EN
F-14 Tomcat Twin 40mm EDF
10
Flying Tips and Repairs
Consult local laws and ordinances before choosing a flying location. The E-flite
F-14 Tomcat is relatively small and is capable of high speeds, making it capable
of covering ground quickly. We recommend flying at designated RC fields. We
recommend pilots have some experience flying high-performance EDF aircraft
before flying this model. This aircraft is not recommended as your first ducted fan
model.
Getting Started
Before you fly, range check the radio system. Refer to your specific transmitter
instruction manual for range test information. When you first connect the battery to
the airplane AS3X will not be active. After advancing the throttle the first time, the
AS3X system will be active and it is normal to see the control surfaces react to aircraft
movement. For your first flights set your transmitter timer or a stopwatch to 3:30. Adjust
your timer for longer or shorter flights once you have flown the model.
Takeoff
Face the aircraft into the wind for takeoff, and set the wings to fully extended.
Gradually increase the throttle to full, and steer on the ground with rudder control
as necessary to keep the aircraft rolling straight. Be aware the nose wheel will
become more sensitive as speed increases. Leave the elevator at neutral and allow
the aircraft to accelerate up to speed on the ground, then pull up gently on the
elevator to rotate for takeoff. When airborne, climb to a comfortable altitude.
Flying
For your first flights climb to a moderate altitude and get comfortable with
the aircraft while the battery is fresh. Get a feel for the aircraft’s low speed
performance at a safe altitude (approximately 100 feet or more) before being
required to make your first landing attempt. Experiment with high and low speed
flight with the wings swept back and with the wings fully extended. Land the
aircraft when the timer expires. If at any time the motor power reduces, land the
aircraft immediately to recharge the flight battery. See the Low Voltage Cutoff (LVC)
section for more details on maximizing battery health and run time.
Landing
Plan to land the aircraft into the wind when possible. Fly downwind and turn into
the wind to begin the approach. Extend the wings, and lower the throttle. Having
the wings fully extended will allow the aircraft to fly slower and is recommended
for landing. Keep the aircraft pointed into the wind and the wings level during the
approach and descent. As the aircraft settles into the final approach you should try
to maintain a consistent and slightly nose high attitude. With the angle maintained
during the descent, the speed and descent rate is mostly controlled with small
throttle changes. Stay in the throttle to maintain speed and control during descent
until the aircraft is ready to flare. As the airplane descends into ground effect, fully
lower the throttle, pull the nose up more to bleed off airspeed (flare), and the aircraft
will settle on its wheels. Because there is no rudder, avoid applying rudder control
until after touchdown; if you are holding rudder input at touchdown the aircraft will
transition suddenly from no rudder response in the air to a sensitive nosewheel at
high speed and the aircraft could veer off the runway.
If landing on grass, it is best to hold full up elevator after touchdown and when
taxiing to prevent the nose from digging in. Once on the ground, avoid sharp turns
until the plane has slowed enough to prevent scraping the wing tips.
NOTICE:
If a crash is imminent, reduce the throttle and trim fully. Failure to do so could
result in extra damage to the airframe, as well as damage to the ESC and motor.
NOTICE:
After any impact, always ensure the receiver is secure in the fuselage. If you
replace the receiver, install the new receiver in the same orientation as the original
receiver or damage may result.
NOTICE:
Crash damage is not covered under warranty.
NOTICE:
When you are finished flying, never leave the aircraft in direct sunlight or in a
hot, enclosed area such as a car. Doing so can damage the aircraft.
Low Voltage Cutoff (LVC)
When a Li-Po battery is discharged below 3V per cell, it will not hold a charge. The
ESC protects the flight battery from over-discharge using Low Voltage Cutoff (LVC).
Before the battery charge decreases too much, LVC removes power supplied to the
motor. Power to the motor reduces, showing that some battery power is reserved
for flight control and safe landing.
Disconnect and remove the Li-Po battery from the aircraft after use to prevent
trickle discharge. Charge your Li-Po battery to about half capacity before storage.
During storage, make sure the battery charge does not fall below 3V per cell. LVC
does not prevent the battery from over-discharge during storage.
NOTICE:
Repeated flying to LVC will damage the battery.
TIP:
Monitor your aircraft battery’s voltage before and after flying with a Li-Po Cell
Voltage Checker (SPMXBC100, sold separately).
Oscillation
For most flight maneuvers the aircraft should fly smoothly and normal, but it
is possible in some flight conditions you may see oscillation (the aircraft rocks
back and forth on one axis due to overcontrol). If oscillation occurs, refer to the
Troubleshooting Guide for more information.
Repairs
Thanks to the EPO foam material in this aircraft, repairs to the foam can be made
using virtually any adhesive (hot glue, regular CA, epoxy, etc). When parts are not
repairable, see the Replacement Parts List for ordering by item number. For a listing
of all replacement and optional parts, refer to the list at the end of this manual.
NOTICE:
Use of CA accelerant on your aircraft can damage paint. DO NOT handle
the aircraft until accelerant fully dries.
SAFE Select Flying Tips
When flying in SAFE Select mode the aircraft will return to level flight any time the
aileron and elevator controls are at neutral. Applying aileron or elevator control
will cause the airplane to bank, climb or dive. The amount the stick is moved will
determine the attitude the airplane flies. Holding full control will push the aircraft
to the pre-determined bank and roll limits, but it will not go past those angles.
When flying with SAFE Select, it is normal to hold the control stick deflected with
moderate aileron input when flying through a turn. To fly smoothly with SAFE Select,
avoid making frequent control changes and don’t attempt to correct for minor devia-
tions. Holding deliberate control inputs will command the aircraft to fly at a specific
angle, and the model will make all corrections to maintain that flight attitude.
When flying with SAFE Select, throttle will make the aircraft climb or descend. Full
throttle will cause the aircraft to pitch up and climb slightly. Mid throttle will keep the
airplane flying level. Low throttle will cause the airplane to descend slightly nose-down.
Return the elevator and aileron controls to neutral before switching from SAFE
Select mode to AS3X mode. If you do not neutralize controls when switching into
AS3X mode, the control inputs used for SAFE Select mode will be excessive for
AS3X mode and the aircraft will react immediately.
Differences between SAFE Select and AS3X modes
This section is generally accurate but does not take into account flight speed,
battery charge status, and other limiting factors.
SAFE Select
AS3X
Control Input
Control stick
is neutralized
Aircraft will self level
Aircraft will continue to
fly at its present attitude
Holding a
small amount
of control
Aircraft will bank or pitch to a
moderate angle and maintain
the attitude
Aircraft will continue to
pitch or roll slowly
Holding full
control
Aircraft will bank or pitch to
the predetermined limits and
maintain the attitude
Aircraft will continue to
roll or pitch rapidly
Throttle
Full throttle: Climb
Neutral: Level flight
Low throttle: Descend
Throttle will not affect
flight response.
