Top Flite TOPA0220 - Manual (Page 50)

Make all engine adjustments from behind the
rotating propeller.
The engine gets hot! Do not touch the engine during
or immediately after you operate it. Make sure fuel
lines are in good condition so fuel will not leak onto
a hot engine and cause a fire.
To stop the engine, close the carburetor barrel
(rotor) or pinch the fuel line to discontinue the fuel
flow. Do not use your hands, fingers or any body
part to stop the engine. Never throw anything into
the prop of a running engine.
AMA SAFETY CODE (excerpt)
Read and abide by the following Academy of Model
Aeronautics Official Safety Code:
GENERAL
1. I will not fly my model aircraft in sanctioned
events, air shows, or model flying demonstrations
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.
7. I will not fly my model unless it is identified with my
name and address or AMA number, on or in the model.
9. 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 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 flier, unless
assisted by an experienced helper.
3. I will perform my initial turn after takeoff away
from the pit or spectator areas and I will not
thereafter fly over pit or spectator areas, unless
beyond my control.
4. I will operate my model using only radio control
frequencies currently allowed by the Federal
Communications Commission...
FLYING
If you have not already done so, read the designer
note section. It has important notes about the flying
characteristics of this model.
Takeoff
With most tail draggers, engine torque will cause the
nose to turn to the left as you initially accelerate and
roll down the runway for takeoff. If necessary, use
rudder to keep your R/C Nobler on the centerline of
the runway. The rudder is very effective and you
should have positive ground control, even in
moderate crosswinds. If you have dual rates on your
transmitter, set the switch to “high rate” for takeoff,
especially when taking off in a crosswind. Although
this model has excellent low speed characteristics,
you should always build up as much speed as your
runway will permit before lifting off, to give you a
safety margin in case of a “flame-out”. If you have
installed an engine at the lower end of the power
range, lift off by smoothly applying up elevator and
climb out gradually. If you have installed an OS .46
FX, you are in for a real treat.
Flight
We recommend that you take it easy with your R/C
Nobler for the first several flights, gradually getting
acquainted with this highly aerobatic model as you
gain confidence in your engine and it gets fully
broken-in. Adjust the trims so your R/C Nobler will
fly straight and level at cruise speed. Climb to a
comfortably high altitude and fly at different throttle
settings to see how your model will behave and to
see what kind of trim changes are required at
different speeds. Still at altitude, try some practice
landing approaches, seeing how your R/C Nobler
handles at low speeds. Do the same with the flaps
extended so you know what to expect when you’re
in a real landing approach. If you’ve got retracts,
cycle the gear a few times to make sure everything
operates okay and to see if there are any trim
changes required. Try flying around and executing
various maneuvers, making mental notes (or having
a friend standing by with a note pad) on how she
behaves. Note what might be required to fine tune
your R/C Nobler so it handles just the way you like.
The R/C Nobler has no bad characteristics and you
should feel comfortable with the model quickly.
Landing
Don’t forget to extend your landing gear! When you
throttle back for landing, the R/C Nobler slows
relatively gradually and the sink rate is shallow if
your speed is too high. To initiate your landing
approach, make your final turn toward the runway
(always into the wind if possible). The R/C Nobler
has excellent low speed handling so you can fly
landings slower than you are accustomed to with
other models. When your R/C Nobler reaches the
threshold of the runway, raise the nose slightly to
level her flying attitude. When you’re over the
runway and just a foot or so off the deck, apply more
elevator and make your flare. When you’re ready to
land with flaps, extend them on the downwind leg
after you’ve reduced throttle and lost a little air
speed. If you extend your flaps at too high an
airspeed, the nose may pitch up. With the flaps
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