Great Planes F-14 60 Kit - GPMA0435 - Manual (Page 53)

"PRE-FLIGHT"
RANGE CHECK YOUR RADIO
CHARGE THE BATTERIES
Follow the battery charging procedures in your radio
instruction manual. You should always charge your
transmitter and receiver batteries the night before you go
flying, and at other times as recommended by the radio
manufacturer.
Check the operation of the radio every time before
you fly. This means with the 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. 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.
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 instruction
book).
If there is no flying club in your area, you need to
find a large area, free of obstructions, with a smooth
surface that can be used as a runway, and located at least
6 miles away from any other R/C airplane operation 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.
GROUND CHECK THE MODEL
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 tor at
least two tanks of fuel. Follow the engine
manufacturer's recommendations for break-in.
Check to make sure all screws remain tight, the hinges
are secure and the prop is on tight
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
e x h a u s t gives off a great deal of d e a d l y 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 matenal in your
face or eyes.
Keep your face and body as well as all spectators
away from the propeller's plane of rotation as you start
and run the engine.
Keep items such as these away from the prop: loose
clothing, shirt sleeves, ties, scarfs, long hair or loose
objects (pencils, screw drivers) that may fall out of shirt
or jacket pockets into the prop.
Use a "chicken stick" device or electric starter;
follow instructions supplied with the starter or stick.
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