the answer is : a very unstable machine . I test flown the Flyer 2 on the 3D sim from the flyer experience in Washington last October. the max achievable speed is only about 10 Mph from the stalling speed and the rudder ( activated by a handle on top of the right yoke ) act more as speed brake . There are no ailerons , the only( very) effective control is the elevator activated by the left yoke. Taking off a few feet is Ok, attempting to turn generally end up in a stall, unrecoverable at less than 10 feet height...
Cross wind is uncorrectable,so I am not surprised that seen the wx conditions that day it did not work as planned .