Knife-Edge Flight:
The SIG Edge 540T has exceptional knife-edge capability! As
mentioned earlier in the manual, the CG location has a direct effect
in this maneuver. The further back the CG location, the more effect
the rudder has in knife-edge flight. We fly at a 29% CG location
and can fly typical knife-edge flight at either a more normal
fuselage angle of 25
O
or so, or with just a bit more power, we can
also fly "high alpha" knife-edge at a very steep fuselage angle of
attack. Knife-edge flight is a signature Edge 540T maneuver.
Harriers:
Harrier maneuver can be described as forward flight with the
fuselage at a very steep nose-up angle of attack. This maneuver
requires very good power. We like to enter this maneuver from
slow level flight. Using high rates, quickly pull the nose up to about
60
O
and add power to maintain altitude and forward flight. Keep
holding full up elevator, holding the tail down, along with throttle
input as needed to keep the altitude constant. You'll need rudder
input for heading control because the ailerons become fairly
ineffective in this attitude. With practice you can learn to fly the
model in the Harrier attitude with relative ease. Want to bail out of
this maneuver? Easy. Return the elevators quickly back to neutral
and throttle up the engine to quickly and smoothly fly out and into
level flight. If you've never done this maneuver before, we suggest
practicing at an altitude that is at least a couple of mistakes high.
Once you've mastered this maneuver, it can be used to make
spectacular "Harrier Landings".
Snap Rolls:
The Edge does really nice looking snap rolls, as long as the
control inputs and proper rates are used. The ailerons should be
in the high rate position. The elevators and rudder should be in low
rate positions, with the low to moderate entry speed. A word of
caution is in order here. Snap rolls are high stress maneuvers. Do
not be tempted to throw excessive elevator throw into this
maneuver. Doing so may overstress the airframe, especially the
wings. Also, note that aft CG locations may make this maneuver a
little more challenging.
Waterfall:
The waterfall maneuver has been described as nothing more than
a series of super tight outside loops - on steroids! That said, the
waterfall is both a spectacular and challenging maneuver and a lot
of fun.
Make sure to practice this maneuver at a fairly good
altitude. In level, low speed flight, go to high rate elevators and
smoothly pull the nose up to either vertical or near vertical. Just
before the airplane stalls, push full down elevator and full power.
The airplane should pitch forward and down, rotating all the way
around 360
O
. Holding the elevator and throttle in this position, the
airplane will continue this insane action in a slow downward
decent. Some rudder and aileron input will be needed to keep the
wings level and the fuselage properly aligned. To bail out of a
waterfall, return the elevators to neutral and back off of the throttle.
The Edge 540T is capable of many more different maneuvers!
And this is one of the real challenges when flying such a capable
model.
The only real secret to learning how to fly these
maneuvers can be distilled down to three words - practice,
practice, practice.
Please operate your airplane in a safe, responsible manner with
constant regard to other flyers, spectators, and property.
GOOD LUCK AND GOOD FLYING!
suggest that the upwind final approach be made with just a bit
more speed than you might first want.
This ensures that the
airplane will continue to fly, without stall concerns. Make sure the
airplane is headed into the wind on final approach and use rudder
input as needed to maintain a straight heading, along with aileron
input to keep the wings level. Allow the model to sink smoothly to
the runway. A few feet above the runway gently flare the airplane
for touch down. After touch down, close down the throttle and
keep the airplane moving straight ahead until it comes to a stop.
Hold up elevator and taxi back to the designated engine shut down
area at your particular field. Switch off the ignition first, followed
by the airborne radio system.
Congratulations! You've just
successfully test flown your new Edge 540T.
With this important basic trim flight now accomplished and out of
the way, the next thing to do is completely check everything in your
model, including every last nut and bolt. Problems with new R/C
airplanes typically show up early in their lives. This is the time to
find any and all problems and fix them. If bolts have come loose,
use good quality thread locking compound on the threads and
securely reinstall them. Check the rudder pull-pull cables and their
connections to make sure they're all sound. Check the battery
packs - airborne and ignition packs - to make sure they are still
securely in place and likewise, check the fuel tank to make sure it's
also secure. Check for any fuel leaks and the fuel line connections
themselves.
Inspect the aileron, elevator, and rudder servos
closely, checking for any loose clevises or clevis lock nuts. In
short, take the time to go over your model completely with a very
critical eye - it will pay off later.
Aerobatics:
Ok, assuming that you've gotten to this point, you're probably
ready to see what your Edge 540T is capable of. Remember what
we had to say earlier about throttle management and aerobatics,
because all of that advice now comes into play. We won't go
through every maneuver and how to fly it in this section, but we will
cover a few of the more common maneuvers.
Simple Axial Roll:
A simple axial roll at level flight is a great way to begin getting used
to your Edge. An axial roll is nothing more than left or right aileron
input, rotating the airplane 360 around the fuselage axis. This
simple maneuver can none-the-less be challenging to make
perfect. The maneuver should be entered from level flight at slow
to moderate speed, with the ailerons on low rates. Mastering the
axial roll will lead to multiple axial rolls, always beautiful when done
well.
Slow Axial Roll:
This is the same as the axial roll above, but performed with much
less aileron input, rotating the airplane at considerably lower
speed. This is likewise a simple but challenging maneuver to
master.
Loops:
Everyone knows what a loop is - enter from level flight, pulling
smoothly up with the elevators, continuing all the way up and over,
back to level flight on the same heading and at the same altitude
as the entry. Sounds easy. The real secret to a proper loop is
maintaining the same airspeed all the way around the loop, using
throttle input as needed to pull up on the upline and throttling back
on the downline and pullout to level flight.
This is a great
maneuver to practice your throttle management skills.
With
practice, you can add a snap roll at the top of the loop and then
continue down the backside of the loop as you normally would.
This is called an Avalanche.
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