Top Flite TOPA1025 - Manual (Page 13)

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before every fl ight. With computer radios it is easy to
mistakenly change the model.
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10. Make sure that all servo arms are secured to
the servos with the screws included with your radio.
❏
11. Secure connections between servo wires and
Y-connectors or servo extensions with vinyl tape, heat
shrink tubing or special clips suitable for that purpose.
❏
12. Make sure any servo extension cords you may
have used do not interfere with other systems (servo
arms, pushrods, etc.).
❏
13. Balance your propeller (and spare propellers).
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14. Check that the spinner screws are tight.
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15. Place your name, address, AMA number and
telephone number on or inside your model. This is an
AMA rule.
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16. If you wish to photograph your model, do so
before your fi rst fl ight.
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17. Range check your radio when you get to the
fl ying fi eld.
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 15
and place it on or inside your model.
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 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.
GROUND CHECK AND RANGE CHECK
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 motor off and once
with the motor running at various speeds. If the control
surfaces do not respond correctly, do not fl y! Find
and correct the problem fi rst. Look for loose servo
connections or broken wires, corroded wires on old
servo connectors, poor solder joints in your battery
pack or a defective cell, or a damaged receiver crystal
from a previous crash.
MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Failure to follow these safety precautions may
result in severe injury to yourself and others.
● Get help from an experienced pilot when learning
to operate electric motors.
● Use safety glasses when running motors.
● Do not run the motor 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 run the motor.
● 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.
● The motor may get hot! Do not touch it right after
operation.
● When working on your plane, remove the propeller
if the motor battery will be connected.
● Always remove the motor battery from the plane
when charging.
● Follow the charging instructions included with your
charger for charging LiPo batteries. LiPo batteries
can cause serious damage if misused.
AMA SAFETY CODE
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 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 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).