New Comers

New Comers

Box 40, St. Peters, MO 63376

IT'S FLYING TIME! All over the country — not just those selected parts where the sun and warm breezes grace the flora and fauna year around. True, there are those hardy souls who brave icy winds, snow, and assorted cold things to launch their creations into the crisp blue. The bulk of us, however, have ignored the lawn; chopped and sanded balsa; glued the pieces into a magnificent mass; and now await the warm, wonderful winds of summer. Are you ready?

One of the items many newcomers indicated they wanted from this column was some sort of checklist or preflight. That's a laudable thought, and quite frankly, one I forgot in my early modeling days. I guess I'm the type who says, "Aw, I won't forget that!" or, "I won't make that mistake!" and then turn right around and do it. In today's vernacular: been there — done that.

My wife is the family memory and listmaker. I used to accuse her of having lists to keep track of her lists! But honesty must prevail: in our 41 years of married life, she has repeatedly bailed me out in most "you need to remember" situations.

Actually, there are several preflight checks you need to develop. They reach all the way back into the construction period of the model. Granted, in most cases those pre-preflight checks are one-timers, but they are very important.

While many kits and construction articles are built around the "each step check-off system," you should not be lulled into a false sense of security, assuming that everything is in place and correct. Remember: as newcomers, most steps and processes are foreign to you at this point! Double-check joints, bolts and nuts, connections — everything!

The second preflight comes when the model is setting on the workbench, in all its fabulously finished finery. Look at the whole model in a very critical fashion. Divide the task into sections:

A. Construction and fit

1. Do all the pieces go together correctly, and is the fit solid?

1. Are all the pieces in alignment? Look at the model from every angle and "eyeball" the relative alignment of the stab to the wing, vertical fin and engine to the fuselage centerline, etc.

1. Is anything warped? Sight from the wingtips along the trailing and leading edges, and look for twists. Do the same for all surfaces. Check to be certain that the fuselage is not bowed right or left along the centerline. Granted, you checked all this when you built the model; but remember, even houses warp through climatic changes!

1. If it's a control-line or radio-control model, tug on all of the movable surfaces to be certain you've anchored the hinges adequately. This is not a time to be gentle. Do all hinged surfaces move relatively freely? They may have been when you put the surfaces together, but do they now?

B. Mechanical and linkages

1. Are all the nuts and bolts tight? Remember, during construction you've handled the model many times. Crankcase bolts, servo arms, and set screws may have loosened.

1. Fuel tank: is it right side up with vents pointed toward the top of the model? Some models require the tank be inserted in the fuselage upside down on the workbench and the model has gotten to the field with the tank upside down and the feed line connected to the wrong pickup. Are lines free of kinks and tight tubing? Does the clunk move freely and not hang up at the back of the tank?

1. Don't forget the AMA number, name and address somewhere on the model.

1. Put the model on the ground and roll it. Does it track true?

1. Check CG with no fuel. Don't cheat and say, "well, it's close" — it may actually be tail heavy.

1. Check radio operation and assure surfaces move the right direction. Stand behind the model and check ailerons, rudder, etc.

Quite frankly, everyone has been guilty of haste in checking things at least once in their modeling career, depending upon available time and money perhaps more than once. There's a natural tendency to want to get the thing in the air. Resist the temptation until you're absolutely certain everything is correct. If possible, ask another experienced modeler to look over the model critically. Try to choose someone who won't spend time being critical of the job just because it doesn't meet superlative construction standards, rather someone who can tell you whether it looks like it's going to fly safely.

It's also important to check preflight weather. It's very common to declare a model and instructor ready, only to find the weather marginal. Don't let your mindset force you into overlooking poor conditions. You have a significant investment of time and money in the model and yourself riding on that first (or third) flight.

Third preflight — what to take to the field

Some modelers seem to wind up with enough spare parts and tools to rebuild an entire model at the flying site. Others seem to depend solely on fellow modelers to borrow something if something goes awry. Somewhere in the middle is fine. Frankly, the multitude of model types will require lists that are somewhat customized. Certainly the list should contain:

1. Charged batteries — starting and flight.

1. Spare props.

1. Wrenches and screwdrivers — don't forget hex wrenches and wheel-collar wrenches; some engines use metric.

1. Glow plugs (for glow engines) and starter items for sailplanes.

1. An assortment of bolts, nuts, screws, and washers.

1. Your equipment — transmitter, sunglasses, AMA card, frequency control (if required), and something to drink (water, soda or "pop").

1. Hi-start (and a hammer for the stake), transmitter, control-line handle and lines, and something to light the fuse on your free flight.

This list will have to be personalized and refined over time.

Fourth preflight — at the field

This is the one most commonly associated with the term preflight and is considered safety related. There are very specific items that relate to specific types of models, so pick and choose:

1. Before assembling the model, check over interior mechanisms and installation (screws in place, plugs and pushrods attached, etc.).

1. Tug on control surfaces.

1. Check props and spinner and tighten if necessary. Look for nicks or cracks. Wood props compress over time and will come loose if not checked regularly.

1. Glow plug tight (but not too tight).

1. Wing hold-down rubber bands in good condition. Fuel eats them alive in a short time — especially when it’s hot.

1. All elevators locked closed.

1. Check control lines for proper end fittings, kinks, rust, etc.

1. Recheck CG.

1. Make a trip down the pit area and determine who else is on your frequency. Check to see if your frequency is clear on the board or at the impound.

1. Hook up your control lines; check to see whether "up" on the handle causes up elevator on the model. Center the handle for a comfortable arm-hand-line relationship. Don't have your wrist cocked at a weird angle in order to get neutral elevator.

1. Range-check your radio system as per the manufacturer's recommendation.

1. Check your hi-start for possible snags.

1. Check the wind direction:

• a) Which runway is being used for RC
• b) Where to set up on the circle for control-line
• c) Which tree is going to snag your free flight

1. Is the model fueled? Yes? Let's fly!

Ask someone to assist you. Develop a routine for how you want equipment set out for starting. Make it convenient and safe. Have your helper hold the model so you don't have to think about that, as well as starting. Besides, it's not only safer to have someone around, it's comforting as well. Stay out of the propeller arc and adjust the engine from behind. Don't reach around the propeller.

Know the field rules. Follow them. Prior to the model being released for takeoff, check the wind direction — again. Check control movement — again. Enjoy the flight!

There is actually another preflight that should occur — during the flight. Every now and then you may notice that the model doesn't seem to respond the way it normally does. Maybe it's erratic; the trim drifts, or whatever. At one time or another we've all been inclined to pass these off as momentary oddities that will also pass. Generally, they don't.

What usually happens is that the model passes — passes on, that is, to the great model heaven in the sky. The model (engine, radio, battery — whatever) was trying to tell you something, and you didn't listen. Remember that mechanical things rarely have the capacity to fix themselves. If they tell you they're sick, get them out of the air and home to your model hospital operating room!

Final thoughts

1. Develop a specific routine to follow when you do your preflights and for flying. We all work better by habit and routine.

1. Check over the model as you disassemble and clean it. That might save disappointment at the next flying session.

1. Recognize that this list is generic, and doesn't include everything you will need. It's a direction.

Oops — that's three things! It only proves that we need a "preflight" for everything. Let's see: "Honey, where's my New Comers column list of things to remember?" Drat! She's not home!

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.