Carl Goldberg GBGA1069 User Manual

Aerobatic flying just doesn't get any better than this Decathlon ARF. Its clean lines, long tail moment, and
superb wing design will reward you with the maneuvers you love - knife edge, split S, lumcevac, torque rolls,
snaps, and ground-hugging inverted flight. What's more, we've engineered this ARF to get you into the air with
a minimum of fuss. So take a few minutes to carefully read the introductory material and then get to work. You'll
soon be out at the field with a classic aerobatic champion!

WARNING

A radio-controlled model is not a toy and is not intended for persons under 16 years old. Keep
this kit out of the reach of younger children, as it contains parts that could be dangerous. A radio­controlled model is capable of causing serious bodily injury and property damage. It is the buyer's
responsibility to assemble this aircraft correctly and to properly install the motor, radio, and all other
equipment. Test and fly the finished model only in the presence and with the assistance of another
experienced R/C flyer. The model must always be operated and flown using great care and common
sense, as well as in accordance with the Safety Code of the Academy of Model Aeronautics
(www.modelaircraf t.org). We suggest you join the AMA and become properly insured prior to flying this
model. Also, consult with the AMA or your local hobby dealer to find an experienced instructor in your
area. Per the Federal Communications Commission, you are required to use only those radio fre­quencies specified "for Model Aircraft."

LIMITED WARRANTY

Carl Goldberg Products, Ltd. has inspected and certified the components of this aircraft. The comp any urges the buyer to perform
his own inspection, prior to assembly, and to immediately request a replacement of any parts he believes to be defective for their
intended use. The company warrants replacement of any such components, provided the buyer requests such replacement with­in a period of one year from the date of purchase and provided the defective part is returned, if so requested by the company.

No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the company with respect to this kit. The buyer acknowledges and under­stands that it is his responsibility to carefully assemble the finished flying model airplane and to fly it safely. The buyer hereby
assumes full responsibility for the risk and all liability for personal or property damage or injury arising out of the buyer's use of the
components of this kit.

DDEECCAATTHHLLOONN AARRFF

Pt. #2017 3/01

CARL GOLDBERG PRODUCTS, LTD.

P.O. Box 818 Oakwood GA 30566 Phone #[phone] Fax # [phone] www.carlgoldbergproducts.com

© Copyright 2001 Carl Goldberg Products LTD.

ITEMS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THIS AIRCRAFT

! 1 RADIO GUIDANCE SYSTEM (4 CHANNEL

MINIMUM REQUIRED WITH 5 SERVOS)

! 2 12” AILERON SERVO EXTENSION WIRES
! 1 Y-HARNESS

! 1 ENGINE .61-.75 2-CYCLE, .70-.91 4-CYCLE

AND MUFFLER

! 1 CAACCELERATOR
! 1 2 OZ. BOTTLE CA MEDIUM GLUE
! 1 1/2 OZ. BOTTLE CA THIN GLUE

! 1 20 MINUET EPOXY
! 1 1/4” FOAM RUBBER

OPTIONAL:

! 1 1/6 PILOT FIGURE
! 1 SWITCH HARNESS

NOTE: The Decathlon ARF covering matiches

Cub Yellow(#884), Midnight Blue(#885)

and White (#870) UltraCote®.

UltraCote® is a registered trademark of Horizon Hobby Distributors

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES FOR ASSEMBLY.

! MODELING OR UTILITY KNIFE
! WORK SURFACE (24" X70")
! ELECTRIC DRILL
! 1/16”, 3/32”,1/8", 3/16”, 5/32”, 1/4”, 5/64”

7/32” DRILL BITS

! SMALL STANDARD & PHILLIPS SCREW-

DRIVERS

! MASKING TAPE
! NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS
! MOTO TOOL
! 24” RULER
! FLEXIBLE STRAIGHT-EDGE
! 30-60-90° x 6" TRIANGLE
! SOFT PENCIL
! A FEW STRAIGHT OR "T" PINS
! ADJUSTABLE WRENCH
! WIRE CUTTER (DYKES)
! OPTIONAL HEAT GUN/COVERING IRON
! ACID BRUSH
! ELECTRICAL TAPE
! SOLDERING IRON, FLUX, SOLDER
! PIECE OF MEDIUM SANDPAPER
! 5 FT. LENGTH OF STRING

2

INTRODUCTION

3

USING THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Before you begin assembling your DECATHLON ARF,
take some time to read through this entire instruction
book. It is designed to take you step-by-step through the
process and to give you added information on engine and
radio selection and set-up, balancing your aircraft, and fly­ing your model. The time you spend will speed the
assembly process and help you avoid problems.

