2026-09-20 | David E. Sproule

Chris and the airplane

One flight with Chris and his remote control plane. Almost a tree. A tail that needs repair. Photos from the path.

Good morning from a heavy sleep. Today had a better invitation.

My friend Chris asked if I wanted to come help him fly his remote control airplane. He uses a wheelchair. He did the work on the control arms himself. Next up, still planned, is ordering a servo and linkage so the plane can get air brakes later. That part is not bought yet.

We flew it once. Chris almost hit a tree. Then we noticed a slightly broken tail piece, so the flying stopped and the repair list got longer. We headed back to Matty's Place with the plane and a few photos.

Chris holding the transmitter behind the yellow and silver plane on the path — Chris on the transmitter. Plane N126C on the path.

Close up of the plane nose with shark mouth art and big bush wheels — Shark mouth and bush wheels.

Chris with the plane upside down across his lap in the park — Looking underneath after the flight.

Close up of hands working on the fuselage of the RC plane — Hands on the fuselage. Checking what the flight shook loose.

Chris leaning over the plane to inspect the wing and tail — Checking the wing and that slightly broken tail.

I like this kind of day. A friend who wants you there. A plane that almost kissed a tree and still made it home. Recovery is not only meetings and notebooks. Sometimes it is standing on a path watching something Chris built try to stay in the air.