GREAT PLANES Pluma, User Manual

21

Takeoff

The Pluma 3D ARF can take off from the ground (ROG) 
or can be hand launched. Rise-off-ground (ROG) takeoffs 
should be reserved for indoor fl ying and should be performed 
with the model rolling away from you and others. For your 
fi rst fl ight it’s probably a good idea to have an assistant hand-
launch the plane for you. You should be ready to correct (or fl y 
through) any trim errors. First, set your transmitter for LOW 
RATES. Launch your plane directly into the wind (and away 
from others). After your assistant launches the plane, have 
him come back and adjust the trim on your transmitter. If 
you want to perform an ROG takeoff, make sure the surface 
you’re using is completely smooth and free from “potholes” 
that can fl ip the plane or break the landing gear.

Flight

When you’re airborne and your plane is trimmed out, 
throttle back and fl y the pattern. Get used to the way the 
model handles with standard control inputs. When you’re 
comfortable, try switching to HIGH rates to see how you 
like the plane (save 3D rates for later fl ights). Based on your 
preference, you may want to adjust your rates or exponential 
settings in your radio. If your assistant is still available, have 
him take notes for you so you can make adjustments when 
you land. Fly around for a bit and try a few simple maneuvers 
like: slow fl ight, gentle rolls, loops, stalls, and hammerhead 
stalls. Practice a few landing approaches.

Landing

Before you land, throttle down completely (with a safe 
amount of altitude). You’ll notice that when you power off, 
the airplane will lose speed very quickly but will not pitch 
down. To keep your speed up you’ll have to pitch down rather 
steeply and this can be less than ideal for most landings. Set 
up for landing by throttling down to an “idle” instead. If you 
fi nd it diffi cult to get the right setting, power-off completely 
and try blipping the throttle. For a short approach, power-off 
completely while at altitude and pitch down. At the fl are, be 
ready to blip the throttle for a gentle 3-point landing.

One fi nal note about fl ying your model: Have a goal or fl ight 
plan in mind for every fl ight. This can be learning a new 
maneuver(s), improving a maneuver(s) you already know, 
or learning how the model behaves in certain conditions 
(such as on high or low rates). This is not necessarily to 
improve your skills (though it is never a bad idea!), but more 
importantly so you do not surprise yourself by impulsively 
attempting a maneuver and suddenly fi nding that you’ve 
run out of time, altitude or airspeed. Every maneuver should 
be deliberate, not impulsive. A fl ight plan greatly reduces 
the chances of crashing your model just because of poor 
planning and impulsive moves. Remember to think.

Have a ball! But always stay in control and

fl y in a safe manner.

GOOD LUCK AND GREAT FLYING!

Make a copy of this identifi cation tag and put it on or 
inside your model.

OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE

FROM GREAT PLANES

ElectriFly

™

 RimFire

™

 28-22-1380kV Out-Runner

Brushless Motor
Designed for explosive acceleration and maximum torque, 
RimFire out-runner brushless motors are dependable and 
virtually maintenance-free – there are not comms or brushes 
to worry about, and the bearings are double-shielded. The 
lightened aluminum can houses high-torque, “rare earth” 
Neodymium magnet. Improved cooling means 50% more 
power than other out-runners of similar size. GPMA4505

ElectriFly RimFire 28-26-1000kV Out-runner
Brushless Motor
Powered by rare-earth Neodymium magnets, RimFire out-
runner motors produce strong acceleration in planes ranging 
from park fl yers to 1.60-size giants! Their high-torque design