.
Airplanes Must Be Straight And Balanced
(or straighten up and fly right!)
One of the secrets to a good flying model is to make sure the wing is straight
and the model is properly balanced. Check to make sure there are no warps in
the wing. If there are, twist the wing in the opposite direction of the warp and
apply heat to both sides of the covering material, starting on the side opposite
the warp. Hold until the covering cools, then recheck for straightness. Try again
if necessary. It is helpful to have a friend assist you with this procedure.
The spanwise balance of the wing is an often overlooked but essential part of
balancing a model. Place your assembled RISER wing on a flat table with both
wingtips equal distance above the table. Let go and observe which wing panel
falls to the table. Add very small amounts of weight to the opposite wing tip until
it will balance on the dihedral joint at the center of the wing. Permanently install
the weights in the wing tip.
To check the fore and aft balance of your model, mount the wing on the
fuselage. The fuselage side view plan shows the location for balancing your
Riser. For the first test flights, you should balance the Riser slightly forward
(1/8") of the point shown on the plans. For everyday flying, you may want to
adjust the balance point. A more rearward balance point or Center of Gravity
(C.G.) will give the Riser a flatter glide but it will also make it more sensitive to
control movements. A forward C.G. will make the controls less sensitive and the
model more stable for better wind penetration with a very slight loss of thermal
capability. Balance the Riser to suit your needs and style of flying. Move the
battery pack and receiver fore or aft to locate the C.G. where you want. After
flying your Riser, you may want to readjust the final balance to achieve the
desired performance. Every model will fly a little different! Never change the
C.G. position more than 1/8" between flights. Do not attempt to fly the model
with the balance point too far back, which could make the model unstable and
uncontrollable.
OPTIONAL RISER POWER POD
An
alternative
to the high
start or
winch is to
use one of
these easy-
to-build Sig Power Pods. The pod's
main advantage is that it requires much
less room than the other launching
devices. You can mount any reed valve
or rotary-valve .049 - .051 engine (not
included) for safe, dependable
launches. The pod is held on by the
wing rubber bands so it can be easily
removed whenever you want. Order No.
SIGSH660.
"A model or radio that is not prepared and working properly on the ground before takeoff will not improve in the air -
IT WILL GET WORSEI
There is no point in attempting to fly until everything is 100% correct,"
FLYING THE RISER
First Test Flight
While it is possible that a R/C sailplane can be mastered by a beginner without any assistance, the odds of success are
pretty slim. Don't be too proud to ask for advice and help from more experienced fliers. A little help at the right time from an
instructor can get you out of trouble and possibly save your model from a bad crash.
Choose an area that is free of obstructions such as buildings and trees and pick a day when there is little or no wind.
Fasten the wing to the fuselage with eight #64 rubberbands. Place six of the rubberbands on parallel to the ribs and
crisscross the final two. If your flying site is occupied by other fliers, check with them to be sure that your frequency won't
interfere with theirs, and vice-versa.
Turn your receiver and transmitter on and fully extend the antenna. Gently hand toss the sailplane into the wind with the
nose pointed slightly down and the wings level. Start by running a couple steps with the model, then release it with a
smooth spear throwing action. Aim for a spot on the ground about 50 yards out ahead of you.
DO NOT THROW THE SAILPLANE VIOLENTLY!
If the nose of the sailplane pitches up, feed in some down elevator. If the nose pitches down, feed in some up elevator.
DO NOT OVER CONTROL!
Keep your control movements smooth. If the sailplane veers left, feed in some right rudder. If it veers right, feed in some
left rudder.