Top Flite TOPA0965 - Manual (Page 30)

30
ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
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 fl ames, as fuel is very fl ammable. Do
not smoke near the engine or fuel; and remember
that 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; the propeller may throw such material in your
face or eyes.
Keep your face and body as well as all spectators
away from the plane of rotation of the propeller as
you start and run the engine.
Keep these items away from the prop: loose clothing,
shirt sleeves, ties, scarfs, long hair or loose objects
such as pencils or screwdrivers that may fall out of
shirt or jacket pockets into the prop.
Use a “chicken stick” or electric starter to start the
engine. Do not use your fi ngers to fl ip the propeller.
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 right
after operation. Make sure fuel lines are in good
condition so fuel will not leak onto a hot engine,
causing a fi re.
To stop a glow engine, cut off the fuel supply by closing
off the fuel line or following the engine manufacturer’s
recommendations. Do not use hands, fi ngers or any
other body part to try to stop the engine. To stop a
gasoline powered engine an on/off switch should be
connected to the engine coil. Do not throw anything
into the propeller of a running engine.
AMA SAFETY CODE (EXCERPTS)
Read and abide by the following excerpts from the
Academy of Model Aeronautics Safety Code. For
the complete Safety Code refer to Model Aviation
magazine, the AMA web site or the Code that came
with your AMA license.
GENERAL
1) I will not fl y my model aircraft in sanctioned events,
air shows, or model fl ying demonstrations until it
has been proven to be airworthy by having been
previously, successfully fl ight tested.
2) I will not fl y 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 and avoid fl ying in the proximity of
full-scale aircraft. Where necessary, an observer
shall be utilized to supervise fl ying to avoid having
models fl y in the proximity of full-scale aircraft.
3) Where established, I will abide by the safety rules
for the fl ying site I use, and I will not willfully and
deliberately fl y my models in a careless, reckless
and/or dangerous manner.
5) I will not fl y my model unless it is identifi ed with my
name and address or AMA number, on or in the
model. Note: This does not apply to models while
being fl own indoors.
7) I will not operate models with pyrotechnics (any
device that explodes, burns, or propels a projectile
of any kind).
RADIO CONTROL
1) I will have completed a successful radio equipment
ground check before the fi rst fl ight of a new or
repaired model.
2) I will not fl y my model aircraft in the presence of
spectators until I become a qualifi ed fl ier, unless
assisted by an experienced helper.
3) At all fl ying sites a straight or curved line(s) must be
established in front of which all fl ying takes place
with the other side for spectators. Only personnel
involved with fl ying the aircraft are allowed at or in
the front of the fl ight line. Intentional fl ying behind
the fl ight line is prohibited.
4) I will operate my model using only radio control
frequencies currently allowed by the Federal
Communications Commission.
5) I will not knowingly operate my model within
three miles of any pre-existing fl ying site
except in accordance with the frequency
sharing agreement listed [in the complete AMA
Safety Code].
9) Under no circumstances may a pilot or other
person touch a powered model in fl ight; nor should
any part of the model other than the landing
gear, intentionally touch the ground, except
while landing.
CHECK LIST
During the last few moments of preparation
your mind may be elsewhere anticipating the
excitement of the fi rst fl ight. Because of this, you
may be more likely to overlook certain checks and
procedures that should be performed before the
model is fl own. To help avoid this, a check list is
provided to make sure these important areas are
not overlooked. Many are covered in the instruction
manual, so where appropriate, refer to the manual
for complete instructions. Be sure to check the
items off as they are completed.
❏
1. Fuelproof all areas exposed to fuel or
exhaust residue.
❏
2. Check the C.G. according to the measurements
provided in the manual.
❏
3. Be certain the battery and receiver are securely
mounted in the fuse. Simply stuffi ng them into
place with foam rubber is not suffi cient.
❏
4. Extend your receiver antenna and make sure
it has a strain relief inside the fuselage to keep
tension off the solder joint inside the receiver.
❏
5. Balance your model laterally as explained in
the instructions.
❏
6. Use threadlocking compound to secure critical
fasteners such as the set screws that hold
the wheel axles to the struts, screws that hold
the carburetor arm (if applicable), screw-lock
pushrod connectors, etc.