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Ghettojeep
March 16th, 2008, 01:12 AM
I was flying at a schools sports field that backs to a private man made lake in East Boulder. I usually stay away from the side w/ water.

I was at the far end of the field w/ my car stereo on so I could fly to some tunes. Well it got overcast and I had the plane way far out and it ended up out over the earthen/rock dam that marks the edge of the lake. I ended up loosing orientation and dunking it into the water.

I sprinted the 300 yards or so over there to find it bobbing about 40-50 yds out. I'm not sure it was the right decision or not, but I went in after it. I'm guessing the water was 40 degrees or so. They say you have 2 minutes in the Bearing Sea, so I figured I had 10 or so in me. :D

The plane was complete except for the battery cover which was another 15 yards or so out. When I reached the plane I decided to let the cover go, and brought her back in, I didn't want to press my luck in the frigid water.

As far as I know everything is working on the bird, but I'm going to let it dry for a day or so b/f I try it out.

I put it on the rocks so I could get out of the water, the water drained out and almost immediately the esc gave me the "good to go beep" I unplugged the batt really quick after that. I uplugged all the connections and hopefully it will be ok.

It was pretty crazy, I'm sure it wasn't the right idea to go after it b/c I was alone and the temp of the water, but I have the plane back and it should fly again.

:D Shananigans! My hands and feet were purple when I got out, and I had to commando it at work tonight due to my swim in my boxers but other then that, it turned out ok.

newracer
March 16th, 2008, 01:47 AM
Glad you got the plane back and you didn't drown!!!!

Definitely let it dry for several days before you power anything up. You can also blast everything with electric motor cleaner or WD-40 to remove the water. Blow dryers and sitting in the sun also works.

ZooMad75
March 19th, 2008, 12:55 PM
That's crazy. You are lucky you didn't freeze and end up a popcicle. Given the same set of circumstances I'm not sure I would have went after it. Maybe try to make some waves to push it closer to the opposite shore, but not jump in. My fat self would have sunk well before getting to the plane!

Glad you made it though!

theirishavenger
March 19th, 2008, 01:24 PM
Maybe you need to start flying a PBY or something with floats on it.....:shrug: :D

Ghettojeep
March 19th, 2008, 05:24 PM
It wasn't all that bad, I'm a really strong swimmer. The shock "factor" of the water and not knowing how cold it really was pretty dumb, as was not having someone else there.

The motor didn't survive the dunk, it already had been sounding a little "off" I tried it yesterday and smoked the esc and motor.

So basically I risked my life for an airframe and some servos and a battery.

Yup I be real smart.

I have to admit it was crazy fun though. :D :D

ZooMad75
March 20th, 2008, 09:30 AM
If it don't kill you it makes you stronger right? Or at least smart enough not to do that again!