EN
11
Flying Tips and Repairs
During your first flight, trim the aircraft for level flight at 3/4 throttle. Make small
trim adjustments with your transmitter’s trim switches to straighten the aircraft’s
flight path. After adjusting trim do not touch the control sticks for 3 seconds. This
allows the receiver to learn the correct settings to optimize AS3X performance.
After landing, adjust the linkages mechanically to account for trim changes and
then reset the trims to neutral. Ensure the aircraft will fly straight and level with no
trim or sub-trim.
Failure to do so could affect flight performance.
3 Seconds
In Flight Trimming
Consult local laws and ordinances before choosing a flying location.
Range Check your Radio System
Before you fly, range check the radio system. Refer to your specific transmitter
instruction manual for range test information.
Oscillation
Once the AS3X system is active (after advancing the throttle for the first time),
the control surfaces will react to aircraft movement. In some flight conditions
oscillation may occur (the aircraft rocks back and forth on one axis due to
overcontrol). If oscillation occurs, refer to the Troubleshooting Guide for more
information.
Location
Always choose a wide-open space for flying. It is ideal to fly at a sanctioned flying
field. If you are not flying at an approved site, always avoid flying near houses,
trees, wires and buildings. Never fly over people.
Hand Launching
When hand-launching your aircraft alone, hold the aircraft in one hand and the
transmitter in the other.
Apply about 1/2–3/4 throttle. Hold the aircraft on the underside behind the wing
launch the aircraft directly into the wind, angled slightly up (5 to 10 degrees above
the horizon). Avoid a baseball style throw where your throwing hand follows an
arc. Your throw should instead be more like throwing a javelin; imagine guiding
the aircraft onto a flight path. Allow the aircraft to climb to a safe altitude before
maneuvering.
Flight Time
For your first few flights with the recommended battery pack (SPMX18004S30), set
your transmitter timer or a stopwatch to 5 minutes, then land. Adjust your timer for
longer or shorter flights once you have flown the model.
If at any time the motor
pulses, land the aircraft immediately and recharge the flight battery.
See the
Low Voltage Cutoff (LVC) section for more details on maximizing battery health and
run time.
Landing
Land into the wind. This sailplane will require more room to land than many
parkflyers because it won’t slow down as easily as most parkflyers. Plan your flight
path and stay clear of trees, buildings and cars. Make a few practice approaches
to get used to the aircraft’s sink rate during the landing approach. During landing
approach manage the descent so the aircraft bleeds off speed as it descends. If
the approach is too steep, the aircraft will pick up speed and overshoot the landing.
When the aircraft settles into ground effect, feed in a small amount of up elevator
to flare and land.
NOTICE:
If a crash is imminent, reduce the throttle and trim fully. Failure to do so could
result in extra damage to the airframe, as well as damage to the ESC and motor.
NOTICE:
After any impact, always ensure the receiver is secure in the fuselage.
If you replace the receiver, install the new receiver in the same orientation as the
original receiver or damage may result.
NOTICE:
Crash damage is not covered under warranty.
NOTICE:
When you are finished flying, never leave the aircraft in direct sunlight
or in a hot, enclosed area such as a car. Doing so can damage the aircraft.
Low Voltage Cutoff (LVC)
When a Li-Po battery is discharged below 3V per cell, it will not hold a charge. The
ESC protects the flight battery from over-discharge using Low Voltage Cutoff (LVC).
Before the battery charge decreases too much, LVC removes power supplied to the
motor. Power to the motor pulses, showing that some battery power is reserved for
flight control and safe landing.
Disconnect and remove the Li-Po battery from the aircraft after use to prevent
trickle discharge. Charge your Li-Po battery to about half capacity before storage.
During storage, make sure the battery charge does not fall below 3V per cell. LVC
does not prevent the battery from over-discharge during storage.
NOTICE:
Repeated flying to LVC will damage the battery.
TIP:
Monitor your aircraft battery’s voltage before and after flying by using a
Li-Po cell voltage checker (SPMXBC100, sold separately).
Repairs
Thanks to the EPO foam material in this aircraft, repairs to the foam can be made
using virtually any adhesive (hot glue, regular CA, epoxy, etc). When parts are not
repairable, see the Replacement Parts List for ordering by item number .
Dual Rates and Control Throws
High Rate
Low Rate
Aileron
p
= 15mm
q
= 15mm
p
= 10mm
q
= 10mm
Elevator
p
= 10mm
q
= 10mm
p
= 7mm
q
= 7mm
Rudder
= 18mm
= 18mm
= 13mm
= 13mm
Program your transmitter to set the rates and control throws to the values given.
These values have been tested and are a good starting point to achieve successful
flight.
After flying, you may choose to adjust the values for the desired control response.
