Great Planes Cosmic Wind Minnow 60 ARF - GPMA1321 - Manual (Page 22)

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3. If the tail drops, the model is “tail heavy” weight must
be added to the nose to balance. If the nose drops, the
model is “nose heavy” weight must be added to the tail to
balance. If additional weight is required, nose weight may be
easily added by using a “spinner weight” (GPMQ4645 for the
1 oz. weight, or GPMQ4646 for the 2 oz. weight). If spinner
weight is not practical or is not enough, use Great Planes
(GPMQ4485) “stick-on” lead. A good place to add stick-on
nose weight is to the firewall (don’t attach weight to the
cowl–it is not intended to support weight). Begin by placing
incrementally increasing amounts of weight on the bottom of
the fuse over the firewall until the model balances. Once you
have determined the amount of weight required, it can be
permanently attached.
Note: Do not rely upon the adhesive on the back of the lead
weight to permanently hold it in place. Over time, fuel and
exhaust residue may soften the adhesive and cause the
weight to fall off. Use #2 sheet metal screws, RTV silicone or
epoxy to permanently hold the weight in place.
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4. IMPORTANT: If you found it necessary to add any
weight, recheck the C.G. after the weight has been installed.
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1. With the wing level, have an assistant help you lift the
model by the engine propeller shaft and the bottom of the
fuse under the TE of the fin. Do this several times.
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2. If one wing always drops when you lift the model, it means
that side is heavy. Balance the airplane by adding weight to the
other wing tip. An airplane that has been laterally balanced
will track better in loops and other maneuvers.
No matter if you fly at an AMA sanctioned R/C club site or if you
fly somewhere on your own, you should always have your name,
address, telephone number and AMA number on or inside your
model. It is required at all AMA R/C club flying sites and AMA
sanctioned flying events. Fill out the identification tag on the back
cover of this manual and place it on or inside your model.
Follow the battery charging instructions that came with
your radio control system to charge the batteries. You should
always charge your transmitter and receiver batteries
the night before you go flying, and at other times as
recommended by the radio manufacturer.
NOTE: Checking the condition of your receiver battery pack
is highly recommended. All battery packs, whether it’s a
trusty pack you’ve just taken out of another model, or a new
battery pack you just purchased, should be cycled, noting
the discharge capacity. Oftentimes, a weak battery pack can
be identified (and a valuable model saved!) by comparing its
actual capacity to its rated capacity. Refer to the instructions
and recommendations that come with your cycler. If you
don’t own a battery cycler, perhaps you can have a friend
cycle your pack and note the capacity for you.
Carefully balance your propeller and spare propellers before
you fly. An unbalanced prop can be the single most significant
cause of vibration that can damage your model. Not only will
engine mounting screws and bolts loosen, possibly with
disastrous effect, but vibration may also damage your radio
receiver and battery. Vibration can also cause your fuel to
foam, which will, in turn, cause your engine to run hot or quit.
We use a Top Flite Precision Magnetic Prop Balancer ™
(TOPQ5700) in the workshop and keep a Great Planes
Fingertip Prop Balancer (GPMQ5000) in our flight box.
If the engine is new, follow the engine manufacturer’s
instructions to break-in the engine. After break-in,
confirm that the engine idles reliably, transitions smoothly
and rapidly to full power and maintains full power—
indefinitely. After you run the engine on the model, inspect
the model closely to make sure all screws remained tight,
the hinges are secure, the prop is secure and all pushrods
and connectors are secured.
Ground check the operational range of your radio before the first
flight of the day. With the transmitter antenna collapsed and the
receiver and transmitter on, you should be able to walk at least
100 feet away from the model and still have control. Have an
Range Check
Ground Check
Balance Propellers
Charge the Batteries
Identify Your Model
PREFLIGHT
Balance the Model Laterally