21
❏
2. With the plane
ready to fl y
, with an empty fuel tank or
motor batteries installed, use a Great Planes C.G. Machine or
apply narrow (1/16" [2mm]) strips of tape at the front and rear
C.G. locations so you will be able to feel them when lifting the
model with your fi ngers to check the C.G. location.
Do not
at any time balance the model outside this C.G. range
.
❏
3. First, move the motor battery forward or aft to balance
the plane. If needed, use Great Planes “stick-on” weight
(GPMQ4485) to balance the plane. Place incrementally
increasing amounts of weight on the bottom of the fuselage
over the location where it would be mounted inside until the
model balances. A good place to add stick-on nose weight is
to the motor box. Do not attach weight to the cowl—this will
cause stress on the cowl and could cause the cowl to crack
or come off in fl ight. Once you have determined if additional
weight needs to be installed, permanently attach the weight
with glue or screws
❏
4.
IMPORTANT:
If you found it necessary to add any
weight, recheck the C.G. after the weight has been installed.
PREFLIGHT
Identify Your Model
You should always have your name, address, telephone
number and AMA number on or inside your model. It is
required
at all AMA R/C club fl ying sites and AMA sanctioned
fl ying events. Fill out the identifi cation tag on page 23 and
place it on or inside your model. You must also have your
FAA number on your plane and accessible without any tools.
Charge the Batteries
Always charge your transmitter and receiver batteries the night
before you go fl ying, and at other times as recommended
by the radio manufacturer.
CAUTION:
Unless the instructions that came with your radio
system state differently, the
initial
charge on
new NiMH
transmitter batteries should be done for 15 hours
using
the slow-charger that came with the radio system
.
This will “condition” the batteries so that the next charge
may be done using the fast-charger of your choice. If the
initial charge is done with a fast-charger the batteries may
not reach their full capacity and you may be fl ying with
batteries that are only partially charged.
If the transmitter comes with LiFe batteries, be sure to
follow the instructions included with the transmitter and
use the correct charger designed to charge LiFe batteries.
Ground Check and Range Check
Follow the radio manufacturer’s instructions to ground check
the operational range of your radio, before the fi rst fl ight of
the day. This should be done once with the motor off and
once with the motor operating at various speeds. If the control
surfaces do not respond correctly,
do not fl y!
Find and correct
the problem fi rst. Look for loose servo connections or broken
wires, corroded wires on old servo connectors, loose motor
connectors or try relocating the receiver antennas away from
the motor battery.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
ELECTRIC 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
switch on the transmitter
fi
rst. Then, connect the
motor battery. After
fl
ying, unplug the motor battery
fi
rst, then
switch off the transmitter.
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 run
the motor.
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.
