Spektrum DX8 - Manual (Page 36)

36 SPEKTRUM DX8 • RADIO INSTRUCTION MANUAL
GENERAL INFORMATION
Servo Precautions
• Do not lubricate servo gears or motors.
• Do not overload retract servos during retracted or extended conditions. Make
sure they are able to travel their full deflection. Overloading or stalling a servo can
cause excessive current drain.
• Make sure all servos move freely through their rotations and no linkages
hang up or bind. A binding control linkage can cause a servo to draw excessive
current. A stalled servo can drain a battery pack in a matter of minutes.
• Correct any control surface “buzz” or “flutter” as soon as it is noticed in flight,
as this condition
can destroy the feedback potentiometer in the servo. It may be extremely
dangerous to ignore such “buzz” or “flutter.”
• Use the supplied rubber grommets and brass servo eyelets when mounting
your servos. Do not over-tighten the servo mounting screws, as this negates the
dampening effect of the rubber grommets.
• Ensure the servo horn is securely fastened to the servo. Use only the servo arm
screws provided; the size is different from other manufacturers.
• Discontinue to use servo arms when they become “yellowed” or discolored.
Such servo arms may be brittle and can snap at any time, possibly causing the
aircraft to crash.
• Check all related mounting screws and linkages frequently. Aircraft often
vibrate, causing linkages and screws to loosen.
General Notes
Radio controlled models are a great source of pleasure. Unfortunately, they can
also pose a potential hazard if not operated and maintained properly.
It is imperative to install your radio control system correctly. Additionally, your
level of piloting competency must be high enough to ensure that you are able
to control your aircraft under all conditions. If you are a newcomer to radio
controlled flying, please seek help from an experienced pilot or your local hobby
store.
Safety, Precautions, and Warnings
As the user of this product, you are solely responsible for operating it in a manner
that does not endanger yourself and others or result in damage to the product or
the property of others.
Carefully follow the directions and warnings for this and any optional support
equipment (chargers, rechargeable battery packs, etc.) that you use.
This model is controlled by a radio signal that is subject to interference from
many sources outside your control. This interference can cause momentary
loss of control so it is necessary to always keep a safe distance in all directions
around your model, as this margin will help to avoid collisions or injury.
• Always operate your model in an open area away from cars, traffic, or people.
• Avoid operating your model in the street where injury or damage can occur.
• Never operate the model out into the street or populated areas for any reason.
• Never operate your model with low transmitter batteries.
• Carefully follow the directions and warnings for this and any optional support
equipment (chargers, rechargeable battery packs, etc.) that you use.
• Keep all chemicals, small parts and anything electrical out of the reach of
children.
• Moisture causes damage to electronics. Avoid water exposure to all equipment
not specifically designed and protected for this purpose.
Do not operate more than 40 DSM transmitters simultaneously.
Safety Do’s and Don’ts for Pilots
• Ensure that your batteries have been properly charged prior to your initial flight.
• Keep track of the time the system is turned on so you will know how long you
can safely operateyour system.
• Perform a ground range check prior to the initial flight of the day. See the “Daily
Flight Checks Section” for information.
• Check all control surfaces prior to each takeoff.
• Do not fly your model near spectators, parking areas or any other area that
could result in injury to people or damage of property.
• Do not fly during adverse weather conditions. Poor visibility can cause
disorientation and loss of control of your aircraft. Strong winds can cause similar
problems.
• Do not point the transmitter antenna directly toward the model. The radiation
pattern from the tip of the antenna is inherently low.
• Do not take chances. If at any time during flight you observe any erratic or
abnormal operation, land immediately and do not resume flight until the cause of
the problem has been ascertained and corrected. Safety can never be taken lightly.
Federal Aviation Administration
purpose
This advisory outlines safety standards for operations of model aircraft. We
encourage voluntary compliance with these standards.
background
Attention has been drawn to the increase in model aircraft operation. There is a
need for added caution when operating free flight and radio controlled craft in
order to avoid creating a noise nuisance or a potential hazard to full-scale aircraft
and persons and/or property on the surface.
Operating Standards
Modelers generally are concerned with safety and exercise good judgment
when flying model aircraft. However, in the interest of safer skies, we encourage
operators of radio controlled and free flight models to comply with the following
standards:
a. Exercise vigilance in locating full-scale aircraft (get help if possible) so as not
to create a collision hazard.
b. Select an operating site at sufficient distance from populated areas so you do
not create a noise problem or a potential hazard.
c. Do not fly higher than 400 feet above the surface.
d. Always operate more than three miles from the boundary of an airport unless
you are given permission to be closer by the appropriate air traffic control facility
in the case of an airport for which a control zone has been designated or by the
airport manager in the case of other airports.
e. Do not hesitate to ask for assistance in complying with these guidelines at the
airport traffic control tower or air route traffic control center nearest the site of
your proposed operation.
Information Provided by
Director, Air Traffic Service Federal Aviation Administration, Washington, D.C.
Daily Flight Checks
1. Check the battery voltage on both the transmitter and the receiver battery
packs. Do not fly below 4.3V on the transmitter or below 9V on the receiver. To do
so can crash your aircraft.
Note: When you check these batteries, ensure that you have the polarities correct
on your expanded scale voltmeter.
2. Check all hardware (linkages, screws, nuts, and bolts) prior to each day’s flight.
Be sure that binding does not occur and that all parts are properly secured.
3. Ensure that all surfaces are moving in the proper manner.
4. Perform a ground range check before each day’s flying session.
5. Prior to starting your aircraft, turn off your transmitter, then turn it back on. Do
this each time you start your aircraft. If any critical switches are on without your
knowledge, the transmitter alarm will warn you at this time.
6. Check that all trim levers are in the proper location.
7. All servo pigtails and switch harness plugs should be secured in the receiver.
Make sure that the switch harness moves freely in both directions.
EN