Re: SPAD 3D

Sep 03, 2003 21 Replies

I was visiting a field while on vacation and let an old-timer expert fly my SPA3D. He did fine while the plane was up high. He made maneuvers that will take me years to learn. However, he suddenly said "Let's see how she lands" and started a fast final. (When I fly a new plane, I always make a few practice approaches). When it was about 10 feet from touch-down, he started over controlling like crazy. (Later said he was used to switching to low rates for landing with his KADET SENIOR). The left wing-tip hit the ground and the plane started cart-wheeling down the runway. It made three perfect 360deg cart-wheels on the wing-tips before flopping over on it's back.

I checked it over (no damage), pumped some fuel and took off again a few minutes later.

I've put that plane into the tops of small trees and into the weeds many time and never did anything but bend the landing gear. But, 2 weeks ago, the fuel-clunk was stuck forward in the tank and I started getting dead-sticks. The first couple were okay. Just put the nose down and it keeps flying. I pulled back on the stick on DS #3 and bent the u-channel. (I know, it's dumb newbie mistake, but it was nose down when it died)! While I'm refurbing the plane, I'm having a blast flying my small 30" SPA3D (gms .32) and my QHOR.

The lesson I've learned: Put plastic tube inside your clunk line and only let Fun-Fly pilots fly my SPA3Ds. :)

There's a lot of "too much engine syndrome" going around. I had an RCM Trainer Jr with an OS 48 Surpass. The engine suffered a catastrophic failure of the crankpin, so I took it off and put on a 40 FP. The weight savings made a remarkable difference in flying characteristics. The plane really came alive.

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