Great Planes Cessna 182 Skylane 40 ARF - GPMA1228 - Manual (Page 23)

forward or backward to change its flying characteristics.
Moving the balance forward may improve the smoothness
and stability, but the model may then require more speed for
takeoff and may become more difficult to slow for landing.
Moving the balance aft makes the model more agile with a
lighter, snappier “feel.” In any case, please start at the
location we recommend. Do not at any time balance your
model outside the recommended range.
With the wing attached to the fuselage, all parts of the model
installed (ready to fly), and an empty fuel tank, hold the
model at the marked balance point with the stabilizer level.
Lift the model. If the tail drops when you lift, the model is “tail
heavy” and you must add weight* to the nose. If the nose
drops, it is “nose heavy” and you must add weight* to the tail
to balance.
Note: Nose weight may be easily installed by using a
spinner weight (GPMQ4645 for the 1 Oz. weight, or
GPMQ4646 for the 2 Oz. weight) or gluing lead weights to
the firewall. Tail weight may be added by using Great Planes
“stick-on” lead weights (GPMQ4485).
*If possible, first attempt to balance the model by changing
the position of the receiver battery and receiver. If you are
unable to obtain good balance by doing so, then it will be
necessary to add weight to the nose or tail to achieve the
proper balance point.
Follow the battery charging procedures in your radio
instruction manual. You should always charge your
transmitter and receiver batteries the night before you go
flying, and at other times as recommended by the radio
manufacturer.
Balance your propellers carefully before flying. An
unbalanced prop is the single most significant cause of
damaging vibration. Not only will engine mounting screws
and bolts vibrate out, possibly with disastrous effect, but
vibration will also damage your radio receiver and battery.
Vibration will cause your fuel to foam, which will, in turn,
cause your engine to run rough or quit.
We use a Top Flite Precision Magnetic Prop Balancer ™
(TOPQ5700) in the workshop and keep a Great Planes
Fingertip Balancer (GPMQ5000) in our flight box.
The best place to fly your R/C model is an AMA (Academy
of Model Aeronautics) chartered club field. Ask your hobby
shop dealer if there is such a club in your area and join. Club
fields are set up for R/C flying and that makes your outing
safer and more enjoyable. The AMA also can tell you the
name of a club in your area. We recommend that you join
the AMA and a local club so you can have a safe place to fly
and have insurance to cover you in case of a flying accident.
(The AMA address and phone numbers are listed on page 2
of this instruction manual).
If a club and its flying site are not available, you need to find
a large, grassy area at least 6 miles away from any other
R/C radio operation like R/C boats and R/C cars and away
from houses, buildings and streets. A schoolyard may look
inviting but it is too close to people, power lines and possible
radio interference.
If you are not thoroughly familiar with the operation of R/C
models, ask an experienced modeler to check to see that
you have the radio installed correctly and that all the control
surfaces do what they are supposed to. The engine
operation also must be checked and the engine “broken-in”
on the ground by running the engine for at least two tanks of
fuel. Follow the engine manufacturer’s recommendations for
break-in. Check to make sure all screws remain tight, that
the hinges are secure and that the prop is on tight.
Wherever you do fly, you need to check the operation of the
radio every time before you fly. First, make sure no one else
is on your frequency (channel). With the transmitter antenna
collapsed and the receiver and transmitter on, you should
be able to walk at least 100 feet away from the model and
still have control. Have someone help you. Have them stand
by your model and, while you work the controls, tell you
what the various control surfaces are doing.
Range Check Your Radio
Ground Check the Model
Find a Safe Place to Fly
Balance the Propeller
Charge the Batteries
PREPARING TO FLY YOUR
CESSNA 182
23