Step #8 - Flying

Before taking off

Plan your flight path. A good path for beginners is what pilots call the airfield traffic pattern — the path that pilots follow when approaching an airport or taking off from it. This flight path will help you keep the airplane in range during the flight.

Takeoff

Set your throttle at 60% and launch with a gentle toss into the wind. The power from the Smart Module’s motor controls your airplane’s altitude. When the throttle is high, the plane ascends. When the throttle is low or all the way down, the airplane descends (or glides). To turn your airplane, tilt your smartphone gently to the left or right until the airplane is going in the desired direction, and then hold your smartphone level.

Landing

Flights without landing gear will end up either by skidding or crashing on the ground or by catching with your hand. This all really depends on your experience and skill. It is always a good practice to fly on soft surfaces like a grassy field so your initial  stalls and nose dives are not something to worry about. Eventually you will be surprised how accurate you can maneuver your powerup even in windy conditions right into your hand. When you reach the point the plane reaches close to the ground or to your hand, be sure to let go of the throttle which will bounce down to zero and will lock after a few seconds. This will ensure that propeller does not get damaged during landings or tangles in some weeds on the ground.

After every landing be sure to inspect your plane propeller and wings. Propellers should be free of debris and plane should be tucked in all the way.

Post Flight

Inspect your plane after each landing, check that your module is still correctly connected to your paper airplane. Make small adjustments as necessary to improve flight maneuverability and endurance, and make any needed adjustments to your paper airplane. If your plane is significantly damaged by a crash, it’s not hard to make another! Recharge your plane after every flying session and before storage.

Note: The amount of thrust that the airplane needs varies according to the wind conditions and the particular paper airplane that you are using.

Pro-Tip

• If you feel the steering is too sharp and dynamic, you can always reduce the steering angle by re-adjusting the steering sensitivity on the tuning screen
• Airplane stalling? try adjusting again the elevators or reduce the thrust level
• Having trouble understanding reverse control? (controlling the plane when plane flies towards you) check out this reverse control training video
• After landing, never pick up the plane from the wing, this may change the trim adjustment. The best method is to pick it up from the canopy of the keel.