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nose drops, it is "nose heavy" and you must add
weight* to the tail to balance the model.
Note: Nose weight may be easily installed by using
a "spinner weight." Tail weight may be added by
using Great Planes (GPMQ4485) "stick-on" lead
weights.
*If possible, first attempt to balance the model by
changing the position of the receiver battery. If you
are unable to obtain good balance by doing so,
then it will be necessary to add weight to the nose
or tail to achieve the proper balance point.
Remember to secure the receiver and battery after
your model has been balanced.
Balance Your Model Laterally
IMPORTANT: Do not confuse this procedure with
"checking the C.G." or "balancing the airplane fore
and aft."
Now that you have the basic airplane nearly
completed, this is a good time to balance the
airplane laterally (side-to-side). Here is how to do it:
1. Assemble the model as in preparation for
flight. (No fuel is required for this procedure.)
2. With the wing level, lift the model by the
engine propeller shaft and the fin post (this may
require two people). Do this several times.
3. If one wing always drops when you lift the
model, it means that side is heavy. Balance the
airplane by adding weight to the opposite, lighter
wing tip.
Note: An airplane that has been laterally balanced
will track better in loops and other maneuvers.
Preflight
At this time check all connections including servo
horn screws, clevises, servo cords and extensions.
Charge the Batteries
Follow the battery charging procedures in your
radio instruction manual. You should always charge
your transmitter and receiver batteries the night
before you go flying and at other times as
recommended by the radio manufacturer.
Balance the Propeller
Carefully balance your propellers before flying. An
unbalanced prop is the single most significant
cause of vibration. Not only may engine mounting
screws vibrate out, possibly with disastrous effect,
but vibration may also damage your radio receiver
and battery. Vibration may cause your fuel to foam,
which will, in turn, cause your engine to run lean
or quit.
We use a Top Flite Precision Magnetic Prop
™
Balancer
(TOPQ5700) in the workshop and keep
a Great Planes Fingertip Balancer (GPMQ5000) in
our flight box.
Find a Safe Place to Fly
We strongly suggest that the best place to fly is an
AMA chartered club field. Ask the AMA or your
local hobby shop dealer if there is a club in your
area and join. Club fields are set up for R/C flying
and that makes your outing safer and more
enjoyable. The AMA address and telephone
number are in the front of this manual. If a club and
flying site are not available, find a large, grassy
area at least 6 miles away from houses, buildings
and streets and any other R/C radio operation like
R/C boats and R/C cars. A schoolyard may look
inviting but is too close to people, power lines and
possible radio interference.
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