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Guidelines for Precision Flying
The E-flite Splendor aircraft and its AS3X system were designed together to help
an intermediate pilot apply standard flying skills to precision flying. This aircraft
excels in precision maneuvers. While the AS3X system is activated, you can
practice precision maneuvers in more wind or tougher conditions. This system
gives this aircraft the feel of a bigger aircraft, similar to a 2-meter F3A competi-
tion aircraft.
Switch between F3A and 3D options, while in flight, using the assigned channel
5/AUX switch on your transmitter:
• Use the F3A option for high speed, precision maneuvers
• Use the 3D option for low speed, controlled flying-beyond-the-stall
maneuvers
If you compete under national (AMA) or international rules (FAI), turn all gains to
zero to deactivate the AS3X system (refer to the receiver manual). Competition
rules do not allow the use of gyros or a stabilization system.
Visit www.fai.org
,
www.modelaircraft.org
or
www.mini-iac.com
for current
radio-controlled aerobatic competition rules. If desired, search for “Known”
patterns, published annually for competitors to practice.
F3A Maneuvers
Lines:
For your first attempts, fly on an imaginary line perpen-
dicular to a line directly in front of you. Strive to enter
and exit maneuvers in straight and level flight.
Loops:
A loop must have a constant radius and must be flown
in the vertical plane throughout. Loops, including snaps
or rolls, must have all rotations within the radius of the
loop.
Rolls:
Rolls may be flown individually or as part of other ma-
neuvers. The rate of roll must be constant, with a well-
defined start and stop. Point rolls must hesitate equally
at each point. When flown correctly, there should not be
any pitch up or down to start the roll. A roll should also
start and end on the same line of travel. This requires
coordination between the rudder and elevator to hold
the aircraft on-line throughout the rotation
Loop/Roll
Combo:
F3A competitions include combinations of rolls with
loops or circles, requiring coordination of all 4 channels.
Keep your aircraft on the circular path with tail control
while executing rolls with the ailerons.
Spins:
All spins start and end on horizontal lines. The model
must be stalled so that the entry is near horizontal in
a nose-high attitude, with the nose rising as speed
decreases. The nose drops as the aircraft stalls. At the
same time, the wing drops in the direction of the spin.
Attempt to make your aircraft enter a spin directly in
front of you.
Snaps:
A snap roll is a rapid rotation where the aircraft’s nose
makes a visible break in heading from its track in pitch
and yaw for the duration of the roll. Practice is required
to get the aircraft to start and stop at the desired rota-
tion, as wel as to keep the aircraft from losing too much
energy.
Stall Turns
(Hammerhead):
A Stall Turn or Hammerhead is a change of flight
direction at stall speed in the vertical plane. The model
should turn in a space no wider than 1.5 times the
width of the wing span.
Building Your Skills
Increasing your skills takes time. Practice regularly and try following a plan
for increasing your skills. Mastering one maneuver at a time may be more
beneficial than trying to learn everything all at once. Always stay aware of
your aircraft’s performance in different conditions and attitudes:
What response can you consistently get from your aircraft?
• Set up your aircraft for consistent response in all attitudes and flight
conditions where you choose to fly. Not all challenges are due to the
equipment, just as not all challenges are due to the pilot’s skills.
• If you feel you reach a plateau in your skills, see if you have built the right
habits in the fundamentals of precision flying. Play to your strengths and
the strengths of your aircraft while minimizing reliance on areas of
weakness.
• Know yourself and your equipment well enough so you can confidently
take on greater challenges.
• Push yourself, but avoid pushing past your aircraft’s performance envelope.
• Seek fun ways to safely share your enjoyment of precision flying.
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