Great Planes GPMA1033 User Manual

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Wingspan: 60 in [1520mm] Wing Area: 606 in2 [39dm2] Weight: 6.75 – 7.25 lb [3060 – 3290g] Wing Loading: 26 – 28 oz/ft2 [79 – 85g/dm2] Length: 46 in [1170mm] Radio: 4-channel minimum with four to sev en

standard servos and standard size receiver Engine: .40 – .46 cu in [7 – 7.5cc] two-stroke, .56 cu in [9.2cc] four-stroke, 42-50-800kV brushless out-runner motor

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Great Planes This warranty does not cover an y component parts damaged by use or modiﬁ cation. 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 ﬁ nal assembly or material used for ﬁ nal assembly , no liability shall be assumed nor accepted for any damage resulting from the use by the user of the ﬁ nal user-assembled product. By the act of using the user-assembled product, the user accepts all resulting liability.

If the buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product, the b uy er is advised to return this kit immediately in new and unused condition to the place of purchase.

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

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

Model Manufacturing Co. guarantees this kit to be free from def ects in both material and workmanship at the date of purchase.

WARRANTY

Hobby Services

3002 N. Apollo Dr., Suite 1

Champaign, IL 61822 USA

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

Champaign, Illinois

(217) 398-8970, Ext 5

airsupport@greatplanes.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

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

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

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

Power System Recommendations ...............................................3

Propeller .......................................................................................4

Batteries & Charger ......................................................................4

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

Required Hardware & Accessories ..............................................4

Adhesives & Building Supplies .....................................................4

Optional Supplies & Tools ............................................................4

BUILDING STAND .............................................................................5

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

ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS ...............................................5

COMMON ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................6

METRIC CONVERSIONS ..................................................................6

METRIC/INCH RULER .......................................................................6

KIT INSPECTION ...............................................................................7

KIT CONTENTS .................................................................................7

PREPARATIONS ................................................................................8

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

Install the Aileron & Flap Servos & Pushrods ..............................8

Fixed Flaps .................................................................................11

BUILD THE FUSELAGE .................................................................11

Install the Tail Surfaces...............................................................11

Install the Tail Servos & Pushrods ..............................................12

Glow Engine Installation .............................................................13

Brushless Motor Installation .......................................................16

Assemble & Install the Landing Gear .........................................18

FINISH THE MODEL ........................................................................20

Install the Receiver .....................................................................20

Install the Cowl, Spinner & Propeller ..........................................21

Install the Wing & Canopy Hatch ................................................22

Apply the Decals ........................................................................22

GET THE MODEL READY T O FL Y ..................................................22

Install and Operate the Motor Battery (Brushless Only).............22

Battery Precautions/Connecting Batteries .................................23

Check the Control Directions .....................................................23

Set the Control Throws ...............................................................23

Balance the Model (C.G.) ...........................................................24

Balance the Model Laterally .......................................................25

PREFLIGHT .....................................................................................25

Identify Your Model .....................................................................25

Charge the Batteries ..................................................................25

Balance Propellers .....................................................................25

Ground Check ............................................................................25

Range Check .............................................................................25

ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ..................................................26

LITHIUM BATTERY HANDLING & USAGE ....................................26

AMA SAFETY CODE (excerpts) .....................................................26

CHECK LIST ....................................................................................27

FLYING .............................................................................................27

Fuel Mixture Adjustments ...........................................................27

Takeoff ........................................................................................27

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

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

Flaps ..................................................................Back Cover Page

easy to ﬂ y and would be appropriate for beginners who have mastered a trainer or for the veteran pilot who just appreciates the rich history of the Cherokee.

For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to the Cherokee .40 ARF visit the Great Planes web site at www.greatplanes.com. Open the “Airplanes” link, then select the Cherokee .40 ARF. If there is new technical information or changes to this model, a “tech notice” box will appear in the upper left corner of the page.

AMA

We urge you to join the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) and a local R/C club. The AMA is the gov erning body of model aviation and membership is required to ﬂ y at AMA clubs. Though joining the AMA provides many beneﬁ ts, one of the primary reasons to join is liability protection. Coverage is not limited to ﬂ ying at contests or on the club ﬁ eld. It e ven applies to ﬂ ying at public demonstrations and air shows. Failure to comply with the Safety Code (excerpts printed in the back of the manual) may endanger insurance coverage. Additionally, training programs and instructors are available at AMA club sites to help you get started the right way. There are over 2,500 AMA chartered clubs across the countr y. 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

IMPORTANT!!! T w o of the most important things you can do

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

PROTECT YOUR MODEL, Y OURSELF

& OTHERS....FOLLOW THESE

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of the Great Planes Cherokee .40 ARF! We have designed this plane to be a quick, fuss-free build by minimizing the amount of glue and measuring that needs to be done for a typical ARF. With a bolt-on, self-aligning tail section along with many other small time-consuming tasks already complete, you can have your Cherokee .40 ARF built in as little as 4 to 6 hours. Just like its full-scale counterpart, the Cherokee .40 ARF is extremely

1. Your Cherokee .40 ARF should not be considered a toy, but rather a sophisticated, working model that functions very much like a full-size airplane. Because of its performance capabilities, the Cherokee .40 ARF, if not assembled and operated correctly, could possibly cause injury to yourself or spectators and damage to property.

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

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

4. You must use an R/C radio system that is in ﬁ rst-class condition, and a correctly sized engine and components throughout the building process.

5. You must correctly install all R/C and other components so that the model operates correctly on the ground and in the air.

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

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

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE

This is a partial list of items required to ﬁ nish the Cherokee .40 ARF that may require planning or decision making before starting to build. Order numbers are provided in parentheses .

Radio Equipment

The Cherokee .40 ARF requires a minimum 4-channel radio system with four to seven 44 oz.-in. [3.2 kg-cm] minimum standard servos. Operational ﬂ aps will require six servos. If you are installing a glow engine, an additional standard servo is required for the throttle.

In addition, two 9" [229mm] servo extensions are required for the aileron servos. If you are using a radio system that does not support mixing functions, two Y-harnesses will also be required to connect the aileron servos and ﬂ ap servos to the receiver.

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

9. WARNING: The cowl and wheel pants included in this kit are made of ﬁ berglass, the ﬁ bers of which may cause eye, skin and respiratory tract irritation. Never blow into a part to remove ﬁ berglass dust, as the dust will blow back into your eyes. Always wear safety goggles, a particle mask and rubber gloves when grinding, drilling and sanding ﬁ berglass parts. Vacuum the parts and the work area thoroughly after working with ﬁ berglass parts.

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

A charge jack receptacle is optional, but is useful for recharging the receiver pack without removing the canopy hatch and is shown in the assembly of the plane. Recommended part numbers for the radio components are provided below:

❏ Futaba

S3003 Servo Standard (FUTM0031)

❏ Futaba S9001 Servo Aircraft Coreless BB

(optional, FUTM0075)

❏ Futaba 9" Servo Extension J (FUTM3910) ❏ Futaba 6" Dual Servo Extension J (FUTM4130) ❏ Ernst Charge Receptacle Futaba J FM (ERNM3001)

Power System Recommendations

The recommended engine/motor size for the Cherokee .40 ARF is a .40 to .46 cu in [7 to 7.5cc] two-stroke engine, .56 cu in [9.2cc] four-stroke engine, or a RimFire™ 42-50-800kV brushless out-runner motor. If installing a two-stroke glow engine, a Pitts mufﬂ er is recommended. The stock mufﬂ er can also be used with a mufﬂ er extension but additional modiﬁ cation to the fuselage and cowl would be necessary. Engine and motor order numbers are provided below:

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

❏ O.S.

.46 AX ABL w/Mufﬂ er (OSMG0547)

❏ Bisson O.S. .46 SF/FX .50 SX Pitts Mufﬂ er (BISG4046) ❏ O.S. Mufﬂ er Extension #873 (OSMG2578) (Stock

mufﬂ er only)

❏ Great Planes RimFire 42-50-800 out-runner

brushless (GPMG4700)

❏ Great Planes Brushless Motor Mount Medium

Motors (GPMG1255)

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If using the recommended brushless motor, a 60A brushless ESC is required:

❏ Great Planes Silver Series 60A brushless ESC high

volt (GPMM1850)

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

Required Hardware & Accessories

Propeller

If you are installing a glow engine, choose a prop based on the engine manufacturer’s recommendation. If you are installing the recommended RimFire brushless motor, we suggest a 10" x 5 E or 11" x 5.5 E APC propeller. The 10" x 5 E prop provides adequate power with a longer ﬂ ight time. The 11" x 5.5 E provides excellent power for the Cherokee .40 ARF at the cost of a shorter ﬂ ight time.

