The DuraPlane Trainer 40 is intended for intermediate to
expert level pilots. Beginners can enjoy flying the Trainer 40
also, if they have had experience flying trainer models.
Unless you are a highly experienced pilot, first flight attempts
should be reserved for calm days or when the prevailing
wind – no more than seven to ten mph – is down the
runway. Beginners should seek the help of an experienced
modeler to check the airworthiness of your Trainer 40, make
sure all the controls operate correctly, and to provide flight
instruction. Avoid flying engine powered R/C models in areas
near traffic or areas that can attract unrestrained observers
(wild kids). Such seemingly ideal places include parks,
school yards, office building lawns, etc. If you are a
beginner, you are busy enough concentrating on your model
without having to answer lots of questions and performing
crowd control. Ask your hobby shop where the nearest R/C
flying field is and join the AMA.
TAKEOFF: Exact control throws are not provided for the
nose wheel because the amount of throw required varies
greatly depending on the conditions of the field. More nose
steering will be required if taking off a grass field than
would be required if taking off from a paved runway. In any
case, beginners should refrain from adding too much nose
wheel steering because as the model rolls down the
runway and picks up speed, the steering becomes more
sensitive and it may become difficult to maintain heading
before you lift off. For a paved runway approximately 1/4"
of nose wheel steering should be all that is required.
Advance the throttle slowly at first, then apply full throttle a
little more rapidly. Build as much ground speed as your
strip will allow, then smoothly apply “up” elevator (pull back
on the stick to lift the nose just like in a full size airplane)
until the nose wheel rotates and the model lifts into the air.
Never “yank up” on the stick but slightly relax the up
elevator and allow the Trainer 40 to steadily climb to a
comfortable altitude before executing the first turn. Since
the rudder and nose wheel are controlled by the left stick
(“ground steering”) you will have to transition to the right
stick (ailerons – you can think of them as “air steering” for
the time being) once the model is in the air.
FLIGHT: If you find that you “have your hands full” once
the Trainer 40 is the air, this is the most important thing you
should remember: SLOW IT DOWN! No matter the size of
the engine you have on your Trainer 40 (within the
recommended range), it does not require full power to fly.
Once the model has lifted into the air you should throttle
back to half or even less than half throttle. This will allow
the model to fly much slower giving you time to calm down,
focus, think and react. This rule applies for nearly all the
models you will probably build in the future.
Once your Trainer 40 is airborne and you have throttled
back, perform a gentle down wind turn. You must apply a
little “up” elevator to keep the model level while you are
turning. Beginners can use just the ailerons (the right stick)
for turning but some experts prefer to execute “coordinated
turns” by adding a little rudder as well. After the model has
completed the turn add a little “opposite” aileron to bring
the Trainer 40 back to a straight and level attitude.
Continue flying a “racetrack” pattern at a safe altitude
exercising the ailerons and elevator to maintain your
heading and altitude.
After a few minutes of flying a “race track” pattern point the
Trainer 40 into the wind and throttle back to just above idle
speed and see how it will behave. Do this a few times so you
can gauge the models' landing speed and control response.
Make several landing “approaches” (always into the wind)
and throttle up and climb out, then go around again.
LANDING: Now it's time for the real McCoy. Make sure
you have enough fuel to make a few more “go-arounds”
just in case you are coming in too short, too long, or “all
wacked out of shape” so you can abort the landing. If you
must do so, just slowly add power, stay calm, climb
smoothly, and go around – just like taking off. Keep
practicing approaches and when you find one you like,
throttle all the way back. When the model reaches an
altitude of about ten feet, slowly begin applying up elevator
as the model descends. The slower the model flies, the
more up elevator it will require to keep it off the ground.
Ultimately, by the time you touch down you will have
simultaneously “run out” of up elevator and airspeed. The
idea is for these two things to happen at the same time.
The model should quit flying the moment it touches down.
Until you get to this stage of perfection however, it is best
to land slightly “hot” with a few “clicks” of power on the
throttle trim so you do not inadvertently stall the wing
before the model is on the ground. You can “fly” the model
to the runway instead of keeping it on the verge of a stall.
As easy (and fun) as flying sounds, it's always best to have
an instructor take you up for your first few “outings” until you
are ready to land and takeoff by your self. You'll end up with
a model that lasts longer and your modeling “career” will be
much more enjoyable! We hope you have as much fun with
your DuraPlane Trainer 40 as we do with ours.
The Trainer 40 is a tough “kick around” plane that looks
rather sporty and is lots of fun to fly. So get carried away
and have a blast!
Flying
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