Great Planes ElectroStik EP RxR - GPMA7500 - Manual (Page 13)

13
PREFLIGHT
Identify Your Model
No matter if you fl y at an AMA sanctioned R/C club site or if
you fl y somewhere on your own, you should always have your
name, address, telephone number and AMA number on or
inside your model. It is required at all AMA R/C club fl ying sites
and AMA sanctioned fl ying events. Fill out the identifi cation
tag on page 16 and place it on or inside your model.
Charge the Batteries
Follow the battery charging instructions that came with your
radio control system to charge the batteries. You should always
charge your transmitter the night before you go fl ying, and at
other times as recommended by the radio manufacturer.
CAUTION: Unless the instructions that came with your
radio system state differently, the initial charge on new
transmitter batteries should be done for 15 hours using
the slow-charger that came with the radio system.
This will "condition" the batteries so that the next charge
may be done using the fast-charger of your choice. If the
initial charge is done with a fast-charger the batteries may
not reach their full capacity and you may be fl ying with
batteries that are only partially charged.
Balance Propellers
Carefully balance your spare propellers before you fl y. An
unbalanced prop can be the single most signifi cant cause of
vibration that can damage your model. Not only will engine
mounting screws and bolts loosen, possibly with disastrous
effect, but vibration may also damage your radio receiver and
battery. We use a Top Flite Precision Magnetic Prop Balancer
(TOPQ5700) in the workshop and keep a Great Planes
Fingertip Prop Balancer (GPMQ5000) in our fl ight box.
Ground Check & Range Check
Always ground check the operational range of your radio
before the fi rst fl ight of the day following the manufacturer's
instructions that came with your radio. This should be done
once with the motor off and once with the motor running
at various speeds. If the control surfaces do not respond
correctly, do not fl y! Find and correct the problem fi rst. Look
for loose servo connections or broken wires, corroded wires
on old servo connectors, poor solder joints in your battery
pack or a defective cell, or a damaged receiver crystal from
a previous crash.
MOTOR & BATTERY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Failure to follow these safety precautions may result in
severe injury to yourself and others.
Always leave the batteries unplugged unless you are
preparing to fl y. Assume that whenever the batteries are
plugged in, the motor and propeller could start at any time.
Stay away from the propeller when the motor batteries are
plugged in. NEVER have the motor batteries plugged in with
the radio system “OFF”.
Run the motor outside only and never run the motor in an
area of loose gravel or sand; the propeller may throw such
material in your face or eyes.
Keep these items away from the prop: loose clothing, shirt
sleeves, ties, scarves, long hair or loose objects such as
pencils, or screwdrivers that may fall out of shirt or jacket
pockets into the prop.
When turning off the system, always disconnect the motor
batteries fi rst and then turn the transmitter “OFF”.
Once the motor is “armed” always remain behind the arc of
the propeller until the batteries are disconnected.
Use safety glasses when running the motor.
Keep your face and body as well as all spectators away from
the plane of rotation of the propeller as you run the motor.