Posted for "Lancair" <lancair@USTEK.COM>:

 I would call them incredibly dumb except that . . .
 
 My GlaStar was in the shop to repaint the rudder.  The paint shop was on
 a small paved strip in the southeast Ohio hills and has a significant
 grade.  After checking out the aircraft and performing a preflight I
 taxied to take off down hill.  Strange feeling though - a strong
 crosswind had sprung up and it was difficult to track straight.  When
 the air rudder could not hold it I tapped the brake and continued to
 move along.
 
 I ran CIGAR and started rolling downhill.  The faster I went the greater
 was the crosswind.  Brakes brought it back center, then off brake and it
 started to slew off the runway.  I was up to rotation speed and it was
 really squirrelly.  Sufficient rudder application was impossible and I
 started to track left off the runway. Brake brought it back again but
 excessive use made the brakes start to fade.  Finally it was either yank
 it off or plant both feet.  I trounced on the brakes, slid off the
 runway right side, across the grass, and came to rest perfectly aligned
 on the parallel taxiway with smoke pouring from the wheels.
 
 Upon climbing out I saw that I had burned the brakes, but what caused
 the control problem?  Reaching in I pushed the rudder pedals and watched
 the rudder move, and then I finally saw it - they moved in the opposite
 direction!  I pulled the tail cone and found that the painter/mechanic
 had cross connected the cables.  The controls felt right and I saw them
 move, so all was well - right?  Obviously not.
 
 And who was to blame for this near death experience?  The PIC naturally.
 So perhaps incredibly dumb is appropriate.
 
 Robert M. Simon
 ES-P N301ES