Rog (Rise Off Ground); Flying; Landing; After Flight - GREAT PLANES SYNCRO Instruction Manual

Rise Off Ground (ROG)
NO!
Too steep!
OKAY!
10° – 15°
Good climb angle
(no more than 15°)
Place the Syncro on the ground with the nose pointing
directly into the wind—taking off into the wind reduces the
ground speed required for takeoff and helps stabilize the
plane keeping it moving straight ahead. Smoothly but rapidly
advance the throttle. Use the left control stick (rudder) to
keep the Syncro going straight and use the right control
stick (ailerons) to keep the wings level. Once the plane
becomes "light" smoothly apply just enough "up" elevator to
allow the model to rise into the air—all this will happen in a
few seconds. Do not "yank" up on the elevator stick—rather,
be smooth and allow the plane to establish a gentle climb
as illustrated.
Once the Syncro has become airborne continue a gentle
climb and keep the wings level until it has reached an altitude
of approximately 100' [30m] when you can make your fi rst
turn away from yourself.
If you already have some fl ight experience and are relatively
comfortable fl ying your Syncro, the fi rst thing you should
do is adjust the trims so the plane will fl y straight-and-level
when the control sticks are centered.
If you fi nd yourself in a little over your head and are having
diffi culty controlling the Syncro, your fi rst priority will be
simply to keep it airborne. Concentrate on making smooth

Flying

turns by using the ailerons to bank the wings and the elevator
to control pitch. It may also be a good idea to throttle back to
slow the Syncro, giving you a little more time to think.
One thing for beginner pilots to keep in mind is that when
the plane is fl ying away from you, moving the aileron stick
to the right will make the plane bank to your right. However,
when the model is fl ying toward you, moving the aileron stick
to the right will make the plane move to your left. Of course,
the plane is still responding the same way, it's just that your
orientation is reversed. Keep this in mind while learning to fl y
(this is another great reason to take fl ight lessons from an
experienced pilot!).
To establish a turn, "up" elevator (pulling back on the stick) is
usually required along with aileron input to get the model into
a bank. To stop the turn, apply a small amount of opposite
aileron.
Remember to keep the model high enough to give your self
time to make corrections, but don't let it get too far away or
else it will be too diffi cult to see what it is doing. Continue to
fl y your Syncro, getting used to how it responds before fi nally
coming in to land.
One fi nal check before landing; see how the model will react
when you cut the power. While at altitude, cut the motor
power. The model should establish a gentle, downward glide
path. This is how it will react when it's actually time to land.
Add power and climb back to your original altitude. Practice
a few of these "climb and glides" to judge how the Syncro
will respond.
To land, fl y down-wind past the landing area. Gently turn into
the wind and reduce the throttle so that the airplane initiates
an ascending glide path. If necessary, add power to extend
the glide path to reach the runway. As the model approaches
and loses altitude, gradually and proportionally, add "up"
elevator to control the glide path and altitude. Continue to
apply elevator until the model touches down at which time
you should be holding full, or nearly full up elevator. This will
cause the airplane to slow and settle to the ground.
Disconnect the battery and remove it from the airplane, then
turn off the transmitter. Inspect the airplane to make sure
nothing has become loose or damaged—inspect all the
connectors on the pushrods. Allow the battery to cool before
recharging, or allow the motor to cool for a few minutes
before installing another charged battery and fl ying again.
Always inspect the model after every fl ight to make sure it is
airworthy and ready for the next fl ight.
21

Landing

After Flight