Great Planes VFO ARF EP Aerobat - GPMA1135 - Manual (Page 16)

16
Apply the throttle until there is enough power to allow the
airplane to hover. Have your helper let go of the airplane but
keep the airplane in his hands between his fi ngers. This way
he can quickly grab the airplane if it is out of trim. As the helper
releases and again grabs the airplane, observe which way the
airplane pitches. You will have to pay attention to the orientation
of the model so that you adjust the correct control surface. If the
plane is pitching up or down, make adjustment to the elevator. If
the airplane is rolling, adjust the ailerons. If it falls to the left or
right, adjust the rudder. Continue with these adjustments until
the airplane appears to be reasonably close to being trimmed.
Takeoff
This is the part you have been waiting for. Your natural impulse
is to take off slowly to get to hover. This does not work! When
you attempt a slow take off the airplane wants to spin from the
motor torque and you have to fi ght this with aileron input. The
best way to take off is to quickly pop the Pogo off the ground
to about eye level. Once you are hovering three to four feet
[0.9
– 1.2m] off of the ground you need to keep a close eye on
what the airplane does. Because of its design it is important to
pay close attention to the orientation of the airplane so that you
can make the correct adjustments. When hovering or just barely
pulling forward, the airplane is quite stable and controllable. If
you try to make adjustments and the airplane is descending,
you will fi nd that it is a little harder to control. You will be tempted
to over control the airplane but the model will stabilize without
too much input from you.
Most likely you will want to practice popping the airplane to a
three foot [0.9m] hover and then reducing power to settle it back
onto the ground to get familiar with Pogo.
Transition to Forward Flight
From the hover, simply apply some down elevator and the Pogo
easily goes into forward fl ight. At this point the airplane fl ies as
any conventional aircraft. The airplane responds pretty quickly
so be sure to pay attention to its orientation. In forward fl ight the
Pogo can fl y very fast or very slow. It is best to fl y the airplane
slowly until you get accustomed to it.
25–30°
To fl y the airplane slow you need to keep it pointed up at a
25 to 30 degree angle. As you fl atten the angle of attack you
will see the airplane really picks up speed.
Flight
Once you are in forward fl ight the airplane will perform really
tight loops, very fast rolls and tight turns with the rudder.
You will enjoy fl ying and then pulling the nose up to slow
the airplane and then transition to hover. Just be sure to
pay close attention to the orientation of the airplane so you
respond with the correct control inputs.
Landing
For your fi rst couple of fl ights you should begin to practice
transitioning from forward fl ight to hover right away so that
you can get the sense of what you will need to do when
you land. To initiate the landing fl y the airplane slowly at an
altitude of three to six feet. When you are in front of yourself
pull the nose up and add a little more power so the airplane
is hovering. Slowly decrease the power until the plane settles
on the ground.
I really encourage you to go to the web site and watch the
video. If the old saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words”
is true then our video will make it very clear how to succeed
with your Pogo.
Remember to think.
Have a ball! But always stay in control
and fl y in a safe manner.
GOOD LUCK and GREAT FLYING!
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