Great Planes Spirit 2-Meter Sailplane Kit - GPMA0530 - Manual (Page 32)

FLYING
First of all, if you are flying with other
flyers check to make sure they are not
flying or testing on the same frequency as
your model.
Try to find an experienced pilot to help you with your
first flights. Although the SPIRIT is very easy to fly, an
experienced pilot can save you a lot of time and possible
aggravation by helping you get your model in the air
smoothly for the first couple of flights.
down. With the nose pointed down slightly the sailplane will
accelerate down until it picks up enough flying speed then
level off and glide forward. The plane should be launched
with a gentle push forward. With a little practice you will be
able to launch it just the right speed so it soars straight ahead
in a long and impressive glide path. Adjust the trims on your
transmitter to get the plane to fly straight ahead in a smooth
glide path.
Once you get the hang of launching it you can try turning
the plane during the trim flights by gently applying a
"touch" of right or left rudder. You can also try "flaring"
the landings by slowly applying a touch of up elevator (pull
the stick back) as the plane nears the ground. The SPIRIT will
continue to fly just a few inches off the ground for a surpris-
ingly long distance. It is important you don't "over-control"
the model. Make any control inputs slowly and smoothly
rather than moving the transmitter sticks abruptly.
TRIM FLIGHTS
YOUR FIRST HI-START LAUNCH
It is a good idea to do a couple of trim flights before each
flying session to make sure the plane is still in trim and the
radio is working properly. The model will survive a hard
landing from 5 feet much better than it will one from several
hundred feet. The first few trim flights should be done over
a grass field. The longer the grass the better (more cushion).
A hi-start is the most popular way to launch your SPIRIT.
It consists of 25'-100' of rubber tubing and 200' - 400' of string
with a parachute or streamer at the end. One end of the rubber
is staked down directly upwind of the launch point. One end
of the string is attached to the other end of the rubber and the
end of the string with the parachute has a loop or ring and is
attached to the towhook on the sailplane.
Turn on the transmitter first and then the receiver and
hold the SPIRIT under the wing with the nose pointed slightly
down and directly into the wind as shown in the photo. It is
very important that you launch the model with the wings level
and the nose pointing at a spot on the ground about 50 feet in
front of you. Have a friend stand off to the side of you and tell
you weather the nose is pointing up or down. Show your
friend the picture above so he will know what to look for. If
the sailplane is launched with the nose up or launched too
hard it will climb a few feet, stall and fall nose first straight
TYPICAL HI-START LAUNCH
Large Open Field
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