Top Flite TOPA0140 - Manual (Page 61)

LANDING
When it’s time to land, fly a normal landing pattern
and approach. You will probably find that the
Spitfire retains its airspeed quite well. Due to its
small frontal area and efficient shape, the Spitfire’s
split flaps will really come into play here. For your
first landings, plan to land slightly faster than stall
speed and on the main wheels, as this is the
easiest way to land your Spitfire. Later, with a little
technique, you will find you can make moderately
slow, 3-point landings.
FLAPS
If you have flaps, lower them on the downwind leg of
your approach. Full flaps make the Spitfire very
steady in the landing pattern. Just carry a little extra
power to make up for the extra drag. The extra drag
of the flaps also allows you to make shorter, steeper
approaches. Touch-and-go’s and go-arounds can
be accomplished with the flaps deployed, but be
ready to use a little more up elevator. It is preferred
to have the flaps raised for takeoffs and climb outs
because the plane will accelerate and climb better. If
you have to go around and your flaps are lowered, it
is better to gain some altitude and airspeed before
raising the flaps.
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 Spitfire, check
out the other outstanding .60 size Gold Edition kits
shown on pages 62 and 63.
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
or 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 slop-free. If it fluttered once, it will probably
flutter again under similar circumstances unless
you can eliminate the slop or flexing in the
linkages. Here are some things which can result
in flutter: Excessive hinge gap; Not mounting
control horns solidly; Sloppy fit of clevis pin in
horn; elasticity present in flexible plastic
pushrods; Side-play of pushrod in guide tube
caused by tight bends; Sloppy fit of control rods
in servo horns; Insufficient glue used when
gluing in torque rods; Excessive flexing of
aileron, caused by using too soft balsa;
Excessive “play” or “backlash” in servo gears;
and insecure servo mounting.
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