Great Planes GPMA0002 User Manual

WARRANTY

Great Planes®Model Manufacturing Co. guarantees this kit to be free from defects in both materials 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 buyers are not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product, they are advised to
return this kit immediately in new and unused condition to the place of purchase.

READ THROUGH THIS MANUAL FIRST. IT
CONTAINS IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS AND
WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY
AND USE OF THIS MODEL.

ADTRP03 for GPMA0002 V1.1© Copyright 2002

P.O. Box 788 Urbana, IL 61803 [phone]

WWW.GREATPLANES.COM

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Wing Span - 44-3/4 in
Wing Area - 305.7 sq in
Weight - 9.5 – 13.5 oz
Wing Loading - 4.5 – 6.4 oz/sq ft
Fuse Length - 28-5/8 in

™

MADE IN

USA

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

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

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE ...............................................................3

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

Speed Control....................................................................................3

Motor System.....................................................................................3

Battery Recommendations ................................................................3

Chargers............................................................................................4

Covering ............................................................................................4

Building Board ...................................................................................4

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED.............................................................4

Building Supplies...............................................................................4

Optional Supplies and Tools ..............................................................4

IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES.............................................................5

Patterns.............................................................................................6

Metric Conversions ...........................................................................6

Metric/Inch Scale...............................................................................6

BUILD THE TAIL SURFACES..................................................................7

BUILD THE WING....................................................................................8

Build the Wing Panels.......................................................................8

JOIN THE WING PANELS.....................................................................10

Build the Ailerons ............................................................................11

BUILD THE FUSELAGE ........................................................................12

Build the Formers............................................................................12

Frame the Aft End of the Fuselage.................................................13

Frame the Front End of the Fuselage.............................................14

COVER THE MODEL.............................................................................15

Suggested Covering Sequence......................................................15

Add Washout...................................................................................15

FINAL ASSEMBLY.................................................................................16

Join the Tail Surfaces......................................................................16

Hook Up the Controls......................................................................17

Mount the Landing Gear.................................................................18

Assemble the Gear Drive................................................................18

PREPARE THE MODEL FOR FLYING ..................................................19

Balance the Model..........................................................................19

Set the Control Throws...................................................................20

PREFLIGHT............................................................................................21

Charge the Batteries.......................................................................21

Identify Your Model .........................................................................21

Ground Inspection...........................................................................21

Range Check ..................................................................................21

PERFORMANCE TIPS...........................................................................21

Cycle the Batteries ..........................................................................21

Examine the Propeller.....................................................................22

Motor Care......................................................................................22

Oil the Wheels.................................................................................22

MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ........................................................22

AMA SAFETY CODE (excerpt).............................................................22

FIND A SAFE PLACE TO FLY...............................................................23

FLYING ...................................................................................................23

Takeoff.............................................................................................23

Flight ...............................................................................................23

Landing...................................................................Back Cover Page

ROG (Rise Off Ground) Takeoff..............................Back Cover Page

2-VIEW DRAWING........................................................Back Cover Page

FUSE & WING PLANS ......................................Center Pull-Out Section

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Great
Planes Tutor™Trainer. The Tutor is one in a series of Park

Flyers from Great Planes designed to be flown in small
areas. Park Flyers are a relatively new class of small,
lightweight, slow-flying, fast-building models. Since Park
Flyers are small and fly slowly, little space is required. A
nearby park, schoolyard or vacant lot becomes an

impromptu flying site (see “Find a Safe Place to Fly” on
page 22). Additionally, Park Flyers are perfect for those
evenings at the field when everybody else is packing up
their gear, the wind has died, and there is still enough light
to fly a small, slow model that can be kept close-in.

The Tutor Trainer is a slow flying, high-wing model that is
about as simple to build as they get. However, if you have
never flown an R/C model before, learning to fly the Tutor all
by yourself is not recommended. As with any trainer
airplane, you should find an experienced modeler to help
you with your first flights. Information about R/C clubs and
instructors is provided later in this manual.

Attention: The product you have purchased
is powered by a rechargeable battery. At the
end of its useful life, under various state and
local laws, it may be illegal to dispose of this

battery into the municipal waste system.
Check with your local solid waste officials for details in your
area for recycling options or proper disposal.

This product contains a chemical known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.

1. Even though the Great Planes Tutor Trainer is small,
lightweight and flies slowly, if it is not assembled and
operated correctly it could possibly cause injury to yourself
or spectators and damage property.

