E-flite Ascent EP Park Glider ARF - Manual (Page 17)

Perform these preflight checks on your Ascent park glider before
each flying session. Correct any issues before attempting to fly
your plane.
• Check the elevator and rudder for security
• Check the servos for security
• Make sure the control wires are secured to the control horns
and to the servo arms
• Check to make sure the wing mounting screws are tight and
the wing is securely mounted to the fuselage
• Inspect the motor and speed control wiring for chaffing
and damage
• Perform a range check of your radio control system following
the radio manufacturers instructions
• Ensure that the elevator and rudder are moving in the
correct directions
We strongly recommend that before you fly your new Ascent,
you first perform a test glide. Pick a flat spot that has soft, tall
grass and is free from obstructions. You first want to check out
the Ascent’s performance but also check your performance as a
pilot. It also allows you to make corrections to any building or
control defects that may have been overlooked. The test glide
should be done with an assistant on a calm day.
Hint: A good time during the day is very early in the
morning or at dusk when the wind is calm. You want to be
able to concentrate on what the model is doing, and have
time to think about what you're doing. We will assume you
have an assistant during the following steps.
Step 1. Range check your radio system and check the control
throws. Make sure the control surfaces move in the proper
direction.
Step 2. Have the assistant hold the Ascent under the wing
near the CG and run forward until they can sense the wing
developing lift. Don't release the glider yet. See if the model
wants to lift. If not, add a bit of up elevator trim and try again.
Step 3. This step may take some practice on the part of your
assistant. What you want them to do now is run forward, but
a bit faster, with the nose of the plane pointed at the horizon
with the wings level (not nose down or nose up). Then thrust
the Ascent forward in a line straight toward the horizon and
release it.
Step 4. When the assistant releases the model, watch it
carefully. A properly trimmed aircraft will fly straight gliding
to a smooth landing about 50 feet away. If the Ascent pitches
nose down, the CG is too far back and you have a nose-heavy
condition. Remove some weight from the nose. If the Ascent
pitches nose up sharply, and stalls, you have a tail-heavy condition
(the CG is too far forward), and you need to remove weight from
the tail or move the battery and receiver further forward.
Step 5. Turns to the left or right after launch can be adjusted
through use of right or left rudder trim.
Important: Make any trim adjustments in small incre-
ments. Large changes can result in abrupt turns resulting
in tip stalls and loss of control.
Step 6. If you have to make large trim adjustments on your
transmitter, you may have other problems, such as warps.
Check the wings, elevator, and rudder to make sure there are
no warps in the airframe. Make sure the wings are aligned and
mounted properly on the fuselage. When you have the Ascent
trimmed and the CG adjusted so it glides properly in a "hands off"
manner, return you transmitter trim switches to their neutral
position, then make the appropriate mechanical linkage corrections
to return the control surfaces to their test glide positions.
Step 7. After you have made the necessary corrections, glide
test the model again to make sure it is trimmed properly with the
transmitter trims in neutral.
Step 8. You are now ready to launch under power. Apply power
and have your assistant run forwards as before. Gently throw the
Ascent at a point on the horizon. Let the aircraft gain speed
before attempting to make any abrupt changes in direction.
Remember to make small control inputs; you do not want to stall
close to the ground. Use a slight bit of up elevator and allow the
Ascent to make a gentle climb to 200–300 feet. You can then
shut down the motor and go hunting for thermals.
18
Section 7: Preflight Checks
Section 8: Glide Test