RJ Gritter makes history with Hempel-style One-Wing KE landing

[fredmidgett]

I say hang it on your wall as a momento of one of the all time greatest saves in RC history. It's one thing to hear about a legend like Bill Hempel doing it. Or to pull it off on a simulator after a few trys. But to be faced with that and keep your cool and bring it in like that is just unreal. Most of us (well at least me anyway) would be what-iffing about now, wishing I could have been able to react quick enough to save the plane like RJ did. I mean watch the video. He never even misses a beat. It looks totally in control the whole time. The only one nervous if RJ's Mom. ;-) Still can't believe I was there and saw it happen.

RJ I have a feeling that as this circulates someone is going to step forward and pony up a plane for a guy with your skills and cool to fly. If not I'll try to work out something with you. I know I'd be proud to see a great big "Higher Plane" logo on the underside of any plane you're flying. ;-) Fred

[GremlinX]

Can't view it because its QT..

[Matchless]

Very nice RJ!!!!! Looks kind like the foamies we flew in the street in Toledo!

[snap a saurus]

Very nice save RJ, that was BADASS

[BreadBowl]

	Quote: Originally Posted by 50%plane
	Dude, if GP wants to act that way, screw it. Post that all over the RC world. I know that if I had a 35% plane, and it broke during normal flight and the company acts like this, I would seriously question their support of the hobby, much less the people who buy their planes. I love Monokote and Futaba, but I'll consider never buying from them again unless they make it right. Call and talk to their supervisor. 50%

That's mature and really will reconcile the situation well, Chris.

[hpapilot]

While we'd all find it nice to be offered an entirely new airplane free of charge, I have to say I understand where they are coming from. For all they know, I may have damaged the wing previously in some way that caused it to be weak. Or, as Chris said, glue joints may simply have come loose. Regardless of what the wing looks like now or the situation surrounding the failure, Great Planes has no way to be sure that there was no legitimate cause. If they gave me a free airplane, someone who actually dumb-thumbed their Cap could quite easily blame it on a wing failure and demand a new airplane. Granted the video is proof that didn't happen here, but they must be careful about setting a precedent. At least they are willing to give me a pretty darn good deal on a replacement airplane.

So. A little dissappointed? Sure I am. However I can certainly understand their point of view. As to my plans for a new airplane, I'm not sure yet... going out and buying another brand new kit isn't in the budget right now. But we shall see...

Fred, I may do just that. I just need to find a wall big enough to hang the plane on, in a nice high-alpha KE position. And I'd certainly be proud to fly a plane with a nice big Higher Plane logo!

GremlinX, here's a link to a WMV version of the video: http://www.higherplaneproductions.co...HempelClub.wmv

Jeremy and Elie, thanks!!

RJ

[Franky Yeh]

NICE JOB !! one wing loading

[hpapilot]

Thanks, Franky!

Alright guys, here's the situation. With the special discount made available to all that attended the RDRC FFT, my parents have agreed to help me finance a 102" Quique Yak. So, the airframe is on the way, along with the Dubro hardware package. The Cap is going to be set aside but not gotten rid of, to be brought out in the future, restored, and flown again. As much as I want to fly the Cap again, right now my primary concern is having a great IMAC plane to fly, and the Yak should be much better in the long run. Don't worry though, the Cap will fly again!

Now all that's left is to build it... oh, and get the rudder servos, regulators, servo arms, extensions, and some other misc stuff.

I'll keep you all updated. Can't wait to get this thing going!

RJ

[Fearless Flyer]

RJ,
That’s great to hear. The new QQ yaks fly great and are perfect IMAC planes.
Great job on the save also

[hpapilot]

Thanks, Carl!

Alright, the new Yak arrived today. Looks awesome! I got the elevators hinged, landing gear on, and some other minor stuff done today. Kevin already did a build thread on the GIII 102" so I won't go that far, but I'll throw some pictures up here as I get more done.

RJ

[vernonf]

Ok, I want to see a Snap A Saurus takeoff with only One wing and knife edge flight to a knife edge landing!!!!!!

Forrest

[rede2fly]

man not only should great planes give you another plane they should hire you to fly for them. i cant beleive they didnt fork over a new plane. i would like to see any of them do that. ill about bet ya a plane shows up as soon as the right person hears about it or sees the vid. anyway great job dude