2. Build the plane according to the plans and instructions.
Do not alter or modify the model, as doing so may result in
an unsafe or unflyable model. In a few cases the instructions
may differ slightly from the photos. In those instances the
plans and written instructions should be considered as
correct.

3. Take time to build straight, true and strong.

4. Use an R/C radio system that is in first-class condition.
This Park Flyer requires micro servos, a micro receiver and
a micro speed control able to handle 5 amps.

5. Y ou must properly install all R/C and other components so
that the model operates properly on the ground and in the

air.

6. You must test the operation of the model before every
flight to insure that all equipment is operating, and that the
model has remained structurally sound. Be sure to check
connectors often and replace them if they show signs of
wear or fatigue.

PROTECT YOUR MODEL,YOURSELF

& OTHERS...FOLLOW THESE

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

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

If you’re an inexperienced modeler, we recommend that
you get assistance from an experienced,
knowledgeable modeler to help you with assembly and
your first flights. You’ll learn faster and avoid risking your

model before you’re truly ready to solo. Your local hobby
shop has information about flying clubs in your area whose
membership includes qualified instructors.

You can also contact the national Academy of Model
Aeronautics (AMA), which has more than 2,500 chartered
clubs across the country. Through any one of them,
instructor training programs and insured newcomer training
are available. Contact the AMA at the address or toll-free
phone number below.

Academy of Model Aeronautics

5151 East Memorial Drive

Muncie, IN 47302-9252

Tele. [phone]

Fax [phone]

Or via the Internet at:

http://www.modelaircraft.org

Before starting to build, compare the parts in this kit
with the Parts List, and note any missing parts. Also
inspect all parts to make sure they are of acceptable
quality. If any parts are missing, broken or defective, or
if you have any questions about building or flying this
airplane, please call us at [phone] or e-mail us at:

[e-mail].

If you are contacting us for replacement parts, please
be sure to provide the full kit name GP Tutor and the
part numbers as listed in the Parts List.

You can also check our web site at

www.greatplanes.com

for the latest GP Tutor updates.

This is a list of items required to finish the Tutor that must
be purchased separately. For some of these items there is
more than one option which will require a bit of decision
making ahead of time. Order numbers (in parentheses)
are provided for your convenience.

Radio Equipment

The Tutor requires a micro receiver and two micro servos.
Futaba®S3103 (FUTM0037) or Hobbico®CS-5

(HCAM0090)

micro servos are suitable.
The Tutor may be built either with or without ailerons. Ailerons

are not necessary, because the Tutor flies well without them.
Less experienced pilots should build the Tutor without
ailerons. However, some modelers insist on flying with
ailerons, so this option is covered in the instructions. No
additional materials are required to build the Tutor with
ailerons except for a third micro servo and a #68 (or 1/32")
[.8mm] drill bit.

If flying the Tutor without ailerons, a three (or more) channel
radio may be used. If flying the Tutor with ailerons, a four (or
more) channel radio will be required.

Speed Control

An electronic speed control with BEC (Battery Eliminator
Circuitry) is required. The BEC allows both the motor and the
radio system to be powered by the same battery (thus
eliminating an additional battery typically required to power
the radio). The Great Planes ElectriFly

™

C-5 Nano™High
Frequency Electronic Speed Control (GPMM2000) is
recommended for the Tutor. If you purchase the complete
motor and gear drive system, the speed control is included
(refer to the “Motor System” section that follows).

Motor System

The Tutor is designed to use the Great Planes ElectriFly
T-280GD ESC motor system and gear drive for electric flight
(GPMG0430). This system includes a T-280 Ferrite Motor,
S-280 4.1:1 ratio gearbox, 3mm prop adapter, APC 10 x 4.7
propeller and the ElectriFly C-5 Nano High Frequency
Electronic Speed Control w/BEC. The same components are
also available without the speed control by ordering number
GPMG0445.

Battery recommendations

There are mainly two kinds of battery packs used for electric
R/C models; nickel-metal hydride (NiMh) packs, and nickel­cadmium (NiCd, pronounced ny-cad) packs. NiMh batteries
are recommended for the Tutor because they provide nearly
twice the capacity of a NiCd for their size. However, it should
be noted that nickel-metal hydrides cannot be charged as fast
as NiCds.

