area. Next, set up your launch controller and
battery. Finally, load the RMS motor and install
it in the model. Perform one last check of the
radio, and make sure the elevator trim is set to
the launch position.
Install your Phoenix in the launch tower, make
sure the controller safety interlock is in the
“safe” position, and hook up the igniter clip.
Check continuity with the launch controller.
Your assistant should verify that you are ready
to launch. Check for low flying aircraft. If there
are people in the area announce
verbally that you are launching.
We use a preflight check list to
make sure we didn't forget any-
thing.
C
HECK the controls one more
time. Your assistant should
give a 5 second countdown, and
press the launch button.
It will take a fraction of a second
for the igniter to fire. Your
Phoenix will accelerate out of
the launcher at 5 g’s. During the
first half second, while the
thrust is high and the airspeed
is low, the flight path is mostly
determined by the launcher
angle, the motor position on the model and the
wind. If there is no wind, your Phoenix will
probably pitch up slightly. If there is some
wind, it will pitch down slightly into the wind.
At the end of the first second, Phoenix will be
at 50 feet altitude moving at 60 mph.
After the first second, any errors in the launch
elevator trim will show up as a tendency to
pitch up or down. Try to fly your model in a
straight climb at approximately a 60° climb
angle. The motor will burn for about 4 1/2 sec-
onds, and at burnout Phoenix will be moving
about 90 mph. While this is about the speed of
a pattern plane, the fact that you are going
nearly straight up and got there in a few sec-
onds will make it seem a lot faster! Avoid
rolling during early flights until you are com-
fortable with the visibility and the perspective.
It is easy for new pilots to accidentally roll the
plane and become disoriented.
A
FTER the motor burns out, Phoenix will
continue to coast vertically for a few more
seconds as it slows down. When the model
slows to glide speed, change your elevator trim
to the glide position. You might want to have a
friend remind you to change to glide trim at the
top of boost. Even after hundreds of rocket
glider flights, we occasionally wonder why the
model is gliding so fast, only to realize that it is
still set for launch trim!
Now, spend some time getting the feel of your
airplane. Adjust the trims as
required, try some turns, and a
few stalls. Get set up for land-
ing. Phoenix has a good glide
ratio, especially at moderate
speeds. Even very experienced
sailplane pilots have overshot
their first landings with
Phoenix, so allow plenty of
room!
After you land, think about
how your model flew under
power and adjust the elevator
launch trim to compensate. If
you are using mixing to pro-
vide the trim change, make the
correction in the transmitter.
(Remember to allow for any changes you made
in the glide trim setting also, since the changes
are cumulative!) If you are using the full down
trim method, make the adjustment with the cle-
vis at the elevator servo. It will probably take
you a few flights to get your Phoenix fully
trimmed.
Once trimmed, your Phoenix should fly nearly
hands off under power. We have done some
boosts without even touching the transmitter
sticks! Of course, you will generally have to fly
the model to compensate for gusts and turbu-
lence.
Other Phoenix Motors
Once you have gotten familiar with your
Phoenix and it is trimmed out, you should defi-
nitely try the other RMS-RC reloads available.
The G12-RC will provide initial launch perfor-
mance similar to the F13’s that you have been
Phoenix
Page 34
Flying Phoenix
Phoenix launch with F13-RC
