Dynaflite GPMA0090 Butterfly - Manual (Page 38)

38
Gather Your Tools
Assemble a simple fl ight kit (a shoe box is fi ne
to start with) which should include a 1-1/2 volt
starting battery and glow plug clip (or ni-starter),
a “chicken stick” for fl ipping the prop, fuel and fuel
pump or other means of fi lling the tank, a couple
of small screwdrivers, #64 rubber bands, spare
props (balanced) and glow-plugs, a wrench for the
propeller nut, a needle-nose plier or hemostats
and some CA for fi eld repairs. In addition to tools,
you should also take along some paper towels and
spray window cleaner to remove exhaust residue
from the model (and your hands) after each fl ight.
Store fuel-soaked rubber bands in a container with
talcum powder or corn starch to absorb the oil.
At the Flying Site
Range Check Your Radio
Check the operational range of the radio before
the fi rst fl ight.
Before you turn your radio on, the
fi rst thing you always must do is make sure
no one else is on your frequency (channel).
Most model fl ying fi elds utilize frequency control
so familiarize yourself with their system. Collapse
your transmitter antenna and turn on the transmitter,
then the receiver (preferably the receiver should
never be on by itself). 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
tell you what the control surfaces are doing while
you operate them from the transmitter.
Repeat this test with an assistant holding the model
and
the engine running at various speeds . If the
control surfaces do not always respond correctly,
don’t fl y! Find and correct the problem fi rst. Look
for loose servo connections or corrosion, loose
fasteners that may cause vibration, a defective on/
off switch, low battery voltage or a defective cell, a
damaged receiver antenna or a receiver crystal that
may have been damaged from a previous crash.
Engine Safety Precautions
NOTE: Failure to follow these safety precautions
may cause severe injury to yourself and others.
Store model fuel in a safe place away from high
heat, sparks or fl ames. Do not smoke near the
engine or fuel as it is very fl ammable. 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 modeler when you
learn 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 engine keep your face
and body as well as all spectators away from the
plane of rotation of the propeller.
Keep loose clothing, shirt sleeves, ties, scarfs,
long hair or loose objects away from the prop. Be
conscious of pencils, screwdrivers or other objects
that may fall out of your shirt or jacket pockets.
Use a “chicken stick” or electric starter and follow
the instructions to start your engine.
Make certain the glow plug clip is secure so that
it will not pop off or get into the running propeller.
Ask an assistant to hold the model from the rear
while you start the engine and operate the controls.
Make all engine adjustments from
behind the
rotating propeller.
The engine gets hot! Do not touch the engine during
or immediately after you operate it. Make sure fuel
lines are in good condition so fuel will not leak onto
a hot engine and cause a fi re.
To stop the engine, close the carburetor barrel
(rotor) or pinch the fuel line to discontinue the fuel
fl ow. Do not use your (or any body else’s) hands,
fi ngers or any body part to stop the engine (sorry,
we had to say that because of liability). Never throw
anything into the prop of a running engine.
Flying
Find a Safe Place to Fly
The best place to fl y your R/C model is at an AMA
(Academy of Model Aeronautics) chartered club