Been there, done that, but mine was a total loss (not a big expensive plane, so not too bad).

From back in the pre computer Tx days when we only had servo reversing and "single model memory" that was based on how the switches were pushed I quickly learned to check all controls for the proper direction before starting up the nitro engines or hooking up the high start. It's something that I still do today.

I will neither confirm nor deny rumors that a similar event led to me performing this regular pre-startup ritual....

I see this all the time. They wiggle the sticks back and forth on all the controls,the surfaces all wiggle...good enough. As mentioned....make sure the surfaces move in the CORRECT direction according to input on the stick. I don't think some people even know what correct direction is for ailerons!

Uh. Yea, I've done it. Mine was with a Mini Ultra Stick. I'd had an Ugly Stick back in the '70s that didn't survive 25 years of storage in my parent's attic. When I saw the MUS I remembered how much fun the old US had been, so I picked it up.

In assembling it, I noticed the wing was built so you could split the TE ailerons into ailerons and flaps - the servo pockets were there, all you need to supply were servos, a couple of 1/2A control horns and push rods. So I decided to program crow airbrakes instead of just flaps. I'd never set up crow before so it took about 3 hours in the shop to get the flaps to work as ailerons, and, with the flip of a switch, deflect dow and the ailerons up, all while taking roll input from the aileron channel.

Went out to the field, did a range check, wiggled all of the sticks, and took off. About 3' off the ground, the plane rolled right and went in. Messed up a wing tip. Went home, fixed the crinkled, right wing tip, waggled the sticks and checked that all of the servos were still working. Went to the field, repeated the previous weekend's check out, took off and this tim it rolled left and crinkled the left wing tip.

About this point I was thinking that the old, large US was a lot easier to fly than the MUS. A flying buddy came over an said, "I think you've got the ailerons reversed."

Nah. I spent 3 hours setting the ailerons up, I couldn't have made a dumb mistake like that.

Next week end, I showed up with the fixed left wing tip, to match the fixed right one. And with the ailerons working in the right directions. The MUS proved to be even more fun than I remember the US being.

- Roger

I think most full scale aircraft have this item on their takeoff checklist: Controls free and CORRECT. The first motorboat that I bought new had the steering controls reversed. I didn't realize it until I had it in the water and was underway.

My runup checklist:

Primer in and locked,
Mixture for Best Power
Brakes Set
Instruments Set
CONTROLS FREE, CLEAR AND CORRECT

Bummer, dude...

Should have made the test flight while the snow was still soft and powdery.

Originally Posted by shunkman

I think most full scale aircraft have this item on their takeoff checklist: Controls free and CORRECT. The first motorboat that I bought new had the steering controls reversed. I didn't realize it until I had it in the water and was underway.

LOL - I did the exact same thing after installing a new steering cable on my Mastercraft. Buddy took it out off the trailer, I came back down and asked if it was better, he replied "yep, but you drive"

You only have to do it once and after that you will always check for correct direction. The transmitters with model memory will help too.

Originally Posted by Rhea

.....The transmitters with model memory will help too.

Yes, yes they will.... But only if we're at least as smart as our transmitter and remember to check for correct direction at the bench during programming.....

We all need to endevour to never underestimate the ID 10 T setting during programming ....

Originally Posted by OhBee

I see this all the time. They wiggle the sticks back and forth on all the controls,the surfaces all wiggle...good enough. As mentioned....make sure the surfaces move in the CORRECT direction according to input on the stick. I don't think some people even know what correct direction is for ailerons!

Ditto.

And when you try to tell these "stick-wigglers" the way to do a proper pre-flight is: hold Left, hold Right, hold Up, hold Down, etc., all you get is dirty looks.

If you have an stabillizer on your plane, it is a MUST to verify if the stabilization is moving surfaces in the right direction.

I had an event, after reversing rudder servo in normal RX-TX, the stabilizer REVERSED the rudder too. Not a bad ending but that was very difficult to take off fighting the stabilized rudder. If that were on ailerons or elevator, that could have being another story.

Originally Posted by OhBee

I see this all the time. They wiggle the sticks back and forth on all the controls,the surfaces all wiggle...good enough. As mentioned....make sure the surfaces move in the CORRECT direction according to input on the stick. I don't think some people even know what correct direction is for ailerons!

and for SAFE or gyro equipped planes a lot of people assume if it twitches it is working.........not catching that the correction given is in the wrong direction.