SAFE systems cannot prevent operator error

by maxsmodels | December 16, 2013 | (6) Posted in Tips

The E Flite S-15e Apprentice with the SAFE flight system is a great 4 channel trainer but I learned a nasty lesson in relying on the SAFE system too much.  I am new to RCs and have only flown my Apprentice 12 times but I know enough now to fly safely with the SAFE system in advanced mode. After a 3 week layoff, I went out to fly.

Given my lay off I decided to use basic mode.  Despite my best efforts I found that I could not seem to stay ahead of the plane and started using the SAFE 'auto-level' switch to repair bad situations.  I was using a brand new battery and I swear the plane was moving faster than normal (but this was the same brain that had not flown in 3 weeks).

After two shakey flights I came in to land but I set up and pushed a bad approach.  As the Apprentice neared the ground left wing low and the nose down I 'tugged a toggle' to auto-level the plane but it just continued its trajectory and plowed into the ground. I had become so confindent in the SAFE system's recovery capabilities that I was caught completely unaware.

So what had happened?  Why didn't it level off?  I looked down to see my left forefinger firmly holding the mode selector instead of the SAFE recovery switch.  All I had done was flip it into advance mode which turned off all of the SAFE system's limitations.

My mentor chastised me about using the SAFE system as a crutch since I now have enough experience to land properly on such a perfect day.  I had to buy a new engine mount, cowling and nose wheel steering rod clevis and I had to once again hot glue the firewall back on.  Other than that it came through better than I had any right to ask.

The moral of the story is: Don't use the automated systems as a crutch.  Fly the plane the way you are supposed to and only use the SAFE system if you really, really need it and then make sure you have your finger on the right switch.

PS:  It took $13 worth of parts and a lot of work with the hot glue gun but she was operational the next day.

- Find this article & others like it at www.FliteTest.com -

COMMENTS

1959cutter on October 16, 2014
after a while it will be like riding a bike and will be more rewarding without the "crutch"
try a simulator to freshen up your skills (worth the money!!!)
Log In to reply
Epitaph on October 25, 2014
Along with your bike analogy, I would say it's like that what parents sometimes do to their children when they are learning to ride and they remove one of the stabilizers from their bike. Rather than learning to keep balance, they learn to erroneously lean over to the side where the stabilizer still is. It's not something that teaches, but rather something that creates a bad habit.

The solution would be no stabilizers, and a parent always there to grab the bike when something goes terribly wrong, and SAFE technology is like that, only use in a worst case scenario.
Log In to reply
Bayboos on October 18, 2014
That's one of the best advices any pilot can hear. Too bad you had to learn it the hard way; so let's keep spreading it to anyone who is using automatics to cover up mistakes rather than learning how not to make them in the first place.

Better luck next time; keep flying, and HAVE FUN!
Log In to reply
Yogenh on October 22, 2014
The biggest thing is you are still learning and it will come to you. Most of all have fun
Log In to reply

You need to log-in to comment on articles.

maxsmodels

(62)

SAFE systems cannot prevent operator error