Each individual cell that makes up a battery is 1.2 volts.
Simply stated, a volt is the amount of power a battery pack
can deliver (a 6-cell battery pack is 7.2 volts). Batteries are
also rated by their capacity in mAh (milli-Amp-hours), or how

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE

Note: We, as the kit manufacturer , provide you with a top
quality kit and great instructions, but ultimately the
quality and flyability of your finished 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.

3

much energy they store. A 550 mAh battery can supply 1
Ampere for .55 hours (about 30-minutes). A 1200 mAh

battery

pack is about twice the size of a 550 mAh battery pack.

These are the battery packs recommended for the Tutor:

Panasonic 6-cell 550 mAh NiMh pack (GPMP0100) for
beginners due to its light weight.

Panasonic 7-cell 550 mAh NiMh pack (GPMP0101) for
advanced pilots who are capable of flying in slightly windier
conditions.

Chargers

The best type of charger to use is a peak charger, because it
charges the batteries until they are fully charged, then
automatically switches to a trickle charge mode. The Great

Planes

ElectriFly

™

Peak Charger (GPMM3000) is suitable for nickel-

metal hydride batteries, NiCds and transmitter battery packs.
If you have another type of charger that is not a peak charger,

you will have to calculate the length of time it takes to charge
the batteries yourself, then turn the charger off when the
batteries are fully charged. Overcharging the batteries may
damage them. Before you can calculate the time it takes to
charge a battery pack, you first have to know the charge rate
you are going to use. Nickel-metal hydrides must be charged
at a rate of no more than 1/10 of their capacity. For the 550
mAh batteries recommended for the Tutor this would be a
charge rate of approximately 50 mAh. Divide the capacity of
the battery pack by the charge rate to calculate the charge
time. A discharged 550 mAh battery pack charged at 50 mAh
will take 11 hours to charge.

Charge rate/time recommendations:

Charge the 6-cell 550 mAh battery pack at 50 mAh for
11 hours.
Charge the 7-cell 550 mAh battery pack at 50 mAh for
11 hours.
Charge the 7-cell 1200 mAh battery pack at 100 mAh for
12 hours.

IMPORTANT: Monitor the temperature of the battery
frequently. If the battery becomes warm, disconnect it from
the charger.

A Hobbico R/C Multi-Charger (HCAP0100) is suitable for
charging the battery packs used in the Park Flyers.

Note: The period required to charge the batteries in the
examples above is for discharged batteries. If the battery you
are going to charge is not discharged (and you are not using
a peak-charger), connect it to the motor on your model. Run
the motor until the propeller is turning slowly , thus discharging
the battery.

Covering

There are several types of covering that may be used on the
Tutor, and a few that are not recommended. Use a covering
suitable for lightweight models. Top Flite

®

EconoKote®and

Coverite

™

Micafilm™are suitable for the Tutor. EconoKote is

similar to MonoKote

®

(used on most regular-size sport
models), except EconoKote is lighter and does not shrink as
tightly, thus making it suitable for lightweight structures such

as that of the Tutor. EconoKote also has an adhesive on the
back which is activated by the heat of a model airplane
covering iron.

Coverite Micafilm is another covering suitable for lightweight
structures (and is the covering that is on the model featured
on the box label). Micafilm has fibers imbedded in the film and
is exceptionally strong, yet remains lightweight because it has
no adhesive on the back. Therefore, you must apply an
adhesive to the structure before application. Use Coverite
Balsarite

™

(COVR2500) for

Micafilm. Do not use Balsarite “film

formula” to apply

Micafilm.

Transparent MonoKote film is also suitable for covering the
Tutor, because it is lighter and does not shrink as tightly as
opaque MonoKote film. Opaque MonoKote film is not
recommended for the Tutor because it is too heavy and
shrinks too tightly for the structure to withstand.

Building Board

You will need a flat board to lay over your workbench that you
can stick pins into. The back of a 2' x 4' ceiling tile or a section
cut from a sheet of Celotex insulation board is ideal.

In addition to the equipment listed in the “Decisions You
Must Make” section, the following is a “short list” of the
most important building supplies required to build the Tutor.

We recommend Great Planes Pro™CA and Epoxy glue.

