Before Your First Flight....
Balance
( _) _Is the center of gravity within the range shown on the
plans? (fore and aft)
(
_) _Is the
model balanced side to side? (right and left wings of equal weight)
Alignment
( _) _Are all the flying surfaces at the proper angle relative to each other?
( _) _Are there
any twists in the wing?
(
_) _Are
the wings at the proper incidence as shown on the plans?
( _) _Is the
engine set at the proper thrust angle as shown on the plans?
Control Surfaces
( _) _Are all control surfaces securely attached? (i.e., hinges glued, pinned).
Pull on each one to test.
( _) _Are the
control throws in the correct direction with proper amount of deflection (as
listed in the plans for your plane)?
( _) _Rudder: Left
stick should move rudder to the left.
( _) _Aileron:
left stick should move left aileron up.
( _) _Elevator:
Pulling back (toward you) on the stick should move elevator up.
( _) _Throttle:
With trim set fully forward, pushing the stick forward should open throttle
fully. With trim set fully backward, pulling stick back should fully close the
throttle.
( _) _Are the
control horns secure? (screws been attached to servo horns)
Control Linkages
( _) _Have all the linkages been checked to be sure they are secure?
( _) _Are all the
snap links closed? (clevises usually have keepers or fuel tubing to ensure they
stay closed)
Engine
( _) _Are all engine screws tight?
( _) _Is the prop
nut and/or spinner tight?
( _) _Is the
engine securely mounted to the fuselage?
( _) _Does the
throttle work without binding?
( _) _Does the
throttle trim tab shut down the engine?
( _) _Has the
propeller been balanced and checked for damage? (cracks and nicks)
( _) _Are
propeller tips painted white?
( _) _Has the
engine been thoroughly test run? (engine idle and throttle up properly)
( _) _Has the
engine been run at full throttle with the plane¹s nose straight up in the air?
(to make sure it won¹t stall when full power is applied on climb out)
( _) _Is the fuel
tank installed correctly? (i.e., carburetor at the same height as fuel tank,
fuel tank clunk in proper position and moving freely, fuel lines in good
condition and connected to the engine correctly)
( _) _Does your
gasoline engine have a kill switch?
( _) _For gasoline
engines, a fire extinguisher should be included in flight box.
Radio And Servos
( _) _Are the radio and battery securely mounted and have they been padded with
foam to protect from vibration and shock?
( _) _Are all
screws in servo trays?
(
_) _Are
all push rods firmly secure in servo arms?
( _) _Are servo
arms firmly attached with screw in place?
( _) _Are all
electrical connectors secure?
( _) _Is the
receiver¹s antenna fully extended and in good condition?
( _) _Are the
batteries charged and checked with a volt meter?
( _) _Has a full
range check been performed? (see below)
Landing Gear
( _) _Is landing gear firmly attached to airframe? (wheel attachments secure)General
( _) _Is the covering tight with no visible signs of damage?Range Checking The Radio
( _)
_Verify frequency is available and put
membership card on frequency board.
( _) _Turn on
transmitter and receiver.
( _) _Walk about
30 yards from your plane .
( _) _Do all
surfaces respond to controls?
( _) _Do surfaces
start to "flutter"? Do surfaces move from the middle, neutral position without
touching the sticks? In either case, it is imperative that the radio problem be
fixed before trying to fly the plane. Check to see if any wiring crosses or runs
alongside the antenna wire (arrange all wires as far from antenna as possible).
Re-check all batteries. Check the transmitter antenna is not loose. Check the
receiver switch is operating correctly. The plane must pass this range test
before attempting to fly.
Before EVERY Flight
( _) _Secure
transmitter frequency at frequency control board.
( _) _Check the receiver and battery pack
with a voltmeter to insure enough charge.
( _) _Check the control throw direction of
all surfaces.
( _)
_Check
your transmitter to be sure switches were not accidentally thrown to the wrong
position. If you have a multi-model transmitter, check is set to correct model.
(
_)
_Start the
engine and test the entire throttle range.
Know The Safety Calls /
Runway Communication
"Coming out"
As you prepare to place your aircraft on the runway.
"Taking Off" Is pretty much self explanatory.
"Setting up to land" As you begin your downwind leg gives
others time to clear the area for you.
"Landing" As you are
on final approach.
"On the runway" If your aircraft stops
dead on the runway.
"Off on the far side" If your aircraft
veers off on the side away from the pilots stations.
"Crossing the
runway" Anytime you have to cross the runway (in either direction).
"Runway clear" After you have retrieved your errant
aircraft, or if it has been taxied off the runway on the pit side.
"Dead stick" When your engine dies while in the air. Other
pilots will pass this announcement down the line as it is a signal for everyone
to immediate clear the landing zone.
"Touch and go" or "Slow fly-by"
Note that high speed low passes and acrobatics in the landing zone when
other pilots are on station are forbidden-these may only be performed at least
50' on the other side of the runway.
"Aircraft down''
Followed by the general area.
"I do not have it!!" If a
pilot will announce that he has a problem as soon as possible, other observers
may be able to get a fix on the plane if it goes down. If you do get a fix, such
as a certain tree, etc., do not move. CalI for another person to come stand
beside you and show them the point you fixed on. Even turning around and back
can lose the fix.