Note to Self...

Well folks it's been a few weeks since I've added to the blog, or flown for that matter, and I must say it showed yesterday!  It was a beautiful day here in Chicago, blue skies and a light wind.  After not being able to fly for a while I was excited to get out and work on my hovering, so off to the field I went. 
Once there I set the blades, plugged in my battery and proceeded to crash!

So in the 90 seconds of flight here is what I learned.
1)  Every time you get to the field GO THROUGH A PRE-FLIGHT CHECK.  Make sure all screws are tight all ball-links are connected and radio and receiver are working correctly.
2)  If you hear a little voice in the back of your head saying something ain't right, LISTEN TO IT!
3)  See numbers 1 and 2!!!!!

The reason for those two lessons are as follows:
I didn't pre-flight and shortly after getting the helicopter airborne I lost all stick control.  After getting to the crash site I found one head control arm popped off.  You loose one servo you quickly become an observer and not a pilot.
The other lesson was much harder.  While watching the heli spin up I noticed it was acting a little strange.  I kept wanting to nose over without any control inputs and as soon as it got a little air it started moving to the left and away.  I don't know what was causing those movements but if I would have listened to my little voice I would have set that sucker down and taken a closer look at the thing.
As it is, I am down for a little while waiting for parts.  During that time I am going to make myself a pre-flight check list to follow and start to drum that list into my thick skull.  In the mean time I think I might spend a little time with my airplane, this way I can shake off the bad feelings about crashing the heli and get some stick time in before I take to the skies again with my "flying chainsaw."