Lateral Balancing; Preflight Check And Safety - Model Tech Sukhoi SU-31 Assembly Instructions Manual

lateral balancing will make the airplane's controls easier to trim and will make the airplane track straighter in the air. it is
strongly recommended.
❑ Turn the airplane upside down and tie one length of string to the propeller shaft and one length of string to the tail wheel wire near
the bottom of the fuselage.
❑ With someone helping you, carefully lift the airplane up by the two pieces of string. Watch how the wing reacts. If one side of the
wing drops, that side is heavier than the other. To correct this condition, stick a small piece of self-adhesive lead weight to the bottom
of the lighter wing half (the one that doesn't drop).
❑ Add weight to the lighter wing half until the wing stays level when you lift the airplane.
Completely charge the transmitter and receiver batteries before your first day of flying.
l
Check every bolt and every glue joint in the airplane to ensure that everything is tight and well-bonded. This should include all of
l
the control surface hinges as well.
Double-check that you've installed and tightened all of the servo horn retaining screws.
l
Double-check that the receiver and battery pack are properly secured into place. There's nothing worse than the battery pack
l
coming loose during a violent aerobatic maneuver.
Double-check that the fuel tank is properly secured to the fuselage.
l
Double-check the balance of the airplane. do this with the fuel tank eMptY.
l
Check the control surfaces. They should all move in the correct direction and not bind.
l
Make sure that you've installed 1/4" long pieces of silicone fuel tubing over the clevises and snap-keepers to prevent any chance
l
of them opening during flight.
If your radio transmitter is equipped with dual rate switches, double-check that they are on the low-rate setting for your first few
l
flights.
Check to ensure that all of the control surfaces are moving the proper amount in both low and high rate settings.
l
Check the receiver antenna. It should be fully extended and not coiled up. Do not cut the receiver antenna shorter or the range of
l
your radio control system will be greatly reduced.
Properly balance the propeller. A propeller that is out of balance will cause excessive vibration, which could lead to engine and/or
l
airframe failure, and it will reduce engine efficiency and power.
the following are our general guidelines for your safety and the safety of others. please read and understand these safety
guidelines before going out to the flying field for the first time.
Do not test-fly your model for the first time without first having it safety-checked by an experienced modeler.
l
Do not fly your model higher than approximately 400 feet within 3 miles of an airport without having an observer with you. The
l
observer should tell you about any full-size aircraft in your vicinity and you should always give the right-of-way to full-scale aircraft.
When flying at a flying field with established rules, you should abide by those rules. You should not deliberately fly your model in
l
a reckless and/or dangerous manner.
While flying, you should not deliberately fly behind the flight line. If your model should inadvertently fly behind the flight line, you
l
should change course immediately.
You should complete a successful range check of your radio equipment prior to each new day of flying, or prior to the first flight of
l
a new or repaired model.
You should perform your initial turn after take- off away from the flightline and/or spectator area.
l
You should not knowingly operate your R/C radio system within 3 miles of a preexisting model club flying field without a frequency
l
sharing agreement with that club.

lateral BalanCinG

prefliGht CheCk and SafetY

Page