Skysprite instruction manual
8
FMA Direct
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Don’t leave Skysprite in hot sunlight.
Skysprite won’t warp
on its own, but it can be permanently bent if left in a hot area
with its surfaces against something. If that happens, Skysprite
may not fly as expected.
Motor downthrust.
Notice that the Motor Shaft is angled
slightly downward. This is called
downthrust
, and it helps
Skysprite fly level. If you handle Skysprite roughly, or fly it
into a tree or building, the downthrust angle may change. If
downthrust is incorrect, Skysprite may ascend too rapidly
when launched, then stall (the wing stops lifting the airplane)
and fall to the ground.
Check the downthrust angle periodically. If the angle has
changed, use a scrap of matchbook or folded paper to wedge
the Motor back into position.
Slight downthrust
Replacing the Spinner and Propeller.
If the Propeller is
damaged, you should replace it with the Spare Propeller. Pull
the original Spinner and Propeller off of the Motor shaft.
Press the Spare Propeller onto the Motor Shaft. Glue the
Spinner onto the Propeller with a small amount of white glue
(for example, Elmer’s brand).
Trimming.
Here are some common flight problems, and how
to solve them:
z
If Skysprite rises too fast after launch, then stalls and falls
to the ground:
Make sure the Motor has the correct downthrust (it may
have too little). If it doesn’t, shim the Motor into place.
Fly Skysprite. If that doesn’t solve the problem, then...
Add a little down elevator trim. Gently bend both eleva-
tor trim tabs down about 1/32" (about the thickness of a
credit card). Fly Skysprite. If that doesn’t solve the
problem, then...
Add a little left rudder trim. Gently bend the rudder trim
tab toward the left side of Skysprite. Turning helps keep
Skysprite from rising.
z
If Skysprite dives into the ground after launch:
Recharge the Airplane Battery (see "Charge and install
the Airplane Battery," earlier in this manual). Fly
Skysprite. If that doesn’t solve the problem, then...
Make sure the Motor has correct downthrust (it may
have too much). If it doesn’t, shim the Motor into place.
Fly Skysprite. If that doesn’t solve the problem, then...
Add a little up elevator trim. Gently bend both elevator
trim tabs up about 1/32".
z
If Skysprite rolls to the left or right during launch (instead
of climbing with the wings level):
There may be too much rudder trim. Reduce rudder
trim. Fly Skysprite. If that doesn’t solve the problem,
then...
Correct the roll using the aileron trim tabs. If Skysprite
rolls to the left, gently bend the left aileron trim tab
down and the right trim tab up about 1/32". If Skysprite
rolls to the right, gently bend the right aileron trim tab
down and the left trim tab up.
z
If Skysprite dives (instead of slowly descending) when you
release the Motor Trigger:
Add a little up elevator trim. Gently bend both elevator
trim tabs up about 1/32".
After you master basic flying skills, you are ready for some new
challenges:
Loop.
Fly Skysprite to an altitude of about 150 feet. Hold a
left turn until Skysprite is diving and building up speed.
Switch to a right turn and hold that until Skysprite starts up
into the loop. As Skysprite comes out of the loop, hold a left
turn to keep it from going back up again.
Advanced techniques
Barrel roll.
Start out like a loop (see above). As Skysprite
reaches vertical (about 1/4 of the way into the loop), give it a
right turn.
Spot landing.
Mark a spot on your flying field, and see how
close you can land Skysprite to it.
