Great Planes Extra 300S 60 Kit - GPMA0236 - Manual (Page 44)

Balance your propellers carefully before flying. An
unbalanced prop is the single most significant cause of
vibration. Not only may engine mounting screws vibrate
out, possibly with disastrous effect, but vibration may also
damage your radio receiver and battery. Vibration may
cause your fuel to foam, which will, in turn, cause your
engine to run lean 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.
Since you have chosen the Extra 300S we assume that
you are an experienced modeler. Therefore, you should
already know about AMA chartered flying fields and other
safe places to fly. If, for some reason you are a relatively
inexperienced modeler, and have not been informed, we
strongly suggest that the best place to fly is an AMA
chartered club field. Ask the AMA or your local hobby shop
dealer if there is 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 address and telephone number
is in the front of this manual.
If a club and flying site are not available, find a large,
grassy area at least 6 miles away from houses, buildings
and streets and any other R/C radio operation like R/C
boats and R/C cars. A schoolyard may look inviting but 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 inspect your radio
installation and confirm that all the control surfaces respond
correctly to transmitter inputs. The engine operation must
also be checked by confirming that the engine idles reliably
and transitions smoothly and rapidly to full power, and
maintains full power indefinitely. The engine must be
“broken-in” on the ground by running it for at least two
tanks of fuel. Follow the engine manufacturer ’s
recommendations for break-in. Make sure all screws
remain tight, that the hinges are secure and that the prop is
on tight.
Whenever you go to the flying field, check the operational
range of the radio before the first flight of the day. First,
make sure no one else is on your frequency (channel).
With your 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. While you
work the controls have a helper stand by your model and
tell you what the control surfaces are doing.
Repeat this test with the engine running at various
speeds with a helper holding the model. If the control
surfaces are not always responding correctly, do not fly!
Find and correct the problem first. Look for loose servo
connections or corrosion, loose bolts 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.
Note: Failure to follow these safety precautions may
result in severe injury to yourself and others.
Keep all engine fuel in a safe place, away from high heat,
sparks or flames as fuel is very flammable. Do not smoke
near the engine or fuel; and remember that the engine
exhaust gives off a great deal of deadly carbon monoxide.
Do not run the engine in a closed room or garage.
Get help from an experienced pilot when learning to
operate engines.
Use safety glasses when starting or running engines.
Do not run the engine in an area of loose gravel or sand;
the propeller may throw such material in your face or eyes.
Keep your face and body as well as all spectators away
from the plane of rotation of the propeller as you start and
run the engine.
Keep these items away from the prop: loose clothing, shirt
sleeves, ties, scarfs, long hair or loose objects such as
pencils, screwdrivers that may fall out of shirt or jacket
pockets into the prop.
Use a “chicken stick” or electric starter; follow instructions
supplied with the starter or stick. Make certain the glow
plug clip or connector is secure so that it will not pop off or
otherwise get into the running propeller.
Engine Safety Precautions
Range Check Your Radio
Ground Check the Model
Find a Safe Place to Fly
Balance the Propeller
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