14
9. Assembling the model
Push the hinge pin 41 through the hinge leaves, holding the rod
in a pair of pliers if necessary. Fit the fins 5 and allow them to
snap into the retaining clips. Check the wing folding mechanism.
Ensure that the canopy latch system works properly, and make
any minor adjustments required.
Fig. 16
10. Installing the radio control system
There are two different versions here: glider and electric glider /
glider
a. Glider:
This version requires a receiver battery consisting of four AA-
size NiMH cells in the S or W format. The battery should be
secured with Velcro (hook-and-loop) tape. The Centre of Gravity
can be adjusted within certain limits by re-positioning the battery.
If that is not sufficient, you will need to add a little lead ballast.
Ensure that the receiver battery does not obstruct the canopy
latches 24 + 25 when you try to engage them.
There is space for the receiver in the rear part of the fuselage
cradle. Deploy the aerial in the appropriate channel in the wing.
If you are using 2.4 GHz equipment, there is adequate space for
the aerials towards the front.
Fig. 17
b. Electric glider with glider option:
The flight battery (Li-Batt BX 3/1 - 950, # 15 7118) should be
installed in the front part of the fuselage cradle 20 + 21, where it
is retained with Velcro tape. The Centre of Gravity can be adjusted
within certain limits by re-positioning the battery. If that is not
sufficient, you will need to add a little lead ballast. Ensure that
the receiver battery does not obstruct the canopy latches 24 + 25
when you try to engage them.
The receiver can be located adjacent to the motor, with the aerial
deployed in the appropriate channel in the wing. Install the speed
controller next to the flight battery. If you detect interference when
you carry out a range-check, try swapping the positions of the
speed controller and the receiver.
The electric glider is designed to be powered by our Power Set,
# 33 2654 (45° climb performance) or the Tuning Set, # 33 2655
(vertical climb). These power sets contain everything you need,
but neither is included in the kit. Installing the power system in
the model takes just a few seconds: fold the model apart in the
centre, place the power set inside, fold it closed again, insert the
connector, and the model is ready for launch as a powered
glider.
Fig. 18
If you wish to fly the Xeno electric glider at the slope as a pure
glider, the conversion is carried out as follows:
Open the model, disconnect the motor plug, remove the power
set, fold the model closed again and fit the glider canopy: job
done, time to go gliding. As with the electric version, the flight
battery is used to power the receiver and servos via the speed
controller’s BEC system. No re-trimming is required, as the
power set is located virtually at the Centre of Gravity.
Fig. 19
11. Completing the power set
Assemble the power set, referring to the instructions supplied
with it.
Figs. A1 - A6
12. Initial test-run
We assume that all the radio control system components have
been installed and connected as shown in Figs. 17 and 18. Use
the Velcro tape 10 + 11 to secure the components.
Check the neutral position and the travels of the elevons. Check
that the servos rotate in the correct direction relative to the stick
movements, and ensure that the elevons are free-moving. Check
the direction of rotation of the motor, and reverse it if necessary.
13. Settings (guideline only!):
Centre of Gravity: approx. 220 mm (+/- 10 mm)
aft of the fuselage nose
Motor thrustline: pre-set
Fig. 20
Control surface travels:
Measured at the widest point of the elevons
Elevons
Aileron travel: 14 mm up / 16 mm down
Elevator travel: 12 mm up / 12 mm down
14. Test-flying:
For the first flight wait for a day with as little breeze as possible.
The early evening is often a good time.
If you are a beginner to model flying we strongly recommend that
you ask an experienced model pilot to help you for the first few
flights, as learning to fly alone is very rarely successful. If you
don’t know any other modellers, ask your local model shop about
flying clubs in the area, and go along to their flying site for help.
Another useful aid for those “first difficult steps” is a flight simulator
on a PC.
You can download a free simulator from the MULTIPLEX website
at www.multiplex-rc.de. An interface lead for your MPX
transmitter can be obtained from any model shop (Order No. # 8
5153).
Be sure to carry out a range-check before the first flight!
Just before the flight, charge up the transmitter battery and the
flight pack using the recommended procedures.
Before you
switch on the transmitter, ensure that “your” channel is not already
in use.
Ask your assistant to walk away from the model, holding the
transmitter. The transmitter aerial should be fitted but completely
collapsed.
Your assistant should operate one of the functions constantly
while you watch the servos. The non-controlled servo should
stay motionless up to a range of about 60 m, while the controlled
one should follow the stick movements smoothly and without
any delay. Please note that this check can only give reliable results
if the radio band is clear of interference, and if no other radio
control transmitters are in use -
even on different channels. If the
range check is successful, repeat it with the
motor running.
There should be no more than a very slight reduction in effective
radio range with the motor turning.
If you are not sure about anything, please don’t risk a flight. Send
the whole system (including battery, switch harness and servos)
to the Service Department of your RC system manufacturer and
ask them to check it.
The first flight ...
Glider:
A hand-launch directly into any breeze, with the wings level and
the nose slightly down, will give you an initial idea whether the
model is correctly trimmed, or whether adjustments are required.
Flying at the slope
Ridge soaring is an extremely attractive form of model flying.
Soaring for hours on end in slope lift, or flying continuous
aerobatics, without needing any outside aid for launching, must
be one of the finest of all modelling experiences.