Great Planes Reactor 3D EP ARF - GPMA1540 - Manual (Page 20)

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2. With the wing attached to the fuselage, all parts of the
model installed (ready to fly) and an empty fuel tank, place
the model on a Great Planes CG Machine, or lift it at the
balance point you marked.
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3. If the tail drops, the model is “tail heavy” and the battery
pack and/or receiver must be shifted to balance. If the nose
drops, the model is “nose heavy” and the battery pack
and/or receiver must be shifted aft to balance. If possible,
relocate the battery pack and receiver to minimize or
eliminate any additional ballast required.
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4. IMPORTANT: If you found it necessary to move the
battery pack or receiver for the Reactor 3D EP ARF to
balance, recheck the C.G. after this has been done.
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1. With the wing level, have an assistant help you lift the
model by the engine propeller shaft and the bottom of the
fuse under the TE of the fin. Do this several times.
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2. If one wing always drops when you lift the model, it means
that side is heavy. Balance the airplane by adding weight to the
other wing tip. An airplane that has been laterally balanced
will track better in loops and other maneuvers.
No matter if you fly at an AMA sanctioned R/C club site or if
you fly somewhere on your own, you should always have
your name, address, telephone number and AMA number
on or inside your model. It is required at all AMA R/C club
flying sites and AMA sanctioned flying events. Fill out the
identification tag on page 23 (or on the decal sheet) and
place it on or inside your model.
Follow the battery charging instructions that came with your
radio control system to charge the batteries. You should always
charge your transmitter battery the night before you go flying,
and at other times as recommended by the radio manufacturer.
Carefully balance your propeller and spare propellers before
you fly. An unbalanced prop can be the single most
significant cause of vibration that can damage your model.
Not only will engine mounting screws and bolts loosen,
possibly with disastrous effect, but vibration may also
damage your radio receiver and battery. Vibration can also
cause your fuel to foam, which will, in turn, cause your
engine to run hot or quit.
We use a Top Flite Precision Magnetic Prop Balancer ™
(TOPQ5700) in the workshop and keep a Great Planes
Fingertip Prop Balancer (GPMQ5000) in our flight box.
Balance the Propellers
CAUTION: Unless the instructions that came with your
radio system state differently, the initial charge on new
transmitter batteries should be done for 15 hours using
the slow-charger that came with the radio system. This
will “condition” the batteries so that the next charge may
be done using the fast-charger of your choice. If the initial
charge is done with a fast-charger, the batteries may not
reach their full capacity and you may be flying with
batteries that are only partially charged.
Charge the Batteries
Identify Your Model
PREFLIGHT
Balance the Model Laterally
This is where your model should balance for the first
flights. Later, you may wish to experiment by shifting the
C.G. up to 1/2" [13mm] forward or 1/2" [13mm] back to
change the flying characteristics. Moving the C.G. forward
may improve the smoothness and stability, but the model
may then require more speed for takeoff and make it more
difficult to slow for landing. Moving the C.G. aft makes the
model more maneuverable, but could also cause it to
become too difficult to control. In any case, start at the
recommended balance point and do not at any time
balance the model outside the specified range.
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