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First step in flying is making sure all your batteries
on transmitter and receiver are fully charged or new.
You don't want your plane getting out of control in the
middle of something. A regular AA battery for transmitter
can last for up to 7 continuous flight (about 3-4hours)
while a good high capacity rechargeable battery can last
longer.
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Second Step is to check that wind condition is
right for flying.
A red ribbon is included for mounting on the tip of the
transmitter antenna to gauge windspeed. Notice when wind
blows against ribbon and see the level of safeness and
ideal flying.
a. ideal - plane
can be controlled easily. good for beginner
b. moderate - plane
still very controllable but expect any wind changes at
this level
c. caution should be taken
- unpredictable wind can push the plane up and down
d. abort flight -
malevolent winds can carry the plane farther and drift
making it difficult to retrieve
Usually, the best time to fly rc planes is at 6:30 - 7:30am
and 4:30 - 5:30p.m. at regular days and can extend during
the summer, it is also a good idea to look at the trees
to gauge strength of the wind.
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Third Step
is to find a flying field. The Wider the field the better.
Minimum coverage should be 200-300 square ft to be safe
as opposed to only 100ft. Choose a place that does'nt have
or few obstruction like trees, electric post and house as
these can be prime targets even when you try to avoid them.
Also plan a route and where to land the plane incase something
happens - in the bushes or cushioned areas. Some rc planes
requires wider spaces to turn around, also consider a margin
of error or wind push so you dont end up hitting any structures.
Note: playing on a grassy field requires you to modify
your landing gears into a skid or else get a larger and
lighter wheels. |
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Obstruction
- visibility is important. always keep plane in sight.
Flying a plane in an obstructed area is not a good idea
unless you are an expert. Beginner pilot might panic when
an obstruction blocks sight of the plane. so it is advisable
to keep plane always in sight and inspect flying route before
playing.
It is sometimes hard to measure the distance by sight of
your plane and a fixed object, so choosing a flying area
and limiting the plane path is important. you might not
know your plane is already about to hit a tree. |
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A pilots nightmare - accidents happen primarily
because of pilots error. If a pilot is not aware of wind
condition, condusiveness of flying area and controlling
the airplane then he may not be able to bring his plane
back intact.
a. hitting a tree
- you surely dont want to climb that high. (usually plane
is intact or small fold in the wing due to impact)
b. hitting a power post
- fatal to the airplane wing (at highspeed collision this
will tear or break the main wing apart.
c. head to head collission
with a wall - a fatal blow usually shatters the
nosecone into tiny parts.
d. nose dive - if
airplane dives on concrete, impact will break nosecone
with cracks sometime extending to fuselage or worse breaking
mainwing.
e. hitting a house chimney
- nosecone and wing damage
f. diving in the middle of
thick bushes - plane intact but will leave with
bruises after retrieving the plane.
g. diving in a pool of water
- plane intact but may damage the electronics and motor.(advise,
modify by wrapping your electronics to waterproof with
plastic)
h. hitting a person or an
animal - small fold to wing or breaks it if impact
is strong.
Solution: know when to add power to gain altitude
and avoid collision and when to reduce power for slower
approach in preparation to bank or turn plane around.
Familiarize yourself with speed level on left and right
turns.
Tip: flying above plantations and newly plowed
field will increase altitude gain due to rising air current
or in summer they call it "thermals"
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If you are planning
to take off on a runway, make sure it is flat free of stones
and pebbles and wide enough for the plane to recover incase
of control error or else you will end plane hitting the
concrete gutter and damaging the wings, fuselage or props.
Also, runway should be straight against the wind, if not
abort process and try handlaunching instead.
For Beginners:
before taking off, start by taxiing first and make yourself
comfortable with the controls on how the plane responds
as it moves away from you and return to you. check the maximum
taxi range so you are aware of reception range. This will
enable you to take caution when already flying and to limit
plane range. This is a much better practice of patience
than forcing to fly and go home with a broken plane. |
When you are already comfortable
with how your plane responds to taxiing, try adding more
power to two motors, but make sure you still have enough
battery power on your plane (you can measure level of power
by doing full throttle and listening to motor sound and
pulling strength prior to taxi practice or before playing
with the plane).
