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1. Use a felt-tip pen or 3mm [1/8"]-wide tape to accurately
mark the C.G. on the top of the wing on both sides of the
fuselage. The C.G. is located 57mm [2-1/4"] back from
the leading edge of the wing at the fuselage.
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 the
smoothness and stability, but the model may then require
more speed for takeoff and make it more difficult to slow for
landing or 3-D aerobatics. Moving the C.G. aft makes the
model more maneuverable, but could also cause it to become
too difficult to control. In any case, start at the recommended
balance point. As with the throws, though, we encourage you
to experiment with the CG until the model flies to your taste.
❏
2. With all parts of the model installed, including the
battery (ready to fly), lift it upside-down on your fingertips at
the balance point you marked.
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3. If the tail drops, the model is "tail heavy" and the
battery pack and/or receiver must be shifted forward. If the
nose drops, the model is "nose heavy" and the battery pack
and/or receiver must be shifted aft. Relocate the battery
pack on the hook-and-loop strip to minimize or eliminate any
additional ballast required.
❏
4. IMPORTANT: If you moved any components, recheck
the C.G.
Balance the Model Laterally
❏
1. With the wing level, lift the model by the engine propeller
shaft and the bottom of the fuse under the TE of the fin. Do
this several times.
❏
2. If one wing always drops when you lift the model, it means
that side is heavy. Balance the airplane by adding weight to the
other wing tip. An airplane that has been laterally balanced
will track better in loops and other maneuvers.
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 your model. It is required at all AMA R/C club flying sites
and AMA sanctioned flying events. Write this information on
the bottom of the wing with a fine felt-tip pen.
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 batteries the night before you go flying,
and at other times as recommended by the radio manufacturer.
Charge the flight battery using a charger designed for
Lithium-Polymer batteries. Charging with any other type of
charger is very dangerous, and may cause the batteries to
combust violently.
CAUTION: Unless the instructions that came with your
radio system state differently, the initial charge on new
transmitter 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.
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 50 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.
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