Top Flite TOPA0155 - Manual (Page 63)

GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY
Check the Control Directions
❏
1. Turn on the transmitter and receiver. Center the
trims on the transmitter. If necessary, adjust the
pushrods so the control surfaces are centered.
❏
2. Make certain that the control surfaces and the
carburetor respond in the correct direction. Reverse
the servos where necessary.
Set the Control Throws
Use a Great Planes AccuThrow (or a ruler) to
accurately measure and set the control throw of each
control surface as indicated in the chart that follows.
NOTE: The throws are measured at the widest part
of the control surface.
Balance the Model (C.G.)
At this stage the model should be in ready-to-fly
condition with all of the systems in place including
the engine, landing gear, covering and paint, and the
radio system.
❏
1. Use a felt-tip pen or 1/8" [3.2mm]-wide tape to
accurately mark the C.G. on the top of the wing on
both sides of the fuselage. The C.G. is located 4-3/8"
[111mm] back from the leading edge of the center
section of the wing. Note: This measurement is from
the balsa leading edge, not from the molded plastic
air intakes. The C.G. Machine may be used to
balance the model as shown, but the distance
between the plastic air intakes and the LE of the
wing must be added to the 4-3/8" measurement of
the C.G. location. Take accurate measurements
directly from your model to get this distance.
This is where the model should balance for the
first flights. Later, you may wish to experiment by
shifting the C.G. up to 3/8" [9.5mm] forward or 1/4"
[6mm] back to change the flying characteristics.
Moving the C.G. forward may improve the
smoothness and stability, but it may then require
more speed for takeoff and make it more difficult
to slow or flare for landing. Moving the C.G. aft
makes the model more maneuverable, but could
also cause it to become too difficult to control. In
any case, start at the recommended location and
do not at any time balance the model outside the
recommended range.
More than any other factor, the C.G. (balance
point) can have the greatest effect on how a
model flies, and may determine whether or not the
first flight will be successful. If you value this
model and wish to enjoy it for many flights,
DO NOT OVERLOOK THIS IMPORTANT
PROCEDURE. A model that is not properly
balanced will be unstable and possibly unflyable.
IMPORTANT: The Sea Fury has been extensively
flown and tested to determine the throws at which
it flies best. Flying your model at these throws will
provide you with the greatest chance for
successful first flights. If, after you have become
accustomed to the way the Sea Fury flies, you
would like to change the throws to suit your taste,
that is fine. However, too much control throw could
make the model difficult to control, so remember,
“more is not always better.”
These are the recommend control surface
throws:
High Rate Low Rate
ELEVATOR 5/8" [16mm] up 5/16" [8mm] up
5/8" [16mm] down 5/16" [8mm] down
RUDDER 1-5/8" [41mm] right 3/4" [19mm] right
1-5/8" [41mm] left 3/4" [19mm] left
AILERONS 3/4" [19mm] up 3/8" [9mm] up
3/4" [19mm] down 3/8" [9mm] down
FLAPS 2" [50mm]
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