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Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Untitled Document

Sport Aviator's Pri-Fly (Primary Training)

Section Contents
How to Get Started: The First Steps
Piloting Techniques

Model Aviation's "From the Ground Up" Series
   Airframe
   Radio Systems
   Engines

“Pri-Fli”, full name -- Primary Flight Information Center, is a pilot’s source for weather information, route notices and mission data and control. Pri-Fli provides the pilot with all the information needed before a successful flight.

Sport Aviator’s “Pri-Fli” column is designed to provide the student model pilot all the information needed to insure that the first model flight, and all succeeding flights, are successful. Pri-Fli is where you will find basic information and techniques about setting up a model’s radio system, engine controls, airframe balancing, control line and free flight trimming, etc.

In addition, Pri-Fli is proud to be featuring selected articles from Model Aviation’s noted “From The Ground Up Series”. This series presents much of the information a new pilot needs to know in an easy to understand form. Rather than duplicate much of this information in Sport Aviator, selected From the Ground Up articles will be included right here for your convenience. This article series will cover radio installation, engine installation and tuning and all forms of Almost Ready to Fly (ARF) Trainer construction and modifications.

Other Pri-Fli articles will discuss basic flight techniques, model trimming and maintenance. Just click on any article below to begin your Pri-Fli briefing.31120

	How To Assemble Your First Ready-To-Fly Trainer If you have wondered just how hard it is to build your first RC trainer, read how simple it is to do in this photo illustrated article. Modern Ready-to-Fly trainers use simple tools, no adhesives, don't require any special skills or knowledge and can be built in less than an hour.
	Selecting Your First RTF Trainer In this article I will explore assembling an RTF basic trainer. Along the way, I might have a suggestion or two about how to improve the aircraft's function and durability without much experience or building skills.
	Not Your Stock Hobbistar Part One The Hobbistar MK III ARF trainer is already a great product, but a few simple modifications can make it even better!
	Not Your Stock Hobbistar Part Two In the previous installment we modified and completed the Hobbistar 60 MK III's wing. During this process the fuselage servo-mounting areas were reinforced, as was the tray mounting. This time we will finish the airplane, and next month we will make a few test flights to get it properly trimmed.
	Building Your First RTF Trainer In this article, I will explore assembling an RTF basic trainer. Along the way, I might have a suggestion or two about how to improve the aircraft's function and durability without much experience or building skills.
	The End of the Beginning Constructing an Almost-Ready-to-Fly (ARF) kit has several advantages that Ready-To-Fly (RTF) pilots miss, one of which is that it allows the pilot to select an upgraded radio system and engine. Learn how to here.
	Selecting Your First ARF Trainer This article covers the types of airframes available and which are best suited to learning the basics of RC flight.
	Battery Basics This month (the eighth installment I've written) will be devoted to the all-important battery basics. In the previous seven chapters I've referred to the RC-system batteries and the electric-motor batteries on many occasions.
	Getting Started in RC Modeling - Hardware Choosing your first training model can be daunting. Learn all the pros and cons of various airframes so you can get the basic trainer you want without frustration and extra expense.
	Getting Started in RC Modeling So you are interested in taking up the sport of Radio Control Model Flying. This first article covered some aspects of the non-model part of getting started in RC.

	Great Circle Landing Approach The Great Circle is the most commonly seen RC landing approach. Learn how to perform this maneuver.
	Basic Landing Techniques A simple, step-by-step landing technique that reduces a pilot's workload regardless of the type of RC model being flown and insures a safe landing in most wind conditions.

	Trimming from the Ground Up - Part One In the first installment of this “Trimming From the Ground Up” series we dealt with the subject of pitch trim.
	Trimming from the Ground Up - Part Two The second installment of the series From the Ground Up details more trimming adjustments and practices.
	Trimming from the Ground Up - Part Three In this installment I will approach the largest subject: directional controllability. I saved the best for last!

	Introduction to Electrical Power Electric power has become increasingly popular in recent years because of the many technological improvements in motors and batteries.
	Advanced RC Systems Learn about more advanced RC systems. You will be pleased to know that many of these advanced radios are simple to operate and are comparatively inexpensive.
	So Different, Yet So Familiar Despite its different appearance and sound, the model four-stroke engine is identical to its two-stroke cousin except for the manner in which the fuel/air mixture enters the combustion chamber and the way in which the burnt gases escape the chamber after combustion.
	Field Follies Last month, we left our fuel tank filled and in the right place to insure trouble free operation. The tank setup is good, we already know how to set the high and low-speed needle valves and the proper glow plug is in place. Now we just need to get the engine started to have a really great flying day.
	Radio Control Systems Operations Learn all the details of how to operate an RC system.
	Radio Control System Installation This article covers the installation aspects of a typical RC system.
	Radio Control Systems, The Real Basics Bob Aberle continues with a From The Ground Up look at transmitters.
	Introduction to Aeromodeling Bob Aberle introduces the world of RC Control with an in-depth look at all the RC components -- Transmitter, Receivers, Servos, Chargers and Setup.

	Rest of the Engine Our engines also need to burn fuel to produce power, and they need to ignite that fuel. These functions, which are directly connected to the engine, are this month’s subject.
	Support Your Local Engine Reprinted from Model Aviation, this article deals with everything you need to know to setup fuel tanks and other engine hardware to insure trouble-free operation.
	Engines 101 - Part Two In this installment, we’ll cover the initial care and feeding of this engine including mounting, break-in and needle settings.
	Engines 101 Having the correct engine for the airplane, making it easy to start, and running it reliably and without excessive wear are some of the most important aspects of learning this hobby/sport. Learn the details here.

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