Apprentice loss of control

[octagon]

Hi Everyone,
Had a crazy thing happen tonight, wonder if anyone has some insight. Have a SAFE Eflight Apprentice. I am getting back into the hobby after 20 years out. Took off with using my Spektrum 5 with Greg as my instructor on the buddy box. As I was turning from my upwind base to by downwind leg, plane pitched up and then dove toward the ground. Greg tried to rescue it but even he could not recover, no control what so ever. Like we turned the TX off. Plane hit, not too bad, new prop, motor mount............you know. I do not trust the SAFE thing, and am going to turn it off if I can figure out how. I may have been out of the hobby for 20 years, and I am the first to confess to my mistakes, but this was just a loss with the plane. Just before takeoff, the ailerons jammed full. We turned it off and  back on it it seemed to be fine. Good on takeoff and then the aforementioned crash. Grateful for any help.

[Oscar]

I have the Apprentice S (with SAFE technology).  Greg is also my instructor.  You can't turn off the SAFE but you can switch it to Advanced mode (it's on your left side, below the Training button). 

One thing I found with SAFE technology, you have to hold on the plane (make sure it's doesn't shake due to wind or movement)for the first 5 seconds when you power on the plane (or switch to ON button).  During the initial power up sequence, the SAFE technology is performing stabilizing.  Any movement (including testing your stick movement) can cause confusion of the SAFE.  And it will cause problem when flying.

I hope this help.

[eddiecj]

Hello! I am willing to bet that the SAFE technology in the new apprentice is very similar to the flight controller in a multirotor, incorporating gyros to determine orientation, in multi rotors, there is a dreaded phenomenon some refer to as "angle lock", where a gyro will lock up and cause the craft to suddenly speed off in a direction you don't want. This is rare but it's been reported, also, your issue with aileron lock in full throw has happened to me once, after landing, I researched till I was blue in the face but could not find the reason, It could be an inherent issue with the potentiometer in the gimbal in the radio as I was then using a DX6i. In my opinion, the safe technology is actually a very complicated system relying on sensors and gyros,algorithms, and unfortunately in order to keep costs down, manufacturers are forced to use the cheapest possible gyros/hardware possible, inviting issues like this. These stabilization systems are known to develop minds of their own sometimes, and just scare the hell out of the pilot, finding the issue could be extremely difficult, there are so many variables. I would suggest utilizing the internet and youtube to the fullest, there are surely others out there whom have had similar issues, hope this helps a bit, and may you have best of luck next time! You can fly the apprentice through a wood chipper and glue her back together lol