BALANCE
While all airplanes must be balanced to achieve flight, the balance
of an aerobatic airplane like the E-FORCE is especially critical.
The final placement of the longitudinal Center of Gravity,
or Balance Point, will have a great effect on the aerobatic
performance of this airplane.
Balancing this model should be
approached with patience and care.
Important:
The model must be balanced with everything on
board, ready for flight. The flight battery must be installed in
the fuselage and the propeller must be mounted in place when
balancing the model.
BALANCE POINTS REFERENCE CHART
* Percentage of Mean Aerodynamic Chord
% of
distance aft of
MAC*
wing leading edge
29%
3.02"
30%
3.12"
31%
3.22"
32%
3.33"
33%
3.43"
35%
3.64"
37%
3.85"
For initial test flying and familiarization purposes, we suggest a
starting balance point of 33% MAC, which is approximately
3-7/16" behind the leading edge of the wing.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Balanced means the airplane sets perfectly
level when supported at the desired balance point - NOT slightly
nose down or nose up - PERFECTLY FLAT LEVEL!
As your experience with the E-FORCE increases, you can adjust
the balance point to suit yourself. In general, as the balance point
is moved aft, the airplane will become more responsive and less
stable in all axis. Some pilots like their models extremely reactive,
while others like to fly with more smoothness. If you never get into
3D flying, you will probably like the balance point at the intial
setting of 33%. In the end, the final balance point and control
throws you use will depend on how you like to fly.
INCIDENCE & THRUST ANGLES
The E-FORCE was built at the factory with the following specs:
Wing Incidence:
0
O
Stab Incidence:
0
O
Engine - Side View
0
O
down
Engine - Top View
0
O
right
PRE-FLIGHT NOTES
Be sure your flight battery pack is fully charged. Also be sure your
transmitter is fully charged.
We highly recommend that you
perform a standard range check on your radio system - with and
without the motor running. Make sure your propeller is balanced
and has no nicks or cracks - never fly with a faulty propeller!
Finally, take a few minutes to give your model a thorough pre-flight
inspection.
Make sure everything is secure and tight and
operating properly, before attempting to fly the model.
Any
problems you have will not magically disappear at the field - they
will get worse!
FLYING
If you have carefully followed this assembly manual, test flying
your E-FORCE should be a lot of fun. Try to choose a calm day
with little or no wind for the first flight. Good conditions allow
you to better evaluate and more accurately adjust the trim
requirements for your airplane.
Always make it part of your pre-flight routine to check each control
on the airplane, making sure the surfaces are moving in the
correct directions. Also check each control linkage to be sure they
are secure and that nothing is loose.
THROTTLE MANAGEMENT: The E-FORCE is not designed to fly
at high airspeeds. The key to its 3D aerobatic flying characteristics
is super light weight construction and extra large control surfaces.
Full throttle is only for takeoff and some aerobatic maneuvers. For
normal level flight, you should throttle back to cruising speed. Also,
never dive the E-FORCE at full throttle.
Once you've settled at cruising altitude and speed, adjust the trims
as needed to achieve hands off straight and level flight. Take it
easy with the E-FORCE for the first flight, gradually getting
acquainted with it as you gain confidence.
Each flight will be even more fun as you fine tune the trim of your
E-FORCE. Try a few loops and rolls.
Inverted flight is easy,
requiring little down elevator for hold level flight. Next try some
snap rolls, spins, and knife edge flight.
The E-FORCE should
perform all of these maneuvers with ease. Note any tendencies
that you can trim out when you're back on the ground.
For
instance, if the E-FORCE has a tendancy to "pull" towards the
canopy during knife edge flight, try raising BOTH ailerons slightly.
If it pulls towards the landing gear, lower both ailerons. Fly it again
and note any difference. Always make changes slowly, in small
amounts, and only one change per flight. As with any aircraft,
getting consistently good results from the E-FORCE is usually a
matter of flight trim and practice.
For those of you interested in 3-D aerobatics, set up your radio to
take advantage of the huge control movements available from this
model.
However, we would urge you to "sneak up" on such
control throws, making very sure you have them available to you
only on your high rate switches!
Caution: Never land your airplane in tall grass or weeds with the
motor running. Always throttle back completely if you land in such
terrain, or if you nose over after landing. Tall grass or a nose over
will stall the motor if it is running. A stalled motor can overheat the
ESC and batteries, causing them to fail.
JOIN THE CLUB
Although the E-FORCE is considered a "park flyer" and can be
flown in fairly confined spaces by accomplished pilots, it should
never be flown within five miles of an organized R/C aircraft flying
site. This one simple precaution can prevent the loss of your
model from radio interference. Do yourself a favor and join your
local R/C club - you'll almost always get assistance and good
advice, and you will even make a friend or two!
Please operate your airplane in a safe, responsible manner with
constant regard to other flyers, spectators, and property.
GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY LANDINGS!
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