BALANCE
The best balance range for the Monocoupe is
22% -27% of the Mean Aerodynamic Chord
{MAC}, or from 3 3/8 – 4.0 inches back from the
leading edge of the wing. If you use the same
equipment, and assemble it as shown in the
instructions, you will find it balanced in the
range. Different equipment may require
movement of the battery and receiver for proper
balance. Should it be necessary to add ballast,
the plane has so much lift it will hardly notice an
additional pound! The plane shown in the
directions has a finished weight of 13 pounds 7
ounces, this results in a wing loading of only 21.2
ounces per square foot. Even with an extra
pound of ballast the wing load would be 22.8,
still astonishingly low for a plane of this size.
CONTROL THROWS
The control throws for the plane may seem
larger than what you are accustom to, this is due
to the very slow flight speeds the Monocoupe is
capable of. If you radio has duel rates use the
following for the high setting and set the low at
70%.
Ailerons;
Up 1-inch
Down ½-inch
Elevator;
Up / Down
1 ½-inchs
Rudder;
Right / Left 3-inches
Flaps;
Land
1-inch
Take
off ½-inch
FLIGHT TIP
If you use a computer radio mix 20% rudder
with the ailerons, also with exponential control,
set up 30% to soften the sticks around center,
this will smooth out the response at all speeds
and make the flight much more realistic.
FLYING THE MONOCOUPE
This is when the fun really begins!
Now that you Monocoupe is finished it’s time
to go over everything. Make sure all your screws
are tight, double check your CG. Make sure all
controls have the proper throw and more
importantly be sure they MOVE IN THE
PROPER DIRECTION!!!
You should have a well-tuned and broken-in
engine. It should be reliable and be capable of
sustained idle without stalling. Remote control
gear and the batteries should have a full charge
and secure mounting. Do a range check on you
radio installation, this should be done before
every flight. Bring a friend with you to hold the
plane while you test run the engine for a tank of
fuel to be sure the is no cooling problem. While
the engine is running do another range check to
be sure there is no interference from the engine
or ignition. When you are 100% satisfied with
everything, its time to take it up for a test flight.
Hold full up elevator when taxing to keep the
tail down, line up with the center of the runway
and take a breath to relax, it’s going to fly fine.
For the first couple of flights, until you get
accustomed to the flight performance we
recommend you do not use the flaps. Slowly
open the throttle, steering with the rudder as the
plane accelerates. When the tail comes up, add
just a little up elevator and it will lift off. Keep
the climb angle and turns shallow until you get
to altitude. Use the rudder with the ailerons to
keep the turns coordinated. At altitude throttle
back to a comfortable speed and trim out the
controls. Try some slow flight and stalls before
you set up to land. Fly a long shallow approach
with a little power on till you cross the end of the
runway, pull the power back to idle and let her
settle on. Go over the plane again to make sure
nothing came loose. From this point on its all
fun! I the following flights, experiment with the
flaps at altitude, the trim will change when they
come down. The Monocoupe will loop, spin and
roll but it’s not an aerobatic plane, it’s a gentle
relaxing flier. Take-off with ½ flaps at full
throttle always amaze people watching. Wheel
landings with full flaps and go arounds are a
thing of beauty, just don’t get too slow.
We hope you enjoy your Monocoupe as much
as we enjoy ours.
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