24
Maintaining Your Tango 40 ARF
The following is a check list that you should follow
every time you have completed a flying session with
your Tango 40. Doing so will keep your aircraft
in the best flying condition.
Clean Up
If you are flying with a glow engine you will want to clean
your Tango 40 before loading it into your vehicle to head
home. Use a cleaner such as Windex or 409 and a paper
towel to wipe down the exterior of your plane, removing
the fuel residue. Remember a clean plane will last longer
since the fuel won’t be allowed to soak into any exposed
wood. Even an electic plane may need a little cleaning to
remove any grass or bugs from the airframe.
Checking the Propeller
Check to make sure the propeller is tightly secured to
the engine. If not, remove the spinner and use a crescent
wrench to tighten it back down. If you have had any not-
so-great landings, you will want to inspect the propeller
for any damage. Small nicks and scratches can quickly
become fractures, causing the propeller to be unsafe for
flight. Always carry a few spare propellers so a damaged
propeller can be replaced at the field, increasing your
flying time per trip to the field.
Checking the Clevises
Inspect the aileron, elevator and rudder clevises to make
sure they are connected and in good working order. If
you find a clevis that is showing signs of wear or is
broken, replace it with a new clevis. Also check the nylon
connectors at the servo for any wear or damage. If they
look worn or in bad shape, replace them as well.
Checking the Control Horns
Inspect the control horns to make sure they have not
crushed the wood of the control surface. If so, remove the
control horn screws to remove the control horn. Place 2–3
drops of thin CA into each of the screw holes. In addition,
use a T-pin to poke small holes in the covering in the area
where the control horn mounts, then saturate the area with
thin CA. This will harden the wood and give the control
horns a solid surface to be mounted to.
Checking the Wheel Collars
Check the setscrews on the main and tail wheel wheel
collars to make sure they are not loose. Use a 1.5mm
hex wrench to tighten the setscrews. It is suggested if
they loosen frequently to remove them, apply threadlock
to the setscrews, then secure the wheel collars back
into position.
Check the Muffler Bolts
If you are flying with a glow engine, use a 2.5mm hex
wrench to make sure the bolts holding the muffler onto the
engine are tight and have not vibrated loose during flight.
Check the Engine or Motor Mount Bolts
Remove the spinner and propeller from the engine (or
motor) and then remove the cowling from the fuselage.
Remove the muffler from the engine (if using a glow
engine). Use a Phillips screwdriver and adjustable
wrench to make sure the four bolts securing the engine
to the mount are tight. Use a Phillips screwdriver to
check that the bolts holding the mount to the firewall
are tight as well.
