Ground Inspection; Range Check; Performance Tips; Motor Safety Precautions - GREAT PLANES Firebat Instruction Manual

Ground Inspection

Before you fly you should perform one last overall inspection
to make sure the model is truly ready to fly and that you
haven't overlooked anything. If you are not thoroughly
familiar with the operation of R/C models, ask an
experienced modeler to perform the inspection. Check to
see that you have the radio installed correctly and that all
the controls are connected properly. The motor must also be
checked by confirming that the prop is rotating in the correct
direction and the motor sounds like it is reaching full power.
Make certain the ailerons and canards are secure, the
pushrods are connected, the controls respond in the correct
direction, radio components are securely mounted, and the
C.G. is correct.

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 the controls, tell you what the control surfaces are
doing. Repeat this test with the motor running at various
speeds with an assistant holding the model, using hand
signals to show you what is happening. If the control
surfaces do not respond correctly, do not fly! Find and
correct the problem first. Look for loose servo connections
or broken wires, corroded wires on old servo connectors,
poor solder joints in your battery pack or a defective cell, or
a damaged receiver crystal from a previous crash. Be
careful of the propeller when range checking.

Performance Tips

• Use fine sandpaper to remove imperfections along the
edges of the propeller. For the best performance, use a
Top Flite Precision
(TOPQ5700) to balance the propellers (this is a
necessity on glow-powered engines, but less critical on
small electric models).
• Using multiple battery packs for successive flights may
cause the motor to become excessively hot, thus
causing damage. Allow the motor to cool for at least 20
minutes between flights.

Motor Safety Precautions

Note: 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
the motor.
Magnetic Prop Balancer
Use safety glasses when running motors.
Do not run the motor in an area of loose gravel or sand; the
propeller may throw such material in your face or eyes.
Keep your face and body as well as all spectators away from
the path of the propeller as you start and run the motor.
Keep items such as these away from the prop: loose
clothing, shirt sleeves, ties, scarfs, long hair or loose objects
(pencils, screwdrivers) that may fall out of shirt or jacket
pockets into the prop.
The electric motor and motor battery used in the Firebat
ARF are very powerful and the spinning propeller has a lot
of momentum; therefore, if you touch the propeller while it is
spinning it may inflict severe injury. Respect the motor and
propeller for the damage they are capable of and take
whatever precautions are necessary to avoid injury. Always
disconnect and remove the motor battery until you are ready
to fly again and always make sure the switches are turned
off before connecting the battery.

AMA SAFETY CODE (excerpts)

Read and abide by the following Academy of Model
Aeronautics Official Safety Code:
GENERAL
1. I will not fly my model aircraft in competition or in the
presence of spectators until it has been proven to be airworthy
by having been previously successfully flight tested.
2. I will not fly my model aircraft higher than approximately
400 feet within 3 miles of an airport without notifying the
airport operator. I will give right of way to and avoid flying in
the proximity of full-scale aircraft. Where necessary, an
observer shall be utilized to supervise flying to avoid having
models fly in the proximity of full-scale aircraft.
3. Where established, I will abide by the safety rules for the
™ flying site I use and I will not willfully and deliberately fly my
models in a careless, reckless and/or dangerous manner.
7. I will not fly my model unless it is identified with my name
and address or AMA number, on or in the model.
RADIO CONTROL
1. I will have completed a successful radio equipment ground
check before the first flight of a new or repaired model.
2. I will not fly my model aircraft in the presence of
spectators until I become a qualified flyer, unless assisted
by an experienced helper.
3. I will perform my initial turn after takeoff away from the pit,
spectator and parking areas and I will not thereafter perform
maneuvers, flights of any sort or landing approaches over a
pit, spectator or parking area.
17