User Manual

EN
Apprentice STS
20
IMPORTANT: We recommend fl ying with fl oats only once you have become able to
fl y comfortably in Experienced fl ight mode.
Only use the fl oats if you are comfortable fl ying your aircraft and have repeatedly
taken off, fl own and landed with success. Flying off water poses a higher risk to
the airplane because the electronics can fail if fully immersed in water.
Always ensure the optional fl oats (ELFA550, sold separately) are secure on the
fuselage and that the fl oat rudder linkage is correctly connected and moves freely
before putting the aircraft in water.
To take off on water, steer with the rudder and slowly increase the throttle. Keep
the wings level on takeoff. Hold a small amount (1/4–1/3) of up elevator and the
aircraft will lift off once fl ying speed is reached. Avoid rapidly increasing the throttle
as torque from the motor may cause the aircraft to roll to the left when on water.
To land this aircraft on water, fl y the aircraft to a couple of feet off the surface of
the water. Reduce throttle and add up elevator to fl are the aircraft.
When taxiing, you must use throttle to move the aircraft forward, but steer with the
rudder stick. The stick will turn both the aircraft rudder and a small rudder attached
to the left fl oat.
Avoid taxiing cross wind if there is a breeze, as this can cause the aircraft to fl ip
over if wind gets under the wing. Taxi 45 degrees into the direction of the wind
(not perpendicular to the wind) and use aileron to hold the upwind wing down. The
aircraft will naturally try to face into the wind when taxiing.
Always fully dry the aircraft after landing on water.
CAUTION: Never swim or go alone to get a downed model in the water.
CAUTION: If at any time water splashes in the fuselage while fl ying from
water, bring the airplane to shore, open the battery hatch and immediately
remove any water that may have gotten in the fuselage. Leave the battery hatch
open overnight to let the inside dry out and to prevent moisture damage to the
electronic components. Failure to do so could cause the electronic components to
fail, which could result in a crash.
Water Takeoff and Landing Using the Optional Float Set
45º
Up Aileron
Down Aileron
Wind
Taxi 45 degrees into the direction of the wind.
Post Flight
1 Disconnect the fl ight battery from the ESC (Required for Safety and battery life).
2 Power OFF the transmitter.
3 Remove the fl ight battery from the aircraft.
4 Recharge the fl ight battery.
5 Repair or replace all damaged parts.
6 Store the fl ight battery apart from the aircraft and monitor the battery charge.
7
Make note of the fl ight conditions and fl ight plan results, planning for future fl ights.
Landing
Land the aircraft manually when GPS is not installed
1. Reduce the throttle to around 50% to slow the airspeed.
2. Fly the aircraft downwind past the end of the runway.
3. Turn the aircraft into the wind and line the aircraft up with the runway
center line.
4. Decrease the throttle further and begin descending towards the runway,
keeping the wings level during approach. Try to have the aircraft at 10ft
altitude as it passes over the threshold of the runway.
5. As the aircraft passes over the threshold of the runway decrease the
throttle fully.
6. Just as the aircraft is about to touch down, gently pull back on the elevator to
raise the nose and fl are for a gentle landing.
NOTICE: If a crash is imminent, activate throttle hold or quickly lower the
throttle. Failure to do so could result in extra damage to the airframe, as well as
damage to the ESC and motor.
IMPORTANT: When fi nished fl ying, never keep the aircraft in the sun. Do not store
the aircraft in a hot, enclosed area such as a car. Doing so can damage the foam.
65ft (20m)
10ft power is cut
Wind