The Model Barn - Slider

I'm gobsmacked that the so called expert didn't notice the rudder problem, correct control movements are the first thing you check before every flight.
70mm on a 230mm wing is a good starting point. I always set to 28% of chord and then move back until I get a good power off glide.

you have to use some elevon with them to get it to turn - Elevons?
They are found on a flying wing, combining elevator and aileron to apply both functions to one control surface on each side!

the plane left the ground but at about 4 feet it wouldn't turn left into the wind,
Why were you not taking off into wind? (or am I misreading your comment?)

Then it was realised that the aileron stick wasn't doing anything
Standard practice with a three channel model is to put the rudder (primary turning control) on the Aileron stick (primary control stick). - - (the rudder stick then does nothing).
Did your 'test' pilot not check that all the controls worked in the correct direction, before attempting to fly it?

I could see that the wing was rocking on the centre point of the dihedral.
That wouldn't help either! (Another thing your 'test' pilot should have picked up on!) I hope you used more than one band on each side, too - multiple redundancy!
the wing must have left the fuselage before it hit the ground
Not enough wing-bands! Imagine the mess if the wing came off at 100 feet or more altitude!

C of G - I always start with the balance set slightly forward of the spar (which is also usually the thickest part of the wing) on a straight-wing model. Taper or swept wings need a different approach.

Pre-flight checklist
Begins at home! 
Suitable clothing for the weather!
Midge repellant/sun-block/de-icer for yourself!
Are all flight batteries fully charged, and have the correct plugs on the wires (or adapters for same).
Transmitter battery charged (or new AA's installed if you use loose cells).
Check you have the correct wings for the fuselages you intend to take! (It has been known for people to take the wrong wing!)
All parts of the model are together - not scattered in different rooms!
Check that servos aren't coming loose in their positions, and have screws holdng the disk or arm on.
Check that hinges aren't pulling out, control horns aren't loose in the surface, pushrod connectors fitted, (clevises, or z-bends with a clip-on keeper, etc)
Spare parts, props, bands or wing-bolts, screws, tools, etc.
Take the prop off, for safety - turn everything on, and CHECK that the surfaces move in the correct directions, one at a time. Don't just wiggle the sticks and see if things waggle or the servos whizz.
Put the prop back on when the battery is disconnected.
Test to see that your timer runs out before the battery does at medium to high power. (so you have a bit left to go round again if needed!)
At home, warm, dry, with all the tools - is the place to start messing wth servo reversing, and fault correcting!

Load up the car.
Check again that you have put ALL the parts and spares in!

At the field.
Make all your checks again, just in case something got bashed en-route.
Assemble the model(s).
Is the tx set for the correct model memory.
Check control directions and functions again.
If there is only you there, this next line doesn't matter - What do club rules stipulate about the number of models in the air at the same time? (our club states four).

Ready to fly?
Have you previously done a range check, and a failsafe check? See the radio instructions!
Check the wind direction, so you can take off and land INTO it!
Make sure you have charged batteries in the model!
Switch the radios on, and check (YES AGAIN!) that controls really work. (switches/connectors have been known to fail!)
ASK for permission from the others actively flying, if you can go onto the field or take-off. (OK if I - - - ??)
Look where the other models are - if someone is landing, wait until they have done, and recovered their model. (They should have called "Hang on a moment - I'm landing)
Call Taking off! and start your timer or telemetry - so you don't run out of volts in the air!
Do so, and fly away from the pits area/pilot box/whatever system the club uses - before doing anything.

Whilst flying - try to avoid crashing into other models! (It is hard to do - deliberately - but surprisingly easy when you are not trying to!)
Keep away from 'no-fly' areas, (see your club rules, typically the pits area, or the carpark, etc)

Landing.
Be aware of where other flying models and people are.
Check the wind-sock
CALL preparing to land.
Make your downwind run, losing height.
CALL LANDING! - and turn into wind , then land.
Taxi back or call RETRIEVING, and do so promptly, to clear the landing strip.
Make your model safe by disconnecting the flight battery, then turn the transmitter off.
When you've finished shaking, check your model over for anything that has come loose.

Next flight - do it all again from the beginning!

Do you know WHY you should take off or land INTO wind?
For convenient numbers, the wind speed is 10 mph.
Your model flies at 20 mph.
So you are flying at 20 into the wind BUT your speed over the ground is 10 (20 minus 10)
Now you are flying downwind, still at 20 mph with the wind at 10 mph - (20 plus 10) so your speed over the ground is 30 mph. (Visually 20 mph faster!)

Now the wind has increased to 20 mph. Your model still flies at 20 mph - so it's visual speed over the ground is zero. BUT turn downwind, and now your visual speed over the ground is 40 mph!

Remember - it is supposed to be fun! 




 

Most speedo's make a beeping noise to acknowledge an instruction. In this case you are teaching (calibrating) it where full power, and power off, are.

A Speedo is what we used to call them back in the days when we only had brushed motors, they were very unintelligent by todays standards. With the advent of brushless 3 phase motors the ESC (Electronic Speed Control) became much more sophisticated, giving us things like soft start and soft braking for helicopters, variable timing and a host of other things that make our lives easier.

And trying to set one up - just using the beep tone counts - makes you wonder if it IS easier!

(Speedo's are also known as budgie smugglers, for some strange reason!)