Great Planes Yak-54 3D Indoor EP ARF - GPMA1131 - Manual (Page 22)

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FLYING
The Yak 54 3D Indoor EP ARF is an airplane suitable for
both indoor and outdoor flying. If you plan on flying outdoors,
make sure that you choose days with very light to calm winds
(gusting to less than 5 mph). If this is your first experience with
an indoor-style foamie, seek help from experienced modelers.
Join a local flying club or ask your local hobby dealer where
the nearest approved flying sites are in your area.
CAUTION (THIS APPLIES TO ALL R/C AIRPLANES): If,
while flying, you notice an alarming or unusual sound such
as a low-pitched “buzz,” this may indicate control surface
flutter. Flutter occurs when a control surface (such as an
aileron or elevator) or a flying surface (such as a wing or
stab) rapidly vibrates up and down (thus causing the noise).
In extreme cases, if not detected immediately, flutter can
actually cause the control surface to detach or the flying
surface to fail, thus causing loss of control followed by
an impending crash. The best thing to do when flutter is
detected is to slow the model
immediately by reducing
power, then land as soon as safely possible. Identify which
surface fluttered (so the problem may be resolved). Make
certain all pushrod linkages are secure and free of play. If it
fluttered once, under similar circumstances it will probably
flutter again unless the problem is fixed. Some things
which can cause flutter are; Not mounting control horns
solidly; Excessive free play in servo gears; Insecure servo
mounting; and one of the most prevalent causes of flutter;
Flying the model at excessive speeds.
Takeoff
The Yak 54 3D Indoor EP ARF can take off from the ground
(ROG) or can be hand launched. Rise-off-ground (ROG)
takeoffs should be reserved for indoor flying and should
be performed with the model rolling away from you and
others. For your first flight it’s probably a good idea to have
an assistant hand-launch the plane for you. You should be
ready to correct (or fly through) any trim errors. First, set
your transmitter for
LOW RATES. Launch your plane directly
into the wind (and away from others). After your assistant
launches the plane, have him come back and adjust the trim
on your transmitter. If you want to perform an ROG takeoff,
make sure the surface you’re using is completely smooth
and free from “potholes” that can flip the plane or break the
landing gear.
Flight
When you’re airborne and your plane is trimmed out,
throttle back and fly the pattern. Get used to the way the
model handles with standard control inputs. Based on your
preference, you may want to adjust your rates or exponential
settings in your radio. If your assistant is still available, have
him take notes for you so you can make adjustments when
you land. Fly around for a bit and try a few simple maneuvers
like: slow flight, gentle rolls, loops, stalls, and hammerhead
stalls. Practice a few landing approaches.
Landing
Before you land, throttle down completely (with a safe
amount of altitude). You’ll notice that when you power off,
the airplane will lose speed very quickly but will not pitch
down. To keep your speed up you’ll have to pitch down rather
steeply and this can be less than ideal for most landings. Set
up for landing by throttling down to an “idle” instead. If you
find it difficult to get the right setting, power-off completely
and try blipping the throttle. For a short approach, power-off
completely while at altitude and pitch down. At the flare, be
ready to blip the throttle for a gentle 3-point landing.
One final note about flying your model: Have a goal or flight
plan in mind for
every flight. This can be learning a new
maneuver(s), improving a maneuver(s) you already know,
or learning how the model behaves in certain conditions
(such as on high or low rates). This is not necessarily to
improve your skills (though it is never a bad idea!), but more
importantly so you do not surprise yourself by impulsively
attempting a maneuver and suddenly finding that you’ve
run out of time, altitude or airspeed. Every maneuver should
be deliberate, not impulsive. A flight plan greatly reduces
the chances of crashing your model just because of poor
planning and impulsive moves.
Remember to think.
Have a ball! But always stay in control
and fly in a safe manner.
GOOD LUCK AND GREAT FLYING!