Air worthiness test No.1
No photos were taken as all staff and cadets were very nervous.

The Groundcrew who had built the plane were all on hand to watch Cpl Thacker have the first flight.

He powered on, flew a short way and then lost control and landed in long grass.
After further inspection it was noted that not everything was secured in and tightened up.

So in order to avoid any serious damage we retired back to Sqn for some post flight inspections.
Next time their will be FULL pre-flight checks!


Air worthiness test No.2
(or, How to become unpopular in less than 60 seconds!)
Unfortunatley we didn't get any photos of the Aircraft flying and there's a reason!

The Flt/Sgt was briefed to: power on, fly straight and level, power off, land.

Simple...... or so you would think!
See how the Flt/Sgt is smiling as he proudly shows off the plane.

BUT! - note the strange looking objects lying on the ground.

Lets take a closer look at this picture shall we?
Ahhh. Shouldn't there be a wing mount there?
I'm sure that these pieces are meant to go together!
How we found it after his "landing"

Official Accident Inquiry Findings

HE GOT COCKY!

What ACTUALLY happened:
  • Powered on,
  • Launched,
  • Flew remarkablly well,
  • Turned to the right slightly,
  • Gained about 30ft of height very quickly,
  • Flt/Sgt started to panic,
  • Circled to the right to avoid Trees!
  • Tried to loose height,
  • Right wing aeilron servo - "fell out",
  • Went into rapid downwards spiral,
  • Met ground coming the other way!
The "Groundcrew", those cadets who actually built the plane, were less than impressed when we returned to Sqn to see the state of thier pride and joy.

I think that the Flt/sgt has a lot of grovelling to do before he'll be flying it again.

NOTE: I've been asked by the Groundcrew to add a note pointing out that the Flt/Sgt is actually a qualified glider pilot. Scary!
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First flight(s) of 2005 - not as bad as we thought!
After a winter rebuild, checks and double checks the time finally came in June to take the plane out again.

After last years "flights" everyone was a bit nervous, especially the 2 senior cadets chosen to fly. Both of whom were spotted getting a last minute refresher on the trainer before we set out to the flying field.
  • Pre-flight checks were carried out,
  • batteries were charged
So, everything was taken to the new flying field just outside of Chepstow in a little hamlet called Howick.
Cdt Kelly and Cdt Clark were the 2 designated pilots for the day, but as it turned out Cdt Kelly ended up with all 3 flights.
YES 3 flights!!
A very nervous cadet before the first flight!
  • Flight 1 -
    • Power on
    • Plane turned to right by itself
    • Power off
    • Landed safley
  • Trim corrections applied
  • Flight 2 -
    • Power on
    • FLEW!!!!!
    • Kelly turned plane to right
    • Powerr off
    • Landed safley!
  • More trim corrections applied
  • flight 3 -
    • Power on
    • gained height
    • Kelly & Clark argue over making more trim corrections
    • While not watching, plane veers to right and crashes!

Airborne!!
Look what happens when you don't concentrate!
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Back to the Sqn for more repairs and we'll try again next week!