Pre-flight Checks

This is just as important as everything else but can sometimes be the most overlooked thing on the list, you tend to forget about this once you become more comfortable with flying.

Imagine hand launching your plane only to think ‘mmm now did I use both screws to fix the wing on?’

So here is what I tend to go through in my mind before ‘going up’

Battery – is it charged, secure and is it connected properly because if it comes loose when you’re flying or disconnected your in trouble!
Propeller – does it spin freely without and throttle and is it free from and bends, cuts or cracks. This is the main thing that keeps the plane going through the air so be sensible about it, if in doubt change it!
Centre of gravity - This is the point at which the plane balances itself on its wing, this will be shown on the instructions with your model and must be checked every time you fly, subtle changes as to where you mount the battery can slightly effect this and can cause you to keep having to trim out the plane when you fly it. Find the Centre of Gravity point in the manual for your plane and use your fingers tips to hold the plane up and establish if it is balanced correctly. You may be able to move the battery or receiver unit in the plane to help you adjust the balance point. (see diagrams below)
Control surfaces – Do the rudder, elevators and ailerons move freely in both directions with the relevant input from the controller and are the mounted securely, free from cracks and tears.
Range check - Have friend hold the plane and move away about 50 feet and check that the plane still responds to all the controls.

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