Instruction manual

GETTING READY TO FLY
You have put a lot of effort into assembling your model and
it looks great! Protect your investment by following a few
simple tips:
1. If possible, have an experienced modeler look over your
work before you head out to your flying field. It’s easier to
fix problems in the workshop instead of on the flight line. It
is also highly recommended to obtain help from an
experienced modeler to act as a flight instructor. It is
possible to teach yourself to fly a radio controlled model,
but you will have a much more pleasant experience and
incur a lot less damage to your first model with the help of
a qualified flight instructor.
2. Become familiar with starting your engine, and break it
in before your first flight. Be sure the engine will stop when
the trim lever is pulled all the way back.
3. Assemble a simple flight kit which should include a
starting battery and a glow-plug clip (or ni-starter),
“chicken stick” for flipping the prop, fuel and a means of
filling the tank, a couple of small screwdrivers, #64 rubber
bands, spare prop and glow plug, 6” adjustable wrench,
and a pair of needle nose pliers. In addition to tools, you
should also take along some paper towels and spray
window cleaner to remove fuel residue after each flight.
4. When you load up to go to the flying field be sure that the
radio system batteries have charged for at least 14 hours, and
that you have your fuselage, wing, transmitter and flight box.
And, most important, you have your AMA license.
5. Range check the radio! See the manufacturers
instructions included with your radio system.
USING RUBBER BANDS
Mount the wing to the fuselage with the 12 supplied rubber
bands. Install them from front to back, crisscrossing the
last two. Never use torn, cracked or oily rubber bands.
After removing the rubber bands from your model, store
them in a container with talcum powder or clay-type kitty
litter to absorb oil and keep them fresh for the next flying
session.
If the rubber bands you will be using are different from
those recommended, consult an experienced modeler to
make certain they are strong enough, and that you have
used enough of them. If uncertain, force the front of the
wing off of the wing saddle. There should be considerable
resistance! If the wing can be forced from the fuselage
without having to strain your hands, then there are
probably not enough rubber bands.
TAXIING
Start the engine and set the throttle trim for a slow, steady
idle. Have your instructor or a helper hold the plane while
you work the controls. Upon release of the plane, advance
the throttle slightly to start rolling, and then back off the
power to prevent going too fast and possibly taking off.
Stand behind the plane as it taxies away from you and note
the direction it turns as you move the rudder control. One
thing to keep in mind with R/C models (whether it be cars,
boats, or planes) is that the steering controls may seem to
“reverse” when the model is moving toward you. For
example, if you are flying toward yourself, and you give a
right control input (ailerons or rudder), the model will move
off to your left. The fact of the matter is, of course, that the
controls are not reversed and the aircraft did actually enter
a right turn. The plane does move off to your left from your
vantage point, but if you imagined yourself in the cockpit
you would realize the plane turned to the right as
commanded. All it takes is a little practice to maintain
proper orientation of your aircraft, but that’s why we
recommend finding an instructor.
When you feel comfortable, advance the throttle a little
while standing behind the plane to get the feel of a takeoff
roll, but pull back on the power before the model lifts off.
Try this several times, adding a little more power each time.
Use the rudder stick on your transmitter to steer the plane
with the nose wheel while on the ground. If the plane starts
to veer off, immediately cut the power to prevent a mishap.
Although many R/C pilots have taught themselves to fly,
we strongly recommend that you find an instructor to help
get you started. Although trainers offer the greatest
opportunity of success for the self-taught, there is a high
probability that you will crash your airplane on the first
flight. Protect your investment of time and money—obtain
the assistance of an experienced R/C pilot.
IMPORTANT!!!
Flying a model with too few rubber bands can be
dangerous. If the wing momentarily lifts from the
fuselage and acts as though a large amount of “up”
elevator has suddenly been applied because there
are not enough rubber bands or they are too weak,
internal structural damage may result. Even worse,
the wing could actually detach from the fuselage
resulting in a crash. If the model exhibits any
tendencies that indicate there are not enough
rubber bands, immediately reduce power, land and
closely inspect the model for damage. If no damage
is found, add more rubber bands.
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