9. BEFORE YOUR FIRST FLIGHT
Before attempting to fly the Hoveffly for the first time, it is veryimportant to familiatise
yourself with its controls and general behaviour. If you are an experienced pilot, we
suggestthat you do run through this section,in order to get to know the featuresunique
to the Hoverfly. This section also allows you to check that the Hoverfly is operating
properly before attempting a flight. New pilots should examine Fig 6-2 carefully, to
familiarise themselveswith the controls.
Connect up the equipment asin Fig 5-1. Turn on the transmitter, and set all the trim
tabs to their central positions. Setthe collective stickto zero,which will normally be in
the fully backposition. Plug in the power supply, but DO NOT turn on the mains yet.
Now pick up the Hoverfly, holding it by the green rotor hub disc,just below the central
dome. Your grip should feel firm but comfortable. Ensurethat nothing liesin the path of
the propellers, then switch on the mains.
The red light will illuminate on the ECP, followed by the green light afier about 2
seconds.The Hoverfly may give a momentary twitch, but if it doesmore than this, then
something iswrong. For example, the collective channel reverseswitch could be set the
wrong way, in which casethe Hoverfly would start up at full power! This is the reason
for caution the first time it is turned on. If the motors do start up, switch off the power
again and checkyour set-upscarefully.
NOTE: K&n switching 08 the Hovefly, AL, WAYS turn ofl the ECP power before the
transmitter. Some transmitters, especially older types, generate a random
signal
during
tim-ofl This signal can make the Hoverjly start up momentan’ly ifits power supply is
still
connected, possibly causing damage.
Ifall seemsto be well, it is time to try out the controls a little. While still holding the
Hoverfly, slowly advancethe collective stick. The main propellers should start to spin,
and the tail rotor may also turn. Adjust the rudder trim tab (below the left joystick) to
stop the tail rotor for the moment. DO NOT ALLOW THE TAIL ROTOR TO TURN
FAST FOR MORE THAN A FEW SECONDS OR MOTOR DAMAGE MAY
RESULT. Now keep advancingthe collective stick, and notice how the propellers speed
up. As they get faster, you will begin to feel their thrust. Advance the collective all the
way, listening to the sound created at different settings. You should not, however, let
the motors run at @ll power for longer than about 15 seconds.
Now back off the collective until the motors are running slowly. Hold the Hoveffly
horizontally, sothat the fuselage is free to steerbelow the rotor. Now move the rudder
trim tab to the left a couple of clicks, so that the tail rotor turns slowly. It should be
turning counter-clockwise when viewed from the left of the aircraft, and will now be
roughly trimmed for flight.
Now you cantry out the rudder control. Move the rudder stick slowlyto the let?.The tail
rotor will speedup, and the Hoverfly will start to steerto the left. If you pushthe stick
further to the left, the rate of steerwill increase, all the way to a rapid pirouette. Now
centre the stick again. Pushing the stick to the right will have a similar effect, except
that the tail rotor will reversedirection, steering the Hoverfly to the right.
If you have a gyro fitted try it out now to see how it works. With the main motors
running slowly, gently push the tail boom with one fmger, soasthe steerthe Hoverfly to
the right. The gyro will respond, speedingup the tail rotor in an attempt to prevent the
aircraft from turning. Pushingthe tail the other way will have a similar effect. Pushit a
little harder, and you will notice quite a firm effort against you. This is how the gyro
10
