Great Planes Giant Extra 330L Kit - GPMA0250 - Manual (Page 47)

At this time check all connections including servo arm
screws, clevises and servo wires. Make sure you have
installed the silicone retainers on all the clevises.
Follow the battery charging procedures in your radio instruction
manual.You should always charge the transmitter and receiver
batteries the night before you go flying, and at other times as
recommended by the radio manufacturer.
Balance the propeller 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 the
structure, radio receiver and battery. Vibration may cause
the fuel to foam, which will, in turn, cause your engine to run
lean or quit.
Since you have chosen the Extra 330L 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 holding 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. 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 ALL items away from the prop, including: radio neck
straps, loose clothing, shirt sleeves, ties, scarfs, long hair or
loose objects such as pencils and screwdrivers that may fall
out of shirt or jacket pockets into the prop.
Engine Safety Precautions
Range Check Your Radio
Ground Check the Model
Find a Safe Place to Fly
Balance the Propeller
Charge the Batteries
PREFLIGHT
47