....so the old addage of there been old pilot's and bold pilot's---but no old/bold pilot's...(think that's correct) applies to flying model aircraft as well.....

 

    waldo pepper anderson....ne 1...

Edited By ken anderson. on 01/06/2010 19:15:21

[Myron Beaumont]

Funny -But I must disagree with some of the remarks here. (not like me is it ? )

I much prefer to fly alone - always have! I can't bare the thought of waiting to fly/people telling me what to do & when .To me they would be no more than a distraction from what I reckon I'm capable of & enjoy .There's plenty of time in the right place for socialising isn't there ? But not when you are double checking everything before a flight .That way you don't crash .Mind you, I must agree you do definately need a smattering of aerodynamics to go down my route (50 years?)

[Aslan]

Mistake no. 1  was flying in the rain Phil.

[Bruce Richards]

Phil, I did a lot of crashing while practicing for my 'B'. But sopped now. All I would ay is try to learn a lesson from each crash you have and do not repeat the same crash. Soon you will run out of ways to crash

[Myron Beaumont]

I havn't an A or a B ,But I reckon having been brought up on free flight trimming & control line on my own I don't want anyone telling me that I need this or that to fly

[Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator]

Phil,

 

if you are pushing your personal boundaries you have to accept that crashing is a distinct possibility. What the great show pilots don't tell you is how many they broke on the way!

 

I'm not suggesting you should do that - its OK for them, they're sponsored so when they break one they just ask for another! But I'm just saying that occassional crashes aren't necessarily a sign that you are doing something very wrong. Things I would suggest that might help you:

 

1. Simulator. The comments that its not quite the same are true - but in terms of timing the stick inputs, reacting to unscheduled departures from the 'script' and coping with orientation they are great - use them as much as possible. Don't try anything you haven't completely mastered on the sim first. It doesn't mean you've mastered it for real - but it does mean you will probably be able to sort it out when it all goes wrong!

 

2. Do everything 2 mistakes high at first - leave yourself room for error.

 

3. Have the discipline that says if it starts to "get away from you" don't be too proud to abandon the move, and live to fight another day. You can always try it again - provided you haven't smashed the model!

 

Regarding you request for a progressive list. Well ask ten flyers and you'll get ten different lists. But the B schedule probably isn't a bad place to start. So with that in mind I'd suggest the following

 

1. The Loop - smal,l working bigger as you gain confidence. Not just any old scuffy loop - really circular, wings level all the way through and exit at the same hieght as you went in.

2. Stall turns to the left and right - make them real stall turns - not hammer heads!

3. I'd then practice inverted flight - striaght first of all then attempt turns - then an inverted circuit. Do it really high at first and keep saying "push, push" to yourself! This isn't part of the B but its good prep for rolls.

4. Axial rolls - to the left and the right (so many flyers can only roll well one way!). Again start high and gradually bring them down. When you have the rolls off-pat try two consequitive rolls - keep them axial and don't lose height. For a bit of variety throw in the odd barrel roll just for fun - but again try it for the first time really high.

 

Each week select one maneoure. Practice it to death on the sim. Once its sound there then try it, at altitude, at the field. Then work up the next one whilst bringing the first down to a lower level as you get comfortable with it. And so on.

 

Six months of that and you'll be passing your B!

 

BEB

[Aslan]

Now that's the Myron I know. Welcome back

[Myron Beaumont]

Thanks Aslan

Talking of manouevers (rounds loops etc) ,It's worth mentioning how important throttle control is going into & out of said acrobatics ( I said acrobatics 'cos I'm sure my spelling of manoevers was incorrect ! )

[Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator]

He he - I was trying to avoid the "m" word as well!

 

BEB

[Myron Beaumont]

BEB

Do you mean manoovers or "myron"

By the way ,I don't use the name Grumpy anymore -Too much competition

Edited By Myron Beaumont on 01/06/2010 20:48:27

[Aslan]

Yep........ Manoovers is correct....... The "e" is silent.

[Stephen Grigg]

I dont think you are any more than the rest of us when learning our limits.We get to a stage when weve improved to a certain level where we think we can fly,push the boundary to far and crash.Its the way we teach ourselves.I flew a Red Zephyr vintage for the first time 2 weeks ago.On the 3rd flight I was coming into land and thinking Super Scorpion lost the height early on my final turn.now this is all comparitively slow.My final turn ended with my new vintage disappearing through a gap in the line of trees alonside a stream.After a very pleasant paddle I found the model furthe back sitting next to the stream,a 5 minut repair saw it ready.The reason I got it wrong was at slower speeds it takes for ever to turn,and compared to the Super Scorpion looses height much quicker but turns much slower,so this weekend no problems.My most difficult model is a vintage Meadow Skipper that Ive repaired for a second time and I need my expert to fly it and find out why it suddenly catches me out.Same as you when I put my Pulse in the air Im doing all sorts of things high up and have to throttle back and calm myself down before I lose  it,

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Posted by Biggles' Elder Brother on 01/06/2010 20:05:58:

Phil,

 

if you are pushing your personal boundaries you have to accept that crashing is a distinct possibility. What the great show pilots don't tell you is how many they broke on the way!

 

 

Spot on there BEB  

 

One point that hasn't been mentioned is 'state of mind' . Just sometimes I get to the patch after a busy day and, like anyone, my mind can be a bit cluttered. I tend to calm down/ get into the groove first over a few flights before I try and push the boundaries.

 

I've seen some guys turn up, clearly in a less than agreeable mood and clearly just a first flight crash waiting to happen - guess what? They do.