Building your new aircraft
Ok, so the courier has just delivered the brand new RC aircraft that you just purchased from ChargedRC and all you want to do is get it assembled and then hit the flying sky. However, the poor aircraft is in pieces in the box just begging to be assembled.
Examine the kit and test all electronics
As per our Returns and Warranty Policy please examine your entire kit before commencing assembly. Open the box and make sure all required parts are included ie wings, fuselage, landing gear, empennage (vertical and horizontal tail surfaces), manual etc as well as any included electronics. Please 'dry fit' all airframe components together, and connect all electronics for test. Test that all servos are working, and that the motor and ESC propulsion system (prop or EDF) are correctly functioning correctly. We may not warranty a kit if you have already started assembly.
Once you've tested everything, its time to go ahead and build the aircraft as per the included instructions. For some aircraft we may have extra build instructions in our forum. Please check before you start building.
What glue?
All of our foam aircraft require foam safe glue. Please check our accessories section for glue if you do not have any. We recommend a foam safe CA glue and an accelerator spray. For quick building you can apply the glue to one surface and spray the accelerator on the other surface. Only do this if you are a proficient builder as once it's glued, it's not coming off.
It's built, now what?
Once you've got the aircraft built, it's time to make sure everything works. Connect up the radio gear and all the electronics and servos. Before you power up, we recommend that you either loosen all of the control rod holders on all the flight surfaces so the rods can move freely, or that you disconnect all of the control rods from their respective servo arms. This is to prevent a servo getting damaged by over-extension when you power on for the first time
On your radio, centre all the trims and then power up the aircraft. Now, with all of the controls still centered, connect up all the control rods and make sure the flight surfaces are at neutral before you tighten them up.
Time to balance
Balancing your aircraft is very important to ensure the success of your maiden or first flight. All of our aircraft come with a recommend Center of Gravity (CG) point in the manual. Please note that this is the balance point recommended by the manufacturer and is to be measured with the battery inside the aircraft. To be properly balanced, the aircraft should sit level or slightly nose down when held on the balance points.
Please also balance your aircraft laterally. That is, hold the nose and tail along the center line of the aircraft and see which way it rolls. If one side is significantly heavier than the other, the aircraft may try to roll this way on your first flight. You should add some weight to the opposite wing to help balance the aircraft.
Controls check
Check that the controls work the way that they are supposed to, ie that up is up, down is down etc. For more information on this, please look at the Pre-Flight Check page.
Well, you're about done building, it's time for the pre-flight check and maiden flight!
