"Auger in" is one of the most horrible phrases in the RC plane lexicon. While flying today, I watched my Champ S+ (Champ S Plus) auger in.

Lessons you can learn from me and a fix to recommend:

1. The new subdivision road I visited today was really rough. The sub-grade of asphalt before the final grade bounced my Champ S+ around, but I didn't notice anything really wrong. However, the rear wheel, which is attached to the rudder to help steer the plane during taxi, was slowly vibrating the glued seal loose where the rudder contacts with the stabilizers. I took off and landed five or six times on that street. When that seal finally broke during flight, the plane nosed over and augered in.

2. When the rudder breaks free and raises up above the stabilizer during flight, it pulls the rudder pin out of the pivot hole on the fuselage. The plane lost control and corkscrewed into the ground nose first.

3. Hobby Zone -- and all owners -- need to put a small stop below the pin so that it can't pull through the pivot hole. This would have maintained the integrity enough to not lose control at least not go into an uncontrolled spiral.

UPDATE: My local hobby shop put foam-safe CA to seal the rudder on the stabilizer with the rudder pin in the hole. He said, "You'll never have that pin come out again."

4. The plastic prop adapter snapped off. If I'd used an aluminum adapter, I think it would have damaged the motor or at least its plastic mount. As it was, the foam was somewhat crinkled, but straightened out with some gentle persuasion.

5. Still learning. Still have a plane to learn on. All's well.

UpNup

Read enough about RC Float Planes, and you walk away with the clear idea that your plane is going to get wet sooner or later. And sometimes the plane will end upside down. So, it makes sense to think through some kind of retrieval system.

1. $15 Shakespeare rod & reel (Dick's Sporting Goods) includes150' line
http://m.dickssportinggoods.com/prod...6-8c435391.jsp

You'll also need to add some kind of floating bob that will be heavy enough to toss about 50' off shore and use a drag line to guide the plane back to shore:
$5 Little Joe Glow Stick
http://www.basspro.com/Little-Joe-Po...ductextensions

2. $20 Rubber boat with oars. Opt for the manly camo version, not the kiddie pool version so your man-card stays intact.
http://rubberboats.com/product/infla...lorer-100.html

3. $30 RC Tugster Tugboat kit and $25 for electronics, servo, and your own Tx. This is fun on its own. Beware the distraction.
http://zippkits.com/~zippkits/index....3ebedef9ef0dcf

4. Use a real boat, canoe, jet ski, yacht, or kayak. Ask your buddy to go out and help you. In his wet suit. Sure, he'll do the walk of shame for you. Sure he will.

5. Let the wind blow it to shore. Tick tock. Tick tock. You were flying in light winds, right? Well, they're not pushing that plane around much.

6. Swim for it. People have actually drowned, so be careful. Apparently pilots have flown when swimmers wouldn't be in the water and there was a good reason -- too cold usually and hypothermia became a killer. Your plane is just not worth it. Just sayin'.

7. Pray. Okay...