Dynaflite DYFA2016 - Manual (Page 34)

Bobcat nears the ground. It will continue to fly just a
few inches off the ground for a surprisingly long
distance. It is important you don't over-control the
model. Make control inputs slowly and smoothly.
If you are an inexperienced pilot, you should
reserve first flight attempts for calm days when the
wind is five to seven mph or less. Inexperienced
pilots can find it difficult to keep a non-powered
model upwind in heavy wind conditions. A calm
evening an hour or so before sunset is a great time
for a relaxing first flight.
Follow the instructions that came with your
Hi-Start and lay it out directly into the wind. Turn on
your transmitter and receiver. Pull the
Hi-Start approximately twice as far back as the
length of the rubber tubing (pull back 200' if you
have 100' of rubber tubing) or whatever the
Hi-Start instructions state. If you have a scale,
approximately 8 pounds of tension is adequate. You
may use more tension after you are acquainted with
the launching procedure.
Hook your Bobcat to the Hi-Start and hold it above
your head with the wings level. Point the nose slightly
upward and directly into the wind. Give a gentle
push forward and it will climb like a kite. You should
not have to touch the elevator while the Bobcat is
climbing, but you will probably have to work the
ailerons a little bit to keep it going straight. As the
rubber relaxes, the model will level off and the ring at
the end of the Hi-Start will release from the tow hook.
Sometimes a little bit of down elevator is required to
release the Hi-Start. The wind will open the parachute
on the end of the Hi-Start and it will lay the line and
rubber cord on the ground directly facing into the
wind for your next flight.
Keep your Bobcat upwind and perform gentle "S" turns
to acquaint yourself with the feel and response of the
ailerons. Adjust the trims on your transmitter a little at a
time until the plane will fly straight and level. If you are
losing altitude rapidly, do not attempt to turn the model.
Let it approach the ground the same way you did when
you were hand launching it, then land. Always land
upwind! If, on the other hand, you have enough altitude
and you are ready, execute your first 360 degree circle
to the right or the left. Try not to let the model get
behind you so it is always upwind. Be ready for the
nose to drop a little and flight speed to increase.
Toward the middle of the turn, apply a little up elevator
to level the nose or maintain a steady descent (again
the same as when hand launching). The nose will level
as the model turns back into the wind. Be aware that at
the moment the nose is pointing toward you, the
controls may seem "backward." Just don't do anything
radical and hold the transmitter sticks in the same
position until the nose is pointing away from you again.
You will probably have only enough altitude to execute
one or two turns, so now it should be time for a landing
approach. Remember, the landing is the same now as it
was when you were hand launching, so it should be
nothing new. Estimate the distance required to bleed off
your altitude so you do not overshoot the landing too
much and fly far past yourself or land short of the field.
It is better to land far away into the wind than it is to
land with the wind (or in a cross wind) or end up
landing while the model is in a banked turn with one of
the wing tips down. Bring the model around you so it is
facing you and pointing into the wind. Set up for a
landing. If you get disoriented, turn your back to the
model so you are "facing" the same way it is (but turn
your head so you can still see it!). Make your landing
approach, level the wings, then flair, adding a little up
elevator allowing the model to skim the ground until it
touches down.
You've done it. Take a break, relax for a few minutes,
then string out that Hi-Start for another flight!
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