Long post: A local boy named Noah was stricken with some form of Muscular Dystrophy and was in a wheel chair and had limited use of his hands but he could cradle a transmitter in his lap and push the sticks around. He played with a simulator at home and had his "coming at you" reflexes down pretty well. The fellow that taught me to fly was teaching him and his father, Rick to fly. Noah was priority; he didn't have much time left. The trainer was very cautious and rightfully so. The FBO at the local airport has given us permission to fly off of the Xed out runway. We tried to be really clear of the full scale and hangars. Flying time for Noah was limited and when he flew the trainer had to take it back often. Rick had bought his son at least two trainers and I think another kit was at home and they had two radios. One day while I was waiting for the windto calm and a buddy to show up Rick and Noah drove up. Without a word they started to set up a trainer. When I said, " Hello, ya need any help?" Rick told me that they were going to fly by themselves "crash or not". He explained that they were tired of not getting much stick time. Respecting his decision I watched. As it turned out the transmitter had dead batteries and the other trainer that was charged was not ready to fly. When it was evident he was not going to get that plane in the air I told him that if he let me get out my buddy cord I'd get him in the air. I could have sent him home for the other RX but I took it upon myself to change transmitter crystals. Yes, I'm a TX crystal changing Son Of a Biscuit eater! No one else was flying and I put everything back after were done. IMHO, no harm was done; I care not what any law says! (Or any internet user) I'll get back to Noah later.
I met a fellow this Cinco de Mayo that mentioned how he came about his computer 9ch JR. The hobby shop owner was showing it to him and he popped off " If it were on CH 39 I'd buyit right now!" LHS owner changed the crystal and bingo made a sale. IHMO this was irresponsible.This flyer is not a club member but might have been flying with us Thurs. if he'd shown up 15 min earlier. Whether or not his TX is off (freq. output) I do not know. To summarize my opinion on the subject: to change the TX crystal as I did was ok, to change the crystal the way the LHS owner did was not.
Have you ever had a flight that scared the begonias out of you? Maybe taking off with the ailerons reversed or on the wrong model on your TX? First flight on your first kit with the trims really off and the CG too far back? You get the plane down and you're shaking like a dog trying to crap a peach seed. Noah flew a 30+ minute flight in which I only took the plane back if it was diving straight down (and even then at the last moment or way over the hangars. When I finally landed I thought I was going to faint! It was a wild ride. We flew another 30+ minute flight and those two flights were more fun than he had had ever with a RC airplane. About two weeks later Rick saw me at the field at about 2PM and asked me if I minded giving Noah more flight time. He went and pulled him out of school to come fly with me. He'd been on the SIM a lot since the previous time and was 100% better, it was amazing.
Noah died shortly after that and when I paid my respects Rick thanked me again and told me how much that had meant to both of them. It was good for me too. True story, I'm proud, I admit it.
I'm sorry people let their feelings get hurt on the internet (usenet) but I get a kick sometimes out the rants. Life must be good if these little text msgs can get your dander up that much.
:)
mk