Great Planes Giant Citabria 30cc/EP ARF - GPMA1435 - Manual (Page 40)

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8. Make sure all hinges are securely glued in place.
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9. Reinforce holes for wood screws with thin CA where
appropriate (servo mounting screws, cowl mounting screws,
etc.).
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10. Confirm that all controls operate in the correct direction
and the throws are set up according to the manual.
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11. Make sure there are silicone retainers on all the
clevises and that all servo arms are secured to the servos
with the screws included with your radio.
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12. Secure connections between servo wires and
Y-connectors or servo extensions, and the connection between
your battery pack and the on/off switch with vinyl tape, heat
shrink tubing or special clips suitable for that purpose.
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13. Make sure any servo extension cords you may
have used do not interfere with other systems (servo arms,
pushrods, etc.).
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14. Secure the pressure tap (if used) to the muffler with
high temp RTV silicone, thread locking compound or J.B.
Weld.
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15. Make sure the fuel lines are connected and are not
kinked.
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16. Balance your propeller (and spare propellers).
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17. Tighten the propeller nut and spinner.
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18. Place your name, address, AMA number and telephone
number on or inside your model.
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19. Cycle your receiver battery pack (if necessary) and
make sure it is fully charged.
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20. If you wish to photograph your model, do so before
your first flight.
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21. Range check your radio when you get to the flying field.
FLYING
IMPORTANT! The Citabria does not possess the self-
recovery characteristics of a primary R/C trainer and should
be fl own only by experienced R/C pilots.
Fuel Mixture Adjustments
A fully cowled engine may run at a higher temperature than
an un-cowled engine. For this reason, the fuel mixture should
be richened so the engine runs at about 200 rpm below
peak speed. By running the engine slightly rich, you will help
prevent dead-stick landings caused by overheating.
CAUTION (THIS APPLIES TO ALL R/C AIRPLANES): If,
while flying, you notice an alarming or unusual sound such
as a low-pitched “buzz,” this may indicate control surface
flutter. Flutter occurs when a control surface (such as an
aileron or elevator) or a flying surface (such as a wing or
stab) rapidly vibrates up and down (thus causing the noise).
In extreme cases, if not detected immediately, flutter can
actually cause the control surface to detach or the flying
surface to fail, thus causing loss of control followed by
an impending crash. The best thing to do when flutter is
detected is to slow the model immediately by reducing
power, then land as soon as safely possible. Identify which
surface fluttered (so the problem may be resolved) by
checking all the servo grommets for deterioration or signs of
vibration. Make certain all pushrod linkages are secure and
free of play. If it fluttered once, under similar circumstances
it will probably flutter again unless the problem is fixed.
Some things which can cause flutter are; Excessive hinge
gap; Not mounting control horns solidly; Poor fit of clevis
pin in horn; Side-play of wire pushrods caused by large
bends; Excessive free play in servo gears; Insecure servo
mounting; and one of the most prevalent causes of flutter;
Flying an over-powered model at excessive speeds.
NOTE ABOUT FLYING CHARACTERISTICS: The
rudder is VERY effective! Be gentle on the rudder until
you become familiar with its characteristics. This is of
particular importance when taking off an landing.
Takeoff
Before you get ready to takeoff, see how the model handles
on the ground by doing a few practice runs at low speeds
on the runway. Hold “up” elevator to keep the tail wheel on
the ground. If necessary, adjust the tail wheel so the model
will roll straight down the runway. If you need to calm your
nerves before the maiden flight, shut the engine down and
bring the model back into the pits. Top off the fuel, then check
all fasteners and control linkages for peace of mind.
The Citabria has a wide landing gear stance making ground
handling very good and relatively easy for maintaining straight
take-offs. Taking off directly into the wind makes ground