Pre Flight to First Flight
Have and experienced pilot assist you with pre-
flighting your new model. Just like having
someone proof read something you’ve written,
having a second fresh set of eyes to inspect your
final product is often helpful at avoiding disaster.
While not an exhaustive pre-flight check these are
some of the major items that you should consider
using when developing your own pre-flight check
list. Get in the habit of always pre-flighting your
models before each and every flight.
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Weight and Balance
- Check FREDe’s CG
the model should balance between 2-3/4 -
3-1/2 inches from the leading edge of the
wing (basically from the main spar to the first
turbulator forward of the spar at top of wing).
Use a permanent marker or trim tape to mark
the underside of left and right wing half at the
forward and aft most CG measurements as
given above.
Use your right and left hand index fingers and
suspend the model from below, between the
marked CG measurements. Site from profile
of aircraft against horizon. If the horizontal
edge of the cockpit and horizontal stab
appear to hang level with horizon line, then
FREDe is properly balanced to fly. Move
equipment and or battery within fuselage to
obtain proper balance.
For stunting attempt to balance model closer
to aft most CG measurement of 3-1/2 inches
from leading edge. We suggest that you
move the CG aft in slow increments to grow
accustomed to it’s impact on flight
performance.
☐
Check Weather
- FREDe’s first flight should
be in zero wind conditions. FREDe is
capable of flying in winds up to 8-10 mph so
long as the pilot is capable.
☐
Inspect airframe
for warps and obvious
signs of wear or damage. Do not fly a
damaged or warped model.
☐
Inspect control surfaces
for center, proper
direction of travel, rate of throw, secure
pushrod connections, hinges, and servo
mounting hardware.
☐
Check wing attach points
for damage and/
or wear. Inspect rubber keepers, that they
are in installed and in good condition to
adequately retain wing retention pins.
☐
Check landing gear
repair or replace worn or
rotten landing gear retention rubber band.
Check that tires are properly inflated and
retained.
☐
Inspect battery for full charge.
Never begin
a flight with a partially charged battery.
☐
Clear prop!
Before applying power to the
model, clear and keep clear of the prop arc.
As electric motors are capable of inflicting
severe damage (more so than their internal
combustion counterparts) and may turn on
unexpectedly anytime power is applied to the
system. Respect the business end of the
model (the prop and prop arc) treating every
electric model and propeller as if it were a
loaded gun.
☐
Range check radio.
Follow the radio makers
guidelines for performing a proper range
check.
☐
Check for traffic.
Proceed to the flight line
(With your mentor/instructor if you are a
novice pilot) and observe other RC traffic. If
the runway is clear, and no one is in the
pattern to land, loudly announce your
intentions to take off. Remember all aircraft
on ground must yield the runway to those
landing.
☐
Go flying.
Point model into wind (if present)
and steadily advance throttle to full. Use
rudder to correct track while on ground roll.
Within several feet the model should be
airborne. Fly model to comfortable 1-2
mistake high altitude, reduce throttle to stop
climb, then trim model for straight and level
flight at a comfortable cruise speed
(Depending on speed control responsiveness
FREDe will typically cruise at just over 1/2
throttle).
☐
Setup for landing.
Clearly announce your
intention to land. Make landings into the
wind. With rudder/elevator control and no
ailerons setting up landings in cross-winds
should be avoided until you are comfortable
with the model’s in-flight behavior.
FREDe © 2009 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.
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