Great Planes GPMA0050 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. Fur ther, 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.

FUNDP03 for GPMA0050 V1.1 Entire Contents © Copyright 2001

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

[e-mail]

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Printed In USA

Wingspan: 35 in
Wing Area: 350 sq in
Weight (Ready to Fly): 13-16 oz
Wing Loading: 5.3-6.6 oz/sq ft
Fuselage Length: 30 in

TM

MADE IN

USA

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

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

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

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

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

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

Battery Recommendation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Battery Warning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

Common Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Types of Wood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

DIE-CUT PATTERNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

GET READY TO BUILD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

BUILD THE WING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

BUILD THE AILERONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

BUILD THE TAIL SURFACES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Build the Fin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Build the Stab and Elevator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

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

Prepare the Fuselage Tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Build the Landing Gear (optional). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Mount the Landing Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

COVER THE MODEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Prepare the Model for Covering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Cover the Wing and Ailerons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Cover the Tail Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

FINAL ASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Mount the Control Horns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Mount the Stab and Fin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Mount the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Mount the Motor and Speed Control. . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Mount the Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

PREPARE THE MODEL FOR FLYING . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Set the Control Throws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Balance the Model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

PREFLIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Charge the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Identify Your Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Ground Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Range Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

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

Cycle the Batteries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

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

Motor Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

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

MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

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

FLYING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

Takeoff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

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

ROG Takeoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover

The Fundango is a fun to fly, aerobatic electric airplane that
can be flown in small spaces (see

Find a Safe Place to Fly

on page 23).Depending on your level of e xpertise, this plane
can either be a slow “Park Flyer” or an aerobatic model
capable of tight loops, inverted flight and fast rolls. Although
the Fundango uses only ailerons and elevator, with practice
you will be able to perform wing-overs and hammer-heads
which traditionally require a rudder.The Fundango was not
designed to look like a “real” airplane; instead it was
designed for exceptional aerobatic performance and we
think you'll agree that it meets this objective.

IMPORTANT: Though the Fundango is a small, lightweight
model that is capable of flying slowly, due to its aerobatic
design it is not intended for beginners.If you are new to R/C
airplanes, do not attempt to learn to fly with the Fundango.
You MUST learn to fly a trainer model first. Information about
R/C clubs and instructors is provided later in this manual.

1. Even though the Great Planes

Fundango

is a small,
lightweight model, 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 instr uctions. Do
not alter or modify the model, as doing so may result in an
unsafe or unflyab le 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. The
Fundango requires mini servos, a micro receiver and a micro
speed control that is capable of handling at least 15 amps.

5.You 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.

PRO TECT YOUR MODEL,Y OURSELF

& 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 y our first flights.

You'll learn faster and avoid risking your model before y ou'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 (Fundango) and the
part numbers as listed in the Parts List.

For the latest Fundango updates, you can also check
our web site at:

www.greatplanes.com

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

The Fundango requires three mini servos and a micro receiver .
Futaba®S3101 (FUTM0033) or Hobbico®CS-35 (HCAM0120)
micro servos and Hitec's®Feather Receiver (HRCL1535) are
suitable. The Feather Receiver comes without a receiver
crystal, so the crystal must be purchased separately.The order
number for the Hitec receiver crystal is HRCL23**. Substitute
the “**”with the channel number you require.For example, if the
transmitter you plan to fly your Fundango with is on channel 44,
order receiver crystal HRCL2344.

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-20 High Frequency
Electronic Speed Control (GPMM2020) is recommended for
the Fundango. If you purchase the complete motor and gear
drive system, the speed control is included (refer to the
“Motor System” section that follows).

The Fundango is designed to use the Great Planes
ElectriFly T-400GD ESC motor system and gear drive for
electric flight (GPMG0400). This system includes a T-400
Ferrite Motor, S-400 3:1 ratio gearbox, 3mm prop adapter,
APC 10 x 7 propeller and the ElectriFly C-20 High
Frequency Electronic Speed Control w/BEC. The same
components are also available without the speed control by
ordering number GPMG0415.

