Academy of Model Aeronautics Wattage Thermalaire EP, Assembly Manual

20

❑

3) When flying at a flying field with established

rules, you should abide by those rules.  You should
not deliberately fly your model in a reckless and/or
dangerous manner.

❑

4) While flying, you should not deliberately fly

behind the flight line.  If your model should inad-
vertently fly behind the flight line, you should change
course immediately.

❑

5) Don't drink and fly.  Consuming alcoholic

beverages prior to flying, or while you are flying, is
a big no-no.

❑

6) You should complete a successful range

check of your radio equipment prior to each new day
of flying, or prior to the first flight of a new or re-
paired model.

❑

7) You should perform your initial turn after

takeoff away from the flightline and/or spectator area.

❑

8) You should not knowingly operate your R/C

radio system within 3 miles of a preexisting model
club flying field without a frequency sharing agree-
ment with that club.

If you've come this far, now you're ready to pre-

pare for the maiden voyage of your new airplane.
Before proceeding, we highly recommend double
checking all of your work.  Make sure there is no
detail you missed and that you understand all of the
airplane's functions.  We hope you find the follow-
ing sections helpful, making your first flights
successful.

Since you've chosen the Thermalaire EP, you've

avoided the most common mistake beginners make:
choosing a high performance airplane like the P-51
Mustang or the F-16 jet as a trainer.  Just as you
wouldn't learn to drive a car using an Indy car, you
shouldn't use a high performance airplane to learn to
fly R/C model airplanes.  The second mistake new
pilots make is not seeking out the help of an experi-
enced modeler.  While it is certainly true that some
people have learned to fly without help, having the
help of an experienced R/C model pilot will help make
those first few flights much more successful and en-
joyable.  We highly recommend seeking out a club
or a flying field near you.  You'd be surprised just
how many clubs there are that help beginners.

ABC'S OF FLYING

Once at the field, even before removing your air-

plane from the car, introduce yourself to some of the
other pilots.  Find out what safety procedures and
frequency control system is in place.  In short, learn
and follow the field etiquette.  Doing so will ensure
safe flying for you and others.  You will also be able
to find out who might be the right person to help you
learn to fly.

Sometimes, it is just impossible to find anyone

to help.  In that case it would be wise to seek out
some additional information about flying.  R/C Mod-
eler Magazine, Harry Higley and Model Airplane
News Magazine all publish very good basic flight
training books that explain flying in greater depth.
You may also wish to seek out a computer simulator.
There are several different brands of flight simula-
tors available that can be very effective at teaching
the basic coordination of R/C flight.

If you do decide you have no choice but to learn

to fly on your own, choosing the place to fly your new
airplane is of the utmost importance.  Select your po-
tential flying field with the following considerations:

1) Look for a site that has a soft landing area.

The best sites are large grassy fields.

2) The fewer ground obstructions the better.  No

trees, buildings or large rocks should be nearby.

3) No people or houses should be nearby.  While

R/C flying is generally safe, it can lead to harm or
injury.  Do not try to fly your model if there are houses
or people close by.

4) There should be no high-lines, telephone

lines or electrical lines anywhere near where you are
flying.  If your airplane accidentally does fly into
wires of any kind, do not try to retrieve it yourself.
Serious injury or even death could result.  Contact
the local police or fire department to help you in re-
trieving your airplane.

To begin you should know how your airplane op-

erates.  First, there are four forces operating on a flying
aircraft: Lift, Weight, Thrust and Drag.  The motor
will create thrust to overcome the drag.  In times when
the motor is off, gravity pulling the airplane down can
act as thrust.  This is how the airplane flies when the

BASICS OF FLIGHT