EN
12
Maule M7
Flying Tips and Repairs
Consult local laws and ordinances before choosing a flying location.
Range Check your Radio System
Before you fly, range check the radio system. Refer to your specific transmitter
instruction manual for range test information.
Oscillation
Once the AS3X system is active (after advancing the throttle for the first time),
the control surfaces will react to aircraft movement. In some flight conditions
oscillation may occur (the aircraft rocks back and forth on one axis due to
overcontrol). If oscillation occurs, refer to the Troubleshooting Guide for more
information.
Takeoff
Place the aircraft facing into the wind. Set the transmitter in low rate and use the
flap switch to drop the flaps to takeoff or “half” position.
Flaps make takeoffs
shorter
. Gradually increase the throttle to ¾ and steer with the rudder. As the tail
comes off the ground, pull back gently on the elevator. When airborne, climb to a
comfortable altitude and then flip the flap switch to level the flaps.
Flying
With the recommended battery pack (SPMX22003S30) set the transmitter timer
or a stopwatch to five minutes. After five minutes, land the aircraft. Adjust the
timer for longer or shorter flights once you have flown the model. 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
Land the aircraft into the wind. Use a small amount of throttle for the entire
descent. Lower the throttle to ¼ and flip the flap switch to deploy the flaps to
the landing or “full down” position.
Flaps will make the landing approach
steeper and slower, and allow for a smoother landing.
Keep the throttle on until the aircraft is ready to flare. During flare, keep the
wings level and the aircraft pointed into the wind. Gently lower the throttle
while pulling back on the elevator to bring the aircraft down on its wheels.
If landing on grass, hold full up elevator after touchdown and when taxiing to
prevent nosing over.
Once on the ground, avoid sharp turns until the plane has slowed enough to
prevent scraping the wingtips.
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 the receiver
is replaced, 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 done 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 by using a
Li-Po Cell Voltage Checker (SPMXBC100, sold separately).
Repairs
Thanks to the 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.
WARNING:
Always
decrease throttle
at propeller strike.
Flying off water poses a higher risk because piloting errors or water conditions
can cause the aircraft to become stranded. Only fly from the water when a level
of comfort has been achieved flying the aircraft from the ground. Never fly near
people fishing, swimming, or playing.
Pre-Flight
Ensure the optional floats are secure on the fuselage and the water rudder is correctly
connected and operating with the main rudder before putting the aircraft in the water.
Select an area to fly that does not have water currents, salt water, or debris. Look around
the flight area and be aware of trees, docks, buoys, or other obstacles. Always fly with a
spotter and avoid swimmers, boaters, people fishing, and people on the beach.
Taxiing
When taxiing, use low throttle settings and the rudder to steer. Hold up elevator
to help keep the rudder in the water and the nose of the floats above the
surface. Steer into the wind when turning, and crab into the wind if crosswind
taxiing is required. When turning or crabbing into the wind, apply aileron
against the wind to keep the upwind side of the wing down and prevent the
aircraft from being flipped over. Do not apply down elevator when the airplane
is taxiing or during the takeoff run.
On Step
When speed increases with throttle, the floats will rise out of the water and begin
to plane on the surface of the water, riding “on step.” The floats will come on step
at a speed below flight speed, this is a transitional phase when the aircraft is not
up to flight speed yet. This is considered a high speed taxi. Do not attempt to take
off as soon as the aircraft comes on step. Use low to medium throttle and hold up
elevator to manage speed on the water during a high speed taxi.
Takeoff
To lift off from the water, set the flaps to the takeoff position, hold up elevator and
accelerate the aircraft to bring it on step. Relax the up elevator as the airplane comes
on step and accelerate to flight speed with full throttle. When the aircraft is travelling
at a sufficient speed, pull back slightly on the elevator to rotate for liftoff.
Landing
To land on the water, set the flaps to the landing position, and fly into the wind.
Reduce the throttle to a low setting but keep some power during the approach.
As the aircraft settles into ground effect, reduce the throttle fully and hold up
elevator to flare. Hold up elevator through the touch down and as the airplane
decelerates on the water.
WARNING:
Never attempt to retrieve a downed aircraft by swimming
unless you are sufficiently trained and/or there is another person
available to respond in the case of an emergency.
CAUTION:
Have a plan for retrieval in the event the airplane becomes
stranded. Never retrieve a downed model in the water alone.
CAUTION:
If at any time water splashes in the fuselage while flying
from water, bring the airplane to shore, open the battery hatch and
immediately remove any water that may have gotten in the fuselage. Leave
the battery hatch open overnight to let the inside dry out and to prevent
moisture damage to the electronic components. Failure to do so could cause
the electronic components to fail, which could result in a crash.
TIP:
Use a fishing pole with heavy line as a retrieval tool. Attach a tennis ball to
the line, and throw the ball past a stranded aircraft to retrieve it.
Flying Off Water
