Use freq. board -- NO MATTER WHAT!

[WhirlyGirl]

Edit: My wife was logged in again...should be from FlyinTiger...

Interestingly enough, two transmitters TOTAL at the field...easy frequency control, right? Think again...

Here's the scenario:

Two planes and a helicopter are being flown at a flying field, two transmitters, only two frequencies, very thoroughly deconflicted. I'm flying my 28% Extra and, during that flight, about five guys show up at the field. My 24 oz. gas tank lets me fly for about 14 minutes with reserve to land...so I'm flying away, not paying any attention to these people (because I'm flying).

Mistake #1: I didn't pull my pin - no need to with only two people flying, right?

So...the guys that just arrive pull out their equipment, and without saying a word, go and grab their pins from the frequency board. Hmmm...no pins missing, people flying, it would be a good thing to ask the guys already flying what frequency they are on...

I talk with everyone in person anyway...what if someone just 'forgot' to grab their pin...is it worth the potential 28% plane or helicopter for that matter, going through the pits and killing people?

Luckily my plane was pointed in a wind-corrected line parallel with the flightline as I was completeing a 1/2 cuban eight, and it went into PCM lockout at the bottom of the 5/8 loop. At a low idle the plane hit on about a 45 degree angle with the ground, just off the runway opposite of the pit area.

Mistake #2: I didn't land when people pulled in while I was flying - who knows what frequency these guys that just showed up are on, and if they know about frequency control, or common curtesey for that matter.

Verdict: The guy washed his hands with the comment, "Hey, I have the pin!" And refused to talk with me for the rest of the time I was at the field cleaning up and packing up my stuff. I'm not going to take him to court, so I'm out a plane and possibly some costly repairs on my DA-50, not to mention the fees for sending in my receiver to have it checked.

Mistake #3: I thought a person that shot down my plane would pay for at least the airframe to be replaced - no such luck.

Here's the pictures...before, and after...

[fly boy 01]

I don't want to sound like an ass or anything but, it's not his fault he had the same frequency as you, and you didn't take the pin, how was he supposed to know? Sorry for your loss tho, I have been in similar situations, with no compensation...

[Ion01]

That stinks man.....Just make sure you get the pin even if you are by yourself because, I sorry to say, but if this were brought to court and I was the judge I would say they shouldn't have to pay for it as long as the club rules state you have to have the frequency time. All it takes is being lax one time, at least knowone got hurt.

[SleepyC]

YEa. I agree.
The point of a frequency board is to let anyone who shows up or is flying what frequency is occupied. With 40+ frequencies available, it would be hard pressed to notice that a different channel other than the one you were looking for was gone.

I do the same thing every time I fly. Hit the board , check for my PIN, if its there, its go time.

Sorry, but I do think this is not the fault of the other guy.
Sorry for your plane!

[sl1200mk2]

Yeah, hate to go along, but this is ultimately your fault and hopefully others will learn from your experience. I'm not saying these guys shouldn't have asked around if it was *obvious* all the pins where there, but honestly would you bother to look at EVERY pin on the board when you go to grab yours if it's free? I sure don't. That's outstanding if you do though! We have a busy field... it's not uncommon to have 15 guys between heli's and planes. I personally am not going to interupt every flyer checking to see if they should have my pin which appears to be free.

* A $30 frequency checker seems like a pretty good idea now! *


Now had you taken the pin and they hit your frequency anyway... well, that's entirely different. IMHO I'd be expecting some sort of compensation for their irresponsibility. It's pretty clear why those boards are there in the first place regardless of how many people are flying. Every AMA rule has a purpose, place and potential consequence for not following them.

Sorry about your loss - that's a tough lesson not to mention a beautiful plane...

- Wayne

[Znar]

Sorry for ur lost....mistakes happen on both sides....the only one you will have control over will
be ur own. Just make sure you don't let that happen again..
Make ur next bird better that the one you lost..

[ilovemetro]

honestly this is mostly your fault, but both of you could have been blamed, maybe if you thought about the fact that people could show up while you were flying, yes he should have asked you anyways because typically when i fly by myself i would do the same thing but either way its not all his fault.

[Mithrandir]

Mistake #1
YOU are entirely at fault.
You owe him an apology for making him feel like YOU
put blame on him.

It would have been nice if he checked.
It would have been nice if he noticed no missing
pins and a plane in the air.... but you know when you
are trying to get your own sh!t together... you just don't
always notice things...
But the burden is on YOU to have the pin when you fly....

What If he had taken off and put HIS plane in the dirt... He had
the pin and you were turned on.....

sorry for your loss... tuff mistake to learn from... thank God no body was hurt!!
Thanks for sharing.. I have learned from your mistake and will be more
vigalant myself....

I humbly suggest you accept the responsability of your mistake!

regards

mith


ps... I have a shirt JUST LIKE yours!... well... with My kids hand prints

[Edge 540]

Hate to say it but he owes you nothing. I had the EXACT same thing happen to me this spring. I went to fly after the club meeting when no one else wanted to (they're all scared of wind). Our club is small and I fly 90% of the time with just me and one other person out there practicing. I didn't grab my pin and I got shot down by someone who walked up in the middle of my flight and began to preflight their aircraft. I didn't think there was any chance that another flier would want to fly but he did. Guess what... IT WAS MY FAULT and I cant say anything about it. I lost the plane. He had the pin. END of story. I'm completely with you here. I know exactly how you feel but theres really nothing more to it. It is a HORRIBLE feeling, but I'm just glad it was my plane and not his. I would rather learn a very difficult lesson with my own stuff, then buy somone else an aircraft due to my mystake.



Guess what I'm paranoid about doing every time I unload my stuff from the car now.....................go on ............guess.

[notorious_benny]

Sorry mate but the mistake is yours.

Even if I am the only one flying at my field I put my key in the board. Its just not worth the risk.

[Propstriker]

Mistake #1
Your Fault entirely!! When Using ANY device that could potentially hurt or even kill someone...it is your responsibility to take ALL Precautions.

Mistake #2
You are very quick to blame the new comers for lack of courtesy or knowledge of frequency control...when you, are basically, "renagade" flying and not using frequency control yourself!

Mistake #3
Holding someone else finacially responsible for your mistake.

I agree with Mithrandir, take full responsibility for your actions, and apologize to the gentleman....

[bodywerks]

You make it sound like the other guy was a jerk - maybe he was. If this was on a weekend during the usual hours when people go there to fly, then you screwed the pooch big time for not pulling your pin in anticipation of more people showing up. On the other hand, if this was a monday, mid-day flying session and you really doubted that a large group of people would be at the field, then the guy was very inconsiderate for not asking what channel you were on first, but he still wasn't at fault. I always pull my pin...