I arrived at the field this morning to find it absolutely still and calm, a perfect sunny morning. So I happily unloaded the Walrus and set about getting it ready. I plugged the battery in then switched on the radio. The receiver lights came on but there was a lot more beeping than usual, and then the ESC started playing tunes...this was definitely not right.
A quick glance at my transmitter solved the riddle - it had shifted in the car over the weekend and the throttle was on full, setting the ESC in programming mode. Hastily I flicked the throttle off and checked the controls. Everything was working, excellent. Holding the Walrus aloft for pre-flight throttle check. No response. I'd somehow reprogrammed the ESC to isolate the motor.
So, standing at the field with a plane on a perfect flying morning, unable to fly because I'd disabled the plane...
I set about trying to reprogram the ESC with little hope of success, considering there are about half a dozen options identified only by a sequence of tones. First attempt made no improvement. Deep breath, yell of frustration and then try again.
Mentally picturing when I had changed the throttle earlier, I pushed the lever down and then powered the transmitter off and on.
Lifting the Walrus up I flicked the throttle and success! The propellor powered up, and we were back in business. Prayer of thanks and the glider was flying into the clean morning air...
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