Great Planes GPMA0005 User Manual

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

Entire Contents © Copyright 2001

P.O. Box 788 Urbana, IL 61801 [phone]

[e-mail]

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

TM

USA

MADE IN

Printed in USA LIPKP03 for GPMA0005 V1.0

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

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

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

Radio equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Speed control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Motor system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Battery and charger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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

Building board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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

Building supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Optional supplies and tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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

Metric conversions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

LASER-CUT PATTERNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

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

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

Build the center section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Build the outer panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Join the outer panels to the center section . . . . . . . 10

Build the ailerons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

BUILD THE FUSELAGE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Frame the sides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Mount the stab and fin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Finish the fuselage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

COVER THE MODEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Final preparations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Suggested covering sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

FINAL ASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Hook yp the controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Finish the cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

PREPARE THE MODEL FOR FLYING . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Balance the model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Set up the radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Set the control throws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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

Charge the transmitter batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Identify your model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Ground inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Range check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

PERFORMANCE TIPS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Cycle the batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Examine the propeller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Mount the wing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Motor care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Oil the wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

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

AMA SAFETY CODE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

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

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

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

Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back cover

Landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back cover

ROG Takeoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back cover

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Great
Planes Li’l Poke.The

Li’l Poke

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, slow­flying models. Because Park Flyers can fly in small areas, a
nearby park, schoolyard or vacant lot becomes an impromptu
flying site. 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 Li’l Poke may be built either with or without ailerons. It
flies well on rudder only, but flying with ailerons increases its
maneuverability.

The Li’l Poke is a slow flying model that is simple to build. It
is ideal for modelers with moderate flight experience, or
even experienced modelers who simply wish to try out a
small, lightweight electric model. However, the Li’l Poke is
not intended for beginners. If you have little flight experience
or have not flown a model like this before, find an
experienced modeler to help you with your first flights.
Information about R/C clubs and instructors is provided later
in this manual.

IMPORTANT!!! Although the Li’l Poke is a small, lightweight
model that may be flown in parks, schoolyards, empty lots
and fields, it is operated by the same radio controlled
equipment used to fly larger, conventional R/C airplanes,
and is therefore capable of generating radio interference that
could cause one of these larger models to crash. Because of
this, you must be aware of your proximity to R/C club sites if
flying somewhere on your own. If there is an R/C site within
five miles of where you are flying, and if you are operating
your model on the same frequency and at the same time as
somebody else, there is a strong possibility that one or both
models will crash due to radio interference. Though the
potential for the Li’l Poke to cause damage may be small,
there is great potential for a larger model to cause property
damage and/or severe personal injury if radio interference
causes loss of control. We strongly urge you to fly at a R/C
club site where frequency control is in effect, so you can be
assured you will be the only one flying on your channel.If you
insist on flying on your own and do not know where the R/C
club sites are, contact the local hobby shop or the AMA to
find out. When completed, you will have invested
considerable time and expense in your Li’l Poke. It would be
a shame to crash it simply due to unnecessary radio
interference. The time and expense that goes into a larger
model is even greater (as is the potential danger), so make
certain you are not flying within five miles of a local R/C club
where radio interference from your transmitter could cause
a crash.

INTRODUCTIONTABLE OF CONTENTS

2

1. Even though the Great Planes

Li’l Poke

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 and true.

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 that is able to handle 5 amps.

5. You must properly install all R/C and other components so
that the model operates correctly 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.

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

Please inspect all parts carefully before starting to
build! 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 calling for replacement parts, please
reference the part numbers and the kit identification
number (stamped on the end of the carton) and have
them ready when calling.

This is a partial list of items required to finish the Li’l Poke
that must be purchased separately. Order numbers are
provided in parentheses.

Radio Equipment

The Li’l Poke requires a micro receiver and two or three
micro servos (depending upon whether you will build the
Li’l Poke with or without ailerons). Futaba®S3103
(FUTM0037) or Hobbico®CS-5 (HCAM0090) micro
servos are suitable.

Speed Control

An electronic speed control with BEC (Battery Eliminator
Circuitry) is required to fly the Li’l Poke. 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. If the complete
motor and gear drive system is purchased, the speed
control is included (refer to the “Motor System” section
that follows).

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE

NOTE: We, as the kit manufacturer, provide you with a

top quality kit and great instructions, but ultimately the
quality 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.

