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8.
Preflight Check and First Flight
This Scale-Aircraft is a high-end product and can create an enormous risk for both pilot and
spectators, if not handled with care, and used according to the instructions. Make sure that you
operate your Corsair according to the AMA rules, or those laws and regulations governing the
model flying in the country of use. The engine, servos and control surfaces have to be attached
properly. Please use only the recommended engines, servos, propellers, and accessories supplied
in the kit. Make sure that the 'Centre of Gravity' is located in the recommended place. Use the
nose heavy end of the CG range for your first flights, before you start experimenting with moving
the CG back. If you find that you need to relocate your batteries or even add weight in the aircraft
to move the CG to the recommended position, please do so and don't try to save weight or hassle.
A tail heavy plane, in a first flight, can be an enormous danger for you and all spectators. Fix any
weights, and heavy items like batteries, very securely to the plane.
Make sure that the plane is secured properly when you start the engine. Have at least 2 helpers
hold your plane from the tail end or from behind the wing tips, before you start the engine. Make
sure that all spectators are behind, or far in front, of the aircraft when running up the engine. Make
sure that you range check your R/C system thoroughly before the first flight. It is absolutely
necessary to range check your complete R/C installation first WITHOUT the engine running.
Leave the transmitter antenna retracted and check the distance you can walk before 'fail-safe'
occurs. Then start up the engine, run it at about half throttle and repeat this range check with the
engine running. Make sure that there is no range reduction before 'fail-safe' occurs. Only then
make the 1st flight. If you feel that the range with engine running is less then with the engine off,
please contact the radio supplier and the engine manufacturer and DON'T FLY at this time. If you
fly with 2.4 GHz technology, please follow the radio manufacturer's instructions for range
checking. Always check range before a flying session!
After starting your engine the first time, check for vibrations through the whole throttle range. The
engine should run smoothly with no unusual vibration. If you think that there are any excessive
vibrations at any engine rpm's, DON'T FLY at this time and check your engine, spinner and
propeller for proper balancing. Please follow the engine manufacturer's run-in recommendations
and make sure that the engine is ran-in properly before you attempt the first flight.
The light- weight sandwich composite parts don't like too much vibration and they can suffer
damage. The low mass of all the parts results in a low physical inertia, so that any excess
vibrations can affect the servos and linkages. Check that the M3 bolts retaining the horizontal
stablizers on to the aluminium tube are installed and tight, and that the hinge wires for the rudder,
elevators and ailerons cannot come out. Make sure that your main and stab tubes are not damaged.
If you have the wing fold version, make sure that the wings lock smoothly in the down position
and that the wings are securely attached with the 4 bolts. Test cycle the folding sequence several
times while the engine is running and make sure that the down-lock is always safe.
A special note if the Moki 215 or Moki 250 radial is used: Please make sure that no electric wire
can touch any hot component of the engine. All wires should be protected by additional spiral
tubing and should be fixed with cable ties on to the firewall. Any rubbing of wires needs to be
prevented by using rubber grommets where they are fed through the firerwall. Do not assume that
a radial engine runs without vibration. A radial engine with a single sided counter balance on the
crank shaft does have very noticable vibrations, which seem "softer" than the vibrations of a
Page 43
Instruction Manual F4U-1D Corsair
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