Flight Controls; Motor; Elevator; Rudder - Merlin Condor 1380 Instruction Manual

Flight Controls

Using the Motor
The motor is used to control the flying speed and rate of climb of the aeroplane
• Initial take off and climb to minimum altitude is carried out at full power.
•
To achieve and maintain a level "cruising" altitude, reduce the power by moving the throttle stick down to
approximately 70% of full on. The throttle stick is proportional, so you can add or reduce throttle in small
increments as needed to maintain the altitude that you desire.
• To reduce altitude you need to reduce the throttle, and to increase altitude you need to increase the throttle.
Using the Elevator
The elevator is used to control the pitch (level) of the aeroplane. In normal flight small adjustments of the elevator are used to maintain even level
flight.
•
Pushing forwards on the elevator stick makes the nose lower and the speed to increase entering a dive.
• Pulling back on the stick provides up elevator making the nose rise and flight speed slow. Pulling too far back on the elevator and climbing
too quickly will cause the aeroplane stall. To avoid crashing from a stall, always maintain enough altitude to recover. Just after a stall has
occurred, the nose of the aeroplane will fall and the aeroplane will look like it is diving. To pull out of a stall, simply pull back slowly on the
elevator stick until level flight is resumed. Pulling back too quickly or for too long will once again cause the aeroplane to enter a stall.
Using the Rudder
The rudder is used to control the turning of your aeroplane.
•
When airborne and at an acceptable level moving the rudder stick will make your aeroplane turn left or right. Once the aeroplane has
begun to turn then return the stick to neutral or if necessary apply a small amount of opposite turn to resume straight flight.
•
Excessive or prolonged use of the rudder can cause the nose to drop and the aeroplane to turn too tightly.

Pre-Flight Checklist and Control Test

Each time before you start flying your Merlin Flight Product please carry out the following check checks and test.

Checklist

• Control surfaces have free movement
•
All screws, bolts, etc. are tight
•
Radio equipment is securely fastened inside fuselage
• Batteries are fully charged
•
No wires interfere with servo motors
•
Antenna is properly strung
• Wings are securely fastened
•
Looking from the rear of the aeroplane to the front make sure that the wings and tail are not damaged and are correctly aligned to the
fuselage.

Control Test

Warning: Keep everything clear of the propeller before starting the control test in the event that you accidentally turn on the motor.
1. Be certain that the throttle stick is in the "off" position and that both trim levers are centred.
2. Switch on the transmitter and check to make sure the green LED is lit, indicating the transmitter has power. If the red LED is lit then trans
mitter batteries are low on power and must be replaced before flying.
3. Install the flight battery into the fuselage and plug it into the battery connector, switch on the aeroplane power switch and press the motor
power switch.
4. Move the transmitter control sticks. The control surfaces should move as per your transmitter input.
5. Move the throttle stick forwards, the propeller should spin.

Range Test

1. Leave the aeroplane and walk 100 paces away whilst checking the control functions are still working.
2. If you can see or hear the control functions are still working then the range test is complete.
3. If the control functions do not work to your commands at 100 paces, do not attempt to fly your aeroplane and refer instead to the trouble-
shooting section of this manual.
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