Great Planes Piper J-3 Cub 20 Kit - GPMA0158 - Manual (Page 45)

TAKEOFF:
If you have dual rates on your transmitter, set the switches
to "high rate" for takeoff, especially when taking off in a
crosswind Although this model has good low speed
characteristics, you should always build up as much speed
as your runway will permit before lifting off, as this will give
you a safety margin in case of a "flame-out" When you first
advance the throttle and the tail begins to lift, the plane will
start to turn left (a characteristic of all "taildraggers") Be
ready for this, and correct by applying sufficient right rudder
to hold it straight down the runway The left-turning
tendency will go away as soon as the tail is up and the
plane picks up speed Be sure to allow the tail to come up
Depending on the surface you are flying from, you will need
to apply very little to no up elevator until flying speed is
obtained Don't hold the tail on the ground with too much
up elevator, as the J-3 Cub will become airborne
prematurely and will possibly stall When the plane has
sufficient flying speed, lift off by smoothly applying up
elevator (don't "jerk" it off to a steep climb!), and climb
out gradually
LANDING:
When it's time to land, fly a normal landing pattern and
approach Keep a few clicks of power on until you are over
the runway threshold Just cut the power to a reliable, low
idle and the Cub will naturally bleed off airspeed Maintain a
"nose down" attitude during descent, then level off before
touchdown - there is no need to "flare " As a rule of thumb
(for this type airplane only), if the airplane looks like it is
level, it is probably flared about right for landing For your
first landings, plan to land slightly faster than stall speed
and on the main wheels, as this is the easiest way to land
your J-3 Cub Later, with a little technique, you will find you
can make slow, 3-point landings
Have a ball! But always stay in control and fly in a
safe manner.
GOOD LUCK AND GREAT FLYING!
Building Notes:
CAUTION (THIS APPLIES TO ALL R/C AIRPLANES):
If, while flying, you notice any unusual sounds, such as
a low-pitched "buzz," this may be an indication of control
surface "flutter" Because flutter can quickly destroy
components of your airplane, any time you detect flutter
you must immediately cut the throttle and land the
airplane' Check all servo grommets for deterioration
(this will indicate which surface fluttered), and make
sure all pushrod linkages are slop-free If it fluttered
once, it probably will f l u t t e r again under similar
circumstances unless you can eliminate the slop or
flexing in the linkages Here are some things which can
result in flutter Excessive hinge gap, Not mounting
control horns solidly, Sloppy fit of clevis pin in horn;
Elasticity present in flexible plastic pushrods, Side-play
of pushrod in guide tube caused by tight bends, Sloppy
fit of pushrod wire in servo arm, Insufficient glue used
when gluing in the elevator joiner wire or aileron torque
rod, Excessive flexing of aileron, caused by using too
soft balsa aileron, Excessive "play" or "backlash" in
servo gears, and insecure servo mounting
FLYING:
We recommend that you take it easy with your J-3 Cub for
the first several flights, gradually "getting acquainted" with
this classic plane as your engine gets fully broken-in Add
and practice one maneuver at a time, learning how she
behaves in each The Cub is a surprisingly lively
model -especially with a 26 4-stroke While there are
maneuvers where full throttle is required, avoid "boring
holes in the sky" and try to stay within a sensible and
realistic scale-like flight envelope
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