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To stop the engine, cut off the fuel supply by closing off the fuel
line or follow the engine manufacturer's recommendations. Do
not use hands, fingers or any other body part to try to stop the
engine. Do not throw anything into the propeller of a
running engine.
AMA SAFETY CODE (excerpt)
Read and abide by the following Academy of Model
Aeronautics Official Safety Code:
General
1. I will not fly my model aircraft in sanctioned events, air
shows, or model flying demonstrations 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 used 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.
9. I will not operate models with pyrotechnics (any device
that explodes, burns, or propels a projectile of any kind)
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 flier, unless assisted
by an experienced helper.
3. I will perform my initial turn after takeoff away from the
pit or spectator areas and I will not thereafter fly over pit or
spectator areas, unless beyond my control.
4. I will operate my model using only radio
control frequencies currently allowed by the Federal
Communications Commission.
CAUTION (THIS APPLIES TO ALL R/C AIRPLANES): If,
while flying, you notice any unusual sounds, such as a
low-pitched "buzz", this may indicate control surface
"flutter". Because flutter can quickly destroy components
of your airplane, any time you detect flutter you must
immediately cut the throttle and land the airplane!
Check all servo grommets for deterioration (this may
indicate which surface fluttered) and make sure all
pushrod linkages are slop-free. If it fluttered once, it will
probably flutter again under similar circumstances unless
you can eliminate the slop or flexing in the linkages. Here
are some things which can result in flutter: Excessive
hinge gap; Not mounting control horns solidly; Sloppy fit
of clevis pin in horn; Elasticity present in flexible plastic
pushrods; Side-play of pushrod in guide tube caused by
tight bends; Sloppy fit of Z-bend in servo arm; Insufficient
glue used when gluing in the elevator joiner wire or
aileron torque rod; Excessive flexing of aileron, caused
by using too soft balsa; Excessive "play" or "backlash" in
servo gears; and Insecure servo mounting.
The Great Planes Extra 300 is a great flying semi-scale sport
model that flies smoothly and predictably, yet is highly
aerobatic. The Extra does not, however, possess the
self-recovery characteristics of a primary R/C trainer and
should only be flown by experienced RC pilots. This plane is
fully capable of performing a full range of aerobatics – from
simple loops and rolls to impressive Lomcevaks. The Extra 300
is limited only by your abilities and imagination. Have fun!
Takeoff on "high" rates if you have dual rates on your
transmitter – especially if you are taking off in a crosswind.
For all models it is good practice to gain as much speed as
the length of the runway will permit before lifting off. This
will give you a safety margin in case the engine quits. When
you initially advance the throttle and the tail begins to lift,
the Extra will begin to turn to the left (due to the torque of
the engine–a characteristic of all taildraggers). Be prepared
for this by applying sufficient right rudder to keep the Extra
running straight down the middle of the runway. The left
turning tendency will decrease as the plane picks up
speed. Be sure to allow the tail to rise off the ground before
lifting the model into the air. Depending on the surface you
are taking off from, you will need to apply little or no up
elevator until flying speed is reached. Don't hold the tail on
the ground with too much up elevator, as the Extra will
become airborne prematurely and may stall. When the
plane has gained enough flying speed to safely lift off,
gradually and smoothly apply up elevator and allow the
model to climb at a shallow angle (do not yank the model
off the ground into a steep climb!).
44
FLYING
Takeoff
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