Top Flite TOPA0101 - Manual (Page 41)

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3. L ift the model at the CG marks . If the tail
drops when you lift, the model is “tail heavy” and
you must add weight* to the nose to balance. If the
nose drops, it is “nose heavy” and you must add
weight* to the tail to balance.
NOTE: Nose weight may be easily installed by using
a Great Planes “Heavy Hub” or by gluing strips of
lead into the engine compartment behind the engine.
Tail weight may be added by using Great Planes
“stick-on” lead weights. Later, if the balance proves to
be OK, you can open the fuse bottom and glue these
in permanently.
* If possible, first attempt to balance the model by
changing the position of the receiver battery and
retract servo (if used). If you are unable to obtain
good balance by doing so, then it will be necessary
to add weight to the nose or tail to achieve the
proper balance point.
FINAL HOOKUPS AND CHECKS
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1. Make sure the control surfaces move in the
proper direction as illustrated.
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2. Adjust your pushrod hookups as necessary
to provide the proper control surface movements
as listed on Page 39.
*NOTE: The control surface “throws” are approximate
and provide a good starting point for the first flights
with your F4U Corsair. You may wish to change the
throws slightly to provide the smoothness or
quickness that you prefer.
PREFLIGHT
CHARGE THE BATTERIES
Follow the battery charging procedures in your
radio instruction manual. You should
always
charge your transmitter and receiver batteries the
night before you go flying, and at other times as
recommended by the radio manufacturer.
FIND A SAFE PLACE TO FLY
The best place to fly your R/C model is an AMA
(Academy of Model Aeronautics) chartered club
field. Ask your hobby shop dealer if there is such 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 also can tell you the
name of a club in your area. We recommend that
you join the AMA and a local club so you can have
a safe place to fly and have insurance to cover you
in case of a flying accident. (The AMA address is
listed on page 3 of this instruction manual).
If a club and its flying site are not available, you
need to find a large, grassy area at least 6 miles
away from any other R/C radio operation, like R/C
boats and R/C cars, and 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. The engine operation also
must be checked and the engine “broken-in” on the
ground by running the engine for at least two tanks
of fuel.
Follow the engine manufacturer’s
recommendations for break-in . 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 before every time you fly.
This means with the 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. 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.
Repeat this test with the engine running at
various speeds with an assistant holding the
model. If the control surfaces are not always
acting correctly,
do not fly! Find and correct the
problem first.
ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
NOTE: Failure to follow these simple 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; and remember
that the engine exhaust gives off a great deal of
deadly carbon monoxide. Therefore
do not run the
engine in a closed room or garage .
4-CHANNEL TRANSMITTER
TRANSMITTER 4-CHANNEL
TRANSMITTER 4-CHANNEL
TRANSMITTER 4-CHANNEL
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