Freewing A-6 Intruder Maiden and Crash! (My Fault)

This one is totally my fault. Lost orientation. Last couple of days, I guess I wasn't in the right frame of mind to fly. I flew the HSD ME 262 and my AF MB 339 and both planes I had issues losing orientation. I haven't had that problem in a long time. I delayed the maiden of the A-6 Intruder one day just to try and get my mind right. maybe I should have waited a bit longer....

[@martymannisto1109]

No matter what anyone else thinks I believe in having safe or whatever self leveling receiver there is just for this reason " and many other situations " planes are just too expensive to have go down when there is a very good chance that you can save it with a flick of a switch! Your friend Marty from Canada 🇨🇦 🛩 🛩

[@all_rc]

Very true. I still lean towards no gyro only because that is what I'm used to but some experiences I've had make me reconsider that opinion. Some planes that make me nervous like the balsa DC-3, I put a gyro in it. It really help smooth out that flight and I still had full control like I'm used to. I'm not opposed to technology but it might take me a bit to fully embrace! Marty, I'm from Vancouver myself but now live in So. Cal.

[@redwineisfine]

100% agree. My eyes are good but in certain sunlight, the orientation can get deceiving when coming from a turn.... more shame in a crash than having a gyro system, period.
Don't ever let another talk shit about a gyro safe or stabilization. Your body your choice 🙃

[@francoisduvivier7871]

Sorry to see this nasty crash... Hope you won't lose confidence. All the best

[@all_rc]

Yep, still flying!

[@henryairconcepts2999]

Feel your pain dude. I cant fly too high these days because I lose orientation easily. I learnt if I start to lose orientation, I don’t try to correct it, let the plane fly on its own until I regain orientation back.

[@jeffstrametz6576]

Sorry for the loss of your aircraft. I have days where I'm just not feeling it as well, so when I have those days, I bring out my fun fly planes. The 1100mm easy flyers. I get my bearings and make sure my brain can keep up with the aircraft. I save my favorites for the days when I'm feeling sharp. Hope you can replace the aircraft. Fly on!

[@all_rc]

Yeah. That never happened to me before but getting older! I just gotta watch that a little more carefully. Flying definitely takes all your concentration, which is why I like it so much.

[@meangene5104]

Feeling your pain Jose, sorry for your loss, looks like you were flying mid-morning? you might not want to take it out so far on the down leg and turn around, especially where the sun was when you flew, I've had the same thing happen. Later in the afternoon when the sun is either above or behind me, it's not so much of a problem, love the videos

[@all_rc]

Yeah. I'm used to doing more gentle banks on maidens so I tend to fly farther out until I get everything sorted. I'm normally ok with orientation but for some reason that week was difficult on me. I should have either waited or fly closer. My mistake and lesson learned.

[@robertwong2412]

The clouds and bright sun behind them tend to produce a kind of glare that makes orientation confusing. I'll avoid flying on cloudy grey day with bright sunlight behind them.

[@all_rc]

Yeah. It wasn't the best condition. But I had orientation issues the last couple of days before that flight. I almost lost my 105mm mb339 that way. I delayed the maiden one day because of it. I probably should have delayed it some more... but you live and learn... I learned if you ain't feeling it, don't.

[@khorneliuskim7358]

Can we expect an NTSB style investigation video on this crash like you did on the other plane? Really love those types of videos.

[@all_rc]

Unfortunately we didnt get video of the recovery since it took a long while to even locate the plane. By the time it was found everyone was exhausted from trying to get through the dry brush in what we call our "Boneyard".

[@all_rc]

I don't think so... it's pretty easy to see what happened... plane rolls... whether by my inadvertent input or by itself because of trim. And I corrected the wrong direction and was disoriented.

[@andystoybox1723]

Daaang ! Sorry about that .. orientation is scary when the plane looks like a silhouette .. I get extra nervous when I am flying like that ..

[@all_rc]

Yeah I tend to fly high for a maiden and do gentle banks until I get the hang of what the plane feels like. Probably not wise to let a fast plane get too far away... especially a white and gray one like that.

[@kangamanic]

Ouch - - we have all done it. Thanks for owning :)

[@all_rc]

Lol, didn't really wanna post this but the reality is this is part of the hobby and part of what makes it challenging and fun. If it was easy and problem free, I probably wouldn't like it as much.

[@robertlawson1053]

I've done that; maybe get a "safe" receiver where you can flip the safe switch if you are quick enough.

[@all_rc]

Yep experiences like this are starting to sway me!

[@omarolman]

however it is you really a good pilot so go on