Motor System

Speed Control

Radio Equipment

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

4

Each individual Nicd or Nimh cell that makes up a battery is

1.2 volts. An 8-cell battery pack is 9.6 volts. Batteries are
also rated by their capacity in mAh (milli-Amp-hours), or how
much energy they store. A 600 mAh battery can supply 1

Ampere

for .6 hours (about 36 minutes).A 1200 mAh battery
pack has twice the capacity of a 600 mAh battery pack.
The battery pack recommended for the Fundango is the 8­cell (9.6 volt) 600 mAh NiCd pack (HCAP6000).A 300 mAh
charger is included with the battery. If you already have a
charger, or if extra battery packs are required, the battery is
available separately (HCAP6005).

Do not attempt to fly the Fundango with 1200 mAh “sub-C”
battery packs, as they are too heavy.

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.

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
Hobbico Accu-Cycle™Plus (HCAP0270) is suitable for peak­charging the battery pack recommended.

The batteries may also be peak-charged by using a volt
meter to monitor the voltage while the batteries charge.The
voltage increases as the batteries charge.When the voltage
begins to decrease the batteries are fully charged (“peaked”).

The 9.6 volt 600 mAh battery recommended for the
Fundango may be charged at a rate no higher than 400
mAh. At this rate, it will take 90 minutes to charge a
discharged battery. If the battery is not discharged (and you
are not using a peak-charger), connect the battery to the
motor on your model. Run the motor until the propeller is
turning slowly, thus discharging the battery.

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

Though the Fundango is a small, lightweight model, it isn't a
floater, so using ultra-light coverings isn't a necessity. Some
weight can be saved by using Top Flite®EconoKote®or
Coverite™Micafilm™, but the overall savings is minimal and
has no noticeable effect on the way the Fundango performs.
Our prototypes covered with Top Flite MonoKote®film
performed very well.

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 Fundango.

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)
❏ Soldering Iron (HCAR0776)
❏ 60/40 Resin core solder (or other solder suitable for

electrical use)

❏ Approximately 3' of light string
❏ Small T-pins (HCAR5100)
❏ Builder's triangle (HCAR0480)
❏ Electric drill and drill bits: 1/16" [1.6mm], 5/64" [2mm] (or

1/16" [1.6mm]), 3/32" [2.4mm], 1/8" [3.2 mm], 5/16"
[7.9mm], #60 (.040") [1mm]

❏ 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)
❏ 70% Isopropyl rubbing alcohol (or water for bending

balsa sticks)

Here is a list of optional tools that may help you build
the Fundango.

❏T op Flite Precision Magnetic Prop Balancer™(TOPQ5700)
❏ Top Flite Hot Sock™iron cover (TOPR2175)
❏ Straightedge with scale (HCAR0475)
❏ Cutting mat (HCAR0456)

Optional Supplies and Tools

Building Supplies

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

Covering

Chargers

Battery Warning

Battery Recommendation

❏ 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)

❏ Razor saw or Dremel®tool with cut-off wheel
❏ Medium T-Pins (HCAR5150)

For the best performance, the Fundango must be built light.
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 mak e 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 leftover piece of wood

(Okay, if you're careful you could go
ahead and cut the stick right over the plan, but if y ou do, you
may cut through the plan protector and allow the CA to soak
through, gluing the structure to the plan).

3.Because of the small balsa sticks used in the tail, small T­pins 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 criss­cross fashion to hold the sticks to the plan.

5.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!)

.

6. 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.

7. One of the best ways to insure a lightweight model is to
build neatly. Good-fitting glue joints with minimal adhesive
are stronger, lighter and ha v e a better appear ance than poor­fitting joints with too much CA.Of course, you should take this
approach with all of your projects! Use CA applicator tips
(GPMR6033) to control and pinpoint the amount of CA.

