EN
13
Flying Tips and Repairs
Consult local laws and ordinances before choosing a flying location.
Getting Started
Before you fly, range check the radio system. Refer to your specific transmitter
instruction manual for range test information. When you first connect the battery to
the airplane AS3X will not be active. After advancing the throttle the first time, the
AS3X system will be active and it is normal to see the control surfaces react to aircraft
movement. For your first flights set your transmitter timer or a stopwatch to 3.5
minutes. Adjust your timer for longer or shorter flights once you have flown the model.
Takeoff
Face the aircraft into the wind for takeoff. Set your transmitter to low rates and drop the
flaps to the takeoff position if you desire. Flaps are not required, but lowering them makes
takeoffs shorter.
Gradually increase the throttle to full, and steer on the ground with rudder as necessary
to keep the aircraft rolling straight. Leave the elevator at neutral and allow the aircraft to
accelerate up to speed on the ground, then pull up gently on the elevator to rotate for takeoff.
When airborne, climb to a comfortable altitude, and return the flaps to the level position.
Flying
For your first flights, climb to a moderate altitude and get comfortable with the aircraft
while the battery is fresh. Get a feel for the aircraft’s low speed performance with the
flaps up and down at a safe altitude (approximately 100 feet or more), before being
required to make your first landing attempt. Land the aircraft when the timer expires.
If at any time the motor power reduces, land the aircraft immediately to recharge the
flight battery.
Landing
Plan to land the aircraft into the wind when possible. Fly downwind and turn
into the wind to begin the approach. Lower the throttle and lower the flaps to
the landing position (full down position.) Flaps will make the landing approach
steeper and slower, and allow for a smoother landing. If there is a significant
crosswind, only lower the flaps to the takeoff position (middle position) which
will help maintain speed and better directional control during approach.
During the approach and descent, keep the wings level and the aircraft pointed into
the wind. Keep the nose down and stay into the throttle to maintain speed and control
during decent until the aircraft is ready to flare. As the airplane descends into ground
effect, fully lower the throttle, pull the nose up more to bleed off airspeed (flare), and
the aircraft will settle on its wheels.
If landing on grass, hold full up elevator after touchdown and when taxiing to
prevent the aircraft from nosing over. Once on the ground, avoid sharp turns
until the plane has slowed enough to prevent scraping the wingtips.
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-discharging using Low Voltage
Cutoff (LVC). Before the battery charge decreases too much, LVC removes
power supplied to the motor. Power to the motor reduces, 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).
Oscillation
For most flight maneuvers the aircraft should fly smoothly and normal, but it
is possible in some flight conditions you may see oscillation (the aircraft rocks
back and forth on one axis due to overcontrol). If oscillation occurs, refer to the
Troubleshooting Guide for more information.
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.
For a listing of all replacement and optional parts, refer to the list at the end of
this manual.
NOTICE:
Use of CA accelerant on your aircraft can damage paint. DO NOT
handle the aircraft until accelerant fully dries.
SAFE Select Flying Tips
When flying in SAFE Select mode the aircraft will return to level flight any time
the aileron and elevator controls are at neutral. Applying aileron or elevator
control will cause the airplane to bank, climb or dive. The amount the stick is
moved will determine the attitude the airplane flies. Holding full control will
push the aircraft to the pre-determined bank and roll limits, but it will not go
past those angles.
When flying with SAFE Select, it is normal to hold the control stick deflected
with moderate to full aileron input when flying through a turn. To fly smoothly
with SAFE Select, avoid making frequent control changes and don’t attempt to
correct for minor deviations. Holding deliberate control inputs will command
the aircraft to fly at a specific angle, and the model will make all corrections to
maintain that flight attitude.
When flying with SAFE Select, throttle will make the aircraft climb or descend.
Full throttle will cause the aircraft to pitch up and climb slightly. Mid throttle
will keep the airplane flying level. Low throttle will cause the airplane to
descend slightly nose-down.
Return the elevator and aileron controls to neutral before switching from SAFE
Select mode to AS3X mode. If you do not neutralize controls when switching
into AS3X mode, the control inputs used for SAFE Select mode will be
excessive for AS3X mode and the aircraft will react immediately.
Differences between SAFE Select and AS3X modes
This section is generally accurate but does not take into account flight speed,
battery charge status, and other limiting factors.
SAFE Select
AS3X
Control Input
Control stick
is neutralized Aircraft will self level
Aircraft will
continue to fly at its
present attitude
Holding a
small amount
of control
Aircraft will bank or pitch to a
moderate angle and maintain the
attitude
Aircraft will
continue to pitch or
roll slowly
Holding full
control
Aircraft will bank or pitch to
the predetermined limits and
maintain the attitude
Aircraft will
continue to roll or
pitch rapidly
Throttle
Full throttle: Climb
Mid throttle: Level flight
Low throttle: Decsend nose-down
Throttle will
not affect flight
response.
