❍
1. If you will be using a Great Planes C.G. Machine
™
to
balance your model, set the rulers to 4" [100mm]. Place the
plane on the machine. If you will not be using the C.G.
Machine, use a felt-tip pen or narrow (1/8" [3mm] or less)
tape to mark a line, noting the C.G. on the bottom of the
wing 4" [100mm] back from the leading edge.
❍
2. Attach the wing to the fuselage with a couple of rubber
bands. The model must be totally ready to fly with all of the
components installed. Place the model on the Great Planes
CG Machine or lift it at the balance point you marked. You
should be able to feel the tape lines with your fingers.
❍
3. When supporting the model at the C.G. it is likely that
the tail will drop, indicating that it is “tail heavy” and weight
must be added to the nose. If the nose drops however, the
model is “nose heavy” and weight must be added to the tail.
Use Great Planes Self-Adhesive Lead Weights to balance
the model. Nose weight can be attached inside the fuselage
to the former as shown. Approximately 2 oz. [60g] of ballast
will be required for most models. There is also a cavity in the
balsa nose block for lead or steel shot (not included). If you
prefer to install lead or steel shot in the cavity, determine the
amount required, mix with epoxy, then pour in. Weight
installed in this manner will be permanent.
❍
4.
IMPORTANT:
If you found it necessary to add any
weight, recheck the C.G. after the weight has been installed.
PREFLIGHT
Identify Your Model
No matter if you fly at an AMA sanctioned R/C club site or if you
fly 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 flying sites
and AMA sanctioned flying events. Fill out the identification tag
on page 15 and place it on or inside your model.
Charge the Batteries
Follow the battery charging instructions that came with your
radio control system to charge the batteries. You should
always charge your transmitter and receiver batteries the
night before you go flying, and at other times as
recommended by the radio manufacturer.
Range Check
Ground check the operational range of your radio before the
first flight of the day. With the transmitter antenna collapsed
and the receiver and transmitter on, you should be able to walk
at least 100 feet away from the model and still have control.
Have an assistant stand by your model and, while you work
CAUTION:
Unless the instructions that came with your
radio system state differently, the initial charge on
new
transmitter and receiver batteries should be done for 15
hours
using the slow-charger that came with the radio
system
. This will “condition” the batteries so that the next
charge may be done using the fast-charger of your choice.
If the initial charge is done with a fast-charger, the batteries
may not reach their full capacity and you may be flying with
batteries that are only partially charged.
This is where your model should balance for the first
flights. Later, you may wish to experiment by shifting the
C.G. up to 1/2" [13mm] forward or 1/2" [13mm] back to
change the flying characteristics. Moving the C.G.
forward may improve wind penetration and stability, but
the model will then fly and land a little faster. Moving the
C.G. aft makes the model lighter and more responsive to
thermals, but could also cause it to become too difficult to
control. In any case,
start at the recommended balance
point
and do not at any time balance the model outside
the specified range.
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