Xenon
Xenon building instructions
5
direction of rotation.
Don’t use the propeller for this - injury hazard!
Assemble and install the folding propeller, hub and spinner as described in the instructions sup-
plied with the parts.
Fix the speed controller to the fuselage side using a small patch of Velcro (hook-and-loop) tape.
The wires between the speed controller and the motor should also be secured to avoid any
chance of them fouling the rotating parts of the motor. Don’t pack the controller in foam, as this
could cause it to overheat.
The flight battery is secured to the bottom of the fuselage, again using Velcro tape.
Final work
The correct Centre of Gravity (
75 mm from the root leading edge
) can be set by adjusting the
position of the flight battery. This CG location is a safe value for the first few flights. Later on you
may wish to adjust the CG to suit your personal preference - but by no more than +/- 5 mm.
When you have found the correct flight pack location, secure it with Velcro tape, and mark its
position.
Check the control functions: the rudder should deflect to a maximum of 25 mm either side of
neutral. The correct elevator travels are 10 mm up and 8 mm down. Check, and then check again,
that the control surfaces actually move
in the correct direction, i.e. “left stick” really does equate to
the model turning
“left”.
The ailerons should deflect 12 mm up and 8 mm down. Remember that for a right turn the right
aileron rises, and the left aileron falls.
Set the flaps to deflect up by 2 mm, and down by as much as possible. This function should be
assigned to a slider on the transmitter, so that you have proportional control of the flaps. You will
find that varying the flap settings gives
you very wide control of your model’s performance in the
air.
The
“butterfly” or “crow” setting can be programmed to act as a landing aid: both ailerons up as far
as possible, and both flaps down as far as possible. You will need to compensate for the resultant
pitch trim change by applying about 2 mm down-elevator, but the exact value needs to be found
by test-flying. In this configuration the model can approach for landing at a very steep angle
without gaining speed.
The plotted stickers can now be applied to the finished model, using the arrangement shown in the
kit box illustration.
The first flight
On
ce you have completed all the checks, there is nothing to stop you carrying out the model’s first
flight. If you have little or no experience in model flying, we urgently recommend that you join a
model flying club and ask a proficient model pilot to help you: he will carry out the initial test-flights
for you, and then help you to learn the art of model flying step by step.
It is also possible to learn to fly without outside help: first wait for a day with little or no breeze.
Launch the model with a firm push forward into any wind, keeping the wings and fuselage level.
Allow the aircraft to climb at a shallow angle, initially using the elevator only to adjust the rate of
climb. Don’t let the model slow up too much. If it turns to one side, gently move the rudder in the
opposite direction to return to straight flight.
Once the model is at a safe altitude, switch the motor off and allow it to glide. Use the controls
very gently at first until you feel familiar with the aeroplane’s response to commands. Don’t get
over-confident too quickly, and maintain plenty of height at all times - model flying is a sophis-
ticated skill which needs to be learned - just like driving a car or riding a bike.
Always land the model with its nose pointing directly into wind. Let it glide towards the ground at a
shallow angle, and d
on’t apply up-elevator until it is just about to touch down. Never carry out any
major corrections with the rudder when the model is close to the ground!
Safety notes, hazard warnings
Model flying is a fascinating hobby. However, we urge you to observe the following basic rules
when flying a model aircraft, as this will avoid annoying and endangering anyone else.
In Germany you are only permitted to fly model aircraft using a 35 MHz or 2.4 GHz radio control
system.
Your model should only be flown at a site where you will not annoy or endanger anyone; it is al-