❏ APC 10" x 5 electric propeller (APCQ4120) ❏ APC 11" x 5.5 electric propeller (APCQ1055)

Batteries & Charger

For a brushless motor installation, one 3200mAh 11.1V LiPo battery pack and one 3200mAh 7.4V LiPo battery pack connected in series are recommended. Order numbers for the battery packs and series connector are provided below:

❏ Great Planes LiPo 7.4V 3200mAh 20C discharge

w/balance (GPMP0622)

❏ Great Planes LiPo 3200mAh 11.1V 20C discharge

w/balance (GPMP0623)

❏ Great Planes Series Deans

A cell balancer is required for the LiPo battery packs listed above:

❏ Great Planes ElectriFly Equinox

1to 5 (GPMM3160) A suitable charger is also required. The Great Planes

PolyCharge4™ is designed for LiPo packs only; however, it is able to charge four LiPo packs simultaneously. The Great Planes Triton2™ charger will only charge one pack at a time; howev er, it is capable of charging NiCd, NiMH, LiP o , and lead acid batteries. Order n umbers for both are provided below:

U 2 to 1 adapter (GPMM3143)

™

LiPo cell balancer

This is the list of hardware and accessories required to ﬁ nish the Cherokee .40 ARF. Order numbers are provided in parentheses:

❏ R/C foam rubber 1/4" [6mm] (HCAQ1000) ❏ 3' [900mm] standard silicone fuel tubing (GPMQ4131)

(glow engine installation only)

Adhesives & Building Supplies

This is the list of Adhesives and Building Supplies that are required to ﬁ nish the Cherokee .40 ARF:

❏ 1/2 oz. [15g] Thin Pro CA (GPMR6001) ❏ Pro

™

30-minute epoxy (GPMR6047)

❏ Masking tape (TOPR8018) ❏ Threadlocker threadlocking cement (GPMR6060) ❏ Denatured alcohol (for epoxy clean up) ❏ Drill bits: 1/16" [1.6mm], 5/64" [2mm], 3/32" [2.4mm],

3/16" [4.8mm]

❏ Dead Center

(glow engine installation only)

™

engine mount hole locator (GPMR8130)

❏ Great Planes tap & drill set 6-32 (GPMR8102) (glow

engine installation only)

❏ Tap handle (GPMR8120) (glow engine installation only) ❏ Small metal ﬁ le ❏ #1 Hobby knife (HCAR0105) ❏ #11 Blades (5-pack, HCAR0211) ❏ Medium T-pins (100, HCAR5150) ❏ Top Flite ❏ Top Flite Hot Sock

MonoKote® sealing iron (TOPR2100)

™

iron cover (TOPR2175)

❏ 220-grit Sandpaper (glow engine installation only) ❏ Great Planes V elcro Hook & Loop 1" x 6" (2) (GPMQ4480)

(brushless installation only)

❏ Panel line pen (TOPQ2510)

Optional Supplies & Tools

❏ Great Planes PolyCharge4 DC only 4 output LiPo

charger (GPMM3015)

-or-

❏ Great Planes ElectriFly Triton2 DC comp peak

charger (GPMM3153)

Here is a list of optional tools that will help you build the Cherokee .40 ARF:

❏ 1/2 oz. [15g] Thick Pro CA- (GPMR6013) ❏ 2 oz. [57g] Spray CA activator (GPMR6035) ❏ 4 oz. [113g] Aerosol CA activator (GPMR6034) ❏ CA applicator tips (HCAR3780) ❏ CA debonder (GPMR6039) ❏ Pro 6-minute epoxy (GPMR6045) ❏ Epoxy brushes 6, (GPMR8060) ❏ Mixing sticks (GPMR8055) ❏ Mixing cups (GPMR8056)

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❏ Pliers with wire cutter (HCAR0630) ❏ Hobbico Duster

™

can of compressed air (HCAR5500)

❏ Switch & Charge jack mounting set (GPMM1000) ❏ Rotary tool such as Dremel

❏ Rotary tool reinforced cut-off wheel (GPMR8020) ❏ Servo horn drill (HCAR0698) ❏ Hobby Heat

™

micro torch II (HCAR0755)

❏ Precision magnetic prop balancer (TOPQ5700) ❏ AccuThrow ❏ C.G. Machine

™

deﬂ ection gauge (GPMR2405)

™

(GPMR2400)

❏ Hobbico ﬂ exible 18" ruler stainless steel (HCAR0460) ❏ Top Flite MonoKote trim seal iron (TOPR2200) ❏ Top Flite MonoKote heat gun (TOPR2000) ❏ Hobbico pin vise 1/16" collet w/6 Bits (HCAR0696) ❏ Hobbico 8-piece ball tip hex L wrench SAE (HCAR0520) ❏ Hobbico 7-piece ball tip hex L wrench Metric (HCAR0521) ❏ Great Planes clevis installation tool (GPMR8030)

BUILDING STAND

• Photos and sketches are placed before the step they refer to. Frequently you can study photos in following steps to get another view of the same parts.

• The stabilizer and wing incidences and engine thrust angles have been factory-built into this model. However, some technically-minded modelers may wish to check these measurements anyway. To view this information visit the web site at www.greatplanes.com and click on “Technical Data.” Due to manufacturing tolerances which will have little or no effect on the way your model will ﬂ y, please expect slight deviations between your model and the published values.

A building stand or cradle comes in handy during the build. We use the Robart Super Stand II (ROBP1402) for all our projects in R&D, and it can be seen in pictures throughout this manual.

IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES

• When you see the term test ﬁ t in the instructions, it means that you should ﬁ rst position the part on the assembly without using any glue, then slightly modify or custom ﬁ t the part as necessary for the best ﬁ t.

• Whenever the term glue is written you should rely upon your experience to decide what type of glue to use. When a speciﬁ c type of adhesive works best for that step, the instructions will make a recommendation.

• Whenever just epoxy is speciﬁ ed you may use either 30-minute (or 45-minute) epoxy or 6-minute epoxy. When 30-minute epoxy is speciﬁ ed it is highly recommended that you use only 30-minute (or 45-minute) epoxy, because you will need the working time and/or the additional strength.

ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS

Replacement parts for the Great Planes Cherokee .40 ARF are available using the order n umbers in the Replacement P arts List that follows. The f astest, most economical service can be provided by your hobby dealer or mail-order company.

To locate a hobby dealer, visit the Hobbico web site at www.hobbico.com. Choose “Where to Buy” at the bottom of the menu on the left side of the page. Follow the instructions provided on the page to locate a U.S., Canadian or International dealer.

Parts may also be ordered directly from Hobby Services by calling (217) 398-0007, or via facsimile at (217) 398-7721, but full retail prices and shipping and handling charges will apply. Illinois and Nevada residents will also be charged sales tax. If ordering via fax, include a Visa® or MasterCard® number and expiration date for payment.

Mail parts orders and payments by personal check to:

Hobby Services

3002 N. Apollo Drive, Suite 1

Champaign, IL 61822

Be certain to specify the order number exactly as listed in the Replacement Parts List. Payment by credit card or personal check only; no C.O.D.

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If additional assistance is required for any reason contact Product Support by e-mail at productsupport@greatplanes.com, or by telephone at (217) 398-8970.

