Dynaflite PT-19 - Manual (Page 29)

flying safe and enjoyable. We recommend that you join
the AMA and a local club so you may have a safe
place to fly and insurance in case of a flying accident.
If a club flying site is not available, find a large, grassy
area at least 6 miles away from houses, buildings,
streets and other R/C activity like boats and cars.
Avoid flying R/C models near traffic or areas such as
parks, school yards, office building lawns, etc. that
may attract unrestrained observers (wild kids). If you
are a beginner, you are busy enough concentrating on
your model without having to answer lots of questions
and performing crowd control.
We highly recommend that you get an experienced
modeler to assist you with your flight training. An
experienced modeler can take your PT-19 up for the
first time and make sure it performs correctly, then
give you valuable flight instruction. He can hand you
the transmitter when the PT-19 has climbed to a safe
altitude or connect your transmitter to his if both of
your systems have trainer cord or "buddy box"
capability. Assistance from an experienced modeler
will make your modeling "career" progress faster
(and cheaper). We do, however realize that some
modelers are determined to learn on their own or
are not in a location where an instructor or flying
club is available. Therefore, we have provided the
following information to give you an idea of what to
expect on your first flight with your PT-19. Both flyers
who plan to set out on their own and fliers who will
have the help of an instructor should carefully read
the following information.
First flight attempts should be reserved for calm days
when the wind speed is less than five mph. Always
takeoff (and land) into the wind. Check the
operation of all controls just before takeoff. This will
eliminate the possibility of overlooking reversed or
disconnected controls (it happens). Your PT-19 is a
model of the full size flight training aircraft, which
was a low powered, gentle and forgiving aircraft.
Your model flies much like the full size aircraft it is
modeled after. It performs in a very scale-like
manner with the recommended engines. Do not
expect it to fly like sport models you may have
flown previously.
As you apply power on takeoff you will need to
apply a slight amount of right rudder to compensate
for engine torque and propeller "P" effect. The tail
will rise almost immediately, indicating that the tail
surfaces have gained effectiveness. Allow the model
to continue to accelerate until it has reached flying
speed. Use as much of the available runway as you
can. Then, gently apply some up elevator. Your PT-
19 should slowly lift from the runway. Continue
straight ahead until you have accelerated to a safe
flying speed. Your first turn will show that this model
does indeed fly much like the full size trainer as the
roll rate is intended for new pilots learning to fly.
The full size PT-19 was a trainer for Army Air Corps
Pilots. It was designed to teach takeoffs, landings,
turns, stalls, spins and gentle aerobatics. Being
relatively low powered, it does not have a high rate
of climb and has poor vertical performance. To gain
airspeed for a loop it was necessary to dive for a
brief period. Barrel rolls were slow, teaching roll
coordination. If you fly your model in the same way
you will be very pleased with it's performance.
Before attempting your first landing you should first
try some slow flight and stalls to become familiar
with the PT-19's slow speed characteristics. You will
probably find the model slows down quicker and
requires more power than you are used to. Expect to
carry some power on final approach as the model
will quickly loose speed with a nose high attitude.
Remember that aircraft of the PT-19's era had limited
low speed control effectiveness, especially for the
ailerons. The rudder is very effective however.
Continue to carry power and speed until you initiate
the flare, then reduce power and allow the model to
gently settle to the ground. If you must go around,
add power and accelerate straight ahead. Do not
attempt to climb or turn until you have accelerated to
a save flying speed.
We hope you enjoy the realistic looks and
performance of your PT-19.
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