PROTECT YOUR MODEL,YOURSELF

& OTHERS...FOLLOW THESE

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

3

4

In addition to the equipment listed in the “Decisions You
Must Make” section, following is the “short list” of the most

important building supplies required to build the Li’l Poke.

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)

❏ Power drill

❏ #68 (or 1/32" [.8mm]) drill bit, 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

❏ Hook and Loop Velcro

®

(GPMQ4480) for mounting

the battery

Here is a list of optional tools mentioned in the manual that
will help you build the Li’l Poke.

❏ Great Planes CG Machine™ (GPMR2400)

❏ Top Flite Precision Magnetic Prop Balancer

™

(TOPQ5700)

❏ Top Flite Hot Sock™ iron cover (TOPR2175)

❏ Straightedge with scale (HCAR0475)

❏ Cutting mat (HCAR0456)

❏ CA Applicator tips (GPMR6033)

❏ Great Planes 5-1/2" [140mm] (GPMR6169) Bar Sander

❏ Great Planes 11" [280mm] (GPMR6170) Bar Sander

❏ 150-grit (GPMR6183) and 80-grit (GPMR6180)

adhesive back sandpaper for Bar Sanders

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

sandpaper (TOPR8032)

Optional Supplies and Tools

Building Supplies

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

Motor System

The Li’l Poke is designed to use the Great Planes
ElectriFly T-280GD 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-10

Nano

High Frequency Electronic Speed Control w/BEC.
The same components are also available without the
speed control by ordering number GPMG0445.

Note: Though the C-5 speed control is recommended,
the C-10 speed control included with the complete
system is suitable.

Battery and Charger

The ElectriFly 9.6V 350mAh NiCd pack (GPMP0070) is
recommended for the Li’l Poke.

The Great Planes ElectriFly Peak Charger (GPMM3000)
is recommended for charging this battery. It is a

peak

charger and charges the batteries until they are fully
charged, then automatically switches to trickle charge.
This charger is also suitable for nickel-metal hydride
batteries and transmitter battery packs.

Covering

There are several types of covering that may be used on the
Li’l Poke. Select a covering recommended specifically for
lightweight models. Coverite™CoverLite,™Coverite Micafilm
and Top Flite®EconoKote®are suitable. CoverLite is highly
recommended due to its light weight, with Micafilm being a
good second choice. Both materials require the application
of an adhesive such as Balsarite™(COVR2500) to the
structure. Top Flite EconoKote already has an adhesive on
the back so it is easier to apply, but it is also slightly heavier.
If using Coverlite, two 36" x 19.5" [915 x 495mm] packages
will be required.

Building Board

A flat building board that you can stick pins into is
required. A 12" x 24" [300 x 600mm] Great Planes Pro

™

Building Board (GPMR6946) is recommended. The back
of a 2' x 4' ceiling tile or a section cut from a sheet of
Celotex insulation board is also suitable.

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

1. An accurate, easy way to cut balsa sticks is with a single­edge razor blade. To do so, position the stick over the plan
or glue joint, then align the razor blade on the stick where it
is to be cut.

2. Press down lightly on the razor blade to make a mark.
Take the stick off the plan and cut it over a cutting mat or a
scrap piece of wood. (

With care, the stick could be cut on
the plan, but cutting through any protective covering on the
plan may cause the assembly to stick to the building board

).

3. To avoid splitting the 1/8" x 1/8" [3.2 x 3.2mm] balsa
sticks used in the Li’l Poke, only small T-pins (HCAR5100)
or small pins found in craft stores should be used for
building this model. Do not stick pins into the sticks near the
ends, or the wood may split.

4. An alternate method to sticking pins directly through
balsa sticks is to use the “crossed-pin” technique by
inserting pins into the building board over the sticks in a
criss-cross fashion.

5. Only a small amount of CA should be used to glue the
parts together. In addition to unnecessary weight, excess
hardened CA is difficult to sand. 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. If additional CA tips are required,
order number GPMR6033 (5).

6. When applying CA, be careful to not glue your fingers to the
structure. In the process of

unsticking

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.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 may catch the
structure. 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 are
stronger, lighter and have a better appearance than poor­fitting joints with too much CA. Of course, this approach
should be taken 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.

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

1" = 25.4mm (conversion factor)

Metric Conversions

IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES

5

6

LASER-CUT PATTERNS

❏ 1. Unroll the plan sheets and re-roll them inside-out so
they will lie flat. Position the fuse plan so the fin and rudder
are over your flat building board (or cut the fin and rudder
from the plan and place it over the building board).Cover the
plan with Great Planes Plan Protector or waxed paper so
glue will not adhere to it.

