Charge the Batteries
Follow the battery charging procedures in your radio
instruction manual. You should always charge your
transmitter and receiver batteries the night before you go
flying, and at other times as recommended by the radio
manufacturer.
Find a Safe Place to Fly
The best place to fly your R/C model is an AMA
(Academy of Model Aeronautics) chartered club field. Ask
your hobby shop dealer if there is such a club in your area
and join. Club fields are set up for R/C flying which makes
your outing safer and more enjoyable. The AMA can also
tell you the name of a club in your area. We recommend
that you join AMA and a local club so you can have a safe
place to fly and also have insurance to cover you in case
of a flying accident. (The AMA address is listed on the front
cover of this instruction book.)
If there is no flying club in your area, you need to find a
large area, free of obstructions, with a smooth surface that
can be used as a runway. It should be located at least 6
miles away from any other R/C airplane operation and
away from houses, buildings and streets. A schoolyard
may look inviting but it is too close to people, power lines
and possible radio interference.
Ground Check the Model
If you are not thoroughly familiar with the operation of
R/C models, ask an experienced modeler to check to see
that you have the radio installed correctly and that all the
control surfaces do what they are supposed to. The engine
operation must also be checked and the engine "broken in"
on the ground by running the engine for at least two tanks
of fuel. Follow the engine manufacturer's recommendations
for break-in. Check to make sure all screws remain tight,
the hinges are secure and the prop is on tight.
Engine Safety Precautions
NOTE: Failure to follow these safety
precautions may result in severe i n j u r y to
yourself and others.
Keep all engine fuel in a safe place, away from high
heat, sparks or flames, as fuel is very flammable. Do not
smoke near the engine or fuel: Remember that the engine
exhaust gives off a great deal of deadly carbon monoxide.
Therefore do not run the engine in a closed room or garage.
Get help from an experienced pilot when learning to
operate engines.
Use safety glasses when starting or running engines.
Do not run the engine in an area of loose gravel or
sand, as the propeller may throw such material in your
face or eyes.
Keep your face and body as well as all spectators away
from the plane of rotation of the propeller as you start and
run the engine.
Keep items such as these away from the prop: loose
clothing, shirt sleeves, ties, scarfs, long hair or loose
objects (pencils, screw drivers) that may fall out of shirt or
jacket pockets into the prop.
Use a "chicken stick" device or electric starter; follow
instructions supplied with the starter or stick. Make
certain the glow plug clip or connector is secure so that it
will not pop off or otherwise get into the running propeller.
Make all engine adjustments from behind the rotating
propeller.
The engine gets hot! Do not touch it during or after
operation. Make sure fuel lines are in good condition so
fuel is not leaked onto a hot engine, causing a fire.
To stop the engine, cut off the fuel supply by closing off
the fuel line or follow the engine manufacturer's
recommendations. Do not use hands, fingers or any body
part to try to stop the engine. Do not throw anything into
the prop of a running engine.
Range Check the Radio
Check the operation of the radio before every time you
fly. This means with the transmitter antenna collapsed and
the receiver and transmitter on, you should be able to walk
at least 100 feet away from the model and still have
control. Have someone help you. Have them stand by your
model and, while you work the controls, tell you what the
various control surfaces are doing.
Repeat this test with the engine running at various
speeds with an assistant holding the model. If the control
surfaces are not acting correctly at all times, do not fly!
Find and correct the problem first.
The Great Planes Ultra-Sport ARF is a great flying
airplane that flies smoothly and predictably, yet is highly
maneuverable. It does not have the s e l f - r e c o v e r y
characteristics of a primary trainer. Therefore you must
either have mastered the basics of R/C flying or seek the
assistance of a competent R/C pilot to help you with your
first flights.
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