PREPARING FOR ASSEMBLY

You will need a work area of approximately 24 x 70" which has
been covered to protect it from adhesive, as well as cuts a n d
other damage. Many people cover their work area with a
sheet of dry wall (sheet rock) and/or waxed paper to pre­vent CAGlue and Epoxy from ruining the work surface.

CONSTRUCTION TIPS

IMPORTANT: ALWAYS READ A FEW STEPS AHEAD.
This will alert you to coming instructions and will help you
plan accordingly.

Using the Parts Identification section, familiarize yourself
with the various items included in your kit box.

As you work, CHECK OFF EACH STEP in the box pro­vided, so that you are sure you do not forget anything.

Do not hesitate to ask questions. Your local hobby dealer
and area flyers will most likely be happy to help, as they
want you to have a successful flying experience. You may
also receive technical assistance from Carl Goldberg
Products, Ltd. via e-mail (questions@carlgoldbergprod­ucts.com) or by telephone [phone].

ADHESIVES & GLUING TECHNIQUES

CAadhesives are specially formulated to firmly glue the
plywood, hardwood, and balsa used in your model and to
withstand the vibration and stresses of high performance
flight. However, there are times, such as when you are
installing the stabilizer and fin on the fuselage and want
more set-up time for careful alignment and positioning,
then you should use epoxy.. Occasionally, you also will
want to use thin CA, which "wicks" into the surrounding
areas. Aliphatic resin glue or similar water-based glues
can also be used, but they will add to the assembly time
because they dry so much more slowly than CA glue.
Remember, whenerever using any CA, you must be care­ful to read instructions thoroughly, as you will have only
seconds for positioning of parts. Be sure to trial fit parts
together before gluing. Also, never use watery THIN type
CA glue for gluing plywood and hardwood parts. Thin
CA's do not adequately bond these areas.

CAUTION

Some people may experience an allergic reaction when
exposed to fumes from CA glue or epoxy. As with paints,
thinners, and solvents, it is always important to use glues
only where there is adequate ventilation to carry fumes
away. Afan is recommended. Also, special care must be
taken when using CA, as it will bond skin as well as other
surfaces. Before using any CA, carefully read all label
precautions. When using CA, protective eye-wear and
care in keeping the glue away from the face is highly rec­ommended. If CA does happen to get into the eye, hold
lid open and flush with water only. Seek immediate med­ical attention.

COVERING

The DECATHLON ARF is covered in a premium poly­ester film chosen by many of the world's top flyers for its
beauty, toughness, and ease of application and repair. It
is not uncommon for ARF's to develop a few wrinkles in
transit. If this is true of your model, the situation is easily
corrected. Before you begin putting the pieces together,
run over the surface of each section with an iron (either
specially designed for airplane use or the more cumber­some household iron) or use a modeling heat gun. Apply
the heat (set at about 350° F), following along with a soft
cloth and pressing down on the covering as you go
around. This will more firmly set the covering adhesive
into the wood and keep your aircraft covering tight and
smooth in the future.

One of the great advantages of polyester film is that it can
be applied over itself without causing gas bubbles. This
allows you to repair your aircraft, as well as to customize
it in a number of ways. If, due to a flight mishap, you get
a hole or similar covering damage, simply trim away the
ragged edges and then apply a patch, following the direc­tions that come with your covering , which is available at
your hobby dealer.

1. ! Collect the following parts:
(1) Left wing

(1) Right wing
(1) Left aileron
(1) Right aileron
(8) Jet hinge

2. ! Locate the pre-cut aileron hinge slots in both

wing halves. Using a hobby knife (#1 1 blade),
slide the blade into each slot to make sure it
is cleanly cut.

! Repeat this process with the ailerons, mak-

ing sure all hinge slots are clean.

3. ! Place a straight pin into the center of each of

the four JET™ hinges.

! Slide each hinge into the hinge slots on one

of the wing halves. The pin will prevent the
hinges from going further than halfway into
the wing.

! Slide the aileron toward the wing until no

gap remains between the aileron and the
wing.

5.

! Carefully check the alignment of the aileron.

It should be centered, with about 1/32" on
either end.

