(Vol. VI)
Setup and Flight Preparation

On a recent trip to the local flying field, one of the members had brought his latest project, shiny and new, ready for the initial test flight. I watched as he and his buddies began to go over the aircraft, checking this and checking that. They adjusted the servo throw and two or three guys started to remove pieces from the airplane while others made adjustments. Soon there was a large crowd around the airplane. After some time it was determined that the owner needed to take the airplane back home for some finishing before it could be flown.

Sound familiar? You might have seen this happen at one time or another. This particular flier was not a novice pilot; he had years of experience and was considered by many to be one of the best pilots in the area. Yet he came to the field with the intention of flying an unprepared and untested aircraft with the idea that a few last minute items would be no big deal once he was there.