Preflight check and glide test
Do a preflight check before every flight. Always turn the transmitter power on before the
motor battery in the airplane is plugged in (and un-plug the battery before turning off the
TX). Make sure that the motor control stick is in the full down position. Make sure that
the controls are working properly. Check the trim levers on the transmitter. Pull the con-
trol stick back and observe that both elevons move upward. Push the control stick to the
right and observe the right elevon moves up and the left elevon moves down. Hold the
Zagi-400 securely by the nose. Move the throttle stick to the half throttle position momen-
tarily. The first glide test should be done on flat land in a light breeze. The Zagi-400
should be held by the nose with your palm up over your head and your thumb wrapped
around to the top.
(See figure 17)
Hold the Zagi-400 over your head with the nose
pointed straight ahead. Run slowly into the wind. Give it a gentle push STRAIGHT
AHEAD. Do not point the nose upward. Correct the flight path with the radio control
stick. The test is successful when the Zagi-400 flies straight ahead with a slow sink rate to
a sliding landing. If the Zagi-400 turns in either direction after the launch, compensate by
adding 2 or 3 clicks of trim in the opposite direction with the trim lever below or next to
the control stick. If the Zagi-400 pitches up and immediately dives, add 2 or 3 clicks of
down trim. Repeat the glide test until the Zagi-400 flies straight ahead with a slow sink rate
to a sliding landing. Increase the launch speed each time to provide longer control flights.
First flight
IMPORTANT: Please check the frequencies (channel number) of all pilots at your
site before turning on your transmitter. Turning on your transmitter with the same
channel number as someone who is flying will certainly cause his plane to crash.
CAUTION: While the Zagi-400 is made of foam, traveling at a high rate of speed
can cause considerable damage to someone or something if a collision occurs.
Please exercise caution while flying. It is recommended that you join the Academy
of Model Aeronautics (AMA) (1-800-435-9262) to provide insurance, awareness of
safe flying practices, and knowledge of what’s going on in the modeling field.
At some flying sites it is mandatory that you be a member of the AMA.
Do not launch the Zagi-400 with the motor running
. Hold the Zagi-400 by the nose
with your palm up over your head and your thumb wrapped around to the top.
(See
Figure 17)
Take a step or two forward and give the Zagi-400 a good strong throw into
the wind. A follow through with a little finger tip will increase the launch speed. Slide the
throttle stick to the full forward position when the Zagi-400 is a comfortable distance from
the ground. Get some altitude and experiment with some throttle settings. Full motor is
fun but will use up the battery quickly. It is recommended that beginners fly at quarter
throttle until stick sensitivity is developed. Good luck.
JT
Rev 09/01/01
page 15
