Pre Flight to First Flight
Have and experienced pilot assist you with pre-
flighting your new model. Just like having
someone proof read something you’ve written,
having a second
fresh
set of eyes to inspect your
final product is often helpful at avoiding disaster.
While not an exhaustive pre-flight check these are
some of the major items that you should consider
using when developing your own pre-flight check
list. Get in the habit of always pre-flighting your
models before each and every flight.
☐
Weight and Balance
- Check
SkyBuggy’s
™
the model should balance between 2-1/2 -
3-1/4 inches from the leading edge of the
wing (basically from just behind the main spar
to just behind the first turbulator forward of the
spar at top of wing). Use a permanent marker
or trim tape to mark the underside of the left
and right wing half at the forward and aft most
CG measurements as given above.
Use your right and left hand index fingers and
suspend the model from below, between the
marked CG measurements. Site from profile
of aircraft against horizon. If the top edge of
the fuselage appears to hang level with
horizon line, then
SkyBuggy
™ is properly
balanced to fly. Move equipment and or
battery within fuselage to obtain proper
balance.
For stunting attempt to balance model closer
to aft most CG measurement of 3-1/4 inches
from leading edge. We suggest that you
move the CG aft in slow increments to grow
a c c u s t o m e d t o i t ’s e ff e c t o n f l i g h t
performance.
☐
Check Weather
-
SkyBuggy’s
™ first flight
should be in
zero
wind conditions.
SkyBuggy
™ is capable of flying in winds up
to 8-10 mph so long as the pilot is capable.
☐
Inspect airframe
for warps and obvious signs
of wear or damage. Do not fly a damaged or
warped model.
☐
Inspect control surfaces
for center, proper
direction of travel, rate of throw, secure
pushrod connections, hinges, and servo
mounting hardware.
Pre Flight Cont.
☐
Check wing attach points
for damage and/
or wear. Inspect rubber bands, that they are
installed correctly and in good condition to
adequately retain wing.
☐
Check landing gear
and replace worn or
rotten landing gear retention rubber bands.
Check that tires are properly inflated and
retained (if using Trexler wheels.
☐
Inspect battery for full charge.
Never begin
a flight with a partially charged battery.
☐
Clear prop!
Before applying power to the
model, clear and keep clear of the prop arc.
As electric motors are capable of inflicting
severe damage (more so than their internal
combustion counterparts) and may turn on
unexpectedly anytime power is applied to the
system. Respect the business end of the
model (the prop and prop arc) treating every
electric model and propeller as if it were a
loaded gun.
☐
Range check radio.
Follow the radio makers
guidelines for performing a proper range
check.
☐
Check for traffic.
Proceed to the flight line
(With your mentor/instructor if you are a
novice pilot) and observe other RC traffic. If
the runway is clear, and no one is in the
pattern to land, loudly announce your
intentions to take off. Remember etiquette
dictates that all aircraft on ground must yield
the runway to those landing.
☐
Go flying.
Point model into wind (if present)
and steadily advance throttle to full. Use
rudder to correct track while on ground roll.
Within several feet the model should be
airborne. Fly model to a comfortable 1-2
mistake high altitude, reduce throttle to stop
climb, then trim model for straight and level
flight at a comfortable cruise speed
(Depending on speed control responsiveness
SkyBuggy
™ typically cruise at just over 1/2
throttle).
☐
Setup for landing.
Clearly announce your
intention to land. Make landings into the
wind. With rudder/elevator control and no
ailerons setting up landings in cross-winds
should be avoided until you are comfortable
with the model’s in-flight behavior.
SkyBuggy © 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.
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