13
❏
5. To fi nd out how much weight will be required, lay
segments of Great Planes “stick-on” lead (GPMQ4485) on
the fuselage over the nose or tail where it will be attached.
Nose weight can be added inside the top of the fuselage just
behind the motor and tail weight can be stuck to the bottom
of the stab right next to where it attaches to the fuselage.
Once you have determined the amount of weight required, it
can be permanently attached.
❏
6. IMPORTANT: If you found it necessary to add any
weight, recheck the C.G. after the weight has been installed.
Balance the Model Laterally
❏
1. With the wing level, lift the model by the spinner and
one fi nger under the tail at the very end of the fuselage. Do
this several times.
❏
2. If one wing always drops, it means that side is heavy.
Add stick-on weight to the bottom of the wing under the light
wing tip. An airplane that has been laterally balanced will
track better in loops and other maneuvers.
PREFLIGHT
Identify Your Model
No matter if you fl y at an AMA sanctioned R/C club site or
if you fl y somewhere on your own, you should always have
your name, address, telephone number and AMA number
on or inside your model. It is required at all AMA R/C club
fl ying sites and AMA sanctioned fl ying events. Fill out the
identifi cation tag on the decal sheet and place it on or inside
your model.
Charge the Battery
Follow the battery charging instructions that came with your
radio control system to charge the transmitter batteries.
You should always charge your transmitter and receiver
batteries the night before you go fl ying, and at other times
as recommended by the radio manufacturer.
CAUTION:
Unless the instructions that came with your
radio system state differently, the initial charge on new
transmitter and receiver batteries should be done for 15
hours using the slow-charger that came with the radio
system. This will “condition” the batteries so that the next
charge may be done using the fast-charger of your choice.
If the initial charge is done with a fast-charger the batteries
may not reach their full capacity and you may be fl ying
with batteries that are only partially charged.
AMA SAFETY CODE (
EXCERPTS
)
Read and abide by the following excerpts from the Academy
of Model Aeronautics Safety Code. For the complete Safety
Code refer to Model Aviation magazine, the AMA web site or
the Code that came with your AMA license.
General
1) I will not fl y my model aircraft in sanctioned events,
air shows, or model fl ying demonstrations until it has
been proven to be airworthy by having been previously,
successfully fl ight tested.
2) I will not fl y my model aircraft higher than approximately
400 feet within 3 miles of an airport without notifying the
airport operator. I will give right-of-way and avoid fl ying
in the proximity of full-scale aircraft. Where necessary,
an observer shall be utilized to supervise fl ying to avoid
having models fl y in the proximity of full-scale aircraft.
3) Where established, I will abide by the safety rules
for the flying site I use, and I will not willfully and
deliberately fly my models in a careless, reckless and/
or dangerous manner.
5) I will not fl y my model unless it is identifi ed with my name
and address or AMA number, on or in the model. Note:
This does not apply to models while being fl own indoors.
7) I will not operate models with pyrotechnics (any device
that explodes, burns, or propels a projectile of any kind).
Radio Control
1) I will have completed a successful radio equipment ground
check before the fi rst fl ight of a new or repaired model.
2) I will not fl y my model aircraft in the presence of spectators
until I become a qualifi ed fl ier, unless assisted by an
experienced helper.
3) At all fl ying sites a straight or curved line(s) must be
established in front of which all fl ying takes place with the
other side for spectators. Only personnel involved with
fl ying the aircraft are allowed at or in the front of the fl ight
line. Intentional fl ying behind the fl ight line is prohibited.
4) I will operate my model using only radio control frequencies
currently allowed by the Federal Communications
Commission.
5) I will not knowingly operate my model within three
miles of any pre-existing fl
ying site except in
accordance with the frequency sharing agreement
listed [in the complete AMA Safety Code].
9) Under no circumstances may a pilot or other person
touch a powered model in fl ight; nor should any part of
the model other than the landing gear, intentionally
touch the ground, except while landing.
