I lost my plane (KF2 glider) on Saturday afternoon at Hoskote.

The winds were strong and the plane gained quite some height - could not retrieve it - saw it going down in the marshes. It was at a considerable distance from where we were flying. By the time I got there in knee deep water (and God knows what else - was feeling like Bear Grylls), I had lost all orientation and the marsh did no help a bit.

Went back the following day, and spent another hour or so - no luck. Had a couple of smokes and uttered a silent prayer.

Losses:

1. Original Futaba full range Rx.
2. 1400 Kv motor, 6x4 prop/adapter.
3. 25 A ESC.
4. Futaba S3114 servos(2).
5. 1800 mAh battery - 2 flights old.

6. A great flier.

Sounded off the local village folks who were only too eager to help and left after being assured that they'd contact me if the plane was found.

 

hi mate.
you may be lucky with 'locals' looking and keeping an eye out...
you have you'r   'id'  on the plane?
over here some put their post code on their plane to help id it if found.
regards
don

1. Flying High and Dry (of juice) is never a good idea.
2. Using costly/OEM electronics on a foamie, when cheaper alternatives are available is 'big heart'
4. Villagers have even earlier promised to return the wreckage to flyer, but no one ever got the call.
5. You were lucky  to get back ashore to have the fag. The swamp has been home to many poisonous snakes including spectacled cobras.
6. If the rain god put some mercy and your plane was decently water/rain proof, you may try again mid-end October when the water recedes.

Join people at BAA'S Yelehanka/Annekal/IISc flying field where conditions are better. But no place is as big for a 'Free flight' RC flying.

<You may contact 'Foamybuilder' on this forum who flies FPV over Hoskote. He may help  you to locate the plane>

I was there when he lost it    unfortunately my fpv isnt ready yet and wouldnt dare to fly it over hoskote atleast now

This makes me sad. I wish that you would find your plane soon.

Quote from: sunk? on September 05, 2011, 10:45:30 PM
you may be lucky with 'locals' looking and keeping an eye out...
you have you'r   'id'  on the plane?
over here some put their post code on their plane to help id it if found.

Don,

Simple folks, the village people are and understand that the plane(if found) is no use to them whatsoever. No, I dont have an id, but have left my phone no. with them - just in case.

Quote from: ujjwaana on September 05, 2011, 10:46:16 PM
1. Flying High and Dry (of juice) is never a good idea.
2. Using costly/OEM electronics on a foamie, when cheaper alternatives are available is 'big heart'
4. Villagers have even earlier promised to return the wreckage to flyer, but no one ever got the call.
5. You were lucky  to get back ashore to have the fag. The swamp has been home to many poisonous snakes including spectacled cobras.
6. If the rain god put some mercy and your plane was decently water/rain proof, you may try again mid-end October when the water recedes.

Thanks for the tips, Ujj.

As regards the snake, the villagers continue to herd cattle in the marsh and walk about freely -  yet, there's no denial there's an element of risk.......and perhaps disproportionate to the loss.

As you say, there are still good chances that the plane be found (but unlikely that the water recedes this season) and its a matter of sheer luck if the gear is all intact - then again, too many 'ifs'.

Quote from: foamybuilder on September 05, 2011, 11:46:28 PM
I was there when he lost it   unfortunately my fpv isnt ready yet and wouldnt dare to fly it over hoskote atleast now

Thanks for sharing my grief, you were most helpful
BTW, the prop saver fit well - thanks

Quote from: VC on September 05, 2011, 11:47:39 PM
This makes me sad. I wish that you would find your plane soon.

Thanks, VC. I wish so too.

Its no doubt a loss, but I guess such things happen and there are lessons learnt - albeit expensive.

Whats gnawing is that it's out there somewhere. I can imagine what people must feel when their loved ones go missing.

hi,

why could u not retrieve it?  was there loss of control? 

are you a beginner? was any experieced person there with you. he could have managed to get it back.

a fellow modeller too lost his plane near our gliding center. luckily he got the remains after 2 months. how that's a long story.

take all precautions next time 

Thanks to the village folks  - I got back my glider this afternoon, after nearly 96 hours in water.

No damage to the plane itself and all gear working normally after testing - except the battery which is puffed up.

 

Great to hear

Give it some TLC now...

Now that you mentioned, short of the siren blaring, I rushed back, opened it all up and blew dried it with a hair dryer at level 1. Gave it another 30 mins and blew dried again. I had to open the Rx.

Tested and favorably concluded (phew !)

Ujjawana's tip makes sense - with faomies, better to use more economical gear - Corona RP8D1 is now my primary Rx 

(level 2 blows 'hotter' air - just curious, what are the chances of causing damage to soldering etc., if one uses level 2?)

you may be lucky with 'locals' looking and keeping an eye out...

I stand corrected - I am a 'local' too

Great to know that you have got your aircraft back .

Quote from: bmblb on September 07, 2011, 09:48:48 PM

Ujjawana's tip makes sense - with faomies, better to use more economical gear - Corona RP8D1 is now my primary Rx 

(level 2 blows 'hotter' air - just curious, what are the chances of causing damage to soldering etc., if one uses level 2?)

Why not buy FRSKY TFR8/TFR6 FASST Compatible Rx  on foamies ? Many ppl do that , so no tweaking with Tx.

It not advisable to power on the electronics too soon. Use the dryer on lowest and keep for long time.. after dryer, leave the electronics on in open overnight, under a Table Lamp (Bulb).

you are one lucky chap..be this an eye opener for you..

cheers..burrpp..

Good news always brings cheer

How about putting the electronics in uncooked rice? I see it being done on a regular basis by car guys when they run their electronics in water...