Top Flite TOPA0712 - Manual (Page 35)

35
CHARGE THE BATTERIES
Follow the battery charging instructions that came with
your radio control system to charge the batteries. You
should always charge your transmitter and receiver
batteries the night before you go fl ying, and at other
times as recommended by the radio manufacturer.
CAUTION: Unless the instructions that came with
your radio system state differently, the initial charge
on new transmitter and receiver 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 fl ying with batteries
that are only partially charged.
BALANCE PROPELLERS
Carefully balance your propeller and spare propellers
before you fl y. An unbalanced prop can be the single
most signifi cant 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 fl ight box.
GROUND CHECK AND RANGE CHECK
Run the engine for a few minutes to make sure it idles
reliably, transitions smoothly and maintains full power
indefi nitely. Afterward, shut the engine off and inspect
the model closely, making sure all fasteners, pushrods
and connections have remained tight and the hinges
are secure. Always ground check the operational range
of your radio before the fi rst fl ight of the day following
the manufacturer’s instructions that came with your
radio. This should be done once with the engine off
and once with the engine running at various speeds. If
the control surfaces do not respond correctly, do not
bottom of the fuselage over the location where it would
be mounted inside until the model balances. A good
place to add stick-on nose weight is to the fi rewall.
Do not attach weight to the cowl—this will cause the
mounting screws to open up the holes in the cowl. Once
you have determined the amount of weight required, it
can be permanently attached. If required, tail weight
may be added by cutting open the bottom of the fuse
and gluing it permanently inside.
NOTE: If mounting weight where it may be exposed to
fuel or exhaust, do not rely upon the adhesive on the
back to permanently hold it in place. Over time, fuel and
exhaust residue may soften the adhesive and cause
the weight to fall off. Instead, permanently attach the
weight with glue or screws.
❏
4. IMPORTANT: If you found it necessary to add
any weight, recheck the C.G. after the weight has been
installed.
BALANCE THE MODEL LATERALLY
❏
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 fi n. Do this several times.
❏
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.
PREFLIGHT
IDENTIFY YOUR MODEL
No matter if you fl y at an AMA sanctioned R/C club site
or if you fl y 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 fl ying sites and AMA sanctioned fl ying
events. Fill out the identifi cation tag on page 38 and
place it on or inside your model.
❏
1. If using a Great Planes C.G. Machine, set the
rulers to 6.25" [158 mm]. If not using a C.G. Machine,
use a fi ne-point felt tip pen to mark lines on the top of
the wing on both sides of the fuselage 6.25" [158 mm]
back from the leading edge measured at the fuselage.
Apply narrow (1/16" [ 2 mm]) strips of tape over the lines
so you will be able to feel them when lifting the model
with your fi ngers.
This is where your model should balance for the
fi rst fl ights. Later, you may experiment by shifting
the C.G. 1/2" [13mm] forward or 1/2" [13mm] back
to change the fl ying characteristics. Moving the C.G.
forward will improve the smoothness and stability,
but the model will then be less aerobatic (which
may be fi ne for less-experienced pilots). Moving the
C.G. aft makes the model more maneuverable and
aerobatic for experienced pilots. In any case, start at
the recommended balance point and do not at any
time balance the model outside the specifi ed range.
❏
2. With the wing attached to the fuselage, all parts
of the model installed (ready to fl y) and an empty fuel
tank, place the model upside-down on a Great Planes
CG Machine, or lift it upside-down at the balance point
you marked.
❏
3. If the tail drops, the model is “tail heavy.” If the
nose drops, the model is “nose heavy.” Use Great
Planes “stick-on” lead (GPMQ4485) to balance the
model. To fi nd out how much weight is required, place
incrementally increasing amounts of weight on the