User Manual

52
or C.G. changes may be required to  ne tune the model so it
 ies the way you like. Mind your fuel or battery power level, but
use this  rst  ight to become familiar with your model before
landing. We have found that 6-minute  ights are a good place
to start when using 5000mAh batteries. After landing, check
your battery voltage. If it is above 3.80 volts per cell, the  ight
time can gradually be increased. Also check the amount the
charger puts back into the battery. We recommend that no
more than 80% of the battery capacity be used.
Landing
One of the keys to landing a giant-scale model is to maintain
suf cient airspeed throughout the landing approach. An
unusually high airspeed is not necessary, but those unfamiliar
with landing giant-scale models are sometimes deceived by
the model’s larger size. Larger models often appear to be
closer than they actually are. Additionally, most giant-scale
models slow down rapidly, thus causing the uninitiated to
land short. To avoid this initial illusion, make your landing
pattern closer than you normally might for a .40-size sport
model. Also, don’t pull the throttle all the way back and leave
it there the way you normally would. Instead, momentarily
pull the throttle all the way back, but then advance it a “click”
or two to keep the engine RPM up and maintain airspeed.
Once over the runway you can cut the throttle the rest of the
way and the model will slow for the landing  are.
The Giant F6F Hellcat ARF may be landed with or without
 aps. Flaps increase lift and drag, so the plane may be
landed slower, thus reducing rollout after touchdown (not
as much of a factor on grass runways). To initiate a landing
approach, lower the throttle while on the downwind leg. If
using  aps, allow the model to slow before extending them.
Continue to lose altitude, but maintain airspeed by keeping
the nose down as you turn onto the crosswind leg. Make
your  nal turn toward the runway (into the wind) keeping the
nose down to maintain airspeed and control. If using  aps,
keep a few additional “clicks” of power so the model doesn’t
slow too much. Level the attitude when the model reaches
the runway threshold, modulating the throttle as necessary
to maintain your glide path and airspeed. If you are going
to overshoot, smoothly advance the throttle (always ready
on the right rudder to counteract torque) and retract the
 aps when enough airspeed is gained. Climb out to make
another attempt. When the model is a foot or so off the deck,
smoothly increase up elevator until it gently touches down.
Once the model is on the runway and has lost  ying speed,
hold up elevator to place the tail on the ground, regaining
tail wheel control.
Note: If ever the occasion arises when a dead-stick landing
must be performed, do not extend the  aps until certain the
model will be able to reach the landing zone (on dead-stick
landings it is common to land with no  aps at all). Without
engine power,  aps can unexpectedly reduce the model’s
range, thus causing you to come up short of the  eld.
One  nal note about  ying your Giant F6F Hellcat ARF. Have a
goal or  ight plan in mind for every  ight. This can be learning
a new maneuver(s), improving a maneuver(s) you already know,
or learning how the model behaves in certain conditions
(such as on high or low rates). This is not necessarily to
improve your skills (though it is never a bad idea!), but more
importantly so you do not surprise yourself by impulsively
attempting a maneuver and suddenly  nding that you’ve run
out of time, altitude or airspeed. Every maneuver should be
deliberate, not impulsive. For example, if you’re going to do a
loop, check your altitude, mind the wind direction (anticipating
rudder corrections that will be required to maintain heading),
remember to throttle back at the top, and make certain you
are on the desired rates (high/low rates). A  ight plan greatly
reduces the chances of crashing your model just because
of poor planning and impulsive moves. Remember to think.
Have a ball! But always stay in control
and  y in a safe manner.
GOOD LUCK AND GREAT FLYING!
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