! When satisfied with the alignment, remove

the straight pins, being sure to keep the
aileron tight to the wing. You may wish to
apply a few pieces of masking tape to keep
the pieces in place.

6. ! Keeping the aileron and wing in position,
apply 3 or 4 drops of thin CA glue to the
small exposed area of each hinge.

! Turn the assembly over and again apply 3

or 4 drops of thin CA glue to the exposed
hinge surfaces.

! Allow to dry for 10 minutes before flexing

the aileron.

7.

! Repeat the above steps for the other half of

the wing.

WING ASSEMBLY

AILERON INSTALLATION

4. ! Select the aileron for the wing on which you

are working and insert the exposed half of
each hinge into the aileron slots.

4

AILERON SERVO INSTALLATION

Note: The following pictures may not exactly match

the hardware you are using. Always check the radio
manufacturer's instructions when installing radio
equipment.

1. ! Collect the following items:
(1) Aileron servo door

(2) 3/8 x 3/4" Servo mounting block
(4) Servo mounting screw (supplied with radio)
(4) #2 Washer
(4) #2 x 3/8" Screw
(1) Servo with rubber grommet

2. ! With the servo door upside down on the work

surface, place the servo on top of the door
with the servo arm post centered vertically
and horizontally with the servo door notch.

! Mark the location of the servo, as shown.

! When the epoxy is dry, drill 1/16" holes into

the servo blocks and, using the screws sup­plied with the radio, mount the servo onto the
blocks.

4. ! Place the servo door on the wing and drill a
1/16" hole on each corner.

! Using the #2 x 3/8" screw and #2 washer

supplied with this kit, screw the door to the
mounting plate.

5.

! Repeat the above steps for the second

aileron servo.

5

3. ! Remove the servo from the door.

! Spread epoxy on the servo mounting blocks

and, making sure the wood grain on both
mounting blocks runs vertically, glue the
blocks in place along the marks just made.

AILERON CONTROL HORN INSTALLATION

1. ! Collect the following items

(2) Large control horn with back plate
(4) 2-56 x 3/4" screw
(2) 1/16 x 7" threaded wire
(2) Snap link
(1) Nylon snap nut (molded 6-up)

IMPORTANT! To ensure that any connections locat-

ed inside the wing will not come loose, either when
the wires are pulled, or during flying, always tape

them securely together with electrical tape.

3. ! Making sure to use the correct servo for the

opening, attach the servo wire to the 12"
extension and securely tape the connection.

! Push the extension wire into the tube in the

wing until it comes out the hole near the cen­ter of the wing.

4.

! Grasping the extension in the hole, SLOWLY

pull until the end of the 12" extension comes
out of the hole.

2. ! With the aileron servo door in place, make a
mark at a 90º degree angle to the trailing
edge and in line with the servo arm.

3. ! Position the control horn so that the snap
link holes are on the mark just made and
right next to the hinge line, as shown.

4.

! Using a 5/64" drill bit, make a pilot hole in

each screw location.

! Mount the control horn with the 2-56 x 3/4"

screws.

5. ! Thread the 1/16 x 7" rod onto the snap link.
Make sure the rod shows in the center of the
snap link.

! Place the snap link in the second hole from

the top on the control horn.

6. ! Making sure the aileron is in neutral (level)
position, mark where the wire meets the hole
on the servo arm.

! Remove the wire and cut it about 1/2"

beyond the mark.

! Make a 90º bend (or a "z" bend, if preferred)

in the wire and insert the wire in the servo
arm.

6

SERVO EXTENSION INSTALLATION

1. ! Gather the following items:

(2) 12" Extension wires
(1) Right and left wing halves

2. ! Remove the servo door and plug one 12"
extension wire into the servo.

! If the extension is not long enough to reach

to the center of the wing, add an additional
extension to each extension wire for correct
length.

1/16"

! Secure the wire with a snap nut and then put

a drop of CA glue™ on the snap nut to make
sure it stays in place. Do not glue the snap

nut to the servo arm.

2. ! Using epoxy, mount the 5/16 x 1-3/4” dowels

into the holes in the notch of the leading edge
of the wing. Make sure to leave about 1/2” of
dowel sticking out of the front of the wing. You
may wish to slightly taper the exposed dowel
ends for ease of insertion into the fuse holes.

NOTE: If the covering on your wing has loosened in

transit, refer to the covering section of the
"INTRODUCTION" before continuing.