COMMON ABBREVIATIONS

Replacement Parts List

Description How to Purchase

Missing pieces Contact Product Support Instruction manual Contact Product Support Full-size plans Not available

Contact your hobby supplier for the following parts:

GPMA3240 Wing GPMA3241 Fuselage GPMA3242 Vertical Stabilizer & Rudder GPMA3243 Horizontal Stabilizer & Elevator GPMA3244 Canopy/Hatch GPMA3245 Wheel Pants GPMA3246 Landing Gear GPMA3247 Cowl GPMA3248 Wing Tube GPMA3249 Decal Sheet

Stab = Horizontal Stabilizer Fin = Vertical Fin LE = Leading Edge TE = Trailing Edge LG = Landing Gear Ply = Plywood " = Inches mm = Millimeters SHCS = Socket Head Cap Screw ESC = Electronic Speed Control

METRIC CONVERSIONS

1" = 25.4mm (conversion factor)

1/64" = .4mm 1/32" = .8mm 1/16" = 1.6mm 3/32" = 2.4mm 1/8" = 3.2mm 5/32" = 4.0mm 3/16" = 4.8mm 1/4" = 6.4mm 3/8" = 9.5mm 1/2" = 12.7mm 5/8" = 15.9mm

3/4" = 19.0mm 1" = 25.4mm 2" = 50.8mm 3" = 76.2mm 6" = 152.4mm 12" = 304.8mm 18" = 457.2mm 21" = 533.4mm 24" = 609.6mm 30" = 762.0mm 36" = 914.4mm

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KIT INSPECTION

KIT CONTENTS

Before starting to build, take an inventory of this kit to make sure it is complete and inspect the parts to make sure they are of acceptable quality. If any parts are missing or are not of acceptable quality, or if you need assistance with assembly, contact Product Support. When reporting defective or missing parts, use the part names exactly as they are written in the Kit Contents list.

Great Planes Product Support:

3002 N. Apollo Drive, Suite 1

Champaign, IL 61822

Telephone: (217) 398-8970, ext. 5

Fax: (217) 398-7721

E-mail: airsupport@greatplanes.com

KIT CONTENTS

1 Cowl 2 Fuselage 3 Spinner 4 Fuel Tank 5 Engine Mount 6 Main Landing Gear (L&R) 7 Nose Gear Wire 8 Nose Wheel Pant 9 Main Wheel Pants (L&R)

10 2-1/2" [64mm] Wheels (3) 11 Aluminum Wing Joiner Tube 12 Horizontal Stabilizer & Elevator 13 Vertical Fin & Rudder 14 Right Wing Panel w/Flap & Aileron 15 Left Wing Panel w/Flap & Aileron

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PREPARATIONS

❏ 1. If y ou hav e not done so already, remov e the major parts

of the kit from the box and inspect for damage. If any parts are damaged or missing, contact Product Support at the address or telephone number listed in the “Kit Inspection” section on page 7.

❏ 2. Carefully remove the tape and separate all the

components. Use a covering iron with a covering sock on medium/high heat to tighten the covering if necessary. Apply pressure over sheeted areas to thoroughly bond the covering to the wood.

over the rectangles with the grain direction perpendicular to the covers. Allow the epoxy to cure undisturbed.

❏ ❏ 2. Cut three arms from a four-armed servo arm for the

aileron servo. Enlarge the outer hole of the remaining arm with a 5/64" [2mm] drill bit.

BUILD THE WING PANELS

Install the Aileron & Flap Servos & Pushr ods

Before completing this section, conﬁ rm that the servos that you will be using will properly ﬁ t between the servo

mounting block locations on the aileron and ﬂ ap servo hatch covers. Make adjustments as necessary for your

brand of servos. The block locations shown in this section will ﬁ t a standard size Futaba brand servo.

❏ ❏ 1. Tr im the covering from the servo arm cutouts in the

aileron and ﬂ ap (if you will have operational ﬂ aps) servo hatch covers. Use epoxy to glue the 3/4" x 3/4" x 5/16" [19 x 19 x 8mm] hardwood servo mounting blocks to the inside of the aileron and ﬂ ap hatch covers. Be sure that the blocks are aligned

❏ ❏ 3. Attach a 9" [229mm] servo extension to the aileron

servo and secure the connector using tape or heat shrink tubing (not included). Center the servo with your radio system and install the servo arm to the servo perpendicular to the servo case as shown. Be sure to reinstall the servo arm screw into the servo.

❏ ❏ 4. P osition the servo against the underside of the aileron

servo hatch cover between the mounting blocks. Shim the aileron servo away from the hatch cover approximately 3/64" [1.2mm] to isolate it from vibration (a business card folded in thirds works well for this). Drill 1/16" [1.6mm] holes through the mounting tabs on the servo case into the blocks. Thread a servo mounting screw (included with the servo) into each hole and back it out. Apply a drop of thin CA to each hole to harden the wood. When the CA has dried, install the servo onto the hatch cover using the hardware supplied with the servo.

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❏ ❏ 5. Use the string taped inside the aileron serv o ba y to

pull the servo lead through the wing ribs.

❏ ❏ 6. Thread a #2 x 3/8" [9.5mm] self-tapping screw into

each servo hatch mounting hole in the wing panel and back it out. Apply a drop of thin CA to each hole to harden the w ood. Install the aileron hatch cover to the wing panel using four #2 x 3/8" [9.5mm] self-tapping screws and four #2 ﬂ at washers.

❏ ❏ 8. P osition the control horn ov er the plywood plate in the

aileron (if you cannot see it, hold the aileron at a shallow angle in good lighting or use a small pin to puncture the covering), using the position of the servo arm as a guide. Align the holes in the control horns directly over the aileron hinge line and mark the location of the control horn mounting holes.

❏ ❏ 7. Thread a nylon clevis 20 complete turns onto a

4" [102mm] pushrod. Slide a silicone clevis retainer onto the clevis and connect the clevis to the outer hole of a control horn.

❏ ❏ 9. Drill 1/16" [1.6mm] holes at the marks you made

through the plywood plate. Do not drill all the way through the aileron! Thread a #2 x 1/2" [13mm] self-tapping screw through each hole and back it out. Apply a couple drops of thin CA glue to each hole to harden the wood. When the glue has dried, install the control horn onto the aileron using two #2 x 1/2" [13mm] self-tapping screws.

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❏ ❏ 10. Use tape or a small clamp to hold the aileron in

the neutral position. Make a mark on the pushrod where it crosses the outer hole in the servo arm. Make a 90° bend at the mark on the pushrod and cut off the excess pushrod 1/4" [6mm] beyond the bend. Attach the pushrod to the servo arm using a nylon FasLink. Thread the clevis up or down on the pushrod as necessary to center the aileron with the servo arm centered. When satisﬁ ed, slide the silicone clevis retainer to the end of the clevis to secure it.

Skip to step 13 if you are not installing operational ﬂ aps.

❏ ❏ 12. Install a control horn onto the ﬂ ap using two #2 x 3/8"

[9.5mm] screws. Make note that these screws are shorter than the ones used for the aileron control horns. As you did with the aileron, install a 4" [102mm] pushrod onto the ﬂ ap. Before connecting the pushrod to the ﬂ ap servo, use your radio system to operate the ﬂ ap servo through the whole range of motion. In order to achieve the recommended ﬂ ap deﬂ ection, use the end-point adjustment on your transmitter to reduce the servo travel to approximately 50% of total (30 degrees, if applicable).

❏ ❏ 13. Route the servo lead(s) through the hole in the top

of the wing panel.

❏ 14. Repeat steps 1 to 13 for the other wing panel. When

installing the ﬂ ap servo in the other wing panel (if applicable), make note that both ﬂ ap servos must be oriented in the same direction (one ﬂ ap servo arm will be facing the root rib and the other ﬂ ap servo arm will be facing the wing tip), in order for them both to rotate the same direction when joined with a Y-harness.

❏ ❏ 11. Install the ﬂ ap servo onto the ﬂ ap servo hatch cover

in the same manner (the ﬂ ap servos do not require servo extensions). Install the hatch cover to the wing panel using four #2 x 3/8" [9.5mm] self-tapping screws and four #2 ﬂ at washers. Be sure to harden the screw holes with thin CA.

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Fixed Flaps

BUILD THE FUSELAGE

If you are not installing operational ﬂ aps, follow these steps to lock the ﬂ aps into the neutral position. If in the future you choose to add operational ﬂ aps, simply cut the ABS strips along the inside edge of each ﬂ ap and install the ﬂ ap servos and linkage as described in previous steps.

❏ 1. Locate the tw o 3/4" x 1-1/2" [19 x 38mm] ABS ﬂ ap strips.

Install the Tail Surfaces

❏ 2. Center the strips over the inside edge of each ﬂ ap just

forward of the ﬂ ap trailing edge. Use a felt-tip pen to trace around the shape of the ABS ﬂ ap strips onto the ﬂ aps and wing panels.

