37
Need help or have any questions? Call us at 1-714-963-0329 or send us an Email at [email protected]
SECTION 16: FLYING THE MiG-15 EDF
Hand-Launching
Hand-Launching should always be done into the wind. To hand-launch the airplane, gently grasp the fuselage between
your thumb and forefingers at the C/G location. Hold the airplane above shoulder level and turn on the motor to full power.
With the motor running at full power, wait 3 seconds and firmly throw the airplane straight ahead and level. Do not throw it
up at an angle or throw it too hard or out of control. Let the airplane fly straight and level to pick up airspeed, then climb to
your desired altitude. Be careful not to climb or bank too steeply after hand-launching or you could stall the airplane.
Taking Off from the Ground
If you've equipped your MiG-15 EDF with the optional landing gear and are taking off from a smooth, hard surface, ground
take-offs can be done easily. With the airplane pointing into the wind, apply full power and steer the airplane, keeping it
tracking straight as it rolls down the runway. Once sufficient airspeed has been reached, gently apply up elevator to lift the
airplane off the ground. Climb out straight ahead in a shallow climb to build up speed. Do not climb too steeply or make
any high-banked turns right after take-off or you may stall the airplane.
Unlike propeller-driven airplanes that produce thrust right when you throttle up, ducted fans take a few seconds to
"spool up" and produce full thrust. Keep this in mind before hand-launching the airplane and while flying the airplane.
There will be a lag-time between the motor reaching full power and the fan unit producing full thrust.
Before flying your MiG-15 EDF for the first time, please refer back to page # 5 and re-read the special tips we've
provided you. All of these tips are important, but the most important tips are the fourth one about topping off your flight
battery before every flight and the last one about getting used to the fact that this is not a propeller-driven aircraft, so
it will behave differently in the air. And here is another tip before your first flight: the MiG-15 design utilizes a highly
swept wing. This makes the airplane faster, but it also reduces the slow speed capabilities of the airplane. Power off
high-banked turns are a no-no. During high-banked turns you must keep the power on or the airplane will quickly
bleed off speed and stall. Also, when coming in for landing, the highly swept wing makes the stall speed higher. It's a
good idea to keep the speed up during landing until you are familiar with how the airplane stalls. In fact, we
recommend doing some stalls a couple of mistakes high before your first landing, just to get used to the speed your
airplane stalls at.
In the Air
In the air the MiG-15 EDF is smooth, predictable and rock-steady. At full power, the airplane is fast and responsive to
control inputs, and handles light winds with ease. Loops, rolls, Immelmann turns, cuban eights and other aerobatics are
completed without much effort. You will find that the airplane tracks very true and stays where you put it. At lower power
settings the airplane cruises gracefully with little stick input required. At both high and low speeds, the MiG-15 EDF exhibits
no bad flight characteristics. Remember, if you're flying at a lower speed and want to accelerate, there will be some lag
time and the rate of acceleration will be slightly longer than what you may be used to. Also remember to be careful about
power off high-banked turns.
Landing
Landings should always be done into the wind. Prepare for landing by reducing power and making a
shallow
turn into the
wind. (With power off we strongly suggest avoiding high-banked turns.) With the airplane on final descent it will begin
to slow down and descend. With the airplane descending, apply small amounts of up elevator to slow the airplane's
speed. Just before touch-down, turn the motor off and let the airplane settle near the ground. Flair just before touch-down
and you will be rewarded with a smooth landing. As always, when landing, be careful not to over-control. Over-
controlling leads to excessive oscillations which don't make for good landings.
READ THIS BEFORE FLYING YOUR MiG-15 EDF FOR THE FIRST TIME
