Great Planes PT-60 Kit - GPMA0119 - Manual (Page 43)

USING RUBBER BANDS
If you are using rubber bands to attach your wing,
the rule of thumb is to use two #64 rubber bands per
pound of model weight If your model tipped the scales
at 7 pounds, you need 14 rubber bands It doesn't matter
how many run straight across the wing or how many are
criss-crossed, so long as the last two are criss-crossed
This trick stops the other bands from popping off Do not
use oily rubber bands for more than a few flying
sessions Check each rubber band before using it and
watch out for cracks Rubber bands can be conditioned
by storing the oily ones in a zip-top storage bag partially
filled with talcum powder or corn starch Both products
will absorb the oil
Start the engine and set the throttle trim for a slow
steady idle Have your instructor or a helper hold the plane
while you work the controls Upon release advance the
throttle slightly to start rolling then back-off the power to
prevent going too fast and possibly taking off Stand behind
the plane as it taxies away from you and note the direction
it turns as you move the rudder control 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 s why we recommend finding an instructor
When you feel comfortable advance the throttle a little
while standing behind the plane to get the feel of a takeoff
roll but pull back on the power before the PT lifts off Try
this several times adding a little more power each time If
the plane starts to veer off, immediately cut the power to
prevent a mishap
Although many R/C pilots have taught themselves to
fly, we strongly recommend that you find an instructor to
help get you started Although the PT series of trainers offer
the greatest opportunity of success for the self-taught, there
is a high probability that you will crash your airplane on the
first flight Protect your investment of time and money-
obtain the assistance of an experienced R/C pilot.
Your first flights should be made in little or no wind If you
have dual rates on your transmitter set the switches to low
rate for takeoff Taxi into position pointing directly into the
wind Although this model has good low speed characteristics,
you should always build up as much speed as your runway
will permit before lifting off as this will give you a safety margin
in case of a flame-out Advance the throttle smoothly to the
wide open setting When the plane has sufficient flying speed
(you won't know until you try) lift off by smoothly applying a
little up elevator (dont Jerk it off to a steep climb'), and climb
out gradually trying to keep it straight and the wings level The
PT-60 will climb at a 20 or 30 degree angle under full throttle
Climb to about 100 feet before starting a VERY gentle turn by
moving the aileron stick Apply a little more back pressure on
the elevator stick as the PT turns Stop the turn by moving the
aileron stick in the opposite direction until the wings are level,
then return the stick to the neutral position Pull the power
back to 1/3 throttle
We recommend that you take it easy with your PT-60 for
the first several flights and gradually get acquainted with this
great plane as your engine becomes fully broken-in The PT-
60 is designed to fly level with neutral elevator trim at
approximately 1/4 to 1/3 throttle (using a 60 size engine) —
this is the best speed for learning to fly On later flights, if you
want the PT 60 to maintain level flight at full throttle, you will
need to give it a little down trim
Your first flights should consist of mostly straight and level
flight with gentle turns to keep the model over the field These
flights will give you practice at coordinating your control inputs
and maintaining the proper orientation of the airplane As
mentioned earlier turns are accomplished by banking the
aircraft with the ailerons (rudder will accomplish this on a 3-
channel airplane) then gently adding some back stick (up
elevator) Enough back stick should be held in to keep the
aircraft at a constant altitude To stop turning apply opposite
aileron (or rudder) to level the wings, then release the sticks.
There is a memory aid that may help keep you out of trouble
when the plane is flying toward you — put the stick under
the low wing In other words, move the stick in the direction
of the low wing to raise that wing When you are comfortable
flying the aircraft, you can practice using the rudder along with
the ailerons to 'coordinate the turns — usually, a small
amount of rudder applied in the direction of the turn will keep
the tail following the exact same track as the nose
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