❏ 3. Carefully remove the covering approximately 1/16"

[1.6mm] inside the lines you drew using a sharp hobby knife. Take care not to cut into the wood when cutting the covering.

❏ 4. Wipe away the lines from the pen using a cloth

dampened with alcohol and glue the strips into position.

❏ 1. Place the horizontal stab onto the stab saddle in the

fuselage and align the three holes in the stab with the three

holes in the saddle. Align the holes in the vertical ﬁ n base with the holes in the stab. Press the forward end of the v ertical ﬁ n into the slot in the fuselage. Use three 6-32 x 1" [25mm] SHCS and threadlocking compound to bolt the vertical ﬁ n and horizontal stab to the fuselage. A strip of red covering is provided to cover the screw holes if desired.

❏ 2. Temporarily insert a 36" [914mm] pushrod into the

elevator outer pushrod tube that exits the right side of the fuselage. Use the position of the pushrod to mark the location for the elevator control horn onto the underside of the elevator.

Page 12

❏ 3. Drill 3/32" [2.4mm] holes at your marks completely

through the elevator . Apply a couple drops of thin CA to each hole to harden the surrounding wood. Install a control horn and backplate onto the underside of the elevator using two 2-56 x 1/2" [13mm] machine screws.

Install the Tail Servos & Pushrods

❏ 1. Cut two arms from a four-armed servo arm and enlarge

the outer hole of one remaining arm with a 5/64" [2mm] drill bit and the second inner hole of the other remaining arm with the same bit. Center the rudder servo with your radio system and install the servo arm perpendicular to the servo case as shown, with the outer drilled hole toward the center of the fuselage.

❏ 4. Install a control horn onto the left side of the rudder in

the same manner.

❏ 2. Temporarily insert a 36" [914mm] pushrod into the

rudder outer pushrod tube. Use the pushrod to position the rudder servo onto the servo tray in the fuselage as shown. Align the outer hole of the inside servo arm with the pushrod. Thread a servo mounting screw (included with the servo) into each mounting hole in the servo and back it out. Apply a couple drops of thin CA to each hole in the servo tray to harden the surrounding wood. Mount the servo using the hardware included with the servo.

❏ 3. Cut three arms from a four-armed servo arm and

enlarge the outer hole of the remaining arm with a 5/64"

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[2mm] drill bit. Center the elevator servo with your radio system and install the servo arm onto the elevator servo as shown. Mount the elevator servo next to the rudder servo with a gap of approximately 1/4" [6mm] between the tips of the servo arms. Leave enough room for the throttle servo.

Glow Engine Installation

The Cherokee .40 ARF is designed to be ﬂ own with a .40 to .46 two-stroke glow engine, .56 f our-strok e glo w engine, or a brushless out-runner motor. If you plan to install a brushless motor, skip this section as it only contains information relevant to installing a glow engine.

Note: This section shows photos of a two-stroke engine being installed. The pr ocedure for installing a four -stroke engine is the same. Be sure to maintain the correct drive washer distance as detailed in this section.

❏ 4. Thread a nylon clevis 20 complete turns onto a 36"

[914mm] pushrod. Slide a silicone clevis retainer onto the clevis and connect the clevis to the third outer hole of the rudder control horn. As you did with the aileron and ﬂ ap pushrods, use tape or a small clamp to hold the rudder in the neutral position. Make a mark on the pushrod where it crosses the outer hole in the servo arm. Make a 90° bend at the mark on the pushrod and cut off the excess pushrod 1/4" [6mm] beyond the bend. Attach the pushrod to the servo arm using a nylon FasLink. Thread the clevis up or down on the pushrod as necessary to center the rudder with the servo arm perpendicular to the servo case. When satisﬁ ed, slide the silicone clevis retainer to the end of the clevis to secure it.

❏ 5. Install the elevator pushrod in the same manner. The

clevis on the elev ator pushrod should attach to the outer hole in the elevator control horn.

❏ 1. The fuel tank can be assembled as a two line system

consisting of a vent (pressure) line to the mufﬂ er and a carb line. Filling and emptying of the tank would need to be done through the carb line, or an optional fuel ﬁ ll valve (not included). The tank can also be assembled as a three line system having a vent line, carb line, and ﬁ ll line. If installing a ﬁ ll line, puncture the top of the stopper above the sealed off fuel tube hole. The ﬁ ll and carb lines should extend out 1/2" [13mm] beyond the stopper and the vent line should be bent upwards and left uncut. With the tubes installed in the stopper, ﬁ t the stopper plates loosely in place with the 3 x 25mm Phillips screw to hold the assembly together.

Page 14

❏ 2. Fit the stopper assembly into the tank with the vent

line pointing toward the top of the tank, but not touching. The fuel tubing and clunks (fuel pickup) on the carb and ﬁ ll lines should almost reach the back of the tank but not touch. The clunks must be able to mov e freely inside the tank when assembled. Adjust the length of the fuel tubing accordingly. When satisﬁ ed, tighten the 3 x 25mm screw in the stopper to secure it in place (do not overtighten). Mark the side of the tank that must face up when installed in the plane, and we also suggest marking the tubes in the stopper.

ends of each side by approximately 2" [51mm]. Insert the straps into the slots in the plywood fuel tank tray as shown.

❏ 4. Fit the fuel tank tr ay into the fuselage b y inserting the tab

at the forward end of the tra y into the slot in the ﬁ rewall. Press the tray down onto the receiving tabs in the fuselage former and cross brace. Drill two 1/16" [1.6mm] holes through the tray and into the hardwood mounting blocks. Secure the tray in place using two #2 x 1/2" [13mm] screws and two #2 ﬂ at washers, being sure to harden the screw holes with thin CA.

❏ 3. Make two 12" [305mm] long hook and loop straps from

the included hook and loop material by overlapping the mating

❏ 5. Cut a piece of 1/4" [6mm] foam rubber (not included) to

ﬁ t the fuel tank. Lay the f oam rubber onto the fuel tank tra y (it can be glued into place). Insert the neck of the tank through the hole in the ﬁ rewall as far as it will go (being sure that the right side of the tank is facing up). Use the hook and loop straps to secure the tank in place.

❏ 6. Attach a 6" [152mm] piece of fuel tubing to each of the

tubes in the fuel tank stopper.

❏ 7. Using four 6-32 x 3/4" [19mm] SHCS, four #6 ﬂ at

washers, four #6 loc k washers, and threadlocking compound, attach the engine mount side-mounted to the ﬁ rewall so that

Page 15

the engine head will be on the right side. Leave the screws slightly loose. Test ﬁ t your engine between the mount halv es. Slide the mount halves against the sides of the engine and ﬁ nish tightening the mount screws.

❏ 9. Drill a 3/16" [4.8mm] hole in the ﬁ rewall inline with throttle

arm in the carburetor using a long drill bit (if you do not have a long drill bit, you may need to temporarily remov e the engine). Be sure you do not drill through the fuel tank! The hole in the ﬁ rewall must clear the exhaust port on the engine. Also drill through the second former in the fuselage.

❏ 8. Position the front of the engine drive washer 4-15/16"

[126mm] from the front of the engine mounting box. (Note: The dimension is the same for both four-stroke or twostroke engines.) Mark the location of the engine mount

holes onto the mount rails using a Dead Center Hole Locator. Remove the engine from the mount and use a 6-32 tap and drill set to create threads in the four mounting holes. Attach the engine to the mount using four 6-32 x 3/4" [19mm] SHCS, four #6 ﬂ at washers, and four #6 lock washers.

❏ 10. Cut a piece from the included outer pushrod tube long

enough to extend beyond the ﬁ rewall and second former approximately 1/4" [6mm]. Roughen the portion of the tube that contacts the formers using 220-grit sandpaper. Glue the tube into the holes with CA.

❏ 11. Cut three arms from a f our-armed servo arm. Install a

brass screw-lock pushrod connector using a nylon retainer

Page 16

into the third outer hole in the remaining servo arm, with a 4-40 set screw loosely threaded into the connector. Center the throttle servo with your radio system and install the servo arm onto the servo as shown. Use the hardware included with the servo and install it next to the elevator servo.

