Flight; Landing - GREAT PLANES Giant Super Sportster Instruction Manual

For reassurance and to keep an eye on other traffic, it is a good
idea to have an assistant on the flight line with you. If more time
is needed to think and react, remember to throttle back once
you get to a comfortable altitude–full throttle is usually desirable
for takeoff, but the Sportster flies well at reduced speeds too.
Take it easy for the first few flights, gradually getting acquainted
with your Giant Sportster as you learn its tendencies and gain
confidence. Adjust the trims to maintain straight-and-level flight.
After flying around for a while, and while still at a safe altitude
with plenty of fuel, practice slow flight and execute a few stalls to
see how the model handles. Add power to see how she climbs
as well. Continue to fly around, executing various maneuvers
and making mental notes (or having your assistant write them
down) of what trim or C.G. changes may be required to fine tune
the model so it flies the way you like. Mind your fuel level, but use
this first flight to become familiar with your model before landing.
The same as takeoff, landing is routine and straightforward.
Cut the throttle (to idle) on the downwind leg, allow the nose
to pitch downward, bleed off altitude and maintain airspeed.
Then, make the final turn toward the runway. Level the plane
when it reaches the threshold, modulating the throttle as
BUILDING NOTES
Kit Purchased Date: _______________________
Where Purchased:_________________________
Date Construction Started: __________________

Flight

Landing

necessary to hold your glide path and airspeed. 3-point
landings are done with ease–just continue to increase up
elevator, allowing the model to stall at the same time the
main gear touches. Once the model is on the runway, hold
up elevator to keep the tail wheel on the ground.
One final note about flying your model. Have a goal or flight
plan in mind for every flight. This can be learning a new
maneuver(s), improving a maneuver(s) you already know, or
learning how the model behaves in certain conditions (such
as on high or low rates). This is not necessarily to improve
your skills ( though it is never a bad idea! ), but more
importantly so you do not surprise yourself by impulsively
attempting a maneuver and suddenly finding that you've run
out of time, altitude or airspeed. Every maneuver should be
deliberate, not impulsive. For example, if you're going to do a
loop, check your altitude, mind the wind direction (anticipating
rudder corrections that will be required to maintain heading),
remember to throttle back at the top, and make certain you
are on the desired rates (high/low rates). A flight plan greatly
reduces the chances of crashing your model just because of
poor planning and impulsive moves. Remember to think.
But always stay in control and fly in a safe manner.
GOOD LUCK AND GREAT FLYING!
Date Construction Finished: _________________
Finished Weight: __________________________
Date of First Flight: ________________________
FLIGHT LOG
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Have a ball!