Paraplane Flying Tips.

Setting your engine for best flying performance is easy if you follow these steps.

#1) Secure the model in such a way that you can start the engine and adjust the needle without the model moving or rolling out of control.

#2}Start the engine and let it warm up.

#3)Then open the throttle all the way and listen to the engine as you turn the high speed needle out. (counter clock-wise) The engine should start to lose power and slow down. When this happens stop and turn the needle in slowly (clockwise) and listen as the engine starts to pick up speed. When the engine peaks you have gone about 3 click to far. At that point back the needle out 3 clicks.

Now lower the throttle to idle. The engine should idle fine and as you break in the engine it will idle even better.

At this point you should have the engine set real close.

To check the setting. Advance the throttle to full power. Listen to the engine as it goes to full power. You want the engine to run at almost full power when the throttle is at full power. The needle should be about 3 clicks away from full power.

This will be a slightly rich setting and is best for 2 reasons. #1 the engine is new and #2 as you fly the model you will not use full power after the model is in the air and flying. Therefore if you set the engine for peak rpm it will end up running lean and shut off because you are not running the engine more than half throttle. In which case it is better to be a little rich than lean.

So set the engine back 3 clicks from full rpm at full throttle. If you find this is to rich then go to 2 clicks from full power at full throttle. But, again it is better to be to rich than to be lean.

Is your engine Rich or Lean

Your engine is rich, When you advance the throttle and the engine runs but never comes up to full power.

The result: The engine will run with out making enough power to keep the model flying.

What do you do? When it is safe to land the model. Shut down the engine by pulling the throttle stick all the way back. When the model lands check it over and then readjust the engine 3 clicks from max rpm when the engine is at full throttle. If you find this to be to rich go to 2 clicks out from peak rpm at full throttle.

Your engine is lean, When you advance the throttle to full power and the engine runs up to peak rpm right away without any delay.

The result: The engine will lean out during the flight, get to hot and shut down without warning.

What do you do? Pull the throttle stick back to half throttle and when it is safe to land the model shut down the engine by pulling the throttle stick all the way back. When the model lands check it over and then readjust the engine 3 clicks from max rpm. If you find this to be to lean go to 4 clicks out from peak rpm at full throttle.

You don't want to set the needle for peak rpm. You want to be a little on the rich side. When the engine is a little rich on the ground it will be about right in the air because when it is moving there is less load on it and the rpm will pick up a little.

With a rich engine you can make it back to the landing area if it is making enough power. With a lean engine you may not make it back to the landing area because the engine could shut off without warning. Sometimes if a engine goes lean it will help to keep it running if you come back to 1/2 throttle and ease it back to the landing area.

Please note at any time you have trouble. You can cut the engine and the model will land itself. You can steer it into the wind for the best landing. If flying in gusty wind and the parachute closes up. Lower the throttle and if you are high enough the parachute will open up again and you can get back on the throttle and continue the flight. If the parachute does not open the model will land. If this is the case you should stop the engine when you know the model will not recover before contacting the ground. Anytime you have a rough landing you should check the model over for any damage. In most cases you can restart the engine and fly again after a hard landing. Remember your model has a parachute and will land itself if you turn it into the wind.

* * Helpful Information * *

Nice climb out!

Climbing to fast!

The best tip I can give you is the first flights should be on a calm day so you have full control of the model and can see just how easy the parachute is to fly. Once you have made a few flights and understand how the model fly's. Then you can do some flying in light winds. As you learn to fly the model you will learn how much wind is to much for you.

I fly in just about all wind conditions. But I understand that I am flying a parachute and that it is effected by the wind. I do add a little more weight to my Gondola on windy days. Just keep in mind that adding weight also speeds up the descent of a dead stick landing. Adding weight also uses more fuel and I prefer to land with the engine running right up until I touch down.

You must always remember you are flying a parachute and it is effected by any and all wind. It is a must that you always launch into the wind and allow the model to climb out. You do not want to climb to fast. Climbing to fast can cause the parachute to become a brake rather than a flying surface.

Keep in mind that the larger the parachute, the slower it reacts to control input. When flying in wind it can be even slower to respond. You can increase the response time by using the throttle when you turn. Starting the turn and then adding the right amount of throttle at the right time will swing the gondola out and make the model turn really well. This just takes a little practice to get the amount of throttle to add and the timing of when to add it. The best thing to do is to get the model up high and practice turns while adding throttle to make the parachute turn faster.

If your flying when it is windy always add power when you turn down or up wind. This will keep the parachute inflated during the turn. If the wind is high and blows into the side of the parachute. It could cause the parachute to collapse on one side. If this happens lower the throttle and the model should recover. If your high enough the parachute will reopen and you can add throttle and keep flying. If you are not high enough. Cut off the engine and let the model land. Recover it and check for any damage before re-launching. Keep in mind you may want to wait for a calmer day if the wind gust are above 20 MPH.

Anytime your flying the model and something is not right. Cut the engine land the model and re-launch. Always be ready to cut the engine on launch if the parachute is not fully open during takeoff. If you take the model off directly into the wind it will fly out straight once it has been trimmed out. Watch as the model climbs out and do not let it climb out to fast. If it starts climbing to steep lower the throttle a little and let the model climb out at a lower rate.

More information Coming Soon!