Top Flite TOPA0500 - Manual (Page 66)

you roll out for takeoff. Due to the small amount of prop
blast over the rudder, you will not begin to realize
effective rudder control until your DC-3 approaches flying
speed. Advancing the throttles slowly only gives your
DC-3 more time and distance to turn. To correct this, the
first thing you can do is...be prepared for it. The second
thing you can do is advance the throttles more rapidly
than you would with other models. This will allow you to
reach flying speed faster where your rudder will become
effective. This does not mean, however that you should
“horse” your model into the air. Just get your DC-3 to a
speed where you have rudder control and continue to
build ground speed until the tail lifts into the air. Build up
as much speed as your runway and flying site will permit
and gently lift your DC-3 into the air, establishing a
gentle climb. Keep in mind that a steep climb with little
airspeed is the worst time to lose an engine, so be
smooth and climb gently (as you should with any
model!). After you have reached a safe altitude, begin
your initial turn away from the runway, retract the flaps (if
you’ve used them) and get into the traffic pattern. After
you’ve become more familiar with your DC-3, you can
takeoff using flaps. We recommend the half-flap setting
for takeoffs.
FLIGHT
We recommend that you take it easy with your DC-3 for
the first several flights, gradually getting acquainted with
this realistic model as you gain confidence in your
engines and they get fully broken-in. Adjust the trims so
your DC-3 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 DC-3 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 DC-3 so it handles just the way you like. Lower the
throttle to approximately 1/4, and extend the flaps.
Observe how your DC-3 reacts and get a feel for how
she handles with the flaps extended. Add power and see
how she climbs with flaps as well. Do this exercise a few
times and decide whether or not you will be using flaps
for your first landing. Use this time and altitude to
become as familiar as possible with your DC-3 before
your first landing.
Landing
Don’t forget to extend your landing gear! When you
throttle back for landing, the DC-3 slows relatively quickly
and the sink rate is rather high. To initiate your landing
approach, make your final turn toward the runway (always
into the wind) keeping the nose down to maintain airspeed
and control. When your DC-3 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 strongly. With the flaps extended,
you’ll need to add a little more throttle than usual to
overcome the increased drag and maintain airspeed—but
she’ll still come in nice and slow. Mind your fuel so you
can make as many attempts as required so you can bring
your baby home safely.
Have a ball! But always stay in control and fly in a
safe manner.
GOOD LUCK AND GREAT FLYING!
If you enjoyed building the Top Flite DC-3, try one of
these other outstanding .60 size Gold Edition kits as
your next project:
(TOPA0305) Top Flite Beechcraft Bonanza
81" Wingspan, 11-13 Lbs.
(TOPA0110) Top Flite P-51D Mustang
65" Wingspan, 8–10 Lbs.
CAUTION (THIS APPLIES TO ALL R/C AIRPLANES):
If, while flying, you notice any unusual sounds, such as
a low-pitched "buzz," this may indicate control surface
flutter. Because flutter can quickly destroy components
of your airplane, any time you detect flutter you must
immediately cut the throttle and land the airplane!
Check all servo grommets for deterioration (this may
indicate which surface fluttered), and make sure all
pushrod linkages are secure and free of play. If the
control surface fluttered once, it probably will flutter
again under similar circumstances unless you can
eliminate the free-play or flexing in the linkages. Here
are some things which can cause flutter: Excessive
hinge gap; Not mounting control horns solidly; Poor fit
of clevis pin in horn; Side-play of pushrod in guide tube
caused by tight bends; Poor fit of Z-bend in servo arm;
Insufficient glue used when gluing in the elevator joiner
wire; Excessive
play or backlash in servo gears; and
Insecure servo mounting.
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