11
12
Step 15 – Throttle Adjustment
Step 16 – Using Elevator
Step 17 – Landing Your Super Decathlon BL
Step 18 – Aerobatic Flight
1. Climb to an altitude of 100 feet or more with
full throttle.
2. To achieve and maintain a level “cruising” altitude,
reduce the power by moving the throttle down to
approximately 50%. The throttle is proportional,
so you can add or reduce throttle in small
increments as needed to maintain the altitude that
you desire.
3. To reduce altitude, reduce throttle.
4. To increase altitude, increase throttle.
Your Super Decathlon BL is equipped with a third
channel for elevator (pitch control). Pulling back on the
stick provides up elevator. This allows for shorter
takeoffs, better flares for landing, better climb rates and
more effective turns. Pulling too far back on the elevator
to climb too quickly will result in the airplane entering a
stall, causing the nose to drop down.
To avoid crashing from a stall, always maintain
enough altitude to recover.
When you begin to notice that your Super Decathlon BL
no longer climbs well under full power (normally after
approximately 15 minutes), the battery is getting low and
it is time to land. Bring in your Super Decathlon BL
directly into the wind and toward the desired landing
spot. Gradually reduce throttle (as well as giving a small
amount of down elevator if you choose) to reach an
altitude of approximately 10 feet. At this point, reduce
even more throttle and your Super Decathlon BL should
glide in softly for a landing.
Note:
Your Super Decathlon BL should be landed
on a smooth surface (such as asphalt or concrete) so
that the landing gear can work effectively. You can
land in short grass, but it is less than ideal.
Your Super Decathlon BL comes out of the box with the
controls set for softer responses and at the outer holes
of the control surfaces. Once you get used to the flight
characteristics and want to perform more aerobatic
maneuvers, you can change the amount of throw
that is permitted by moving to the inner holes of the
control horns.
After making any adjustments, always turn on the
transmitter and center the transmitter trim levers, making
sure the control surfaces are adjusted evenly.
Note:
By making these changes, the controls will be
much more responsive. This makes the airplane much
less forgiving and easier to stall. Remember, crash
damage is not covered under the warranty.
Just after a stall has occurred, the nose of the airplane
will fall and the plane will look like it is diving. To recover
from a stall, simply pull back slowly on the elevator stick
once your Super Decathlon BL has built up airspeed.
Remember, pulling back too quickly or for too long will
once again cause the airplane to enter a stall. Effectively
avoiding and recovering from stalls requires experience.
Always seek the help of an experienced radio control
pilot if you are not familiar with pitch control. Failure to
do so could result in a crash and significant damage to
your airplane.
Expert Tip:
As you get better and more experienced at
flying, try adding a bit of up elevator just prior to
landing to “flare” the plane. With some practice, your
landings should become smooth and on target.
Warning:
Do not attempt to catch the airplane or
injury may occur. Remember, there is a spinning
propeller on the front of the plane that can cause
injury. Also, remember to cut power to the motor
right before you land to prevent damage to
the propeller.
Step 14 – Flying (continued)
Sharp Turns
In order to make a sharper turn, move the stick in the
desired direction and add some up elevator (pull back on
the elevator stick). The plane will make a sharper
banking turn.
Note:
With the throttle set at low or off (gliding), the
plane will not turn as fast as when you are flying at or
near full throttle.
Rudder Trim
If the model wants to constantly turn to one direction,
use the trim lever to correct (see drawing). Your Super
Decathlon BL should fly straight with the control stick at
neutral.
Elevator Trim
If your Super Decathlon BL wants to go up or down, use
the trim lever located at the left of the stick to correct
(see drawing). The model should fly straight with the
control stick at neutral and should have a steady, shallow
climb at full throttle.
Sharp Turn
Rudder
Trim
Elevator
Trim
