Set fail safe to idle power
and range check with
engine running
A turbine powered model is carrying an
additional electronic control unit (E.C.U.), an electric fuel pump, battery and
the associated wires and connectors. The radio antenna should be routed away
from these components when possible and favor the top of the model for best
receiver range.
Some controllers have a fail safe feature that will kill the power
to the fuel pump should the signal be lost for a few seconds.
Set the transmitter "fail
safe" program to cause the engine to return to idle and the landing gear to
extend, set the flight controls to assume neutral in "hold" during a signal
interruption.
Range check the radio installation with the engine "off" according
to your radio manufactures instructions to establish the maximum distance
before "drop out". Change antenna routing as required to maximize range and be
certain that it meets the minimum as recommended by the instruction manual.
Check this range with the engine at idle.
Range check again with the engine at full
power as your assistant holds the model. Should the engine go to idle signaling
a "drop out" at a significantly shorter range than before (engine off),
indicates a problem. Reroute components and antenna until a satisfactory
uninterrupted signal is obtained.
This failsafe set up will also give you an audible and
visual warning in flight should a significant "drop out" occur.
BVM uses the JR10X radio
with the 950S receiver. The minimum range that we accept is 60 paces with the
Tx antenna off. If the antenna is on the right side of the model, we check the
range from the left side at 90° to the fuselage axis. You would be looking
at a side profile of the model. We have found that all of our turbine models
perform well in the air if this range check criteria is met.