AboutKen Myers Expertise I can answer beginning, advanced and expert questions about electrically
powered R/C model aircraft, and many questions about R/C model aircraft of
all types, except helicopters. I`ve been building, flying and designing R/C
model aircraft for 40 years.
Experience I have been building and flying radio controlled model aircraft since 1960. I'm the president of the Electric Flyers Only, Inc., located in southeasten Michigan. I'm a past president of the National Electric Aircraft Council. I'm vice-president of the Midwest R/C Society. I was president and main founder of the UFO (Union Lake Flying Organization). I've built and flown most types of model aircraft except helicopters.
Question Dear Ken,
My name is Meor and I'm from Malaysia. My friend and I each bought a Firebird XL We're both new to this hobby. After charging the batteries we tried to fly our aircrafts on a very windy day. My friend's aircraft had a very bad crash and dented its nose but luckily everything else looked fine.
Now, everytime he tries a rolling takeoff, the tail will immediately rise and the nose will touch the ground. We've tried swapping wings but still the problem persists. My plane has no problem flying. Even hand launching failed to fly it because my friend's plane would immediately nose-dived.
Could it be a problem with the tail or nose? Please advise and your help is very much appreciated.
Thank you.
Meor
Answer Hello Meor,
Since you have two identical planes, you just need to do a very close comparison. Something has shifted, or it is loose. If that's not it, a very real problem could be that the receiver is bad in the "crashed" plane. That would be my first guess. It could be a small crack in the printed circuit board. Do a range check, with the motor turned on for each plane. They should be about the same, within a few feet of each other. My guess is that the "crashed" plane won't range check with the motor on, like the "good" plane does. If there is no physical difference besides the crushed nose, it has to be an equipment problem. Also, double check that the control horns, rods and servo arms are all working correctly all of the time.