8. Build 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.

Fuse = Fuselage

LE = Leading Edge (front)

TE = Trailing Edge (rear)

Stab = Stabilizer

" = Inches

Elev = Elevator

LG = Landing Gear

Ply = Plywood

Types of Wood

Common Abbreviations

IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES

5

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

1/8" = 3.2 mm
5/32" = 4.0 mm
3/16" = 4.8 mm

1/4" = 6.4 mm
3/8" = 9.5 mm
1/2" = 12.7 mm
5/8" = 15.9 mm
3/4" = 19.0 mm

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

6" = 152.4 mm
12" = 304.8 mm
18" = 457.2 mm
21" = 533.4 mm
24" = 609.6 mm
30" = 762.0 mm
36" = 914.4 mm

6

DIE-CUT PATTERNS

Metric Conversions

❏ 1.Unroll the plan sheet. Re-roll it inside out to make it lie flat.
❏ 2. Remove all parts from the box. As you do, figure out the

name of each part by comparing it to the plans, the die page and
the parts list. Save all leftovers. If any of the parts are difficult to
remove from their die sheets, do not force them. Instead, cut
around the part with a hobby knife. After removing the parts,
lightly sand the edges to remove any die-cutting irregularities.

❏ 1. Place the wing portion of the plan over your flat

building board. Cover the wing plan with Great Planes Plan
Protector or wax paper.

❏ 2.Locate the die-cut 1/16" [1.6mm] balsa ribs W1 through

W4, the main web (MW) and the die-cut 1/16" [1.6mm]
plywood parts.

❏ 3. Inser t the right end of the main web into the opening

in rib W1 as shown.

❏ ❏ 4. Place rib W1 into the notch shown on the plan by

twisting it into position on the main web.W1 should be lined up
with the spar notch.The top of the rib is the side with two spar
notches. Be certain the rib is on the main web with these
two notches up. Glue W1 perpendicular to the main web.

❏ ❏ 5.Using the same procedure, insert W3 onto the main

web as shown on the plan. Glue W3 perpendicular to the
main web.

❏ 6. Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 for the left side of the wing.

❏ 7. Locate the two 1/8" x 1/4" x 36" [3.2 x 6.4 x 910mm]

balsa sticks and cut them to 35" [889mm] in length. These
make up the top and bottom spar.

❏ 8.Pin one of the spars in place over the plan.This will be

the bottom spar.

❏ 9. Place the main web with the two W1 and two W3 ribs

onto the bottom spar. Carefully align the ribs in place over
the plan. Be sure that each rib is perpendicular to the
building surface.

❏ 10. Glue rib W4 to the main web at each end of the

bottom wing spar.

❏ 11. Glue each of the W2 half-ribs to the main web.

❏ 12. Make sure that ribs W1, W3, W4 and the main web

are in contact with the bottom spar. Glue the r ibs and the
main web to the bottom spar with thin CA.

BUILD THE WING

GET READY TO BUILD

7

❏ 13. Use a hobby knife with a #11 blade to remove the

flashing from the shaped 36" balsa leading edge. NOTE:
The leading edge is symmetrical – there is no

top

or

bottom

.

❏ 14. Cut the leading edge to a length of 35" [889mm].

❏ 15. Beginning on the right side of the wing, glue the

leading edge to rib W4 with medium CA.Position the leading
edge so it is centered on the rib.When the glue has set, glue
the leading edge to W4 on the left side of the wing.Continue
to glue the leading edge to each of the W2 and W3 ribs for
the entire length of the wing, making sure that each rib is
centered on the leading edge.

❏ 16.Position and glue the top spar in place in the notches

on the top of the wing above the main web.

❏ 17.Cut one of the 3/16" x 3/16" x 36" [4.8 x 4.8 x 910mm]

balsa sticks to a length of 35" [889mm] to make the wing
trailing edge.Glue the trailing edge to ribs W1, W3 and W4.

❏ 18. Cut both 1/16" x 1/2" x 24" [1.6 x 13 x 610mm] balsa

TE supports to fit between W1 and W3 and between W3
and W4.Do this for the left and right side of the wing, gluing
them into place. Be certain the supports are centered
vertically on the TE.

❏ 19. Fit the remaining 1/16" x 1/2" x 24" [1.6 x 13 x

610mm] balsa stick between the trailing edge and the
leading edge at rib W4. When you are satisfied with the fit
glue them into place. Do this for both the left and right end
of the wing.

❏ 20. Glue the 1/8" x 1/4" x 2" [3.2 x 6.4 x 51mm] balsa

servo support into the two remaining notches on ribs W1.

8