You will need to balance your Odyssey EP
™
after you've complet-
ed assembly and have installed the receiver, battery, and servos.
Use of the stick-on type of weights is recommended and can be
obtained at your dealer. Before adding weight to the sailplane, try
moving the battery pack to adjust the center of gravity (usually
as far forward as possible).
We strongly recommend that before you fly your new Odyssey
EP, you first perform a test glide. Pick a flat spot that has soft,
tall grass and is free from obstructions. You first want to check
out the Odyssey's performance but also check your performance
as a pilot. It also allows you to make corrections to any building
or control defects that may have been overlooked.
The test glide should be done with an assistant on a calm day.
Hint:
A good time during the day is very early in the morning or
at dusk when the wind is calm. You want to be able to concen-
trate on what the model is doing, and have time to think about
what you're doing. We will assume you have an assistant during
the following steps.
Step 1.
Range check your radio system and check the control
throws. Make sure the control surfaces move in the proper
direction.
Step 2.
Have the assistant hold the Odyssey EP under the wing
near the CG and run forward until they can sense the wing devel-
oping lift. Don't release the glider yet. See if the model wants to
lift. If not, add a bit of up elevator trim and try again.
Step 3.
This step may take some practice on the part of your
assistant. What you want them to do now is run forward, but a
bit faster, with the nose of the Odyssey EP pointed at the horizon
with the wings level (not nose down or nose up). Then thrust the
Odyssey EP forward in a line straight toward the horizon and
release it.
Step 4.
When the assistant releases the model, watch it carefully.
A properly trimmed aircraft will fly straight forward gliding to a
smooth landing about 50 feet away. If the Odyssey EP pitches
nose down, the CG is too far back and you have a nose heavy
condition. Remove some weight from the nose. If the Odyssey
pitches nose up sharply, and stalls, you have a tail heavy condi-
tion (the CG is too far forward), and you need to remove weight
from the tail or move the battery and receiver further forward.
Step 5.
Turns to the left or right after launch can be adjusted
through use of right or left rudder trim.
Important:
Make any trim adjustments in small increments.
Large changes can result in abrupt turns resulting in tip stalls
and loss of control.
Step 6.
If you have to make large trim adjustments on your
transmitter, you may have other problems, such as warps. Check
the wings, elevator, and rudder to make sure there are no warps
in the airframe. Make sure the wings are aligned or mounted
properly on the fuselage.
When you have the Odyssey EP trimmed and the CG adjusted so
it glides properly in a "hands-off" manner, return you transmitter
trim switches to their neutral position, then make the appropriate
mechanical linkage corrections to return the control surfaces to
their test glide positions.
Step 7.
After you have made the necessary corrections, test
glide the model again to make sure it is trimmed properly with
the transmitter trims in neutral.
Step 8.
You are now ready to launch under power. Apply power
and have your assistant run forwards as before. Gently throw the
Odyssey EP at a point on the horizon. Let the aircraft gain speed
before attempting to make any abrupt changes in direction.
Remember to make small control inputs, you do not want to stall
close to the ground. Use a slight bit of "up elevator and allow the
Odyssey EP to make a gentle climb to 200-300 feet. You can
then shut down the motor and go hunting for thermals.
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Section 11: Test Glide