❏ 12. Install a nylon clevis and cle vis retainer 20 complete turns

onto a 17-1/2" [445mm] pushrod. Insert the pushrod through the forward end of the outer pushrod tube and through the screw-lock pushrod connector on the throttle servo. Connect the clevis to the throttle arm on the carburetor. If necessary, bend the pushrod in order to clear the exhaust port. Make the necessary adjustments so that the throttle servo properly opens and closes the carburetor. Tighten the 4-40 set screw against the pushrod. Cut off the excess pushrod 1/4" [6mm] behind the screw-lock pushrod connector.

Brushless Motor Installation

If you have installed a glo w engine, skip this section as it only contains information relevant to installing a brushless motor.

Be sure to read and understand the instructions that come with the ESC and motor before attempting to operate the system.

❏ 1. Attach the out-runner motor to the brushless motor

mount using the included 3 x 8mm machine screws and threadlocking compound. If you haven’t done so yet, install the prop adapter to the motor case with the hardware included with the motor and threadlocking compound. Loosen the screws that hold the two motor mount halves together and set the distance from the back side of the mount to the front of the prop adapter to be 4-15/16" [126mm]. Retighten the screws using threadlocking compound.

❏ 2. Glue the tw o ESC mounting tray pieces together in the

orientation shown. Note that the mounting slots are slightly offset toward the top side of the mount. Be sure that the

Page 17

mounting halves are glued together in the direction shown. Attach the mounting tray to the right side of the aluminum motor mount using two 4-40 x 5/8" [16mm] machine screws, two #4 ﬂ at washers and threadlocking compound (thread the screws into unused holes in the aluminum mount). If you are installing the recommended Great Planes ESC, glue the three plywood washers onto the face of the mount. Rubber band tabs are provided for other model ESCs.

❏ 3. If using the Great Planes ESC, install it to the mounting

tray using three #4 x 1/2" [13mm] self-tapping screws. Be sure to harden the holes with thin CA. If installing another model ESC, use rubber bands (not included) and selfadhesive hook and loop material (not included) to secure the ESC to the mounting tray.

shown. The fuel tank tray is also used as the battery tra y for a brushless installation.

❏ 5. Fit the fuel tank tr ay into the fuselage b y inserting the tab

❏ 4. Make two 12" [305mm] long hook and loop straps

from the included hook and loop material by overlapping the mating ends of each side by approximately 2" [51mm]. Insert the straps into the slots in the plywood fuel tank tray as

❏ 6. Drill a hole in the ﬁ rewall for the battery lead from the

ESC and the receiver lead. Attach the motor mount to the ﬁ rewall using four 6-32 x 1/2" [13mm] SHCS, four #6 ﬂ at washers, four #6 loc k washers, and threadlocking compound. Connect the motor leads on the ESC to the motor. Be sure that the leads will not interfere with the rotation of the motor.

❏ 7. Apply the hook side from self-adhesive hook and loop

material (not included) to the top of the fuel tank tray. A thin coat of epoxy on the tra y will improve the adhesion of the hook material. Apply the mating loop material to the bottom of your

Page 18

battery pack. Also use some self-adhesive hook and loop material to join the 11.1V and 7.4V packs together. The straps you made in step 4 are used to securely hold the battery packs onto the tray. Test ﬁ t your packs onto the tray and cut the straps to the desired length. Now would also be a good time to conﬁ rm the correct rotation of the motor using the ESC and radio system. If the motor rotates in the wrong direction, unhook any two motor leads and sw ap their positions .

Assemble & Install the Landing Gear

screws against the ﬂ at spots on the axles. Be sure that the wheels rotate freely on the axles. Oil the axles if necessary.

❏ 3. Place a landing gear strap ov er each gear leg and mark

the locations for the screw holes. Drill 3/32" [2.4mm] holes at your marks, being sure not to drill into the wheels. Install a strap onto each pant using two #4 x 3/8" [9.5mm] selftapping screws. Reinforce the holes with thin CA.

❏ 1. While ﬁ tting the axle end of the main landing gear legs

into the main wheel pants, slide a 5/32" [4mm] wheel collar onto each axle followed by a 2-1/2" [64mm] wheel and then another 5/32" [4mm] wheel collar. Mark the location of the threaded holes in the wheel collars onto the axles. Use a ﬁ le or rotary tool such as a Dremel to grind ﬂ at spots at the marks on the axles.

❏ 4. Fit the main landing gear legs into the slots in the

underside of the wing panels. Position two nylon landing gear straps over each landing gear leg at a 45° angle as shown. Mark the locations of the screw holes onto the wing and drill holes at your marks using a 3/32" [2.4mm] drill bit. Secure the landing gear legs to the wing panels using the nylon landing gear straps and #4 x 1/2" [13mm] self-tapping screws.

❏ 2. Reinstall the wheel pants, wheel collars and wheels

onto the axles. Thread a 6-32 x 1/4" [6mm] SHCS into each wheel collar with threadlocking compound and tighten the

❏ 5. Install the nose wheel pant and wheel onto the nose gear

wire in the same manner as you did the main landing gear .

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❏ 6. Fit a 5/32" [4mm] wheel collar into the nylon steering

arm, aligning the threaded hole in the collar with the hole in the arm. Loosely thread a 6-32 x 1/4" [6mm] SHCS (with threadlocking compound) through the hole in the arm and into the collar. Install a brass screw-lock pushrod connector using a nylon retainer into the outer hole on the steering arm. Loosely thread a 4-40 x 1/8" [3mm] SHCS into the screwlock pushrod connector.

❏ 7. Fit the steering arm between the nylon steering block

halves. Insert the nose gear wire up through the steering block and through the steering arm as shown. Tighten the SHCS against the ﬂ at spot in the nose gear wire.

❏ 9. Cut off the threads from the remaining 12" [305mm]

pushrod, leaving all of the unthreaded portion of the pushrod intact. Make a mark 3/16" [4.8mm] from one end of the pushrod and make a 90° bend at the mark. Fit the unbent end through the steering pushrod hole in the second fuselage former and out the hole in the ﬁ rewall. Fit the forward pushrod end into the brass screw-lock pushrod connector on the nylon steering arm. Insert the bent end of the pushrod into the second inner hole in the unused side of the rudder servo arm. Secure the pushrod onto the servo arm using a nylon FasLink. With the rudder servo arm per pendicular to the servo case, rotate the nose gear wire so that the nose wheel is pointing straight. Tighten the SHCS in the brass screw-lock pushrod connector against the pushrod.

❏ 8. Align the bottom edge of the steering block with the

bottom edge of the hardwood mounting plate on the ﬁ rewall. Mark the locations of the four steering block mounting holes onto the hardwood plate. Drill 3/32" [2.4mm] holes at the marks you made. Mount the steering block onto the hardwood plate using four #4 x 5/8" [16mm] self-tapping screws, being sure to harden the holes with thin CA.

Page 20

FINISH THE MODEL

Install the Receiver

❏ 1. Make straps from the included hook and loop material

to ﬁ t your receiver and receiver pack. Cut pieces of foam rubber (not included) to ﬁ t your receiver and receiver pack and strap them to the radio tray as shown.

❏ 10. With the nose gear in place, the mufﬂ er can now be

installed onto the engine (if applicable). Either the stock mufﬂ er can be used or a Pitts style mufﬂ er. If using the stock mufﬂ er included with the engine, a mufﬂ er extension will be required. If installing the O.S. Max #873 mufﬂ er extension (OSMG2578), the bottom right corner of the fuselage will need to be carved away in order to accommodate the mufﬂ er body. The ﬁ rewall has dashed markings in this area indicating the location of the pre-installed balsa block behind the ﬁ rewall. A piece of white MonoKote is included with the Cherokee .40 ARF for covering up the area that was carved away. No modiﬁ cation needs to be done to the fuselage when using a Pitts style mufﬂ er. However, we did cut the exhaust outlets slightly shorter for this installation.

❏ 11. If you haven’t done so already, cut the fuel line and

vent line (to mufﬂ er) to the correct length and connect them to the engine. The ﬁ ll line should be left uncut and it can hang free from the bottom of the plane. A fuel line plug is pro vided for the ﬁ ll line.

