10
FLYING THE ENDURANCE 400
CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT
Prior to going to the flying field, with radio batteries fully
charged, turn on both receiver (Rx) and transmitter (Tx)
and actuate all controls many times until you are satis-
fied with all functions.
Before beginning each day's flying, make a range check
of your equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions. In general, with transmitter antenna col-
lapsed to 6"-8", you should have an at least 100 foot
range on the ground. To check this, turn on both the
transmitter and the receiver switches, set the model
heading away from you, and walk away while transmit-
ting signals to move the control surfaces. Watch to see
that no signals are missed until you are at least 100 feet
away. Only if the equipment works perfectly should any
flights be attempted. Again, be careful to not use your
transmitter when anyone else at the field is flying or
testing on the same frequency!
After the range check, stand behind the model and make
sure the control responses are correct. Moving the con-
trol stick to the right should give right rudder (on a 3-
channel set-up) . Moving the stick back or down on the
Tx should move the elevator up, and vice versa.
Finally, make sure that everything on your aircraft is
neatly and firmly in place-motor fastened down, servos
snugged down, receiver and battery wrapped in foam
rubber, etc. Prop and spinner must be tight. The receiv-
er antenna must be extended, not coiled up inside the
model. Nothing should be loose, or unfinished, or
unchecked.
With everything ready, the motor should be started for a
short time. While the motor is running, make sure the
control surfaces do not jitter or move until you command
them and that the motor switch also responds properly to
your command.
With transmitter and receiver switched on, hand launch
the model directly into the wind. Gently correct the flight
path as necessary. If any adjustments are needed to
maintain straight and level flight, get experienced help to
move the clevises.
In flight control. most of the beginner's trouble comes
from over-controlling or holding a signal too long. It is
better to operate your transmitter slowly and smoothly.
A troublesome tendency is letting the model get down-
wind. New flyers should try to keep the model upwind at
all times prior to the landing approach.
If you are a novice, seek the help of an experienced flyer.
Do not hesitate to ask one of the better flyers at the field
for help. Usually, they are glad to spend a little time to
get somebody started right, and they very likely were
helped in the same manner themselves.
WHERE TO FLY
Fly only in areas sanctioned for R/C and known to be
free of radio interference. Ask your hobby dealer or
other modelers if there is an R/C flying field that is used
by a local R/C club. This is the ideal place to fly. If you
don't know of an R/C club nearby, contact the Academy
of Model Aeronautics (AMA), at the address on the front
of this booklet, for information on a club in your area.
Remember: R/C flying fields need to have rules to help
prevent accidents, so ask about them before you turn
on any of your equipment! DO NOT TEST your trans-
mitter in the parking lot or anywhere nearby until
you are sure no one else is using your radio fre-
quency. This could cause another flyer to crash and
make you very unpopular!
If there is no club or other R/C flying site available,
locate a square area (preferably a grassy field), at least
four or five football fields long, which is free of power
lines, trees, poles, houses, busy streets and other
obstructions. It must be at least three miles away from
any areas where other R/C models, such as boats or
cars, are operated. It should also have a relatively
smooth surface, as it will take practice to learn precision
landings. If you find a suitable location, turn your receiv-
er on for 2 or 3 minutes to check that no one in the vicin-
ity is operating an R/C device which could affect your
receiver and cause your plane to crash.
The Endurance 400 was designed for long, slow, relaxed
flying - not loops or similar aerobatic maneuvers. Save
that kind of lying for your next, higher performance sport
plane. Practicing precise control and glide planning on
the Endurance 400 is good preparation for the demands
of advanced aerobatic flying.
We recommend you use 3 channels, as this will allow
you to cut power whenever you wish to do so. On your
first few flights, after a couple of minutes, you may feel
you have "had enough" and want to land and relax. A
2-channel system without motor control will not give you
this option; you will have to keep flying until the battery
power runs down.
You can expect a good solid 4 or 5 minutes of powered
flight with a properly charged battery. In this amount of
time, Endurance 400 will gain several hundred feet of
altitude and will allow you time to get oriented and famil-
iar with the control "feel." When the battery power
begins to run out, climb will slow down and the model
will begin a slow descent. You should continue flying
your same flying pattern as the model slowly glides.
For your initial landings, you should not be concerned
about trying to land at a specific spot. Your prime con-
cern should be a controlled landing, always into the
wind, with wing level. With practice, you will be able to
plan your approaches to land just about where you
want.
