It’s not a matter of if…
…with R/C airplanes, it’s a matter of when. Today was the Twist’s day.
Damage Assessment: Every fuse doubler either cracked or broken. Horizontal stab shattered at the hub. Elevator stringers separated. Wing has multiple gashes and internal injuries as is evidenced by loose parts banging around inside…
On a lighter note… All radio gear tests fine, servos deliver torque without binding, antenna intact, all other equipment fine. Engine built like a brick, no issues there either.
What happened? Low, slow, gust of wind, too little airflow over control surfaces to compensate so the only thing left to exit the vicinity of terra-firma was utilized: Pure power, which resulted in a spectacular torque roll into the ground.
Unfortunately no cameras were rolling. Tail makes for an excellent wall mount.
Filed under: TidBits | 
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Greetings Cap’n!
I’ve just finished listening to all of your episodes, and enjoyed every minute. I’ve had the dream of being a pilot all my life however my eyesight excluded me from taking the military route, and the civilian route was beyond me financially. I did however take up RC flying, and I had to laugh when I saw this picture because I have an identical picture of my yellow 46 twist that suffered the same fate as yours - low and slow on the approach, gust of wind, and too little power too late. Mine broke in exactly the same spot. Great little plane though.
Also…a question for you - I noticed in your first video episode the distinctive tail pipes of an ST1100 or 1300. How do you like it? I’m on the verge of buying a 2006 ST1300 - just not fully decided between that and a 2003 BMW R1150RT. I’ve ridden both and love both - its a touch choice.
Cheers!
Peter
Hi Peter
Thanks for your comments and for your feedback! I am thinking of getting another Twist however since this accident I’ve fixed up my R/C Nobler and expect to have it air worthy again today, actually. One of it’s GP .40 retracts let go (strut came out of the unit, GP doesn’t use locktite… argggg) and I had to bring it in on one main gear. It was a tough choice either to do it that way or to bring it in gear up altogether… It meant the wing tip or the belly. As it was I chaffed the wing tip pretty good but had I brought it in on it’s belly it would have had the plastic wing bolts as a buffer, but may have tweaked the entire underside as a result.
Anyhow, I’m looking forward to flying it and will most certainly post about it here. As far as the ST goes, yeah it’s an ‘06 ST1300 and my wife and I really enjoy riding it. I’ve added a few ‘goodies,’ including a Hondaline top box with a wing and arm rests, full fairings, an intercom, a GPS, heated grips, 12v outlet, and a few other things I can’t think of right off the top of my mind.
Good luck in your choice of bike and thanks again for the feedback here! I really appreciate it!!!