❏ 1/2 oz. thin Pro CA (GPMR6001)
❏ 1/2 oz. medium Pro CA+ (GPMR6007)
❏ Hobby knife (HCAR0105)
❏ #11 blades (HCAR0211)
❏ Single-edge razor blades (HCAR0212)
❏ Small T-pins (HCAR5100)
❏ Builder’s triangle (HCAR0480)
❏ Electric drill and 1/16" [1.6mm] drill bit
❏ Small phillips and flat blade screwdrivers
❏ Pliers with wire cutter (HCAR0630)
❏ Great Planes Plan Protector (GPMR6167) or wax paper
❏ Sanding tools and sandpaper assortment
❏ Sealing iron (TOPR2100)
❏ Double-sided foam tape (GPMQ4440) for mounting

servos

❏ Great Planes Hook & Loop Material (GPMQ4880)

Here is a list of optional tools mentioned in the manual that
will help you build the Tutor.

❏ Great Planes C.G. Machine

™

(GPMR2400)

❏ Top Flite

®

Precision Magnetic Prop Balancer

™

(TOPQ5700)

❏ Top Flite Hot Sock

™

iron cover (TOPR2175)

Optional Supplies & Tools

Building Supplies

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

4

❏ Straightedge with scale (HCAR0475)
❏ Cutting mat (HCAR0456)
❏ Masking tape (TOPR8018)
❏ CA Debonder (GPMR6039)
❏ CA Applicator tips (GPMR6033)
❏ Great Planes 5-1/2" [140mm] Bar Sander

(GPMR6169)

and 150-grit adhesive back sandpaper (GPMR6183)

❏ Top Flite 320-grit sandpaper (TOPR8030) and 400-

grit sandpaper (TOPR8032)

For the best performance, the Tutor must be built light. One
of the best ways to insure light weight is to build neatly and
make good-fitting glue joints that require less glue. Here are
some tips to help you build neatly and light.

1. The easiest way to cut balsa sticks is with a single-edge
razor blade. To do so, position the stick over the plan, then
place the razor blade on the stick where you wish to cut it.
Press down lightly on the razor blade to make a mark where
the stick is to be cut.

2. Take the stick off the plan and cut it over a cutting mat or
a scrap piece of wood (Okay, if you’re careful you could go

ahead and cut the stick right over the plan, but if you do, you
may cut through the plan protector, allowing the CA to soak
through and glue the structure to the plan).

3. Because of the small balsa sticks used in the tail, small
T-pins may be used to hold the sticks to your building board,
but only where necessary. Use small T-pins (HCAR5100)
or small straight pins found in craft stores. Do not stick pins
into the sticks near the ends, or the wood may split.

4. If you have difficulty with the T-pins splitting the small
sticks, an alternate method is to use the “crossed-pin”

technique. Insert the T-pins into the building board in a
cris-cross fashion to hold the sticks to the plan.

5. Only a small amount of CA should be used to glue the
parts together. Use the included CA applicator tips to control
and pinpoint the amount of CA that comes from the bottle.
When the tip becomes clogged, cut the tip off and continue.
In addition to unnecessary weight, excess CA is difficult to
sand. If you require additional CA tips, order no.
GPMR6033, (qty. 5).

6. When applying CA, be careful to not glue your fingers to
the structure. In the process of unsticking your fingers you
can inadvertently damage the structure, thus requiring
repairs and adding additional weight (not to mention the

aggravation)!

7. Sanding requires a light touch to avoid damage. We
found the best method for sanding is to use light strokes in
the direction of the longest sticks. Be certain the sandpaper
is thoroughly bonded to the bar sander. Lifted edges will
catch the structure, causing damage. Use medium-grit
sandpaper such as 120 or 150.

8. One of the best ways to insure a lightweight model is to
proceed slowly and build neatly. Good glue joints with
minimal adhesive are stronger, lighter and have a better
appearance than poor-fitting joints with too much CA. Of
course, you should take this approach with all of your

projects!

9. Work over a flat surface. Cover the plans with Great
Planes Plan Protector (GPMR6167) or wax paper so the
parts will not adhere to the plan.

10. If you would like to remove the charred edges from the
laser cut parts, use a cloth that has been damped with bleach.

IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES

5

6

PATTERNS

1/64" = .4mm
1/32" = .8mm
1/16" = 1.6mm
3/32" = 2.4mm

1/8" = 3.2mm

5/32" = 4mm

3/16" = 4.8mm

1/4" = 6.4mm
3/8" = 9.5mm
1/2" = 12.7mm
5/8" = 15.9mm
3/4" = 19mm

1" = 25.4mm
2" = 50.8mm
3" = 76.2mm

6" = 152.4mm
12" = 304.8mm
15" = 381mm

18" = 457.2mm
21" = 533.4mm
24" = 609.6mm
30" = 762mm
36" = 914.4mm

Metric Conversions

Inch Scale

0" 1" 2" 3" 4" 5" 6" 7"

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180

Metric Scale

❏ 1. Unroll the plan sheets. Reroll them inside-out so they

will lie flat. Place the fin/rudder portion of the fuse plan over
your flat building board, then cover it with Great Planes Plan
Protector or waxed paper so glue will not adhere to the plan.

❏ 2. Build the fin and the rudder from two 1/8" x 1/8" x 24"

[3.2 x 3.2 x 610mm] balsa sticks. Hint: When cutting the
“ribs” (the horizontal sticks), start with the longest ones first.
If you accidentally cut one too short, use it for the shorter rib
above it, thus minimizing wasted material.

❏ 3. Remove the fin and rudder from the plan. Use a bar

sander with 150-grit sandpaper to carefully sand both sides
of the fin and rudder flat and even. Round the corners as
shown on the plan. Refer to the Expert Tip that follows, then
round the leading edge and top of the fin and the trailing
edge and top of the rudder.

❏ 4. Sand a bevel on the leading edge of the rudder as

shown in the cross-section on the plan.

❏ 5. Use a #11 blade to cut the notch in the rudder where

shown on the plan for the laser-cut 1/16" [1.6mm] plywood

control horn. Glue the control horn into the notch on the
left side of the rudder. Note: Use a pin to enlarge the holes

for the pushrod, if needed.

❏ 6. Build the stab and elevators from the four 1/8" x 1/8" x

24" [3.2 x 3.2 x 610mm] balsa sticks. Do not join the elevators
with the 1/8" [3.2mm] dowel until instructed to do so.

❏ 7. The same as you did the fin and rudder, sand the stab

and elevators flat and even, then round the corners where
shown on the plan. Round the tips of the stab and elevators
and round the leading edge of the stab and the trailing edge
of the elevators. Bevel the leading edge of both elevators as
shown in the cross-section on the plan.

❏ 8. Pin both elevators to the plan. Make the elevator

joiner by trimming the 1/8" x 3" [3.2 x 75mm] hardwood

dowel to the correct length. Use medium CA to securely
glue the elevator joiner to both elevators.

❏ 9. Remove the elevators from the plan. Use a #11 blade

followed by a bar sander with 150-grit sandpaper to bevel

To round the edges of the tail pieces, place one of them
on your workbench so the edge you are rounding extends
just beyond the edge of the bench. Use a bar sander to
hold it down. Use another bar sander to do the sanding.

BUILD THE TAIL SURFACES

7

the elevator joiner to match the leading edge of the
elevators.

❏ 10. Use a #11 blade to cut the slot for the control horn,

then glue the control horn into position on the bottom of the
elevator.

Start by building the left wing panel first so your progress
matches the photos.

❏ 1. Cover the left wing panel plan with Great Planes Plan

Protector.

❏ ❏ 2. Match the 1/8" x 1/4" x 24" [3.2 x 6.4 x 610mm]

balsa

main spars so any warps will counteract each other.

❏ ❏ 3. Pin one of the main spars in position over the plan,

aligning one end of the main spar with the outside edge of
the root rib W-1.

❏ ❏ 4. Pin one of the 1/32" x 3/4" x 24" [.8 x 19 x 610mm]

balsa trailing edge sheets in position over the plan,
aligning one end of the trailing edge sheet with the outside
edge of the root rib W-1.

❏ ❏ 5. Starting at the wing tip, glue the seven laser-cut

1/16"

[1.6mm] balsa W-1 and one W-1A ribs over the main

spar

and trailing edge sheet, perpendicular to the building
board. IMPORTANT: Do not install the W-1A root rib until
the next step.

❏ ❏ 6. Position the W-1A root rib in place over the main

spar. Use the laser-cut 1/8" [3.2mm] ply dihedral gauge to
set the rib at the proper angle before gluing it to the main
spar and the trailing edge sheet.

❏ ❏ 7. Position the top 1/8" x 1/4" x 24" [3.2 x 6.4 x

610mm]
balsa main spar in the rib notches with one end flush with
the outside edge of the root rib and glue to all the ribs.

Build the Wing Panels

BUILD THE WING

8