17
Landing the MAYHEM is typically a pleasure. To begin a landing
approach, lower the throttle partway while on the downwind leg.
This allows the nose of the model to drop slightly. Continue to
bleed off excess altitude, maintaining good airspeed and control,
while you make your final turn to the runway. Keep a little power
on the engine during final approach, down to a few feet off the
ground. The MAYHEM has a very thick wing and slows down
quickly when you completely close the throttle. Once the airplane
is 3-4 feet off the ground, close the throttle completely in
preparation for touchdown. Gradually add more up elevator as the
airplane slows down and settles towards the ground. Flair the
airplane as the ground approaches for a smooth 3-point landing
and rollout. Hard landings are not necessary - sound piloting skills
are. After landing, always remember to hold up elevator when
taxiing to keep the tailwheel firmly to the ground.
Before flying your MAYHEM 40 a second time, double check the
airplane for anything that may have come loose, become
disconnected, etc. during the first flight.
Each flight will be even more fun as you fine tune the trim of your
MAYHEM.
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 MAYHEM 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 MAYHEM has a tendancy to "pull", or drift, towards
the canopy during knife edge flight, try raising BOTH ailerons 1/2
turn. 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 MAYHEM 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: If you notice any unusual sounds while flying, such as
a low pitched buzz, this may be control surface "flutter". Flutter can
happen to any R/C airplane. Designs like the MAYHEM 40, with
light weight, extra large control surfaces are especially vunerable.
Flutter can quickly destroy your aircraft if left unchecked. It can
break your pushrod linkages, strip gears inside the servo, and
even cause control surfaces or entire wings to come off the
airplane in flight.
Anytime you detect flutter, you must
immediately cut the throttle and land the airplane! Check all servo
mountings and pushrod linkages before flying again. If a control
surface flutttered once, it will flutter again under similar
circumstances. In general, some of the things to look at when
trying to cure flutter are:
Loose servo mounting screws or
deteriorated rubber grommets. Excessive hinge gap. Weak or
loose control horn. Weak or flexible pushrods. Poor fit of R/C link
pin in control horn. Internal servo gears that are weak, stripped, or
have excessive play or backlash.
Please operate your airplane in a safe, responsible manner with
constant regard to other flyers, spectators, and property.
GOOD LUCK AND GOOD FLYING!
WARNING! THIS IS NOT A TOY!
Flying machines of any form, either model-size or full-size, are not toys!
Because of the speeds that airplanes must achieve in order to fly, they are
capable of causing serious bodily harm and property damage if they crash.
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AND YOURS ALONE to assemble this
model airplane correctly according to the plans and instructions, to ground
test the finished model before each flight to make sure it is completely
airworthy, and to always fly your model in a safe location and in a safe
manner. The first test flights should only be made by an experienced R/C
flyer, familiar with high performance R/C aircraft.
The governing body for radio-control model airplanes in the United States
is the ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS, commonly called the AMA.
The AMA SAFETY CODE provides guidelines for the safe operation of R/C
model airplanes. While AMA membership is not necessarily mandatory, it
is required by most R/C flying clubs in the U.S. and provides you with
important liability insurance in case your R/C model should ever cause
serious property damage or personal injury to someone else.
For more information contact:
ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS
5161 East Memorial Drive
Muncie, IN 47302
Telephone: (765) 287-1256
AMA WEB SITE: www.modelaircraft.org
CUSTOMER SERVICE
SIG MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC. is committed to your success in
both assembling and flying the MAYHEM 40 ARF. Should you encounter
any problem building this kit, or discover any missing or damaged parts,
please feel free to contact us by mail or telephone.
SIG MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
401-7 South Front Street
Montezuma, IA 50171-0520
SIG MODELER’S ORDERLINE: 1-800-247-5008
(to order parts)
SIG MODELER’S HOTLINE: 1-641-623-0215
(for technical support)
SIG WEB SITE: www.sigmfg.com
LIMIT OF LIABILITY
The craftsmanship, attention to detail and actions of the builder/flyer of this
model airplane kit will ultimately determine the airworthiness, flight
performance and safety of the finished model. SIG MFG. CO.’s obligation
shall be to replace those parts of the kit proven to be defective or missing.
The user shall determine the suitability of the product for his or her
intended use and shall assume all risk and liability in connection therewith.