Balance The Model Laterally; Preflight - GREAT PLANES Gee Bee Instruction Manual

If you do not have a C.G. machine we recommend that you
balance the plane as shown here. Mark the location for the
C.G. on the wing, close to the wing saddle. Remove the
wing, and then wrap a lightweight cord or wire around the
fuselage. Put the wing back onto the fuselage. Suspend the
airplane from the cord, making sure the cord is on the marks
you have made.
IMPORTANT! DO NOT BALANCE THE AIRPLANE
WITH YOUR FINGERS!
The C.G. range is critical and there is not a lot of margin
for moving the C.G. forward or aft of the recommended
location. Balancing with your fingers is not accurate
enough for balancing this model.
3. If the tail drops, the model is "tail heavy" and the battery
pack and/or receiver 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 and/or receiver must be
shifted aft or weight must be added to the tail to balance. If
possible, relocate the battery pack and receiver to minimize
or eliminate any additional ballast required. If additional
weight is required, nose weight may be easily added by using
a "spinner weight" (GPMQ4645 for the 1 oz. weight, or
GPMQ4646 for the 2 oz. weight). If spinner weight is not
practical or is not enough, use Great Planes (GPMQ4485)
"stick on" lead. A good place to add stick-on nose weight is to
the firewall (don't attach weight to the cowl–it is not intended
to support weight). Begin by placing incrementally increasing
amounts of weight on the fuse over the firewall until the
model balances. Once you have determined the amount of
weight required, it can be permanently attached.
Note: Do not rely upon the adhesive on the back of the lead
weight to permanently hold it in place. Over time, fuel and
exhaust residue may soften the adhesive and cause the
weight to fall off. Use #2 sheet metal screws, RTV silicone or
epoxy to permanently hold the weight in place.
4. IMPORTANT: If you found it necessary to add any
weight, recheck the C.G. after the weight has been installed.

Balance the Model Laterally

1. With the wing level, have an assistant help you 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 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 the decal sheet 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.
NOTE: Checking the condition of your receiver battery pack
is highly recommended. All battery packs, whether it's a
trusty pack you've just taken out of another model, or a new
battery pack you just purchased, should be cycled, noting
the discharge capacity. Oftentimes, a weak battery pack can
be identified (and a valuable model saved!) by comparing its
actual capacity to its rated capacity. Refer to the instructions
and recommendations that come with your cycler. If you
don't own a battery cycler, perhaps you can have a friend
cycle your pack and note the capacity for you.
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