Top Flite Sierra 40 Trainer Kit - Manual (Page 39)

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Do not run the engine in an area with loose
gravel or sand, as the propeller may throw such
material in your face or eyes.
Keep your face and body as well as all specta-
tors away from the plane of rotation of the propeller
as you start and run the engine.
Keep items such as these away from the prop:
loose clothing, shirt sleeves, ties, scarfs, long hair or
loose objects (pencils, screw drivers) that may fall
out of shirt or jacket pockets into the prop.
Use a "chicken stick" device or electric starter;
follow instructions supplied with the starter or stick.
Make certain the glow plug clip or connector is
secure so that it will not pop off or otherwise get into
the running propeller.
Make all engine adjustments from behind the
rotating propeller.
The engine gets hot! Do not touch it during or
after operation. Make sure fuel lines are in good
condition so fuel is not leaked onto a hot engine
causing a fire.
To stop the engine, cut off the fuel supply by
closing off the fuel line or following the engine
manufacturer's recommendations. Do not use hands,
fingers or any body part to try to stop the engine. Do
not throw anything into the prop of a running engine.
AMA SAFETY CODE
Read and abide by the following Academy of Model
Aeronautics Official Safety Code:
GENERAL
1. I will not fly my model aircraft in competition or in
the presence of spectators until it has been proven
to be airworthy by having been previously success-
fully flight tested.
2. I will not fly 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 to, and avoid flying in the proximity of, full
scale aircraft. Where necessary, an observer shall
be utilized to supervise flying to avoid having models
fly in the proximity of full scale aircraft.
3. Where established, I will abide by the safety rules
for the flying site I use, and I will not willfully and
deliberately fly my models in a careless, reckless
and/or dangerous manner.
RADIO CONTROL
1. I will have completed a successful radio equip-
ment ground check before the first flight of a new or
repaired model.
2. I will not fly my model aircraft in the presence of
spectators until I become a qualified flyer, unless
assisted by an experienced helper.
3. I will perform my initial turn after take off away from
the pit, spectator and parking areas, and I will not
thereafter perform maneuvers, flights of any sort or
landing approaches over a pit, spectator or parking
area.
FIRST FLIGHTS
The Top Flite Sierra is a great flying airplane that
flies smoothly and predictably. It is a primary trainer
with a very gentle stall and excellent self-recovery
characteristics. For your best chance at complete
success, we strongly recommend you seek the
assistance of a competent R/C pilot to help you with
your first flights. It is possible to teach yourself to fly,
but why subject your plane to an unnecessary risk?
One technique people often use to familiarize
themselves with the model's controls is to drive the
airplane around on the ground. This can be helpful
for modelers with virtually no previous R/C experi-
ence but you must be careful. If you "drive" it without
the wing mounted and it tips up, the aircraft is likely
to flip all the way over and become scuffed. If you
drive it around with the wing on , a sudden gust of
wind may lift the model into the air before you are
ready. In any case, make sure you have the ability
to "kill" the engine with the throttle trim on the
transmitter and keep the speeds low.
One thing to keep in mind with R/C models
(whether it be cars, boats, or planes) is that the
steering controls may seem to "reverse" when the
model is moving toward you. For example, if you are
flying toward yourself, and you give a right control
input (ailerons or rudder), the model will move off to
your left. The fact of the matter is, of course, that the
controls are not reversed and the aircraft did actually
enter a right turn. The plane does move off to your
left from your vantage point, but if you imagined
yourself in the cockpit you would realize the plane
turned to the right as commanded. All it takes is a
little practice to maintain proper orientation of your
aircraft, but that is why we recommend finding an
instructor.
Before going to the field, make sure you have
charged your batteries and have done all the other
checks described in the manual. Break in the engine
following the manufacturer's instructions. This usu-
ally involves running a couple of tanks of fuel through
the engine prior to flying. Run the engine set a little
rich for the first few flights in order to finish the break-
in process.