❏ 2. Connect the servos to the receiver, being sure that the

leads will not interfere with the tail pushrods. Depending on the ESC being used (if applicable), you may need a servo extension to reach the receiver. If you plan to connect the ﬂ ap and aileron servos to the receiver using Y-harnesses, connect the harnesses to the receiver at this time.

❏ 3. Install your receiv er s witch and charge jack onto the sides

of the fuselage. Conﬁ rm that the location of your switch and charge jack will not interfere with the wing bolts when installed.

Page 21

❏ 4. Install a strain relief onto the receiv er antenna to protect

the solder joint that secures it inside the receiver. A strain relief can be made by cutting off the end of an unused servo arm and stitching the antenna through two holes in the arm as shown. Route the antenna through the antenna tube and out the aft end of the fuselage.

Install the Cowl, Spinner & Propeller

❏ 3. Fit the cowl to the fuselage and align it with the colors

on the fuselage. When satisﬁ ed with the ﬁ t, tape the cowl into position. Measure 3/8" [9.5mm] forward from the aft end of the cowl at each mark you made on the masking tape. Mark the cowl for each of the four cowl mounting screws.

❏ 4. Drill 1/16" [1.6mm] holes at the marks you made on the

cowl through the cowl mounting blocks. Remove the cowl and thread a #2 x 1/2" [13mm] self-tapping screw into each hole in the cowl mounting blocks and back it out. Apply a couple drops of thin CA to each hole in the blocks. Enlarge the four holes in the cowl with a 3/32" [2.4mm] bit. Install the cowl onto the fuselage using four #2 x 1/2" [13mm] selftapping screws and four #2 ﬂ at washers.

❏ 1. Before ﬁ tting the cowl, make any cutouts necessary

for your power system. If you are installing a glow engine, a cutout must be made for the engine head, exhaust outlets, and needle valve access. Templates should be made and taped to the fuselage to accurately create the necessary cutouts in the cowl. A rotary tool such as a Dremel works very well for cutting holes in ﬁ berglass.

❏ 2. Apply some strips of masking tape onto both sides of

the fuselage just behind the ﬁ rewall. Mark onto the tape the location of the center of the cowl mounting blocks.

❏ 5. If necessary , ream or drill the spinner bac kplate to ﬁ t the

crankshaft of your engine (or brushless motor prop adapter). Install the backplate onto the crankshaft followed by the propeller. Install the prop washer and prop nut. Depending on the size propeller you are using, you ma y need to enlarge the propeller blade cutouts in the spinner cone. When a good ﬁ t is achieved, use the screws included with the spinner to install the spinner cone onto the backplate.

Page 22

Install the Wing & Canopy Hatch

❏ 1. Fit the tw o wing panels onto the alumin um wing joiner

tube. Slide the root ribs of the panels together so that the anti-rotation pin preinstalled in one panel ﬁ ts into the

mating hole of the other panel. Slide the wing do wels that are preinstalled in the LE of the wing panels into the receiving holes in the fuselage at the front of the wing saddle. Use two 1/4-20 nylon wing bolts to secure the wing in place.

❏ 4. This completes the assembly of the Cherok ee .40 ARF!

Apply the Decals

1. Use scissors or a sharp hobby knif e to cut the decals from the sheet.

2. Be certain the model is clean and free from oily ﬁ ngerprints and dust. Prepare a dishpan or small bucket with a mixture of liquid dish soap and warm water–about one teaspoon of soap per gallon of water. Submerse the decal in the soap and water and peel off the paper backing. Note: Ev en though the decals have a “sticky-back” and are not the water transfer type, submersing them in soap & water allows accurate positioning and reduces air bubbles underneath.

3. Position the decal on the model where desired. Holding the decal down, use a paper towel to wipe most of the water a w a y.

❏ 2. We suggest gluing a #4 washer to each of the two

4-40 x 5/8" [16mm] canopy hatch screws. Take care not to get glue onto the threads of the screws. This will make the screws easier to work with at the ﬂ ying ﬁ eld.

❏ 3. Fit the canopy hatch in place by inserting the two

dowel pins into the receiving holes at the front of the hatch opening. Use the tw o 4-40 x 5/8" [16mm] machine scre ws to secure the hatch in place.

4. Use a piece of soft balsa or something similar to squeegee remaining water from under the decal. Apply the rest of the decals the same way.

GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY

Install & Operate the Motor Battery

(Brushless Only)

IMPORTANT: If using multiple battery packs that are connected with an adapter, never charge the batteries together through the adapter. Always charge each battery pack separately. Charge the batteries, then read the following precautions on how to connect multiple packs f or ﬂ ying the model.

Page 23

Battery Precautions/Connecting Batteries

Check the Control Directions

This is how to connect four batteries in Series:

Connecting batteries in “Series” means to connect the +’s to the –’s and the –’s to the +’s. This combines the batteries’ voltages, but the capacity remains the same.

This is how to connect three batteries in Series:

Batteries of different voltages, but not different capacities may also be connected in Series:

❏ 1. Turn on the transmitter and receiver and center the

trims. If necessary, remove the servo arms from the servos and reposition them so they are centered. Reinstall the screws that hold on the servo arms.

❏ 2. With the transmitter and receiver still on, check all the

control surfaces to see if they are centered. If necessary , adjust the clevises on the pushrods to center the control surfaces .

❏ 3. Make certain that the control surfaces and the carburetor

respond in the correct direction as shown in the diagram. If any of the controls respond in the wrong direction, use the servo reversing in the transmitter to reverse the servos connected to those controls. Be certain the control surfaces have remained centered. Adjust if necessary.

Set the Control Throws

Use a Great Planes AccuThrow™ (or a ruler) to accurately measure and set the control throw of each control surface as indicated in the chart that follows. If your radio does not have dual rates , we recommend setting the throws at the lo w rate setting.

Page 24

Note: The throws are measured at the widest part of the

elevators, rudder and ailerons. If you are using a ruler to set your control surface throws, the deﬂ ection distance is measured as the height from the center TE of the control surface when moved from the neutral position as shown in the sketch. Deﬂ ection in degrees is also provided for an alternative measuring method.

These are the recommended control surface throws:

High Rate Low Rate ELEVATOR: 1/2" [13mm] 21 deg up 3/8" [9.5mm] 16 deg up 1/2" [13mm] 21 deg down 3/8" [9.5mm] 16 deg down

RUDDER: 1-1/4" [32mm] 34 deg right 5/8" [16mm] 17 deg right 1-1/4" [32mm] 34 deg left 5/8" [16mm] 17 deg left

fuselage. The C.G. is located 3-1/16" [78mm] back from the LE of the wing.

This is where your model should balance for the ﬁ rst ﬂ ights. Later, you may wish to experiment by shifting the C.G. up to 7/16" [11mm] forward or 7/16" [11mm] back to change the ﬂ ying characteristics. Moving the C.G. forward may improve the smoothness and stability, but the model may then require more speed for tak eoff and mak e it more difﬁ cult to slow for landing. Moving the C.G. aft makes the model more maneuverable, but could also cause it to become too difﬁ cult to control. In any case, start at the recommended balance point and do not at any time balance the model outside the speciﬁ ed range.

AILERONS: 1" [25mm] 24 deg up 7/16" [11mm] 10 deg up 1" [25mm] 24 deg down 7/16" [11mm] 10 deg down

FLAPS: (Full) 9/16" [14mm] 24 deg (1/2) 5/16" [8mm] 13 deg

IMPORTANT: The Cherokee .40 ARF has been extensively ﬂ own and tested to arrive at the throws at

which it ﬂ ies best. Flying your model at these throws will provide you with the greatest chance for successful ﬁ rst ﬂ ights. If, after you have become accustomed to the way the Cherokee .40 ARF ﬂ ies, you would like to change the throws to suit your taste, that is ﬁ ne. However, too much control throw could make the model difﬁ cult to control, so remember, “more is not always better.”

Balance the Model (C.G.)

More than any other factor, the C.G. (balance point) can have the greatest effect on how a model ﬂ ies, and may determine whether or not your ﬁ rst ﬂ ight will be successful. If you value this model and wish to enjo y it for man y ﬂ ights,

DO NOT OVERLOOK THIS IMPORTANT PROCEDURE.

A model that is not properly balanced will be unstable and possibly unﬂ yable.

