EN
12
Flying Tips and Repairs
Consult local laws and ordinances before choosing a fl ying location.
Getting Started
Before you fl y, range check the radio system. Refer to your specifi c transmitter instruction
manual for range test information. When you fi rst connect the battery to the airplane
AS3X will not be active. After advancing the throttle the fi rst time, the AS3X system will
be active and it is normal to see the control surfaces react to aircraft movement. For your
fi rst fl ights set your transmitter timer or a stopwatch to 3.5 minutes. Adjust your timer for
longer or shorter fl ights once you have fl own the model.
Takeoff
Face the aircraft into the wind for takeoff. Set your transmitter to low rates and drop the fl aps to
takeoff position (half position). Flaps are not required, but lowering them makes takeoffs shorter.
Gradually increase the throttle to full, and steer on the ground with rudder 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, retract the landing gear and then return the fl aps to the level position.
Flying
For your fi rst fl ights 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 with the fl aps up
and down at a safe altitude (approximately 100 feet or more) before being required to make
your fi rst landing attempt. Land the aircraft when the timer expires. If at any time the motor
power reduces, land the aircraft immediately to recharge the fl ight 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 landing gear, lower the throttle and
lower the fl aps to the landing position (full down position.) Flaps will make the
landing approach steeper and slower, and allow for a smoother landing. If there is
a signifi cant crosswind, only lower the fl aps to the takeoff position (middle position)
which will help maintain speed and better directional control during approach.
During the approach and descent, keep the wings level and the aircraft pointed into the
wind. The angle of attack (the angle between the aircraft’s pitch attitude and the horizon)
should remain consistent and slightly nose high during the decent. With the angle of attack
maintained during the descent, the speed and descent rate is mostly controlled with small
throttle changes. Stay into the throttle to maintain speed and control during decent until the
aircraft is ready to fl are. As the airplane descends into ground effect, fully lower the throttle,
pull the nose up more to bleed off airspeed (fl are), and the aircraft will settle on its wheels.
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 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 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 fi nished fl ying, 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 fl ight 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 fl ight 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 fl ying to LVC will damage the battery.
Tip:
Monitor your aircraft battery’s voltage before and after fl ying by using a Li-Po
Cell Voltage Checker (SPMXBC100, sold separately).
Oscillation
For most fl ight maneuvers the aircraft should fl y smoothly and normal, but it is possible
in some fl ight 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 fl ying in SAFE Select mode the aircraft will return to level fl ight any time the
aileron and elevator controls are at neutral. Applying aileron or elevator control will
cause the airplane to bank, climb or dive, and the amount the stick is moved will
determine the attitude the airplane fl ies. Holding full control will push the aircraft to
the pre-determined bank and roll limits but it will not go past those angles.
When fl ying with SAFE Select it is normal to hold the control stick defl ected with
moderate aileron input when fl ying through a turn. To fl y smoothly with SAFE Select
avoid making frequent control changes and don’t attempt to correct for minor deviations.
With SAFE Select, holding deliberate control inputs will command the aircraft to fl y at a
specifi c angle and the model will make all corrections to maintain that fl ight attitude.
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 fl ight speed,
battery charge status, and many other limiting factors.
• In SAFE Select mode the aircraft will self level when the control stick is neutralized.
In AS3X mode the aircraft will continue to fl y at its present attitude when the control
stick is neutralized.
• In SAFE Select mode holding a small amount of control will result in the model
banking or pitching to a moderate angle and remaining at that angle as long as the
control stick doesn’t move.
In AS3X mode holding a small amount of control will result in the model continuing
to pitch or roll at a slow rate as long as the control stick doesn’t move.
• In SAFE Select mode holding full control will result in the airplane banking or pitching
to the predetermined limits and the aircraft will keep fl ying at that attitude as long as
the control stick is fully defl ected.
In AS3X mode holding full control will result in the aircraft pitching or rolling as fast
as possible, and it will continue to rapidly change attitude as long as the control
stick is fully defl ected.