Top Flite TOPA0120 - Manual (Page 54)

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 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.
Get help from an experienced pilot when
learning to operate engines.
Use safety glasses when starting or running
engines.
Do not run the engine in an area of loose
gravel or sand as the propeller may throw such
material in your face or eyes.
Keep your face and body, and all spectators
away from the plane of rotation of the propeller as
you start and run the engine.
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.
Use a “chicken stick” device or electric starter;
follow instructions supplied with the starter or stick.
Make certain the glow plug clip or connector is
secure so that it will not pop off or otherwise get
into the running propeller.
Make all engine adjustments from behind the
rotating propeller.
The engine gets hot! Do not touch it during or
after operation. Make sure fuel lines are in good
condition so fuel is not leaked onto a hot engine
causing a fire.
To stop the engine, cut off the fuel supply by
closing off the fuel line or follow the engine
manufacturer’s recommendations. Do not use
hands, fingers or any body part to try to stop the
engine. Do not throw anything into the prop of a
running engine.
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 airworthy by having been previously
successfully flight tested.
2. I will not fly my model aircraft higher than
approximately 400 feet within 3 miles of an airport
without notifying 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 used 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 spectators 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 thereafter perform maneuvers, flights of any
sort or landing approaches over a pit, spectator or
parking area.
FLYING
The Top Flite P-40E is a great flying sport
scale airplane that flies smoothly and predictably,
yet is highly maneuverable. It does not have the
self-recovery characteristics of a primary trainer.
Therefore you must either have mastered the
basics of R/C flying or seek the assistance of a
competent R/C pilot to help you with your first
flights.
TAKEOFF: If you have dual rates on your
transmitter, set the switches to “high rate” for
takeoff, especially when taking off in a cross wind.
We recommend that you do not use flaps for the
takeoff. Although this P-40 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
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