Great Planes PT-E Trainer Electric Kit - GPMA0110 - Manual (Page 38)

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
If a club and its flying site are not available, you
need to find a large, area at least 6 miles away from any
other R/C airplane operation and also 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 Read the
APPENDIX in the back of this book, and become famil-
iar with the proper operation of the electric motor and
electrical system in your model Check to make sure all
screws remain tight, that the hinges are secure and that
the prop is on tight
RANGE CHECK YOUR RADIO
Wherever you do fly, you need to check the operation
of the radio every time you fly This means with the an-
tenna down, and the receiver and transmitter on, you
should be able to walk 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 If this
test is successful, then repeat the test with the electric
motor running. If the control surfaces are not acting cor-
rectly, do not fly Correct the problem first NOTE: It is
possible that the electric motor will cause interference to
your radio (some radios are more easily interfered with
than others) If this happens, you may try installing a 2nd
01 uF capacitor between the motor leads, then repeat the
range check with the motor running
*This is a minimum distance Check the instruction man-
ual for your radio system for the recommended range check
distance.
MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Note: Failure to follow these safety precautions will result
in severe injury to yourself and others
Get help from an experienced pilot when learning to
operate motors
Use safety glasses when starting or running motors
Do not run the motor 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 path of the propeller as you start and
run the motor
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
The electric motor and motor battery used in your
PT-Electnc is very powerful, and the spinning prop-
eller has a lot of momentum, therefore, if you touch
the propeller while it is spinning it may inflict severe
bruises, cuts or abrasions Keep this in mind, respect
the motor and propeller for the damage it is capable
of, and take whatever precautions are necessary to
avoid injury Always disconnect and remove the
motor battery until you are ready to fly again, and
always make sure the switches are turned off
before connecting the battery.
AMA SAFETY CODE
Read and abide by the following Academy of Model
Aeronautics Official Safety Code
GENERAL
1 I will not fly my model aircraft in competition or in the
presence of spectators until it has been proven to be airwor-
thy by having been previously successfully flight tested
2 I will not fly my model aircraft higher than approxi-
mately 400 feet within 3 miles of an airport without notify-
ing the airport operator I will give right of way to, and
avoid flying in the proximity of full scale aircraft Where
necessary an observer shall be utilized to supervise flying
to avoid having models fly in the proximity of full scale
aircraft
3 Where established, I will abide by the safety rules for
the flying site I use, and I will not willfully and deliberately
fly my models in a careless, reckless and/or dangerous
manner
RADIO CONTROL
1 I will have completed a successful radio equipment
ground check before the first flight of a new or repaired
model
2 I will not fly my model aircraft in the presence of spec-
tators until I become a qualified flyer, unless assisted by
an experienced helper
3 I will perform my initial turn after takeoff away from
the pit, spectator and parking areas, and I will not there-
after perform maneuvers, flights of any sort or landing
approaches over a pit, spectator or parking area
FLYING
IMPORTANT Regardless who you are or
where you live, we strongly urge you to seek the assistance
of a competent, experienced R/C pilot to check your model
for airworthiness AND to teach you how to fly No matter
how stable or "forgiving" your model is, attempting to
learn to fly on your own is dangerous and may result in
serious or even fatal injury to yourself and others, and
total destruction of your model Therefore, find an instruc-
tor (even if it means driving a long distance) and fly only
under his or her guidance and supervision until you have
acquired the skill necessary for safe and fully controlled
operation of your model
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