1. ! Collect the following items:
(1) Right wing
(1) Left wing
(2) 5/16 x 1-1/2" dowel
(1) 7/8” x 21-3/4” aluminum tube

MOUNTING WING TO FUSELAGE

3. ! Insert a 8-32 blind nut into each hole in the

wing mounting block, with the teeth pointing
upward into the blocks.

! Temporarily insert a 8-32 x 1" screw with a

washer into each hole on the other side of
the mounting block and draw the blind nut
teeth up into the wood.

! When the blind nuts are firmly seated in the

wing mount blocks, remove the screws.

4. ! Gently prodding the covering, locate the hole
next to the center of the of the wing, close to
the trailing edge.

! Carefully remove the covering OVER THE

HOLE in the wing on both the top and the

bottom.

! Next, locate the holes in the wing bolt plate

and again, carefully remove the covering

over the holes.

! Do the same to the other wing panel.

5. ! Insert the aluminum tube into one wing half

and push the tube into the wing until it stops.
Then insert the other wing half onto the tube
and slide the wing halves together.

! Tilt the leading edge of the wing down into

the fuselage and insert both dowels in the
holes that are in the front of the fuselage

! Insert a 8-32 screw with a washer into each

hole in the wing bolt pad and then insert each
screw into the holes near the trailing edge of
the wing.

! Tighten both screws down until they are tight.

5. ! Repeat these steps for the other half of the
wing, so that both servo extensions are exit­ing the holes near the center of the wing.

7

! Tape the extension securely to the wing, so

that it will not slide back in while you are
working. Screw the servo door onto the wing.

WING STRUT INSTALLATION

1. ! Collect the following parts:

(2) Wing strut
(1) Wing/fuse assembly
(4) Small control horn
(8) #2 x 1/2” Pan head screw
(4) Metal clevis
(2) Nylon straps 7/8” long
(2) #4 x 1/2” Pan head screw

2. ! Place the 7/8” long nylon strap into the notch
behind the landing gear cut out.

! Mark the hole location and drill a hole using a

3/32” drill bit.

3.

! Mount the strap onto the fuselage using a

#4 x 1/2” pan head screw.

! Repeat for the other side of the fuselage.

4. ! Place the wing strut onto the nylon strap.

NOTE:The short front of the strut should be parallel

with the front of the wing. In the above photo
the short side is in front.

5. ! Modify the small control horns by cutting, as
shown above.

6. ! Thread the metal clevis onto the threaded
wires at the outer end of the strut until the
wire protrudes into the center of the clevis.

! Install the modified control horns onto the

clevis at the end of the strut.

! Mark the modified control horn hole locations

onto the wing.

NOTE:Keep the front strut parallel to the leading

edge of the wing.

7.

! Drill the control horn holes, using a 1/16”

drill.

! Screw the modifiedcontrol horns to the wing,

using #2 x 1/2” pan head screws.

! Repeat these steps for the other strut.

8. ! Remove both struts when completed.

8

TAIL ASSEMBLY

STAB INSTALLATION

1. ! Collect the following parts:

(1) Stabilizer
(1) Wing/fuse assembly

3. ! Place a piece of masking tape on each wing
tip, just above the aileron hinge line, as
shown above.

! Measuring out from the center joint of the

wing,make a mark on the tape at 35-1/2".
Repeat for the other side of the wing

4.

! Place two strips of masking tape along the

edge of the stab, next to the outer stab tips
and above the hinge line.

! Measure the total length of the stab along the

hinge line and locate the centerline with a
mark.

! Measure 13-1/2” out from the centerline and

make a mark on the masking tape on both
the left and the right side of the stabilizer.

5. ! From the center point on the stab, draw a ver­tical line up to the top of the stab.

! Place masking tape on the top of the fuse,

just in front of the stab.

! Measure and mark the centerpoint on the

tape.

! Mark a centerline on the fuselage, just behind

the wing.

! Place a piece of masking tape along the top

of the fuselage, as shown, and draw a line
from the center mark in front of the stab up to
the center mark below the wing.

6. ! Place the stab on the platform with the cen­ter of the stab lined up with the centerpoint
on the fuse.

! Measuring from the mark on each wing tip to

the mark on the stab tip, make sure the dis­tance "X" on the right side is the same as the
distance on the left side.

7. ! Check to see that the stab is level (parallel)
with the wing. If necessary, insert paper strip
shims to achieve proper alignment.

35-1/2"

TAPE

TAPE

35-1/2"

13-1/2"

13-1/2"

9

TAPE

x

x