GREAT PLANES EP FALCON ARF Instruction Manual

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®

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®

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

SPECIFICATIONS

Wingspan:

37 in
[940 mm]

Wing Area: 286 in

2

[18.4 dm2]

WARRANTY

Great Planes® Model Manufacturing Co. guarantees this kit to

be free from defects in both material and workmanship at the
date of purchase. This warranty does not cover any component
parts damaged by use or modification. In no case shall Great
Planes’ liability exceed the original cost of the purchased kit.
Further, Great Planes reserves the right to change or modify this
warranty without notice.

In that Great Planes has no control over the final assembly or
material used for final assembly, no liability shall be assumed nor
accepted for any damage resulting from the use by the user of
the final user-assembled product. By the act of using the
user-assembled product, the user accepts all resulting liability.

If the buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associated
with the use of this product, the buyer is advised to return

Weight:

Wing

Loading:

8.5– 10 oz
[240–285 g]

4.3 – 5.0 oz/ ft
[13– 15 g /dm2]

Length: 30 in [760mm]

Radio: 4-channel, 3 micro servos

2

Motor: RimFire

™

250

outrunner brushless motor

this kit immediately in new and unused condition to the
place of purchase.

To make a warranty claim send the defective part or item to
Hobby Services at the address below:

Hobby Services

3002 N. Apollo Dr. Suite 1

Champaign IL 61822 USA

Include a letter stating your name, return shipping address, as
much contact information as possible (daytime telephone
number, fax number, e-mail address), a detailed description of
the problem and a photocopy of the purchase receipt. Upon
receipt of the package the problem will be evaluated as quickly
as possible.

READ THROUGH THIS MANUAL BEFORE STARTING CONSTRUCTION. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT

INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY AND USE OF THIS MODEL.

© 2010 Hobbico®, Inc. GPMA1940 Mnl

Champaign, Illinois

[phone], Ext 5

[e-mail]

INTRODUCTION

AMA

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

AMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Radio Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Motor, Battery, ESC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Battery Charging Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Adhesives and Building Supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

KIT INSPECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

KIT CONTENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

ASSEMBLE THE FUSELAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Install the Horizontal and Vertical Stabilizer . . . . . . . . . 5

Install the Elevator and Rudder Servos . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Mount the Motor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Hook up the Elevator and Rudder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

ASSEMBLE THE WING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Hook up the Ailerons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Finish the Wing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Check the Control Throws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Balance the Propeller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Balance the Model (C.G.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Charge the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

FLYING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Mount the Wing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Ground Check and Range Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

C.G. Template . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the Carl Goldberg Classics EP

Falcon ARF. Anyone who remembers the Carl Goldberg line will
have fond memories of the Falcon series—many of you have

probably built a Falcon as a young modeler. For those of you
who do not know of the Falcon, hopefully you will experience the
same enjoyment as many others before you. Even without the
nostalgia the Falcon stands on its own! Interestingly, this new
EP Falcon is basically the same size as the original JR. Falcon.

The EP Falcon was originally intended for indoor fl ight, but

we found that in the right conditions (low winds) the Falcon

is just as much fun outdoors! And the steerable nose wheel
adds even more to the fun and practicality.

For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to the
EP Falcon visit the Great Planes web site at www.greatplanes.
com. Open the “Airplanes” link, then select the Carl Goldberg
Classics EP Falcon. If there is new technical information or
changes to this model a “tech notice” box will appear in the
upper left corner of the page.

If you are not already a member of the AMA, please join! The

AMA is the governing body of model aviation and member-

ship provides liability insurance coverage, protects modelers’

rights and interests and is required to fly at most R/C sites.

ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS

5151 East Memori al Drive

Muncie, IN 47302-9252

Tele. [phone]

Fax [phone]

Or via the Internet at:

http://www.modelaircraft.org

http://www.modelaircraft.org/parkfl yer.aspx

IMPORTANT!!! Two of the most important things you can do

to preserve the radio controlled aircraft hobby are to avoid
fl ying near full-scale aircraft and avoid fl ying near or over

groups of people.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Protect Your Model, Yourself & Others …
Follow These Important Safety Precautions

1. Your EP Falcon should not be considered a toy, but rather a
sophisticated, working model that functions very much like
a full-size airplane. Because of its performance capabilities,
the Falcon, if not assembled and operated correctly, could
possibly cause injury to yourself or spectators and damage
to property.

2. You must assemble the model according to the
instructions. Do not alter or modify the model, as doing
so may result in an unsafe or unfl yable model. In a few
cases the instructions may differ slightly from the photos.
In those instances the written instructions should be
considered as correct.

3. You must take time to build straight, true and strong.

4. You must use an R/C radio system that is in good condition,
a correctly sized engine, and other components as specifi ed
in this instruction manual. All components must be correctly
installed so that the model operates correctly on the ground
and in the air. You must check the operation of the model
and all components before every fl ight.

5. If you are not an experienced pilot or have not fl own this
type of model before, we recommend that you get the
assistance of an experienced pilot in your R/C club for
your fi rst fl ights. If you’re not a member of a club, your
local hobby shop has information about clubs in your area
whose membership includes experienced pilots.

6. While this kit has been fl ight tested to exceed normal use,
if the plane will be used for extremely high stress fl ying,
such as aggressive aerobatics, or if a motor larger than
one in the recommended range is used, the modeler is
responsible for taking steps to reinforce the high stress
points and/or substituting hardware more suitable for the
increased stress.

