E-flite F-15 Eagle DF ARF - Manual (Page 34)

34 E-flite F-15 Eagle ARF Assembly Manual
Preflight
Check Your Radio
Before going to the field, be sure that your batteries are fully
charged per the instructions included with your radio. Charge
both the transmitter and receiver pack for your airplane. Use the
recommended charger supplied with your particular radio system,
following the instructions provided with the radio. In most cases,
the radio should be charged the night before going out flying.
Before each flying session, be sure to range check your radio.
See your radio manual for the recommended range and
instructions for your radio system. Each radio manufacturer
specifies different procedures for their radio systems. Next, start
the motor. With the model securely anchored, check the range
again. The range test should not be significantly affected. If it is,
don’t attempt to fly! Have your radio equipment checked out by
the manufacturer.
Note: Keep loose items that can get entangled in
the propeller away from the prop. These include
loose clothing, or other objects such as pencils and
screwdrivers. Especially keep your hands away from
the propeller.
Double-check that all controls (aileron, elevator, rudder and
throttle) move in the correct direction.
Check the radio installation and make sure all the control
surfaces are moving correctly (i.e. the correct direction and with
the recommended throws). Test run the motor and make sure
it transitions smoothly from off to full throttle and back. Also
ensure the engine is installed according to the manufacturer’s
instructions, and it will operate consistently.
Check all the control horns, servo horns, and clevises to make
sure they are secure and in good condition. Replace any items
that would be considered questionable. Failure of any of these
components in flight would mean the loss of your aircraft.
Flying the F-15 Eagle
Flying the F-15 Eagle is about as easy as it can be with a small
ducted fan. The large wing and full flying stabs make for a very
maneuverable platform that is capable of some very slow high
alpha flight.
If you elected to leave the gear off the model to maintain the
lightest possible weight, you will need to hand launch the model.
Using the two cheater holes in the bottom of the fuselage, this
becomes a nice hand hold where you can grab hold of the model
for a hand launch. To hand launch the model, all you need to do
is apply full power and throw the model into the wind at a slightly
nose up attitude. The plane will fly out without hesitation.
To take off from the ground, apply a small amount of elevator
and full power. Steer the model straight with the nose gear.
The plane should rotate within about 150 feet. Once you have
rotated, ease off the elevator and continue to climb out at a nice
angle of attack.
The model tracks very well through all basic aerobatic
maneuvers. Inverted flight, rolls and loops are all accomplished
with ease. To set up for landing, all that's needed is to lower the
landing gear (if retracts are installed) and power back. As you lift
the nose of the model, you will find the model behaves very well
and it is easy to establish a shallow nose-high descent rate which
can be managed with power. Touchdowns are nose high and the
roll outs are straight down the runway. We hope you enjoy flying
the F-15 Eagle as much as we do.