Preflight
inspection -
Before you fly the model plane for the first time you should examine
it carefully looking directly at the front and the rear. Just like a
real airplane, the left and right side must be the same, that is a
mirror image of each other. If one wing is higher then the other or
the surfaces are not at the same angle, or the tail is crooked, then
the plane is likely to fly poorly. Make any adjustments to correct
these problems now.
Flight techniques -
This is the fun part, learning to fly. The airplane can be launched
with force or softly. Launching it on a windy day directly into the
breeze causes it to climb into a half barrel roll. For a second it
will fly upside down and then flip over and fly a long distance with
the wind. On calm days you can launch it gently horizontally. It has
a long glide path and will generally go in a straight line or go into
a gentle curve.
Fine tuning -
If you find that the plane is banking to the left or right, you can
correct this by experimenting with bends on the control surfaces. To
gain extra control, cut flaps on the rear edge of the wings and bend
the flaps up or down as needed. You can also try bending the wing
tips down instead of up.
The tail flaps can be bent up slightly if the plane tends to dive.
All changes should be made with small adjustments and then a test
flight to analyze the change.
Make
more than one model airplane. You will find that they all have unique
flight characteristics, no two are alike. Choose the one that flies
best and try to find out why it flies so well.
Try making really large versions of this plane using construction or
ledger paper. They fly just as well only higher and farther.
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Conceptos Digitales C.R., S.A. All rights reserved.
URL: http://www.zurqui.com/ Revised: Apr. 3, 2004