13
PREFLIGHT
Identify Your Model
No matter if you fl y at an AMA sanctioned R/C club site or
if you fl y somewhere on your own, you should always have
your name, address, telephone number, AMA number and
FAA number on or inside your model. It is required at all AMA
R/C club fl ying sites and AMA sanctioned fl ying events and
simply a “good idea” even if fl ying somewhere else. Fill out the
identifi cation tag on page 15 and place it on or in your model.
Charge the Battery
Be certain to refer to the instructions that accompany the
charger to properly and safely charge the battery that goes
in the model and powers the motor and controls.
When discharging the battery, DO NOT attempt to fully
discharge the battery pack by repeatedly running the motor
to the ESC’s low voltage cutoff. This will drastically shorten
the life of your Lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries and could
cause the individual cells to become imbalanced.
MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
●
WARNING:
Once the motor batteries are connected
the electric motor can start at any time. Make sure the
fail safe is set on your radio to prevent the motor from
starting if the signal is lost.
●
WARNING:
Read the entire instruction sheet included
with your motor batteries. Failure to follow the instructions
could cause permanent damage to the battery and its
surroundings and cause bodily harm!
●
WARNING:
Get help from an experienced pilot when
learning to operate electric motors.
●
ALWAYS
keep these items away from the prop: loose
clothing, shirt sleeves, ties, scarfs, long hair or loose
objects such as pencils or screwdrivers that may fall
out of shirt or jacket pockets into the prop.
●
ALWAYS
keep your face and body as well as all
spectators away from the plane of rotation of the
propeller as you start and run the engine.
●
ALWAYS
wear safety glasses when operating the motor.
●
ALWAYS
remove the propeller if the motor batteries will
be connected when working on your plane.
●
ALWAYS
remove the motor batteries when charging.
●
ALWAYS
follow the charging instructions included with
your charger for charging LiPo batteries. LiPo batteries
can cause serious damage if misused.
●
ALWAYS
unplug the motor batteries fi rst.
●
ALWAYS
use a LiPo approved charger.
●
ALWAYS
set the charger’s output volts to match the
battery volts.
●
ALWAYS
charge a LiPo battery in a fi reproof location.
●
ALWAYS
charge through the “charge” lead.
●
ALWAYS
KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.
●
ALWAYS
remove the batteries from the plane after a
crash. Set them aside in a safe location for at least 20
minutes. If the batteries are damaged in the crash they
could catch fi re. If the battery starts to swell, quickly
move the battery to a safe location, preferably outside.
Place it in a bucket, covering the battery with sand.
Never use water to try and put out a LiPo fi re.
●
NEVER
operate the motor in an area of loose gravel
or sand; the propeller may throw such material in your
face or eyes.
●
NEVER
touch the motor during or right after operation.
The motor gets HOT!
●
NEVER
switch off the transmitter with the motor
batteries plugged in.
●
NEVER
use a NiCd/NiMH peak charger to charge a
LiPo battery.
●
NEVER
charge in excess of 4.20v per cell unless the
battery is rated for a higher voltage.
●
NEVER
charge through the “discharge” lead.
●
NEVER
charge at currents greater than 1C unless the
battery is rated for a higher charge rate.
●
NEVER
trickle charge a LiPo battery.
●
NEVER
allow the battery temperature to exceed 150
degrees F (65° C).
●
NEVER
disassemble or modify the pack wiring in any
way or puncture the cells.
●
NEVER
discharge below 2.7V per cell.
●
NEVER
place the battery or charger on combustible
materials or leave it unattended during charge or
discharge.
●
NEVER
charge the batteries in the plane.
FLYING THE P-51 MUSTANG
While the P-51 is fairly easy to fl y, it is not a trainer. If you have
never fl own a model aircraft before, it is strongly suggested
that you learn to fl y with the assistance of an experienced
R/C pilot.
Find a Suitable Flying Site
Find a fl ying site clear of buildings, trees, power lines and other
obstructions. Until you know how much area will be required
and have mastered fl ying your P-51, a site at least the size
of two or three football fi elds should be adequate—a fl ying
fi eld specifi cally intended for R/C planes is best. Don’t fl y
within six miles of R/C fl ying fi elds and never fl y near people.
