This posting by radfordc sent me searching for a thread where HBAers can share lessons learned that others may benefit from. I did not find one, so hear it is.
I have learned never to let anyone touch the controls until I have let them fly the airplane safely at altitude.
BJC
It almost happened to me. I was giving a pilot a ride in my Sonex and let him do the takeoff. He only had experience in planes with clockwise rotating props...he pushed down on the right rudder pedal...the VW turns counter-clockwise and needs left rudder. I was trying to correct with my pedals but he had that sucker locked. Luckily we lifted off just before departing the runway into the right side ditch.
I have learned never to let anyone touch the controls until I have let them fly the airplane safely at altitude.
BJC