15
Ground Check and Range Check
Always perform an operational ground check of your radio
before the fi rst fl ight of the day following the manufacturer’s
instructions that came with your radio. This should be done
once with the motor off and once with the motor running
at various speeds. If the control surfaces do not respond
correctly, do not fl y! Find and correct the problem fi rst. Look
for loose servo connections or broken wires, corroded wires
on old servo connectors, or poor receiver antenna routing.
Hand-Launch
First, it’s a good idea to use a fl ight timer to alert you when
it’s time to land—it’s always desirable to have reserve battery
power because more than one landing attempt will probably
be necessary—especially for the fi rst fl ight. Throughout
testing we set our timer to four minutes (of motor run time).
This should provide an additional minute of run time for
landing approaches. For your fi rst fl ight it might even be a
good idea to set your timer to three minutes until you know
for certain how long your Rifl e will fl y.
The Rifl e can be launched by the pilot, but for the fi rst couple of
fl ights, and until the model has been trimmed for straight-and-
level fl ight, it is a good idea to have an assistant (with some
prior hand-launching experience) launch the Rifl e for you.
Hold the model by the bottom of the fuselage under the wing.
As you should do before every fl ight, double-check that
the controls are responding properly and in the correct
direction. Then, arm the motor and run it up for a second
to make sure it is making full power and sounds good. Make
sure your launch will be directly into any prevailing wind.
Inform your assistant of your intentions, make certain he
acknowledges, and then apply full throttle. Your assistant
should run for a few steps, then throw the plane into the air
at about a 30-degree angle, doing his best to level the wing
with the horizon.
Expect the Rifl e to descend briefl y before it gains enough
airspeed to establish a climb. Use the sticks to keep the
wings level.
At this point you’re in the clear and the model will climb as it
rapidly continues to gain speed—this will all happen within
two or three seconds!
Flying
Your fi rst priorities will be to get the Rifl e trimmed so it fl ies
straight-and-level when the sticks are neutral and to keep
it under control so you can keep it within visual range. If
you fi nd yourself getting “behind” the Rifl e, you can always
throttle back to 1/2 or even slightly less throttle. This will slow
the plane (a little) providing you with (slightly) more time to
think and react. You can also have your assistant adjust the
trims for you so you don't have to lift your fi ngers from the
control sticks.
Once you have the Rifl e trimmed you should be able to fl y
full throttle for extended periods, but it’s prudent to throttle
back (or cut the throttle altogether!) in turns so it doesn’t
get too far away. Fly “large”, keeping turns wide and smooth.
One good turn-around maneuver is to climb vertically, half
roll, throttle back, and then pull a 3/4 loop to upright level. Of
course, you can always “crank and bank” it too!
While at a high altitude with plenty of battery power, simulate
a landing approach by cutting the throttle and watching the
Rifl e glide. This will give you an indication of how it will land.
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Continued on page 16
)
