Top Flite TOPA0951 - Manual (Page 30)

30
RANGE CHECK
Ground check the operational range of your radio before
the fi rst fl ight 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. (If using a 2.4GHz radio
system, refer to the radio manufacturer's manual.)
Have an assistant stand by your model and, while you
work the controls, tell you what the control surfaces
are doing. Repeat this test
with the engines running
at various speeds with an assistant holding the model,
using hand signals to show you what is happening. If
the control surfaces do not respond correctly,
do not
fl y! Find and correct the problem fi rst. Look for loose
servo connections or broken wires, corroded wires on
old servo connectors, poor solder joints in your battery
pack or a defective cell, or a damaged receiver crystal
from a previous crash.
ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Failure to follow these safety precautions may
result in severe injury to yourself and others.
● Keep all engine fuel in a safe place, away from high
heat, sparks or fl ames, as fuel is very fl ammable. Do
not smoke near the engine or fuel; and remember
that engine exhaust gives off a great deal of deadly
carbon monoxide. Therefore
do not run the engine
in a closed room or garage .
● Get help from an experienced pilot when learning
to operate engines.
● Use safety glasses when starting or running engines.
● Do not run the engine in an area of loose gravel
or sand; the propeller may throw such material in
your face or eyes.
● Keep your face and body as well as all spectators
away from the plane of rotation of the propeller as
you start and run the engine.
● Keep these items away from the prop: loose clothing,
shirt sleeves, ties, scarfs, long hair or loose objects
such as pencils or screwdrivers that may fall out of
shirt or jacket pockets into the prop.
● Use a “chicken stick” or electric starter to start the
engine. Do not use your fi ngers to fl ip the propeller.
Make certain the glow plug clip or connector is
secure so that it will not pop off or otherwise get
into the running propeller.
● Make all engine adjustments from behind the
rotating propeller.
● The engine gets hot! Do not touch it during or right
after operation. Make sure fuel lines are in good
condition so fuel will not leak onto a hot engine,
causing a fi re.
● To stop a glow engine, cut off the fuel supply by
closing off the fuel line or following the engine
manufacturer’s recommendations. Do not use
hands, fi ngers or any other body part to try to stop
the engine. To stop a gasoline powered engine an
on/off switch should be connected to the engine
coil. Do not throw anything into the propeller of a
running engine.
AMA SAFETY CODE (excerpts)
Read and abide by the following excerpts from the
Academy of Model Aeronautics Safety Code. For the
complete Safety Code refer to Model Aviation magazine,
the AMA web site or the Code that came with your
AMA license.
GENERAL
1) I will not fl y my model aircraft in sanctioned events,
air shows, or model fl ying demonstrations until it has
been proven to be airworthy by having been previously,
successfully fl ight 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 and avoid fl ying in the proximity of full-scale
aircraft. Where necessary, an observer shall be utilized
to supervise fl ying to avoid having models fl y in the
proximity of full-scale aircraft.
3) Where established, I will abide by the safety rules
for the fl ying site I use, and I will not willfully and
deliberately fl y my models in a careless, reckless and/
or dangerous manner.
5) I will not fl y my model unless it is identifi ed with
my name and address or AMA number, on or in the
model. Note: This does not apply to models while
being fl own indoors.
7) I will not operate models with pyrotechnics (any
device that explodes, burns, or propels a projectile
of any kind).
RADIO CONTROL
1) I will have completed a successful radio equipment
ground check before the fi rst fl ight of a new or repaired
model.
2) I will not fl y my model aircraft in the presence of
spectators until I become a qualifi ed fl ier, unless
assisted by an experienced helper.
3) At all fl ying sites a straight or curved line(s) must be
established in front of which all fl ying takes place with
the other side for spectators. Only personnel involved
with fl ying the aircraft are allowed at or in the front of
the fl ight line. Intentional fl ying behind the fl ight line
is prohibited.
4) I will operate my model using only radio control
frequencies currently allowed by the Federal
Communications Commission.
5) I will not knowingly operate my model within
three miles of any pre-existing fl ying site except in
accordance with the frequency sharing agreement
listed
[in the complete AMA Safety Code].
9) Under no circumstances may a pilot or other person
touch a powered model in fl ight;
nor should any part of
the model other than the landing gear, intentionally
touch the ground, except while landing.