Find A Safe Place To Fly; Ground Check Your Model; Range Check Your Radio; Checklist - Top Flite Douglas DC-3 User Manual

FIND A SAFE PLACE TO FLY

The best place to fly your model is an AMA chartered
R/C club flying field. Contact the AMA (their address is
on page 2) or your hobby shop dealer for the club in
your area and join it. Club fields are intended for R/C
flying, making your outing safer and more enjoyable.
The AMA also provides insurance in case of a flying
accident. If an R/C flying field is not available, find a
large, grassy area at least six miles from buildings,
streets and other R/C activities. A schoolyard is usually
not an acceptable area because of people, power lines
and possible radio interference.

GROUND CHECK YOUR MODEL

If you are not thoroughly familiar with the operation of
R/C models, ask an experienced modeler to inspect
your radio installation and control surface set-up.
Follow the engine manufacturer's instructions to
break-in your engine. After you run the engine on your
model, inspect your model closely to make sure all
screws remain tight and your pushrods and connectors
are secure.

RANGE CHECK YOUR RADIO

Ground check the range of your radio before the first
flight of the day. With the transmitter antenna collapsed
and the receiver and transmitter on, you should be able
to walk at least 100 feet away from the model and still
have control. Have an assistant stand by your model
and, while you work the controls, tell you what the
control surfaces are doing.
Repeat this test with the engines running at various
speeds with an assistant holding the model, using hand
signals to show you what is happening. If the control
surfaces do not respond correctly, do not fly! Find
and correct the problem first. Look for loose servo
connections or broken wires, corroded wires on old
servo connectors, poor solder joints in your battery pack
or a defective cell in your battery pack, or a damaged
receiver crystal from a previous crash.
CHECK LIST
During the last few moments of preparation your mind
may be elsewhere, anticipating the excitement of your
first flight. Because of this, you may be more likely to
overlook certain checks and procedures you should
perform after your model is built. To help you avoid
this, we've provided a checklist to make sure you
don't overlook these important areas. 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 you
complete them (that's why we call it a check list! ).
1. Fuelproof all areas exposed to fuel or exhaust
residue such as the firewall/engine compartment,
fuel tank compartment, wing saddle area, trailing
edge of the wing and the flap area and wheel
wells (if your model has flaps and retracts), etc.
2. Check the C.G. according to the measurements
provided in the manual.
3. Secure the battery and receiver with a strip of
balsa or plywood. Simply stuffing them into place
with foam rubber is not sufficient.
4. Extend your receiver antenna and make sure it
has a strain relief inside the fuselage to keep
tension off of the solder joint inside the receiver.
5. Balance your model laterally as explained in
the instructions.
6. Secure critical fasteners with thread locking
compound (the screws that hold the carburetor
arms, set screws on wheel collars, screw-lock
pushrod connectors, etc.).
7. Add a drop of oil to the axles so the wheels will
turn freely.
8. Make sure all hinges are securely glued in place.
9. Reinforce holes for wood screws with thin
CA where appropriate (control horns, servo
hatches, etc,).
10. Confirm that all controls operate in the correct
direction and the throws are set up according to
the manual.
11. Make sure there are silicone retainers on all
the clevises.
12. Fasten all servo arms to the servos with the
screws included with your radio.
13. Secure connections between servo wires and
Y-connectors or servo extensions and the
connection between your battery pack and the
on/off switch with vinyl tape or heat shrink tubing.
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14. Make sure any servo extension cords you may
have used do not interfere with other systems
(servo arms, landing gear, pushrods, etc.).
15. Make sure your fuel lines and pressure lines are
connected and are not kinked.
16. Use an incidence meter to check the wing for
twists and correct before flying.
17. Balance your propellers (and spare propellers).
18. Tighten the propeller nuts.
19. Place your name, address, AMA number and
telephone number on or inside your model.
20. Cycle your receiver battery pack (if necessary)
and make sure it is fully charged.
21. If you wish to photograph your model, do this
before your first flight.
22. Range check your radio when you get to the
flying field.

ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

NOTE: Failure to follow these safety precautions
may result in severe injury to yourself and others.
Store model fuel in a safe place away from high heat,
sparks or flames. Do not smoke near the engine or fuel
as it is very flammable. Engine exhaust gives off a great
deal of deadly carbon monoxide so do not run the
engine in a closed room or garage.
Get help from an experienced pilot when you are
learning to operate engines.
Use safety glasses when you operate model engines.
Do not run the engine near loose gravel or sand; the
propeller may throw loose material in your face or eyes.
When you start and run the engines, keep your face and
body as well as all spectators away from the plane of
rotation of the propeller.
Always be aware and very conscious of hand
movements and be deliberate in your reach for the
needle valve, glow plug clip, or other items near a
spinning propeller.
Keep loose clothing, shirt sleeves, ties, scarfs, long hair
or loose objects away from the props. Be conscious of
pencils, screw drivers or other objects that may fall out
of your shirt or jacket pockets.