Preflight identify your model, Charge the batteries, Range check – Great Planes L-39 EP Ducted Fan ARF - GPMA1869 User Manual

Page 12: Ama safety code, General, Radio control

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2. With all parts of the model installed (ready to fl y), 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” and the

battery pack and/or receiver must be shifted to balance. If
the nose drops, the model is “nose heavy” and the battery
pack and/or receiver must be shifted to balance. This model
is very weight sensitive. We do not recommend adding any
additional weight to achieve the suggested balance point
unless absolutely necessary. Instead, shift the battery pack
and receiver forward or aft to alter the C.G.

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 the back cover of this manual 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 and motor batteries the night
before you go fl ying, and at other times as recommended by
the manufacturer.

CAUTION: Unless the instructions that came with your
radio system state differently, the initial charge on new
transmitter 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.

Range Check

Ground check the operational range of your radio before the
fi rst fl ight of the day. With the transmitter antenna collapsed
and the receiver and transmitter on, you should be able to
walk at least 100 feet away from the model and still have
control. Have an assistant stand by your model and, while
you work the controls, tell you what the control surfaces are
doing. Repeat this test with the motor running at various
speeds with an assistant holding the model, using hand
signals to show you what is happening. 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.

AMA SAFETY CODE (

EXCERPTS

)

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 fl y 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).

Radio Control

1) I will have completed a successful radio equipment ground

check before the fi rst fl ight of a new or repaired model.

2) I will not fl y my model aircraft in the presence of spectators

until I become a qualifi ed fl ier, unless assisted by an
experienced helper.

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