❏ 2. Build the rudder using two 1/8" x 1/8" x 24" [3.2 x 3.2
x 610mm] balsa sticks. As shown in the photo, most of the
sticks don’t have to be cut to exact length until after the
rudder is removed from the building board.

❏ 3. Remove the rudder from the building board. Cut and sand
the balsa sticks on the trailing edge to form a curved contour.
Use a bar sander with 150-grit sandpaper to bevel the leading
edge as shown in the cross section on the plan. Carefully sand
both sides of the rudder flat, even and smooth.

❏ 4. Holding a small sheet of 320-grit sandpaper by hand,
carefully round the trailing edge.

❏ 5. Build the fin, stab and elevators the same as the
rudder.When building the elevators, bevel the leading edges
and round the trailing edges, but do not permanently join
them to each other with the joiner until instructed to do so.

❏ 6. Test fit a .030" [.76mm] pushrod wire in the holes of the
laser-cut 1/16" [1.6mm] plywood elevator and rudder
control horns (marked “E” and “R”). If necessary, carefully
enlarge the holes with a #68 (or 1/32" [.8mm]) drill or a
hobby knife.

❏ 7. Cut the slots in the elevator and rudder to accommodate
the control horns, then glue the horns into position. Be certain
the elevator horn is in the bottom of the right elevator and that
the rudder horn is on the left side of the rudder.

❏ 8. Pin both elevators, upside-down, over their location on
the plan. Sand a bevel to one edge of the 1/8" x 1/8" x 1-1/2"
[3.2 x 3.2 x 38mm] basswood elevator joiner to match the
bevel on the leading edge of the elevators. Securely glue the
elevator joiner to both elevators.

Now it’s time to build the wing.

BUILD THE TAIL SURFACES

7

Refer to this photo for the following four steps.

❏ 1. Position the wing plan so the center section is over
your flat building board (or cut the center section from the
wing plan). Cover the plan with Plan Protector.

❏ 2. Examine the 1/8" x 1/4" x 24" [3.2 x 6.4 x 610mm]
balsa sticks included in this kit (which will be used for the
spars). If any of the spars are bowed, pair them together and
install them in the wing so any bows present will cancel-out.

❏ 3. Cut both bottom spars to the length shown on the
plan from two 1/8" x 1/4" x 24" [3.2 x 6.4 x 610mm] balsa
sticks. Pin the spars into position over the plan.

❏ 4. If building the wing with ailerons, cut a 3/4" [19.1mm]
wide bottom trailing edge sheet from a 1/32" x 3" x 24" [.8
x 76 x 610mm] balsa sheet and pin it into position over the
plan. If not building the wing with ailerons, cut the bottom
trailing edge sheet to extend all the way to the trailing edge
of the wing (as indicated by the arrows in the photo).

❏ 5. Mark the location of the center rib W1 on the spars and
trailing edge sheet.

❏ 6. Cut the four pieces of the bottom center section sheeting
from a 1/32" x 3" x 15" [.8 x 76 x 380mm] balsa sheet. The
forward sheet should be cut approximately 1/8" [3.2mm]
oversize, so it can extend to the leading edge dowel. Glue the
sheeting to the spars and trailing edge sheet as shown.

❏ 7. Note the vertical lines aft of the spar notches on both
laser-cut 1/16" [1.6mm] balsa ribs W3. These lines indicate
where a section of balsa is to be removed to accommodate
the 1/16" [1.6mm] polyhedral braces when it’s time to join
the wing panels. Use a straightedge and a ballpoint pen to
mark the same lines on the other side of one of the W3’s, so
the lines will be on the outside of both ribs when positioned
on the outer panels.

❏ 8. Glue the laser cut ribs W1 through W3 to the spars and
bottom center sheeting using a small builder’s square to be
certain they are vertical. Be certain the W3’s are positioned
so the lines are on the outside.

❏ 9. Cut the leading edge from the 1/8" x 24" [3.2 x
610mm] dowel, then glue it into position.

❏ 10. If building the wing without ailerons, glue the laser-
cut 1/16" [1.6mm] balsa aileron ribs to the bottom trailing
edge sheeting in alignment with the wing ribs.
Note: The aileron ribs can be seen in step 2 on page 11
where they are being glued to the bottom aileron sheeting.

Build the Center Section

BUILD THE WING

8