Final Checks.

Set Up
Controls Fuselage Radio 1 Engine Undercarriage Wings Linkages Radio 2 Assembly Last Checks And Finally

Centre Of Gravity (CoG).

  1. Position.
    • The CoG should be checked "dry" so ensure that the fuel tank is empty.
    • The CoG should be within the limits specified by the model manufacturer. On a straight wing trainer, this is about one third of the way back from the leading edge of the wing.

Tracking.

  1. If the model has it's undercarriage fitted to the wing, the wheel tracking can now be checked in the same way as described for a model with fuselage mounted main gear.

If you are at the flying field, ensure that you have the sole use of the frequency peg for the frequency you will be using by obtaining the appropriate frequency peg and that you fully understand the frequency control system in operation.

Final Radio checks.

Switch on the transmitter then the receiver.

  1. Fouling.
    • Move all the transmitter controls into all possible positions and combinations, remembering to move all of the trims as well.
    • There should be no clashing or binding of any of the controls. With the wing on, the chances are that you won't be able to see what's going on inside the model, so listen hard! This is usually audible as a servo "buzzes" when it is stalled.

  2. Range check (Engine off).
    • With the transmitter aerial extended no more than 50mm (2") - some transmitters put out virtually no signal with the aerial fully inside the transmitter - move at least 10m (30') or thirty average pages away from the model.
    • You should have full control of all the control surfaces at all times. This can be verified by moving the control sticks around. (Getting a friend to help here makes this easier.)
    • There should be no occurrences of the control surfaces not moving when the sticks are moved.
    • There should be no occurrences of the control surfaces juddering.

  3. Failsafe.

    You do have a Failsafe, don't you?

    If you have a PCM radio failsafe then read PCM/Failsafes and Fail Deadly . These pages will give you some thoughts about how to configure the failsafe on your model. Configure the failsafe on the transmitter.

    • Move the aileron stick to maximum right or left, elevator to maximum up or down, rudder to maximum right or left deflection and throttle to maximum. Things like flaps, undercarraige etc. should be moved to the non-failsafe position.
    • Switch off the transmitter only.
    • All the controls should go to their preset conditions but most importantly, the throttle must close to either "tickover" or "stopped".
    • If you are satisfied that the controls are doing what you want them to, switch the transmitter back on. If not, repeat this process until you are.

    If you don't have a PCM radio failsafe but you have an "inline" failsafe then read PCM/Failsafes and Fail Deadly . If you only have one failsafe device then it should be connected to your throttle servo. Configure the failsafe.

    • Move the throttle to maximum.
    • Switch off the transmitter only.
    • The throttle must close to either "tickover" or "stopped".

    If you don't have any kind of failsafe (and very few people starting out in aeromodelling do) then you are very strongly recommended to read BMFA Bulletin and think about the consequences. Depending on the conclusions you come to, you may then consider reading PCM/Failsafes and Fail Deadly . It's entirely up to you. We confidently predict that it will not be long before having a failsafe is mandatory and it will be an even shorter time before instructors and test pilots refuse to fly any model not fitted with a working failsafe.

Set Up
Controls Fuselage Radio 1 Engine Undercarriage Wings Linkages Radio 2 Assembly Last Checks And Finally