Flyzone FLZA3312 - Manual (Page 11)

11
CHOOSE A GOOD FLYING SITE
If the wind is calm or very light, the AcroWot MKII will be
docile and easy to control. We do not recommend fl ying in
winds greater than 10mph [16km/h]. Find a fl ying site clear of
buildings, trees, power lines and other obstructions. Until you
know how much area will be required and have mastered fl ying
your AcroWot in confi ned spaces, a site at least the size of
two or three football fi elds should be adequate – a fl ying fi eld
specifi cally intended for R/C planes is best. Don’t fl y within fi ve
miles of R/C fl ying fi elds and never fl y near people – especially
children who can wander unpredictably into the fl ying area.
Perform a Range Check
As a precaution, an operational ground range test should
be performed before the fi rst fl ight each time you go out.
Performing a range test is a good way to detect problems that
could cause loss of control such as low batteries, defective or
damaged radio components or radio interference. This usually
requires an assistant and should be done at the actual fl ying
site you will be using.
First switch on the transmitter, then install the fully-charged
battery into the fuselage. Connect the battery and install the
battery hatch.
Remember, use care not to “bump” the throttle stick.
Otherwise, the propeller will turn and possibly cause
damage or injury.
To range check the Tactic TTX404 radio control system, switch
on the transmitter and connect the motor battery to the ESC.
Set the model on the ground and have an assistant hold the
model. Walk 100’ (30m) from the model and while pointing
the transmitter at the plane, operate the controls ensuring
that the plane’s surfaces operate according to the transmitter
inputs. Operate the motor at different rpm. Have your assistant
alert you if the controls quit responding or move suddenly or
erratically. If you are using a different radio control system,
follow the instructions that came with your radio control system
to perform a ground range check. If the controls aren’t working
correctly or if anything seems wrong, don’t fl y the model until
you fi nd and correct the problem. Make certain all the servo
wires are securely connected to the receiver and the transmitter
batteries are in good condition.
Monitor Your Flight Time
Monitor and limit your fl ight time using a timer (such as one
on a wrist watch or in your transmitter if yours has one).
When the batteries are getting low you will usually notice a
performance drop before the ESC cuts off motor power, so
when the plane starts fl ying slower you should land. To avoid
an unexpected dead-stick landing on your fi rst fl ight, set your
timer to a conservative 4 minutes (in most conditions the
AcroWot MKII will usually fl y for approximately 5 minutes, but
this can vary). When your alarm sounds you can either land
right away, or if you are an experienced pilot you may continue
to fl y until the motor fi nally quits. Then, glide it in for a landing.
If planning a “dead-stick,” circle your AcroWot upwind of the
landing area until the motor quits and note the run time. When
you learn how much fl ight time you are getting you can adjust
your timer accordingly. Always be conservative so the motor
won’t quit unexpectedly and you will have enough battery to
land under power.
FLYING
The AcroWot MKII is a great-fl ying model that fl ies smoothly
and predictably. The AcroWot does not, however, possess
the self-recovery characteristics of a primary R/C trainer and
should be fl own only by experienced R/C pilots.
Takeoff
Before you get ready to takeoff, see how the model handles
on the ground by doing a few practice runs at low speeds
on the runway. Hold “up” elevator to keep the tail wheel on
the ground. If necessary, adjust the tail wheel so the model
will roll straight down the runway. If you need to calm your
nerves before the maiden fl ight, bring the model back into
the pits. Top off the battery charge, then check all fasteners
and control linkages for peace of mind.
Remember to take off into the wind. When you’re ready, point
the model straight down the runway, hold a bit of up elevator
to keep the tail on the ground to maintain tail wheel steering,
then gradually advance the throttle. As the model gains
speed decrease up elevator allowing the tail to come off the
ground. One of the most important things to remember with
a tail dragger is to always be ready to apply right rudder to
counteract motor torque. Gain as much speed as your runway
and fl ying site will practically allow before gently applying up
elevator, lifting the model into the air. At this moment it is likely
that you will need to apply more right rudder to counteract
motor torque. Be smooth on the elevator stick, allowing the
model to establish a gentle climb to a safe altitude before
turning into the traffi c pattern.
Flight
For reassurance and to keep an eye on other traffi c, it is a
good idea to have an assistant on the fl ight line with you. Tell
him to remind you to throttle back once the plane gets to a
comfortable altitude. While full throttle is usually desirable for
takeoff, most models fl y more smoothly at reduced speeds.