Top Flite Sierra 40 Trainer Kit - Manual (Page 38)

38
RADIO SET-UP
THREE CHANNEL AIRCRAFT
Transmitter
Stick Movement
Control Surface
Movement
Elevator moves up
Rudder moves right
Carburetor wide open
3. Make sure none of the pushrods are binding.
4. Make sure all of the screws and bolts on your
model are tight. Check to see that all of the servos
are secure and all of the servo wheels are screwed
on firmly.
PRE-FLIGHT
CHARGE THE BATTERIES
Follow the battery charging procedures in your radio
instruction manual. You should always charge your
transmitter and receiver batteries the night before
you go fly i ng, and at other times as recommended by
the radio manufacturer.
FIND A SAFE PLACE TO FLY
The best place to fly your R/C model is an AMA
(Academy of Model Aeronautics)-chartered club field.
Ask your hobby shop dealer if there is such a club in
your area and join. Club fields are set up for R/C
flying, which makes your outing safer and more
enjoyable. The AMA can also tell you the name of a
club in your area. We recommend that you join the
AMA and a local club so you can have a safe place
to fly and also have insurance to cover you in case
of a flying accident. (The AMA address is listed on
the front cover of this instruction book).
If a club and its flying site are not available, you
need to find a large, grassy area at least 6 miles away
from any other R/C radio operation, like R/C boats
and R/C cars, and away from houses, buildings and
streets. A schoolyard may look inviting, but it is too
close to people, power lines and possible radio
interference.
GROUND CHECK THE MODEL
If you are not thoroughly familiar with the opera-
tion of R/C models, ask an experienced modeler to
check to see that you have the radio installed cor-
rectly and that all the control surfaces do what they
are supposed to. The engine operation must also be
checked and the engine "broken in" on the ground by
running the engine for at least two tanks of fuel.
Follow the engine manufacturer's recommenda-
tions for break-in. Check to make sure all screws
remain tight, that the hinges are secure and that the
prop is on tight.
RANGE CHECK YOUR RADIO
Wherever you do fly, you need to check the
operation of the radio before each flight. This means
with the transmitter antenna collapsed and the re-
ceiver 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. Ask them to 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 acting correctly at all
times, do not fly! Find and correct the problem first.
NOTE: ATTACH A RUBBER BAND-ON WING
WITH A MINIMUM OFTEN #64 RUBBER BANDS.
ENGINE SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS
NOTE: Failure to follow these safety precau-
tions 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 flam-
mable. Do not smoke near the engine or fuel.
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 learn-
ing to operate engines.
Use safety glasses when starting or running
engines.