10
APPL
Y THE DECALS
This is where your model should balance for the
fi
rst
fl
ights.
Later, you may wish to experiment by shifting the C.G.
up to 1/4
″
[6mm] forward or 1/4
″
[6mm] back to change
the
fl
ying characteristics. Moving the C.G. forward may
improve the smoothness and stability, but the model may
then require more speed for takeoff and make it more
dif
fi
cult to slow for landing. Moving the C.G. aft makes
the model more maneuverable, but could also cause it to
become too dif
fi
cult to control. In any case, start at the
recommended balance point and do not at any time balance
the model outside the speci
fi
ed range.
❏
3.
With all parts of the model installed (ready to
fl
y) and a
battery pack in place (do not connect it), place your
fi
ngers on
the marks you made and balance the model.
❏
4.
If the tail drops, the model is “tail heavy” and the battery
pack must be shifted forward or weight must be added to the
nose to balance. If the nose drops, the model is “nose heavy” and
the battery pack must be shifted aft or weight must be added to
the tail to balance.
❏
5.
Using a felt-tip pen, mark the position of the battery pack in
the battery compartment. This will help eliminate trim changes or
unwanted surprises each time that you change the battery. When
using different capacity batteries, you may have to re-balance your
plane and place an additional mark in the battery compartment.
If you plan to
fl
y the model with and without landing gear, make
separate marks to help you know where to place the battery to
balance correctly in each con
fi
guration.
❏
6.
If additional weight is required, use Great Planes
(GPMQ4485) “stick-on” lead. A good place to add stick-on nose
weight is to the motor box under the cowl (don’t attach weight to
the cowl—it is not intended to support weight). Begin by placing
increasing amounts of weight on the top of the cowl over the
fi
rewall until the model balances. Once you have determined the
amount of weight required, it can be permanently attached by
removing the cowl and installing the weight.
IMPORTANT:
If you found it necessary to add any weight,
recheck the C.G. after the weight has been installed.
APPLY THE DECALS
We have provided various decals to allow you some
fl
exibility
in the
fi
nal appearance of your airplane. The photo shows the
placement of the decals “Old Crow” but the other decals get
positioned in the same place as those shown on “Old Crow”.
The choice is yours! Simply cut out the decals of your choosing
and apply them to the fuselage.
PREFLIGHT
Identify Your Model
No matter if you
fl
y at an AMA sanctioned R/C club site or if you
fl
y somewhere on your own, you should always have your name,
address, telephone number and AMA number on or inside your
model. It is required at all AMA R/C club
fl
ying sites and AMA
sanctioned
fl
ying events and simply a “good idea” even if
fl
ying
somewhere else. Write this information on a strip of masking
tape and place it on the inside of the battery hatch (or simply
write the information directly on the battery hatch).
Charge the Battery
Be certain to refer to the instructions that accompany the charger
to properly and safely charge the battery that goes in the model
and powers the motor and controls.
When discharging the battery, DO NOT attempt to fully discharge
the battery pack by repeatedly running the motor to the ESC’s
low voltage cutoff. This will drastically shorten the life of your
Lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries and could cause the individual
cells to become imbalanced.
MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Failure to follow these safety precautions may result in
severe injury to yourself and others.
■
Get help from an experienced pilot when learning to operate
electric motors.
■
Use safety glasses when operating electric motors.
■
Do not operate the motor in an area of loose gravel or sand;
the propeller may throw such material in your face or eyes.