4. I will operate my model using only radio control
frequencies currently allowed by the Federal Communications
Commission.
Though the Firebat ARF is a “Park Flyer,” the best place to
fly any model is at an AMA chartered club field. Club fields
are set up for R/C flying, making your outing safer and more
enjoyable. We recommend that you join the AMA and a local
club so you can have a safe place to fly and have insurance
to cover you in case of a flying accident. The AMA address
and telephone number are in the front of this manual.
If there is no club or R/C flying field in your area, find a
suitable site that is clear of trees, telephone poles, buildings,
towers, busy streets and other obstacles. Since you are not
flying at a sanctioned AMA site, be aware that there may be
others like yourself who could be flying nearby. If both of
your models happen to be on the same frequency,
interference will likely cause one or both of the models to
crash. An acceptable minimum distance between flying
models is five miles, so keep this in mind when searching for
a flying site.
In addition to obstacles, it is important to be aware of people
who may wander into the area once you begin flying. At
AMA club flying sites it is a severe rule infraction to fly over
others, and this is a good practice if flying elsewhere. R/C
models tend to attract onlookers whose numbers can soon
multiply, forming small, uncontrolled crowds. Onlookers
pose two main problems. First is the danger of actually
crashing your model into a person, causing injury. Second is
the distraction from those who ask you questions while you
are trying to concentrate on flying. To minimize or avoid this
problem, have an assistant standing by who can spot
people who wander into your flying site (so you can avoid
flying over them) and who can perform “crowd control” if
people start to gather.
IMPORTANT:
If you are an inexperienced modeler we
strongly urge you to seek the assistance of a competent,
experienced R/C pilot to check your model for airworthiness
AND to teach you how to fly. No matter how stable or
“forgiving” the Firebat ARF is, attempting to learn to fly on
your own is dangerous and may result in destruction of your
model or even injury to yourself and others. Therefore, find
an instructor and fly only under his or her guidance and
supervision until you have acquired the skills necessary for
safe and fully controlled operation of your model.
We recommend flying the Firebat ARF when the wind is no
greater than ten miles per hour. Less experienced flyers
should fly the Firebat ARF only in calm (less than one mile
per hour) conditions. Frequently, winds are calm in the early
morning and early evening. Often these are the most
enjoyable times to fly anyway!
Until you have the Firebat ARF properly trimmed for level
flight, we recommend having an assistant hand-launch the
model instead of launching it yourself.
Turn on the transmitter and plug the battery into the speed
control. Turn on the receiver by following the instructions that
came with your speed control.
IMPORTANT:
Confirm that the transmitter operates the
controls by moving the sticks and watching the surfaces
respond. Occasionally, electric models have been launched
with the transmitter turned off or the battery disconnected
from the speed control!
When ready to launch, the assistant should hold the bottom
of the fuselage under the wing, then raise the model high
above his head and point it directly into the wind. With the
pilot (that would be you!) standing behind the plane, fully
advance the throttle to start the motor. As soon as the motor
is at full power, the hand launcher should gently toss the
plane into the air at a level or slightly nose-up attitude. Be
certain the model is being launched into the wind and be
immediately ready to make corrections to keep the airplane
flying straight, level and into the wind.
When the model has gained adequate flying speed under its
own power, gently pull the elevator stick back until the
airplane starts a gradual climb, then, reduce the back stick
pressure. Many beginners tend to pull too hard causing the
model to stall, so be gentle on the elevator and don’t panic.
If you do pull too hard and you notice the model losing
speed, release the elevator stick and allow the model to
regain airspeed.
Continue a gradual climb and establish a gentle turn (away
from yourself and any onlookers) until the airplane reaches
an altitude of 75 to 100 feet.
The Firebat ARF is typical of all delta wing aircraft in that
there is a great deal of drag when the flying speed is slow
and the nose of the aircraft is at a high angle of attack. The
Firebat ARF will climb much faster if you allow it to gain
some speed first and climb at a shallow angle.
The main purpose of the first few flights is to learn how the
model behaves and to adjust the trims for level flight. After
the model has climbed to a safe altitude reduce the throttle
Flight
Takeoff
FLYING
FIND A SAFE PLACE TO FLY
18