By adding more power to the two motors, the plane will automatically
rise to an altitude, reducing power will give it a slow
descend. Start with a rhythmic pattern like: full (until
plane rise to about 5ft) , then quickly shift to medium
and full and medium and full, then hands off from controller
if you think your plane will crash into something - Planning
is important. You can try turning the plane left or right
but always remember to take your hands off from the controller
when something unexpected happens - the plane was designed
to level itself and land safely. |
| Beginners should always make
sure his plane is flying at a right level and smoothly,
however the wind may affect the stability at certain times.
It is advisable to be calm and stay focused when flying. |
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Taking off
a. charging for take off
- notice plane does'nt have back wheel because it rarely
uses them, the tail rises to a horizontal level when the
plane runs for take off as back wing slides through the
air it pushes plane up to maintain horizontal level as
main wing gathers pressure (left stick on full throttle)
b. plane rises at an angle
visible enough to show its already ascending (left
stick on full throttle)
c. immediately level
the plane by reducing throttle on left stick
d. immediately add throttle
to gain altitude.
REMEMBER: should be rythmic
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Stalling
Any plane will stall when too much power is applied
(full throttle on left stick) and charging against strong
winds. They call this "porpoising" and will
be violently followed by a nerve wrecking nose dive. If
you dont have enough altitude, your plane will hit the
ground and get broken if if is on a concreate ground.
If this maximum stall happens, just reduce to continuous
medium power about 5 seconds on left stick and immediately
to low throttle and again another medium power.
REMEMBER: should be rythmic
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Flying
When already gaining up altitude, your airplane will
fly as straight and as stable but any slight change in
wind can cause the plane to change its paths.
a. no wind
b. when wind pushes from the right, the plane will
go left, correct this by adding power to the left motor
(push right on right stick) - you should be able to do
this quickly and know when to release stick
c. when wind pushes from the left, the plane will
go right, correct this by adding power to the right motor
(push left on right stick) - you should be able to do
this quickly and know when to release stick
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Bad Flying
a. Crashes usually happens when your thumb freezes
out of "shock" on the directional control stick.
too much power on right motors will make the plane plunging
at high speed
b. too much power on left motors will make the
plane plunging at high speed
Always have presence of mind and caution when flying.
For beginners, it is advisable not to prolong pressing
on left and right directional stick.
Note: when you think plane is already flying level
and flat, just release the left or right directional stick
or try a pulse pushing instead of a continuous push.
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Banking
A plane turns around gracefully by banking. The mainwing
including the fuselage tilts lower on its side while turning.
The plane is capable of banking at highspeed like a jet
fighter but always take caution, plane may not be able to
gain lift during low altitude banking. If anything goes
wrong, just leave controller and plane will start to recover
itself and descend slowly. |
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Handlaunch
You can handlaunch the plane when there is no ideal runway.
Beginners, can practice handlaunch with batteries installed
on plane as balance and kneel on the ground (so plane
dont get damaged when launching incorrectly) Do this until
you master handlaunching and capable to launch standing
straight. When you are ready for powered flight then follow
the other procedures.
a. too high - will
sometimes stall and crash
b. perfect - level
and pick up air speed
c. bad - crashes to
the ground
It is best to find a wide area with small bushes to practice
the handlaunching. plants can serve as cushion when plane
falls.
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Altitude
Gain altitude with spiral motion by making pulse full throttle.
Once in the upstream you can enjoy gliding without power
and just use left and right direction.
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Orientation
At the end of the day you want to make sure you go home
with the plane intact again for the next day. When flying,
always keep your eyes on the plane specially when its
far enough for you to distinguish if its flying away or
towards you, notice the the front and back view of an
airplane, you might not know it is already flying away
from you and get drifted until it looses reception and
crashes to the wilderness.
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Landing - cut power off and the plane will slowly
decend while slowly turning left and right control stick
for alignment. Just add power when landing gets short
or over. This is a good practice that will enhance skill
of estimation (knowing when to turn, slow down and cut
power). Beginner can try landing their plane ontop some
bush plants that serve as cushion this can save your
plane from getting damaged.
End Note: Always make sure your plane
is level and flat when flying. Do not force plane to
fly at highspeed on strong winds.
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