Top Flite TOPA0310 - Manual (Page 56)

3. I will perform my initial turn after takeoff away
from the pit or spectator areas and I will not
thereafter fly over pit or spectator areas, unless
beyond my control.
4. I will operate my model using only radio control
frequencies currently allowed by the Federal
Communications Commission.
FLYING
Takeoff
To aid in ground handling during taxiing and your
initial takeoff roll, hold up elevator to keep the tail
wheel in contact with the ground. Up elevator should
be gradually relaxed as you gain speed to keep the
model from lifting into the air before you are ready.
As with most tail draggers, engine torque will cause
the nose to turn to the left as you accelerate and roll
down the runway during takeoff—especially on
pavement. Though this tendency is minimal with the
Stinson, it is something you should expect and be
prepared for. To minimize this, always be ready to
apply a bit of right rudder. Additionally, hold a bit of
up elevator during initial rollout (as mentioned
previously) and advance the throttle
smoothly and
gradually, using rudder to keep the model on the
centerline of the runway. As you near full throttle and
the model’s speed increases, decrease up elevator
and allow the tail to lift off the runway—always at the
ready with right rudder. Do not allow the model to
leave the ground yet. Allow the Stinson to build up
as much speed as your runway or flying site will
safely provide (this may take a little longer due to the
relatively thick airfoil and large fuselage cross
section), then apply up elevator and gently lift her
into the air. Once the model “breaks ground,” be
ready to apply right rudder to counteract torque.
Establish a gentle climb. After you have reached a
safe altitude, begin your turn away from the runway
and get into the traffic pattern.
Flight
In the flying section of most of our other instruction
manuals, we recommend that modelers take it easy
with their new model for the first few flights,
gradually getting acquainted as they gain
confidence in the engine and flight characteristics.
However, with the Stinson we recommend you
always take it easy! Keep in mind that this is a
large, docile, scale model of a civilian small
transport aircraft. Therefore, the Stinson is not
intended for aerobatic maneuvers other than those
such as chandelles and stall turns. Barrel rolls and
gentle loops—with proper throttle management—
can also be accomplished, but are not prototypical.
The Stinson should be flown in a scale-like manner
prototypical of the full size aircraft (surely, all
advanced scale pilots know this already!).
After you have reached a safe altitude after takeoff,
adjust the trims so the Stinson will fly straight and
level at cruise speed. Though rudder is not
absolutely necessary, we found that the Stinson
turns best, and most scale-like, by using a small
amount of rudder to initiate the turn before adding
ailerons. You can even electronically mix in a small
amount (start with about 5%) of rudder to ailerons.
Try different throttle settings to see how the model
reacts and what kind of trim changes may be
required. Still at altitude, execute practice landing
approaches to see how the Stinson handles at lower
speeds. Do the same with the flaps extended so you
know what to expect when you’re in an actual
landing approach. Add power and see how she
climbs with flaps as well. Do this exercise a few
times and decide whether or not you will be using
flaps for your first landing. Fly around and execute
various maneuvers making mental notes (or having
a friend standing by with a note pad) on how she
behaves. Note what might be required to fine tune
your Stinson so it handles just the way you like. Use
this time and altitude to become as familiar as
possible with the Stinson before your first landing.
Landing
The Stinson lands much the same as any other high
wing model, except it bleeds off air speed a little
faster due to the higher drag of the airframe. Just
carry a little extra power to stretch the glide path.
Landings may be performed with or without flaps.
With flaps she comes in slower yet, though at a
steeper glide angle. If you choose to use flaps,
maintain an engine R.P.M. that is slightly higher than
normal to overcome the additional drag. Flaps should
be extended after the throttle is reduced on the
downwind leg. If you extend the flaps at too high an
airspeed, the nose may pitch up strongly. To initiate a
landing approach, make your final turn toward the
runway (always into the wind) keeping the nose down
to maintain airspeed and control. Level the attitude
when the Stinson reaches the runway threshold,
modulating the throttle as necessary to maintain your
glide path and airspeed. When it’s over the runway
and just a foot or so off the deck, smoothly increase
up elevator to execute the landing flare. Mind your
fuel so you can make as many attempts as required
before you’re ready to touch down. Refrain from
using flaps during dead-stick landings unless you’re
near the runway and lined up. Otherwise, flaps will
reduce the model’s range causing it to land much
shorter than you might normally expect.
CAUTION (THIS APPLIES TO ALL R/C AIRPLANES): If, while flying,
you notice any unusual sounds, such as a low-pitched “buzz,” this may
indicate control surface flutter. Because flutter can quickly destroy
components of your airplane, any time you detect flutter you must
immediately cut the throttle and land the airplane! Check all servo
grommets for deterioration (this may indicate which surface fluttered),
and make sure all pushrod linkages are secure and free of play. If the
control surface fluttered once, it probably will flutter again under similar
circumstances unless you can eliminate the free-play or flexing in the
linkages. Here are some things which can cause flutter: Excessive
hinge gap; Not mounting control horns solidly; Poor fit of clevis pin in
horn; Side-play of pushrod in guide tube caused by tight bends; Poor fit
of Z-bend in servo arm; Insufficient glue used when gluing in the elevator
joiner wire; Excessive play or backlash in servo gears; and insecure
servo mounting.
- 56 -
Have a ball! But always stay in control and fly in a safe manner. GOOD LUCK AND GREAT FLYING!