Great Planes F4 Phantom - GPMA0440 - Manual (Page 46)

Since you have chosen the F-4 Phantom, 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.
Inspect your radio installation and confirm that all the
control surfaces respond correctly to the transmitter inputs.
The engine operation must also be checked by confirming
that the engine idles reliably, 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.
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 or screwdrivers that may fall out of shirt or Jacket
pockets into the prop.
Use a "chicken stick" or electric starter to start the engine.
Do not use your fingers to flip the propeller. Make certain
the glow plug clip or connector is secure so that it will not
pop off or otherwise get into the running propeller.
Make all engine adjustments from behind the rotating
propeller.
The engine gets hot! Do not touch it during or right after
operation. Make sure fuel lines are in good condition so
fuel will not leak onto a hot engine, causing a fire.
To stop a glow engine, cut off the fuel supply by closing off
the fuel line or following the engine manufacturer's
recommendations. Do not use hands, fingers or any other
body part to try to stop the engine. Do not throw anything
into the propeller of a running engine.
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 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 receiver battery, a damaged
receiver antenna, or a receiver crystal that may have been
damaged from a previous crash.
Read and abide by the following Academy of Model
Aeronautics Official Safety Code:
General
1. I will not fly my model aircraft in sanctioned events, air
shows, or model flying demonstrations until it has been
proven to be airworthy by having been previously successfully
flight tested.
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