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GASOLINE ENGINES CAN START BY A SIMPLE FLIP OF
THE PROP, REGARDLESS IF THE MODEL'S RECEIVER
SWITCH IS ON! ALWAYS UTILIZE AN IGNITION SWITCH
SEPARATE FROM THE RADIO SWITCH AND ENSURE
THAT IT IS IN THE "OFF" POSITION WHEN THE MODEL
IS NOT BEING FLOWN .
AMA SAFETY CODE
Read and abide by the following excerpts from the Academy
of Model Aeronautics Safety Code . For the complete Safety
Code refer to Model Aviation magazine, the AMA web site or
the Code that came with your AMA license .
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 and avoid flying
in the proximity of full-scale aircraft . Where necessary,
an observer shall be utilized 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 .
5) I will not fly my model unless it is identified with my name
and address or AMA number, on or in the model . Note:
This does not apply to models while being flown indoors .
7) 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) At all flying sites a straight or curved line(s) must be
established in front of which all flying takes place with the
other side for spectators . Only personnel involved with
flying the aircraft are allowed at or in the front of the flight
line . Intentional flying behind the flight line is prohibited .
4) I will operate my model using only radio control frequencies
currently allowed by the Federal Communications
Commission .
5) I will not knowingly operate my model within three
miles of any pre-existing flying site except in
accordance with the frequency sharing agreement
listed [in the complete AMA Safety Code] .
(ExCERPTS)
28
9) Under no circumstances may a pilot or other person touch
a powered model in flight; nor should any part of the
model other than the landing gear, intentionally touch
the ground, except while landing.
CHECK LIST
During the last few moments of preparation your mind
may be elsewhere anticipating the excitement of the
first flight . Because of this, you may be more likely to
overlook certain checks and procedures that should be
performed before the model is flown . To help avoid this,
a check list is provided to make sure these important
areas are not overlooked . Many are covered in the
instruction manual, so where appropriate, refer to the
manual for complete instructions . Be sure to check the
items off as they are completed .
o
1 . Fuelproof all areas exposed to fuel or exhaust residue
such as the firewall, wing tube openings, wing and stab
root ribs, etc .
o
2 . Achieve the C .G . according to the measurements
provided in the manual .
o
3 . Be certain the battery and receiver are securely
mounted in the fuse . Simply stuffing them into place
with foam rubber is not sufficient .
o
4 . Extend your receiver antenna and make sure it has a
strain relief inside the fuselage to keep tension off the
solder joint inside the receiver .
o
5 . Balance your model laterally as explained in
the instructions .
o
6 . Use threadlocking compound to secure critical
fasteners such as the set screws that hold the wheel
axles to the struts, screws that hold the carburetor arm
(if applicable), screw-lock pushrod connectors, etc .
o
7 . Add a drop of oil to the axles so the wheels will
turn freely .
o
8 . Make sure all hinges are securely glued in place and
that the hinge points have been oiled .
o
9 . Reinforce holes for sheetmetal screws with thin CA
where appropriate (servo mounting screws, etc .) .
o
10 . Confirm that all controls operate in the correct direction
and the throws are set up according to the manual .
o
11 . Make sure there are silicone retainers on all the
clevises and that all servo arms are secured to the
servos with the screws included with your radio .
Tighten all jam nuts against their associated clevises .
Be sure to also check that all your control horn cotter
pins are in place and secure .
o
12 . Secure connections between servo wires and
Y-connectors or servo extensions, and the connection
between your battery packs and the on/off switch
with heat shrink tubing or special clips suitable for
that purpose .
o
13 . Make sure any servo extension cords you may have
used do not interfere with other systems (servo arms,
pushrods, etc .) .
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