2

We, as the kit manufacturer, provide you with a top quality,
thoroughly tested kit and instructions, but ultimately the
quality and fl yability of your fi nished model depends
on how you build it; therefore, we cannot in any way
guarantee the performance of your completed model,
and no representations are expressed or implied as to the
performance or safety of your completed model.

Remember: Take your time and follow the instructions
to end up with a well-built model that is straight and true.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

This is a partial list of items required to fi nish the EP Falcon

that are illustrated in the instruction manual. Order numbers
are provided in parentheses.

Radio Equipment

4-channel radio control system

❍

Three micro servos such as ElectriFly

❍

servos (GPMM1200)

Mini/micro receiver (Futaba

❍

Futaba AEC-27 J-series servo extension (for aileron

❍

servo—FUTM3909)

®

R6004FF – FUTL7624)

®

ES40 Pico

Battery Charging Equipment

A LiPo-capable battery charger and a power source for the

battery charger is required. Virtually all suitable battery
chargers can be powered by a 12V battery, but it is more

convenient to use a charger that can be connected either
to a 12V battery (for charging at the fl ying fi eld) or to a 110V
wall outlet (for charging at home). One suitable LiPo charger

is the Great Planes ElectriFly Triton EQ™ AC/DC Charger
(GPMM3155). And in addition to its LiPo capability, the Triton
EQ also features one more critical component, which is a

built-in LiPo cell balancer. For the best LiPo performance,

longevity and safety, a LiPo cell balancer must be used so
each individual cell in the LiPo battery can be charged evenly.

Another suitable LiPo battery charger is the Great Planes
PolyCharge4™ DC LiPo charger (GPMM3015). The advantage
of the PolyCharge4 is that it can charge up to four LiPo batteries
at the same time. But unlike the Triton EQ, the PolyCharge4
does not have an internal LiPo cell balancer, so for each LiPo

battery you wish to charge simultaneously (up to 4), one Great
Planes Equinox™ LiPo Cell Balancer (GPMM3160) will be
required. Finally, the PolyCharge4 does not have AC capability,

so if wall-charging from home is a priority a separate A/C 12­Volt power source must be purchased separately. A suitable

power supply then for the PolyCharge4 is the Great Planes
12V 12A DC power supply (GPMP0901).

Motor, Battery, ESC

Great Planes RimFire

❍

(GPMG4502)

Great Planes ElectriFly 2S (7.4V) 300mAh 20C

❍

Competition BP LiPo battery (GPMP0700)

Great Planes ElectriFly SS-8 8 Amp Brushless ESC

❍

(electronic speed control) (GPMM1800)

APC 8 x 3.8 Slo-Flyer electric propeller (APCQ5000)

❍

(At least one spare propeller in your fl ight box is also
recommended.)

It is also highly recommended that you stock up on spare

propeller saver O-rings (GPMG1405).

™

250 Outrunner motor

Adhesives and Building Supplies

Other than common hobby tools, this is the list of Adhesives
and Building Supplies that were used to fi nish the EP Falcon.

Thin, foam-safe CA (HOTR1040)

❍

CA applicator tips (GPMR6033)

❍

CA accelerator (GPMR6035)

❍

Great Planes Pro

❍

Optional: Clear or white RTV silicone adhesive or

❍

J&Z R/C 56 Canopy Glue (JOZR5007)

™

Threadlocker (GPMR6060)

KIT INSPECTION

Carefully remove the major parts from the kit. Take an inventory
to make sure it is complete, and inspect the parts to make

sure they are of acceptable quality. If any parts are damaged
or missing or are not of acceptable quality, or if you need
assistance with assembly, contact Product Support. When
reporting defective or missing parts, use the part names
exactly as they are written in the Kit Contents list.

Great Planes Product Support

3002 N Apollo Drive, Suite 1
Champaign, IL 61822

Ph: [phone], ext. 5
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

3

12

KIT CONTENTS

1

2

11

10

9

13

6

1. Fuselage

2. Vertical Stabilizer

3. Horizontal Stabilizer

4. Wing

5. Aileron Pushrods

6. Rudder/Elevator Pushrods

7. Wing Center Doubler

7

8

5

3

4

8. Canopy

9. Main Wheels

10. Main Landing Gear

11. Nose Wheel

12. Rubber Bands

13. Fiber Reinforcement Tape

4

ASSEMBLE THE FUSELAGE

Install the Horizontal and

Vertical Stabilizer

1. Carefully fl ex the elevator up and down several times to

❏

loosen the hinge.

3. Test fi t the fi n into the stab. Lightly spray the parts where

❏

they fi t together with a mist of CA accelerator and allow to dry
for about 30 seconds to a minute. This “priming” procedure will
allow the CA to harden quickly when gluing the parts together.
Using a builder’s square to make sure the fi n and stab are

perpendicular, use a small amount of thin, foam-safe CA
to glue them together—do not saturate the foam or build up

large fi llets of glue—this could damage the foam and will add
unnecessary weight!

2. Use a straightedge and a hobby blade to fi nish cuttting

❏

out the slot in the horizontal stabilizer (stab) for the vertical
stabilizer (fi n).

4. Cut the spacers from the slot on both sides and on the

❏

top of the fuselage for the fi n and stab.

5