Great Planes P-51D Mustang 40 Kit - GPMA0175 - Manual (Page 45)

D 3. Check for wing twist as follows: GROUND CHECK THE MODEL
NOTE: Even if you have built your wing on a perfectly
flat surface and used utmost care, it is possible that your
wing may have a twist due to uneven shrinking of the
covering material. You must check for this condition
and correct it before the first flight.
If you do not own a wing incidence meter, we recom-
mend that you purchase one from your local hobby dealer or
borrow one from another modeler. With the wing mounted to
the fuselage, use the incidence meter to check the angle of
your wing at the root and at the tips. If the incidence meter
reveals a wing twist of more than 1/4 degree, you must grasp
the wing at the tip and twist it slightly, while reheating the
covering material. Keep checking, twisting and reheating
until the wing twist is removed. NOTE: If you have
corrected a wing twist by this method, you should periodi-
cally re-check to make sure the correction has held.
PRE-FLIGHT
CHARGE THE BATTERIES
Follow the battery charging procedures in your radio
instruction manual. You should always charge your trans-
mitter and receiver batteries the night before you go flying,
and at other times as recommended by the radio manufac-
turer.
FIND A SAFE PLACE TO FLY
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 which makes your
outing safer and more enjoyable. The AMA can also tell you
the name of a club in your area. We recommend that you join
AMA and a local club so you can have a safe place to fly and
also have insurance to cover you in case of a flying accident.
(The AMA address is listed on the front cover of this instruc-
tion book).
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
must also 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.
RANGE CHECK YOUR RADIO
Wherever you do fly, you need to check the operation of
the radio before every time you fly. This means with the
transmitter antenna collapsed and the receiver and transmit-
ter 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.
Repeat this test with the engine running at various
speeds with an assistant holding the model. If the control
surfaces are not acting correctly at all times, do not fly! Find
and correct the problem first.
ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
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; remember that the engine exhaust
gives off a great deal of deadly carbon monoxide. Therefore
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;
as 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 items such as these away from the prop: loose
clothing, shin sleeves, ties, scarfs, long hair or loose objects
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