advance the throttle the plane will usually turn left slightly.
Correct by applying suffi cient right rudder to hold it straight
down the runway. When the plane has suffi cient fl ying speed,
lift off by smoothly applying up elevator (don’t “jerk” it off into
a steep climb!), and climb out gradually. Do not use fl aps for
your initial takeoff. After you have the feel of the Cherokee
.40 ARF, takeoffs may be made with the fl aps set at 50%.
Flight
We recommend that you take it easy with your Cherokee .40
ARF for the fi rst several fl ights, gradually “getting acquainted”
with this realistic model as your engine gets fully broken-
in. Add and practice one maneuver at a time, learning how
she behaves in each. For ultra-smooth fl ying and normal
maneuvers, we recommend using the “low rate” settings as
listed on page 24. Though the full-scale Cherokee is not rated
for aerobatics, the Cherokee .40 ARF is capable of some
graceful aerobatic maneuvers. Well before it’s time to land, fl y
your Cherokee .40 ARF to a safe altitude. Cut the throttle to
an idle, lower the fl aps completely and check out the model’s
low-speed characteristics. Do this several times to become
familiar with how the Cherokee .40 ARF handles stalls. This
also helps you learn what to expect when landing.
CAUTION (THIS APPLIES TO ALL R/C AIRPLANES): If,
while fl ying, you notice an alarming or unusual sound such
as a low-pitched “buzz,” this may indicate control surface
fl utter. Flutter occurs when a control surface (such as an
aileron or elevator) or a fl ying surface (such as a wing or
stab) rapidly vibrates up and down (thus causing the noise).
In extreme cases, if not detected immediately, fl utter can
actually cause the control surface to detach or the fl ying
surface to fail, thus causing loss of control followed by
an impending crash. The best thing to do when fl utter is
detected is to slow the model immediately by reducing
power, then land as soon as safely possible. Identify which
surface fl uttered (so the problem may be resolved) by
checking all the servo grommets for deterioration or signs of
vibration. Make certain all pushrod linkages are secure and
free of play. If it fl uttered once, under similar circumstances
it will probably fl utter again unless the problem is fi xed.
Some things which can cause fl utter are; Excessive hinge
gap; Not mounting control horns solidly; Poor fi t of clevis
pin in horn; Side-play of wire pushrods caused by large
bends; Excessive free play in servo gears; Insecure servo
mounting; and one of the most prevalent causes of fl utter;
Flying an over-powered model at excessive speeds.
Landing
When it’s time to land, fl y a normal landing pattern and
approach. The Cherokee .40 ARF may bleed off airspeed
more rapidly than the sport planes you are used to. For this
reason, be prepared to carry a little power during approach.
For your fi rst landings, plan to approach slightly faster than
stall speed and fl are a few inches off the runway onto the
main wheels.
Flaps
Full fl aps make the Cherokee .40 ARF very steady in the
landing pattern, but just carry a little extra power to make
up for the extra drag. The extra drag of the fl aps also allows
you to make shorter, steeper approaches. The Cherokee .40
ARF needs to touch down with a nose high attitude to avoid
whacking the nose gear and skipping back into the air. For
this reason, landings with fl aps require a deliberate fl are with
high rate elevator to raise the nose. Touch and go’s and go-
arounds can be accomplished with full fl aps. Just use the
elevator to establish a shallow climb. It is preferred to have
the fl aps up or at “half” setting for takeoffs and climb-outs
because the plane will accelerate and climb much better.
Have a ball! But always stay in control
and fl y in a safe manner.
GOOD LUCK AND GREAT FLYING!
Make a copy of this identifi cation tag and put it on or
inside your model.