Great Planes Spirit 100 Sailplane Kit - GPMA0550 - Manual (Page 49)

schoolyard may look inviting but it is usually too close to people,
power lines and possible radio interference.
If you arc not thoroughly familiar with the operation of R/C
models, ask an experienced modeler to check to see you have the
radio installed correctly and all the control surfaces do what they
are supposed to.
RANGE CHECK YOUR RADIO
Wherever you do fly, you need to check the operation of the
radio before every time you fly. This means 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 someone help you. Have them stand by your
model and, while you work the controls, tell you what the various
control surfaces are doing.
AMA SAFETY CODE
Read and abide by the following Academy of Model Aero-
nautics 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 successfully 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 w i l l f u l l y and deliberately fly my models
in a careless, reckless and/or dangerous manner.
RADIO CONTROL
1. I will have completed a successful radio equipment 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 takeoff 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.
FLYING
First of all, if you are flying with other flyers check to make
sure they are not flying or testing on the same frequency as
your model.
Try to find an experienced pilot to help you with your first
flights. Although the SPIRIT 100 is very easy to fly, an experi-
enced pilot can save you a lot of time and possible aggravation by
helping you get your model in the air smoothly.
TRIM FLIGHTS
It is a good idea to do a couple of trim flights before each flying
session to make sure the plane is still in trim and the radio is
working properly. The model will survive a hard landing from 5
feet much better than it will one from several hundred feet. The
first few trim flights should be done over a grass field. The longer
the grass the better (more cushion).
49