Bill Thompson
Flight Box
- Check all tins or plastic boxes with small items such as nuts and bolts, screws for onset of rust or corrosion and replenish with clean items
- Check for leaks in bottle of fuel or priming bottle, if used
- Wash or replace all rags used on field for cleaning models
- Check spare plugs to ensure they work OK
- Check state of spare rubber bands and replace, if necessary
- Check glow plug leads for damage and fix, if necessary
- Check power panel components working such as fuel pump, glow sockets, starter sockets and starter
IC Models
- Check they have MACI and IAA registration stickers attached
- Check wing dowels if used to ensure they are still rigid
- Check all flying surfaces inc tail surfaces for warps and remove carefully
- Check engine bolts to make sure they are tight
- Check propeller inc spare props for tightness and no nicks or damage
- Check fuel tubing from tank to engine and ensure its well padded to stop foaming
- Check all servo screws are tight
- Check all servo connections are 100% OK
- Check receiver mounting to ensure its safe and tight
- Check all pushrods to ensure free movement
- Check all control horns on the flying surfaces are rigid
- Check RX battery with a full discharge and recharge to 100% capacity.
Electric Models
- As above for IC models with the following
- Check all LiPo batteries for each model fully charged and 100% OK
- Good idea to label each set of LiPo batteries for each model
- Check electric motor for free running
- Check foam structure for dents and breaks and re-glue using either epoxy or white wood glue.
- Remember that most electric models need to have throttle stick advanced and retarded to start the power up cycle. Each model may be different but its best to check each one out to avoid accidental power-up
Safe Flying !