At this stage the model should be in ready-to-ﬂ y condition with all of the systems in place including the engine or brushless motor, landing gear, and the radio system (and battery pack if applicable).

❏ 2. With the wing attached to the fuselage, all parts of the

model installed (ready to ﬂ y) and an empty fuel tank, place the model upside-down on a Great Planes C.G. Machine, or lift it upside-down at the balance point you marked.

❏ 3. If the tail drops, the model is “tail heavy” and the battery

pack and/or receiver must be shifted forward or weight must be added to the nose to balance. If the nose drops, the model is “nose heavy” and the battery pack and/or receiv er must be shifted aft or weight must be added to the tail to balance. If possible, relocate the battery pack and receiver to minimize or eliminate any additional ballast required. If additional weight is required, nose weight may be easily added by using a “spinner weight” (GPMQ4645 for the 1 oz. [28g] weight, or GPMQ4646 for the 2 oz. [57g] weight). If spinner weight is not practical or is not enough, use Great Planes (GPMQ4485) “stick-on” lead. A good place to add stickon nose weight is to the ﬁ rewall (don’t attach weight to the cowl–it is not intended to support weight). Begin by placing incrementally increasing amounts of weight on the bottom of the fuselage over the ﬁ rewall until the model balances. Once you have determined the amount of weight required, it can be permanently attached. If required, tail weight may be added by cutting open the bottom of the fuselage and gluing it permanently inside.

Note: Do not rely upon the adhesiv e on the back of the lead weight to permanently hold it in place. Over time, fuel and exhaust residue may soften the adhesive and cause the weight to fall off . Use #2 sheet metal screws, R TV silicone or epoxy to permanently hold the weight in place.

❏ 1. Use a felt-tip pen or 1/8" [3mm]-wide tape to accurately

mark the C.G. on the top of the wing on both sides of the

❏ 4. IMPORTANT: If you f ound it necessary to add any weight,

recheck the C.G. after the weight has been installed.

Page 25

Balance the Model Laterally

❏ 1. With the wing level, have an assistant help you lift the

model by the engine propeller shaft and the bottom of the fuselage under the TE of the ﬁ n. Do this several times.

❏ 2. If one wing always drops when you lift the model, it means

that side is heavy . Balance the airplane by adding weight to the other wing tip. An airplane that has been laterall y balanced

will track better in loops and other maneuvers.

Balance Propellers

Carefully balance your propeller and spare propellers before you ﬂ y . An unbalanced prop can be the single most signiﬁ cant cause of vibration that can damage your model. Not only will engine mounting screws and bolts loosen, possibly with disastrous effect, but vibration may also damage your radio receiver and battery. Vibration can also cause your fuel to foam, which will, in turn, cause your engine to run hot or quit.

We use a Top Flite Precision Magnetic Prop Balancer (TOPQ5700) in the workshop and keep a Great Planes Fingertip Prop Balancer (GPMQ5000) in our ﬂ ight box.

PREFLIGHT

Indentify Y our Model

No matter if you ﬂ y at an AMA sanctioned R/C club site or if you ﬂ y somewhere on your own, you should always have your name, address, telephone number and AMA number on or inside your model. It is required at all AMA R/C club ﬂ ying sites and AMA sanctioned ﬂ ying events. Fill out the identiﬁ cation tag on page 28 (or on the decal sheet) and place it on or inside your model.

Charge the Batteries

Follow the battery charging instructions that came with your radio control system to charge the batteries. You should always charge your transmitter and receiver batteries the night before you go ﬂ ying, and at other times as recommended by the radio manufacturer.

CAUTION: Unless the instructions that came with your radio system state differently, the initial charge on new transmitter and receiver batteries should be done for 15 hours using the slow-charger that came with the radio system. This will “condition” the batteries so that the next charge may be done using the fast-charger of y our choice . If the initial charge is done with a fast-charger the batteries may not reach their full capacity and you ma y be ﬂ ying with batteries that are only partially charged.

Ground Check

If the engine is new, follow the engine manufacturer’s instructions to break-in the engine. After break-in, conﬁ rm that the engine idles reliably , tr ansitions smoothly and rapidly to full power and maintains full power–indeﬁ nitely. After you run the engine on the model, inspect the model closely to make sure all screws remained tight, the hinges are secure, the prop is secure and all pushrods and connectors are secure.

Range Check

Ground check the operational range of your r adio before the ﬁ rst ﬂ ight of the day. With the transmitter antenna collapsed and the receiver and transmitter on, you should be able to walk at least 100 feet away from the model and still have control. Have an assistant stand by your model and, while you work the controls, tell you what the control surfaces are doing. Repeat this test with the engine running at various speeds with an assistant holding the model, using hand signals to show you what is happening. If the control surfaces do not respond correctly, do not ﬂ y! Find and correct the problem ﬁ rst. Look for loose servo connections or broken wires, corroded wires on old servo connectors, poor solder joints in your battery pack or a defective cell, or a damaged receiver crystal from a previous crash.

Page 26

ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

LITHIUM BATTERY HANDLING & USAGE

Failure to follow these safety precautions may result in severe injury to yourself and others.

Keep all engine fuel in a safe place, away from high heat, sparks or ﬂ ames, as fuel is very ﬂ ammable. Do not smoke near the engine or fuel; and remember that engine exhaust gives off a great deal of deadly carbon monoxide. Therefore , do not run the engine in a closed room or garage.

Get help from an experienced pilot when learning to operate engines.

Use safety glasses when starting or running engines. Do not run the engine in an area of loose gravel or sand; the

propeller may throw such material in your face or eyes. Keep your f ace and body as w ell as all spectators a wa y from

the plane of rotation of the propeller as you start and run the engine.

Keep these items away from the prop: loose clothing, shirt sleeves, ties, scarves, long hair or loose objects such as pencils or screwdrivers that may fall out of shirt or jacket pockets into the prop.

WARNING!! Read the entire instruction sheet included with your battery. Failure to follow all instructions could cause permanent damage to the battery and its surroundings, and cause bodily harm!

• ONLY use a LiPo approved charger. NEVER use a NiCd/ NiMH peak charger!

• NEVER charge in excess of 4.20V per cell.

• ONLY charge through the “charge” lead. NEVER charge through the “discharge” lead.

• NEVER charge at currents greater than 1C.

• ALWAYS set charger’s output volts to match battery volts.

• ALWAYS charge in a ﬁ reproof location.

• NEVER trickle charge.

• NEVER allow the battery temperature to exceed 150° F [65° C].

• NEVER disassemble or modify pack wiring in any way or puncture cells.

• NEVER discharge below 2.5V per cell.

• NEVER place on combustible materials or leave unattended during charge or discharge.

• ALWAYS KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

AMA SAFETY CODE (excerpts)

Use a “chicken stick” or electric starter to start the engine. Do not use your ﬁ ngers to ﬂ ip the propeller. Mak e certain the glow plug clip or connector is secure so that it will not pop off or otherwise get into the running propeller.

Make all engine adjustments from behind the rotating propeller . The engine gets hot! Do not touch it during or right after

operation. Make sure fuel lines are in good condition so fuel will not leak onto a hot engine, causing a ﬁ re.

To stop a glow engine, cut off the fuel supply by closing off the fuel line or following the engine manufacturer's recommendations. Do not use hands, ﬁ ngers or any other body part to try to stop the engine. Do not throw anything into the propeller of a running engine.

Read and abide by the following excerpts from the Academy of Model Aeronautics Safety Code. For the complete Safety Code refer to Model A viation magazine, the AMA web site or the Code that came with your AMA license.

General

1) I will not ﬂ y my model aircraft in sanctioned ev ents, air shows,

or model ﬂ ying demonstrations until it has been proven to be airworthy by having been pre viously, successfully ﬂ ight tested.

2) I will not ﬂ y my model aircraft higher than approximately

400 feet within 3 miles of an airport without notifying the airport operator. I will give right-of-wa y and a v oid ﬂ ying in the proximity of full-scale aircraft. Where necessary , an observer shall be utilized to supervise ﬂ ying to avoid ha ving models ﬂ y in the proximity of full-scale aircraft.

3) Where established, I will abide by the safety rules for the

ﬂ ying site I use, and I will not willfully and deliberately ﬂ y my models in a careless, reckless and/or dangerous manner.

