28
tape is not strong enough on its own for this application; glue
the tape in place with cyano.
The final position of the flight pack is determined when you set
the correct Centre of Gravity. It should then be marked clearly.
Ensure that the Velcro tape which holds the battery in place
makes good contact.
If you neglect this, you may lose your
battery in flight.
Check before every flight that the battery is securely fixed.
Temporarily complete all the electrical connections as described
in the radio control system instructions.
Do not connect the flight battery to the speed controller
until you have switched on the transmitter and are sure
that the throttle control is at the “OFF” position.
Connect the servo plugs to the receiver. Switch the transmitter
on, then connect the flight battery in the model to the speed
controller, and the controller to the receiver. It is essential that
your speed controller is what is known as a BEC type (Battery
Eliminator Circuit - the flight pack powers the receiving system).
Switch the motor on briefly and check once more the direction
of rotation of the propeller. Remember to hold the model
securely when test-running the motor, and remove all loose,
light objects in front of and behind the model - before the
propeller removes them for you. If the propeller spins in the
wrong direction, swap over the connections at the motor
terminals - not at the flight battery!
Caution: keep well clear of the propeller when the battery
is connected - serious injury hazard!
Deploying the receiver aerial on the underside of the
fuselage
The receiver aerial should be threaded through a hole in the
underside of the fuselage, then deployed aft in the direction of
the tailplane.
This is done by piercing a tunnel through the fuselage side to
the outside, threading the aerial through it and taping it full-
length to the fuselage.
Setting the control surface travels
The control surface travels must be set correctly to ensure that
the model has harmonious, well-balanced control response:
Elevator
up (stick back)
15 mm
down (stick forward)
12 mm
Rudder
left
and
right
each
25 mm
Ailerons
(opposite directions)
up
15 mm
For a right-hand turn the right aileron (as seen from behind the
model) must deflect up. The “down” travel is not critical, and
will be correct automatically.
Always measure the control surface travels at the widest part
of the surface.
If your radio control system does not allow you to set these
precise travels, don’t worry, as they are not crucial. If the
discrepancy is large, you may have to re-position the appropriate
pushrod connector, mounting it in a different hole.
Applying the glass filament tape
The strips of glass filament tape
16
(self-adhesive glass fibre
rovings) supplied in the kit are applied to the top and bottom of
the wing panels
10 + 11
. The tape should be stuck behind the
recess for the front wing retainer strap
30
, extending out to the
wingtip (55 mm from the leading edge). The tape should not be
under tension. On the underside of the wing apply the tape in
the corresponding position and cut it away at the servo recess
- in this area the wing joiner bears the flight loads in any case.
Stick the filament tape in place before applying the decals.
Caution
: keep the wings perfectly flat while you are applying
the tape - they should not be bent or curved! The main purpose
of the glass tape is to reduce the flexing of the wings when the
flight loads are fairly high.
Gilding the lily - applying the decals
The kit is supplied with a multi-colour decal sheet
2
. Cut out
the individual name placards and emblems and apply them to
the model in the position shown in the kit box illustration, or in
an arrangement which you find pleasing. The decals adhere
strongly, so make sure they are positioned correctly first time!
Balancing
The Magister, like any other aircraft, must be balanced at a
particular point in order to achieve stable flying characteristics.
Assemble your model ready to fly, and install the flight battery.
The Centre of Gravity (CG) should be about 85 mm from
the leading edge at the root, measured at the fuselage.
Mark this point on both sides of the fuselage.
Support the
model at this point on two fingertips and it should balance level.
If not, you can move the flight battery forward or aft to correct
the balance point. Once the correct position is found, mark the
location of the battery inside the model to ensure that it is always
replaced in the same position.
The CG location is not critical - 10 mm forward or aft of the
stated position presents no problems.
Fig. 49
Preparing for the first flight
For the first flight wait for a day with as little breeze as possible.
The early evening is often a good time.
Be sure to carry out a range check before the first flight.
Just before the flight, charge up the transmitter battery and the
flight pack using the recommended procedures. Ensure that
“your” channel is not already in use before you switch on the
transmitter.
Ask your assistant to walk away from the model, holding the
transmitter. The aerial should be fitted but completely collapsed.
Your assistant should operate one of the functions constantly
while you watch the servos. The non-controlled servo should
stay motionless up to a range of about 60 m, and the controlled
one should follow the stick movements smoothly and without
any delay. Please note that this check can only give reliable
results if the radio band is clear of interference, and if no other
radio control transmitters are in use - even on different channels.
If the range check is successful, repeat it with the motor running.
There should be only a very slight reduction in effective radio
range with the motor turning.
If you are not sure about anything, please don’t risk a flight.
Send the whole system (including battery, switch harness and
servos) to the service department of your RC system
manufacturer and ask them to check it.
The first flight ...
The Magister should always be launched exactly into any wind.
If you are a beginner to model flying we strongly
recommend that you ask an experienced model pilot to
help you for the first few flights.