Top Flite TOPA0705 - Manual (Page 39)

39
you would expect. With the landing gear retracted,
there is nothing more impressive than a high speed
fl y by to show off the airplane to all of those watching.
The airplane has a wide fl ight envelope. When the
landing gear is retracted and the throttle fully open the
airplane is fast. With the fl aps deployed the airplane
fl ys very slow, yet remains stable. When you deploy
the fl aps, expect it to balloon a bit. It is not severe but
watch for it. We found that if you mix in 2 degrees of
down elevator when the fl aps are fully deployed that
the ballooning was eliminated. We recommend you
spend some time fl ying with the fl aps deployed, fl ying
at slower speeds.
LANDING
To initiate a landing approach, lower the throttle while
on the downwind leg. Allow the nose of the model to
pitch downward to gradually bleed off altitude. Continue
to lose altitude, but maintain airspeed by keeping the
nose down as you turn onto the crosswind leg. In the
crosswind leg deploy the fl aps. Make your fi nal turn
toward the runway (into the wind) keeping the nose
down to maintain airspeed and control. Level the
attitude when the model reaches the runway threshold,
modulating the throttle as necessary to maintain your
glide path and airspeed. If you are going to overshoot,
smoothly advance the throttle (always ready on the
right rudder to counteract torque) and climb out to
make another attempt. When you’re ready to make
your landing fl are and the model is a foot or so off
the deck, smoothly increase up elevator until it gently
touches down. Once the model is on the runway and
has lost fl ying speed, hold up elevator to place the tail
on the ground, regaining tail wheel control.
If you are not accustomed to an airplane with fl aps,
you will discover that landings are slightly different.
A typical model without fl aps will generally initiate a
landing approach with a gradual reduction in altitude
so that on the fi nal approach you will be at a fairly low
altitude and will drive the airplane to the runway. The
P-40 lands best if you make your fi nal approach at about
100 feet (30 meters) as you approach the end of the
runway. Gradually reduce your speed, point the nose
towards the end of the runway maintaining a steady
descent. Level the airplane about three feet (1 meter)
above the runway and allow the plane to touch down
on the main gear and roll out until the tail naturally
settles onto the runway.
One fi nal note about fl ying your model. Have a goal or
fl ight plan in mind for
every fl ight. This can be learning
a new maneuver(s), improving a maneuver(s) you
already know, or learning how the model behaves
in certain conditions (such as on high or low rates).
This is not necessarily to improve your skills (
though
it is never a bad idea!) , but more importantly so you
do not surprise yourself by impulsively attempting a
maneuver and suddenly fi nding that you’ve run out of
time, altitude or airspeed. Every maneuver should be
deliberate, not impulsive. For example, if you’re going to
do a loop, check your altitude, mind the wind direction
(anticipating rudder corrections that will be required to
maintain heading), remember to throttle back at the top,
and make certain you are on the desired rates (high/
low rates). A fl ight plan greatly reduces the chances
of crashing your model just because of poor planning
and impulsive moves.
Remember to think.
Have a ball! But always stay in control and fl y in
a safe manner.
GOOD LUCK AND GREAT FLYING!
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