Great Planes GPMA0002 User Manual

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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 USA

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.

P.O. Box 788 Urbana, IL 61803 (217) 398-8970

WWW.GREATPLANES.COM

ADTRP03 for GPMA0002 V1.1

				impromptu flying site (see “Find a Safe Place to Fly” on
	TABLE OF CONTENTS			impromptu flying site (see “Find a Safe Place to Fly” on
	TABLE OF CONTENTS			page 22). Additionally, Park Flyers are perfect for those
				evenings at the field when everybody else is packing up
INTRODUCTION			2	evenings at the field when everybody else is packing up
INTRODUCTION			2	their gear, the wind has died, and there is still enough light
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS .........................................................................			2
DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE ...............................................................			3	to fly a small, slow model that can be kept close-in.
	Radio Equipment ...............................................................................		3
	Speed Control....................................................................................		3	The Tutor Trainer is a slow flying, high-wing model that is
	Motor System		3	The Tutor Trainer is a slow flying, high-wing model that is
	Motor System		3	about as simple to build as they get. However, if you have
	Battery Recommendations ................................................................		3	about as simple to build as they get. However, if you have
	Chargers ............................................................................................		4	never flown an R/C model before, learning to fly the Tutor all
	Covering ............................................................................................		4	by yourself is not recommended. As with any trainer
	Building Board ...................................................................................		4	airplane, you should find an experienced modeler to help
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED.............................................................			4	airplane, you should find an experienced modeler to help
	Building Supplies ...............................................................................		4	you with your first flights. Information about R/C clubs and
	Optional Supplies and Tools..............................................................		4	instructors is provided later in this manual.
IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES .............................................................			5
	Patterns.............................................................................................		6
	...........................................................................Metric Conversions		6
	Metric/Inch Scale...............................................................................		6		PROTECT YOUR MODEL,YOURSELF
BUILD THE TAIL SURFACES..................................................................			7		PROTECT YOUR MODEL,YOURSELF
BUILD THE WING ....................................................................................			8		& OTHERS...FOLLOW THESE
	Build the Wing Panels.......................................................................		8		IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
JOIN THE WING PANELS .....................................................................			10		IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
	Build the Ailerons ............................................................................		11
BUILD THE FUSELAGE ........................................................................			12
			12
	Build the Formers............................................................................		12
	Frame the Aft End of the Fuselage.................................................		13		Attention: The product you have purchased
	Frame the Front End of the Fuselage.............................................		14		Attention: The product you have purchased
COVER THE MODEL .............................................................................			15		is powered by a rechargeable battery. At the
	Suggested Covering Sequence ......................................................		15		end of its useful life, under various state and
	Add Washout...................................................................................		15		local laws, it may be illegal to dispose of this
FINAL ASSEMBLY			16		local laws, it may be illegal to dispose of this
FINAL ASSEMBLY			16		battery into the municipal waste system.
	Join the Tail Surfaces......................................................................		16		battery into the municipal waste system.
	Hook Up the Controls......................................................................		17	Check with your local solid waste officials for details in your
	Mount the Landing Gear .................................................................		18	area for recycling options or proper disposal.
	Assemble the Gear Drive................................................................		18
PREPARE THE MODEL FOR FLYING ..................................................			19	This product contains a chemical known to the State of
	Balance the Model ..........................................................................		19	This product contains a chemical known to the State of
	Set the Control Throws ...................................................................		20	California to cause cancer and birth defects or other
PREFLIGHT............................................................................................			21	reproductive harm.
	Charge the Batteries .......................................................................		21
	Identify Your Model .........................................................................		21	1. Even though the Great Planes Tutor Trainer is small,
	Ground Inspection...........................................................................		21	1. Even though the Great Planes Tutor Trainer is small,
	Range Check ..................................................................................		21	lightweight and flies slowly, if it is not assembled and
PERFORMANCE TIPS ...........................................................................			21	operated correctly it could possibly cause injury to yourself
	Cycle the Batteries..........................................................................		21	or spectators and damage property.
	Examine the Propeller.....................................................................		22	or spectators and damage property.
	Motor Care ......................................................................................		22
	Oil the Wheels.................................................................................		22	2. Build the plane according to the plans and instructions.
MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ........................................................			22	Do not alter or modify the model, as doing so may result in
AMA SAFETY CODE (excerpt)			22	Do not alter or modify the model, as doing so may result in
AMA SAFETY CODE (excerpt)			22	an unsafe or unflyable model. In a few cases the instructions
FIND A SAFE PLACE TO FLY...............................................................			23
FLYING ...................................................................................................			23	may differ slightly from the photos. In those instances the
	Takeoff.............................................................................................		23	plans and written instructions should be considered as
	Flight ...............................................................................................		23	correct.
	Landing	Back Cover Page		correct.
	Landing	Back Cover Page
	ROG (Rise Off Ground) Takeoff..............................	Back Cover Page		3. Take time to build straight, true and strong.
2-VIEW DRAWING........................................................		Back Cover Page		3. Take time to build straight, true and strong.
FUSE & WING PLANS ......................................		Center Pull-Out Section
				4. Use an R/C radio system that is in first-class condition.
				This Park Flyer requires micro servos, a micro receiver and
	INTRODUCTION			This Park Flyer requires micro servos, a micro receiver and
	INTRODUCTION			a micro speed control able to handle 5 amps.
				5. You must properly install all R/C and other components so

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Great				that the model operates properly on the ground and in the air.
Planes Tutor™ Trainer. The Tutor is one in a series of Park				6. You must test the operation of the model before every
Flyers from Great Planes designed to be flown in small				6. You must test the operation of the model before every
areas. Park Flyers are a relatively		new class of	small,	flight to insure that all equipment is operating, and that the
lightweight, slow-flying, fast-building		models. Since	Park	model has remained structurally sound. Be sure to check
Flyers are small and fly slowly, little space is required. A				connectors often and replace them if they show signs of
nearby park, schoolyard or vacant lot becomes an				wear or fatigue.

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.

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. (800) 435-9262 Fax (765) 741-0057 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 (217) 398-8970 or e-mail us at:

productsupport@greatplanes.com.

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.

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE

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

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 nickelmetal 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.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

Building Supplies

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)

Optional Supplies & Tools

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)

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 400grit sandpaper (TOPR8032)

IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES

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.

PATTERNS

Metric Conversions

1/64"	= .4mm	3/16"	= 4.8mm	1"	= 25.4mm	18" = 457.2mm
1/32"	= .8mm	1/4"	= 6.4mm	2"	= 50.8mm	21" = 533.4mm
1/16"	= 1.6mm	3/8"	= 9.5mm	3"	= 76.2mm	24" = 609.6mm
3/32"	= 2.4mm	1/2"	= 12.7mm	6"	= 152.4mm	30" = 762mm
1/8"	= 3.2mm	5/8"	= 15.9mm	12"	= 304.8mm	36" = 914.4mm
5/32"	= 4mm	3/4"	= 19mm	15"	= 381mm

Inch Scale

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

BUILD THE TAIL SURFACES

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.

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.

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

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.

BUILD THE WING

Build the Wing Panels

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.

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