Ama Safety Code; Flying; Takeoff - Top Flite P-47D THUNDERBOLT User Manual

Keep your face and body as well as all
spectators away from the plane of rotation of the
propeller as you start and run the engine.
Keep items such as these away from the prop:
loose clothing, shirt sleeves, ties, scarfs, long hair
or loose objects (pencils, screw drivers) that may
fall out of shirt or jacket pockets into the prop.
Use a "chicken stick" device or electric starter;
follow instructions supplied with the starter or stick.
Make certain the glow plug clip or connector is
secure so that it will not pop off or otherwise get
into the running propeller.
Make all engine adjustments from behind the
rotating propeller.
The engine gets hot! Do not touch it during or
after operation. Make sure fuel lines are in good
condition so fuel will not leak onto a hot engine
causing a fire.
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 body part to try to stop the
engine. Do not throw anything into the prop of a
running engine.

AMA SAFETY CODE

Read and abide by the following Academy of
Model Aeronautics Official Safety Code:
GENERAL (Excerpt)
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...
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FLYING

The Top Flite P-47 Thunderbolt is a great-
flying sport scale airplane that flies smoothly and
predictably, yet is highly maneuverable. Compared
to other warbirds, its flight characteristics are very
smooth and forgiving. It does not, however, have
the self-recovery characteristics of a primary R/C
trainer; therefore, you must either have mastered
the basics of R/C flying or obtained the assistance
of a competent R/C pilot to help you with your
first flights.
TAKEOFF: If you have dual rates on your
transmitter, set the switches to "high rate" for
takeoff, especially when taking off in a crosswind.
Although this model has excellent low speed
characteristics, you should always build up as
much speed as your runway will permit before
lifting off, to give you a safety margin in case of a
"flame-out." When you first advance the throttle
and the tail begins to lift, the plane will start to turn
left (a characteristic of all "tail draggers"). Be ready
for this, and correct by applying a slight amount of
right rudder to steer it straight down the runway. Be
sure to allow the tail to come up. Don't hold the tail
on the ground with too much up elevator, as the
Thunderbolt will become airborne prematurely and
will possibly stall. When the plane has sufficient
flying speed, lift off by smoothly applying up
elevator (don't "jerk" it off to a steep climb!), and
climb out gradually. Do not use flaps for your initial
takeoff. After you have the feel of the Thunderbolt,
takeoffs may be made with the flaps set at 50%.