15
AN INSTRUCTOR CAN SAVE YOUR AIRPLANE!
If you are new to the hobby of flying R/C model airplanes, DO
NOT attempt to fly this model by yourself! We strongly urge you
to seek the help of a competent flight instructor. There are hun-
dreds of R/C clubs in the U.S. and these clubs normally have des-
ignated instructors, who are eager to help newcomers. The
easiest way to find an R/C flying club in your area is to ask your
local hobby shop or check the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronau-
tics) web site: www.modelaircraft.org .
An R/C flight instructor serves two important functions. First, he
will test fly your new airplane to make sure it is performing cor-
rectly, before you try to fly it. These first flights are called "trim
flights". During these flights, the flight instructor will "trim" the
model from the transmitter to ensure that it flies straight and level
without any problems. When a brand new R/C model takes off for
the first time, there is no way of knowing which way it might go.
Some models will try to climb, while others may want to go down.
Some will try to turn left, others right. Some models will be doing
both at the same time! It doesn't mean that there is anything
wrong with the model, but these minor differences must be
"trimmed out" in order for the model to fly "hands-off" straight and
level. An experienced pilot can instantly correct out of trim condi-
tions before the model crashes into the ground. An inexperienced
beginner has almost no chance of saving an out of trim model!
The second reason for an instructor is to have someone there to
correct the mistakes you will make during the learning process. It
isn't that flying an R/C model aircraft is all that difficult. It is more
a matter of learning what to do and when to do it. No matter how
slowly a model flies, an incorrect control input can produce almost
instant problems that, in turn, demand almost instant correction.
This is especially true at lower flight altitudes. A good flight in-
structor will climb your model to an altitude that gives him a good
chance of saving your airplane when you make these inevitable
mistakes. This altitude is generally referred to as "2 mistakes
high". When you get into trouble, quickly hand the transmitter
back to your instructor so he can rescue the airplane. He will get
it leveled off, and then, let you try it again. Without an instructor,
it is very likely that you would not receive this second chance.
Beginning R/C pilots, almost always, over-control their models.
This is perfectly normal but a trait that must be cured during in-
struction. Another problem common to beginners is disorienta-
tion. For example, when the airplane is flying away from you, right
aileron input produces a right turn and left aileron input produces
a left turn. However, when the airplane is flying directly toward
you, the same right aileron input now makes the airplane turn to
YOUR left. The airplane is still turning to it's right, but that is now
your left side! This perceived control reversal is very confusing to
all first time R/C pilots! Without an experienced flight instructor
on hand, it will most likely cause the loss of the model.
With a flight instructor, these early learning problems can be easily
dealt with. The more you fly, the quicker you will learn. Soon you
will be flying "solo" with little thought of the moves required. It will
start to come easy. Remember the first time you tried to ride a bi-
cycle? It seemed completely awkward the first time, but once you
learned how, it became easy. Don't get discouraged if you have
a minor crack-up. Repair the damage and get back into the air as
soon as possible.
FIRST TEST FLIGHT
Choose a calm day, with little or no wind, for the initial test flights.
This is important in getting the model properly trimmed. If there
is too much wind, you won't get a true reading on what the model
is doing in the air.
The RASCAL EP-49 is capable of taking off from any smooth sur-
face runway or a closely cut grass field - this is called an ROG
(Rise-Off-Ground) take-off. The correct ROG take-off procedure
is to line the airplane up with the center of the runway, facing di-
rectly into the wind. Advance the throttle smoothly to full high
throttle position. As the airplane accelerates, apply a little right
rudder input to counteract motor torque and keep the model track-
ing straight. When sufficient speed is attained, a small input of up
elevator will get the model airborne.
The RASCAL EP-49 can also be easily hand-launched if the grass
is too long at your flying field. When hand launching, the airplane
must be launched, straight and level directly into the wind, with
the nose aimed at a point on the ground about 75' in front of you.
Never launch the model with the nose pointed up or the wings
tipped to one side or the other. The launch should be firm enough
to achieve flight speed, but yet, not overly hard.
Once the airplane is in the air, it should be flown to a reasonable
altitude for flight trimming - approx. 100' or so. Flight trimming is
the use of the transmitter trim levers to make fine adjustments to
the position of the control surfaces, to make the model to fly
straight and level when you momentarily remove your fingers from
the control sticks. The ailerons, elevator, and rudder trim must all
be adjusted carefully to achieve ‘hands off” straight and level flight.
Once the ailerons and rudder are properly trimmed, future re-trim-
ming of them is usually rare. The elevator on the other hand can
need re-trimming quite often, depending primarily on how fast you
set your cruising speed. You will quickly learn that every time the
throttle setting is changed, that of course changes the speed of
the airplane, and then the elevator trim must also be re-adjusted
to make the model fly level, instead of climbing or diving.
Depending upon the altitude of your flying field, the condition of
your flight battery the amount of charge it is holding, and other
factors, you will most likely find that the RASCAL EP-49 can easily
cruise in level flight at 1/2 to 3/4-throttle setting. This reduced
throttle setting will slow the model down, increase your flight du-
ration, and make the model easier to fly for beginners.
Landing the RASCAL EP-49 is relatively easy. Flying into the
wind, line up with the center of the runway and gradually throttle
back. As the airplane slows down, the nose will drop, allowing the
airplane to glide down to the runway. If the glide is too steep and
the model is picking up speed, feed in a little up elevator until you
get a shallow glide at a constant speed. About a foot or so above
the ground, start to flare the landing by carefully feeding in more
up elevator a little bit at a time. This will bring the nose up, slowing
the airplane even more. Try to hold the airplane just inches off
the ground until it finally slows enough to settle smoothly onto the
runway.
Caution: Never land your airplane in tall grass or weeds with the
motor running. Always throttle back completely if you land in such
terrain or if you nose over after landing. Tall grass or a nose over
will stall the electric motor if it is running. A stalled motor can over-
heat the ESC and batteries, causing them to fail.
GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY LANDINGS!