Your transmitter controls the airspeed and direction. You can go
as slow or as fast as you want, but remember: the faster you fly,
the faster your battery power is used up.
When the battery power gets too low, the “Auto Cut-Off” feature
of the speed control provides an extra degree of insurance. It
reacts to low power by cutting power to the motor, in effect saving
power for the receiver. That way, your airplane goes into a glide
and you stay in control until you land.
It’s best to fly on calm days, when there’s little or no wind. Also,
find an area clear of trees, power lines and other structures. A
flying field for R/C planes is best. Don’t fly around groups of
people, especially children or within 6 miles of existing R/C
flying fields.
1. Find an open area free of buildings, trees, power lines
and people.
2. For your first few flights, fly only in winds of no more than 5
miles per hour. After you are comfortable with the airplane, you
can fly in winds that are no more than 10 miles per hour. If flown
in stronger winds, the plane may be blown down wind and not
have enough power to get back to you.
3. Make sure the motor battery is fully charged and that the
transmitter has good “AA” batteries installed.
4. If others are flying in the same area, make sure that they are
not using the same channel radio system you are. The back of
your transmitter has a tag with a number on it (for example CH.
A4 27.145). This is the channel frequency you are using.
5. Range check your radio before each flight. Switch on the
transmitter and then the receiver. Do not push the motor start
button during the radio range check. With the antenna collapsed,
walk 50 feet away from the airplane. Move the rudder and
elevator control stick, checking that the rudder and elevator
move. Now, have a helper hold the airplane, press the start
button and start the motor. Again, perform the range test with the
motor running. If you still have control over the airplane, it is safe
to extend the antenna and fly the airplane.
If you have never flown an R/C airplane before, we recommend
that you get help from an experienced R/C pilot. Most R/C clubs
have training programs that will help you learn to fly quickly. If
you cannot find an experienced pilot to help you learn, the
following will help you get your airplane into the air.
1. First, turn your transmitter power switch “ON.” This
immediately puts you in control. Be sure your throttle lever on
the back of the transmitter is all the way to the left and that the
antenna is fully extended.
2. Now pick up the airplane and switch the airplane on.
3. Press the start button.
Caution:
Keep your hands behind the
propeller.
4. Move the throttle lever to the right. The propeller will start to
turn. The farther you move the lever, the faster the propeller will turn.
5. With the throttle lever moved fully to the right, hand launch
the Park Pilot into the wind, at a slight upward angle.
6. Allow the airplane to climb a few seconds before turning it.
7. When your plane is moving away from you, moving the rudder
stick to the left will make your plane turn to the left. Moving the
rudder stick to the right will make the plane turn to the right. By
adding a little up elevator (moving the stick towards you) during
the turn, the plane will turn much tighter.
Caution:
It only
requires a small amount of up elevator.
8. When the plane is coming toward you, moving the rudder
stick left still causes left rudder, but your plane goes to your right.
In short, you have to reverse the way you control the rudder. A
good way to familiarize yourself with the controls is when the
plane is coming toward you, is to turn your body so that you are
facing the same direction the plane is going, looking over your
shoulder at the plane. Now when you move the rudder stick left
the plane will go to your left.
9. Now that you have gained some altitude, it is time to trim the
plane for straight level flight. If the plane wants to climb when the
control stick is released, move the elevator trim lever up (away
from you). If the plane wants to dive, move the elevator trim lever
down (toward you). It should require very little trim. Your goal is
to have the plane fly level with the elevator stick centered.
10. Now, with the plane flying level, check to see if the plane is
flying straight. If it wants to turn when the control stick is
released, move the rudder trim lever opposite the direction the
airplane is turning. The plane should be trimmed so that if you
take your hands off of the control stick, the plane will fly straight
and level on its own. Having the plane trimmed properly makes
flying much easier and enjoyable.
11. Don’t let the airplane get too far away from you. The farther
away it is, the harder it is to see what the plane is doing.
12. When learning to fly, it is best to keep the plane high enough
so that if you make a mistake, you have enough altitude to
correct the mistake.
FLYING THE PARK PILOT
PREPARE FOR TAKEOFF
CHOOSE A GOOD FLYING SITE
HOW DOES THE PARK PILOT WORK
11