5) I will not ﬂ y my model unless it is identiﬁ ed with my name

and address or AMA number, on or in the model. Note: This does not apply to models while being ﬂ own indoors.

7) I will not operate models with pyrotechnics (any device

that explodes, burns, or propels a projectile of any kind).

Page 27

Radio Control

1) I will have completed a successful radio equipment ground check before the ﬁ rst ﬂ ight of a new or repaired model.

2) I will not ﬂ y my model aircraft in the presence of spectators until I become a qualiﬁ ed ﬂ ier, unless assisted by an experienced helper.

3) At all ﬂ ying sites a straight or curved line(s) must be established in front of which all ﬂ ying takes place with the other side for spectators. Only personnel involved with ﬂ ying the aircraft are allowed at or in the front of the ﬂ ight line. Intentional ﬂ ying behind the ﬂ ight line is prohibited.

4) I will operate my model using only radio control frequencies currently allowed by the F ederal Communications Commission.

5) I will not knowingly operate my model within three

miles of any pre-existing ﬂ ying site except in accordance with the frequency sharing agreement listed (in the

complete AMA Safety Code).

9) Under no circumstances may a pilot or other person touch a powered model in ﬂ ight; nor should any part of the

model other than the landing gear, intentionally touch the ground, except while landing.

❏ 8. Reinforce holes for wood screws with thin CA where

appropriate (servo mounting screws, cowl mounting screws, etc.).

❏ 9. Conﬁ rm that all controls operate in the correct direction

and the throws are set up according to the manual.

❏ 10. Make sure there are silicone retainers on all the

clevises and that all servo arms are secured to the servos with the screws included with your radio.

❏ 11. Secure connections between servo wires and

Y-connectors or servo extensions, and the connection between your battery pack and the on/off switch with vinyl tape, heat shrink tubing or special clips suitable for that purpose.

❏ 12. Make sure any servo extension cords you may have

used do not interfere with other systems (servo arms, pushrods, etc.).

❏ 13. Secure the pressure tap (if used) to the mufﬂ er with

high temp RTV silicone, threadlocking compound or J.B. Weld.

❏ 14. Make sure the fuel lines are connected and are

not kinked.

❏ 15. Balance your propeller (and spare propellers). ❏ 16. Tighten the propeller nut and spinner. ❏ 17. Place your name, address, AMA number and telephone

number on or inside your model.

❏ 18. Cycle your receiver battery pack (if necessary) and

make sure it is fully charged.

❏ 19. If you wish to photograph your model, do so before

your ﬁ rst ﬂ ight.

❏ 20. Range chec k y our radio when y ou get to the ﬂ ying ﬁ eld.

CHECK LIST

During the last few moments of preparation your mind may be elsewhere anticipating the excitement of the ﬁ rst ﬂ ight. Because of this, you may be more likely to overlook certain checks and procedures that should be performed before the model is ﬂ own. To help a v oid this , a check list is provided to make sure these important areas are not overlooked. Man y are covered in the instruction manual, so where appropriate, refer to the manual for complete instructions. Be sure to check the items off as they are completed.

❏ 1. Check the C.G. according to the measurements

provided in the manual.

❏ 2. Be certain the battery and receiver are securely

mounted in the fuselage. Simply stufﬁ ng them into place with foam rubber is not sufﬁ cient.

❏ 3. Extend your receiver antenna. ❏ 4. Balance your model laterally as explained in the

instructions.

❏ 5. Use threadlocking compound to secure critical

fasteners such as the set screws that hold the wheel axles to the struts, screws that hold the carburetor arm (if applicable), screw-lock pushrod connectors, etc.

❏ 6. Add a drop of oil to the axles so the wheels will

turn freely.

❏ 7. Make sure all hinges are securely glued in place.

FLYING

The Cherokee .40 ARF is a great-ﬂ ying model that ﬂ ies smoothly and predictably. The Cherokee .40 ARF does not, however, possess the self-recovery characteristics of a primary R/C trainer and should be ﬂ own only by experienced R/C pilots.

Fuel Mixture Adjustments

A fully cowled engine may run at a higher temperature than an un-cowled engine. For this reason, the fuel mixture should be richened so the engine runs at about 200 rpm below peak speed. By running the engine slightly rich, you will help prevent dead-stick landings caused by overheating.

Takeoff

If you have dual rates on your transmitter, set the switches to “high rate” for takeoff, especially when taking off in a crosswind. Although this model has good low-speed characteristics, you should always build up as much speed as your runway will permit before lifting off, as this will give you a safety margin in case of a “ﬂ ame-out.” When you ﬁ rst

Page 28

advance the throttle the plane will usually turn left slightly. Correct by applying sufﬁ cient right rudder to hold it straight down the runway. When the plane has sufﬁ cient ﬂ ying speed, lift off by smoothly applying up elevator (don’t “jerk” it off into a steep climb!), and climb out gradually. Do not use ﬂ aps for your initial takeoff. After you have the feel of the Cherokee .40 ARF, takeoffs may be made with the ﬂ aps set at 50%.

Flight

We recommend that you take it easy with your Cherokee .40 ARF for the ﬁ rst several ﬂ ights, gradually “getting acquainted” with this realistic model as your engine gets fully brokenin. Add and practice one maneuver at a time, learning how she behaves in each. For ultra-smooth ﬂ ying and normal maneuvers, we recommend using the “low rate” settings as listed on page 24. Though the full-scale Cherokee is not rated for aerobatics, the Cherokee .40 ARF is capable of some graceful aerobatic maneuvers. Well before it’s time to land, ﬂ y your Cherokee .40 ARF to a safe altitude. Cut the throttle to an idle, lower the ﬂ aps completely and check out the model’s low-speed characteristics. Do this several times to become familiar with how the Cherokee .40 ARF handles stalls. This also helps you learn what to expect when landing.

stall speed and ﬂ are a few inches off the runway onto the main wheels.

Flaps

Full ﬂ aps make the Cherokee .40 ARF very steady in the landing pattern, but just carry a little extra power to make up for the extra drag. The extra drag of the ﬂ aps also allows you to make shorter, steeper approaches. The Cherokee .40 ARF needs to touch down with a nose high attitude to avoid whacking the nose gear and skipping back into the air. For this reason, landings with ﬂ aps require a deliberate ﬂ are with high rate elevator to raise the nose. Touch and go’s and goarounds can be accomplished with full ﬂ aps. Just use the elevator to establish a shallow climb. It is preferred to have the ﬂ aps up or at “half” setting for takeoffs and climb-outs because the plane will accelerate and climb much better.

Have a ball! But always stay in control

and ﬂ y in a safe manner.

GOOD LUCK AND GREAT FLYING!

CAUTION (THIS APPLIES TO ALL R/C AIRPLANES): If, while ﬂ ying, you notice an alarming or unusual sound such as a low-pitched “buzz,” this may indicate control surface ﬂ utter. Flutter occurs when a control surface (such as an aileron or elevator) or a ﬂ ying surface (such as a wing or stab) rapidly vibrates up and down (thus causing the noise). In extreme cases, if not detected immediately, ﬂ utter can actually cause the control surface to detach or the ﬂ ying surface to fail, thus causing loss of control followed by an impending crash. The best thing to do when ﬂ utter is detected is to slow the model immediately by reducing power , then land as soon as saf ely possible . Identify which surface ﬂ uttered (so the problem may be resolved) by checking all the servo grommets for deterioration or signs of vibration. Make certain all pushrod linkages are secure and free of play. If it ﬂ uttered once, under similar circumstances it will probably ﬂ utter again unless the problem is ﬁ xed. Some things which can cause ﬂ utter are; Excessive hinge gap; Not mounting control horns solidly; Poor ﬁ t of clevis pin in horn; Side-play of wire pushrods caused by large bends; Excessive free play in servo gears; Insecure servo mounting; and one of the most prevalent causes of ﬂ utter; Flying an over-powered model at excessive speeds.

Make a copy of this identiﬁ cation tag and put it on or inside your model.

Landing

When it’s time to land, ﬂ y a normal landing pattern and approach. The Cherokee .40 ARF may bleed off airspeed more rapidly than the sport planes you are used to. For this reason, be prepared to carry a little power during approach. For your ﬁ rst landings, plan to approach slightly faster than

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