Great Planes GPMA1050 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.

GPMZ0207 V1.1 For GPMA1050 Entire Contents © Copyright 2002

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

[e-mail]

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

™

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

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

PREPARATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Required Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Building Supplies & Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Optional Supplies & Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

General Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Important Building Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Metric/Inch Ruler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

PARTS LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

REPLACEMENT PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

ASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Wing Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Tail Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Radio & Motor Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Canopy Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Folding Propeller Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Final Hookups & Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Radio Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Balance The Model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Checking For Warps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

PREFLIGHT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Charge the Batteries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Find a Safe Place to Fly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Range Check Your Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

AMA SAFETY CODE (EXCERPT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Radio Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

FLYING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Trim Flights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

First Flights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Thermal Flying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Facts About Thermals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Thermal Soaring. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Pointers for Contest Soaring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

FLIGHT LOG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BACK COVER

Your SPECTRA ARF is not a toy, but rather a sophisticated,

working model that functions very much like a full-size
sailplane. Because of its realistic performance, the SPECTRA
ARF, if not assembled and operated correctly, could

possibly cause injury to yourself or spectators and
damage property.

To make your R/C modeling experience totally enjoyable,
we recommend that you get experienced, knowledgeable
help with assembly and during your first flights.You’ll learn

faster and av oid risking your model before you’re truly ready to
solo.Your local hobby shop has information about flying clubs
in your area whose membership includes qualified instructors.
You can also contact the national Academy of Model
Aeronautics (AMA), which has more than 2,500 chartered

clubs across the country.Through any one of them, instructor
training programs and insured newcomer training are
available. Contact the AMA at the address or toll-free phone
number below.

Academy of Model Aeronautics

5151 East Memorial Drive

Muncie, IN 47302-9252

Tele. [phone]

Fax [phone]

or via the Internet at http://www.modelaircraft.org

1. Build the plane according to the instructions. Do not alter
or modify the model, as doing so may result in an unsafe or
unflyable model.

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

3. Use an R/C radio system that is in first-class condition,
and a correctly sized motor and components (batteries, etc.)
throughout your building process.

4.You must properly install all components so that the model
operates properly on the ground and in the air.

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

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

Please inspect all parts carefully before starting to
build! If any parts are missing, broken or defective,or if
you have any questions about building or flying this
airplane, please call us at:

[phone]

or e-mail us at:

[e-mail].

If you are calling for replacement parts, please
reference the part numbers and the kit identification
number (stamped on the end of the carton) and have
them ready when calling.

Note:We, as the kit manufacturer, provide you with a top

quality kit and great instructions, but ultimately the quality
of your finished model depends on how you build it;
therefore, we cannot in any way guarantee the
performance of your completed model, and no
representations are expressed or implied as to the
performance or safety of your completed model.

PRO TECT YOUR MODEL,YOURSELF

& OTHERS...FOLLOW THESE

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

The SPECTRA ARF is a very stable and predictable
aircraft, allowing pilots of differing skill levels to enjoy it.It is
easy to build, flies great, and would be a great selection as
your first R/C airplane.

Items in parentheses (GPMQ4243) are suggested part
numbers recognized by most distributors and hobby shops
and are listed for your ordering convenience. GPM is the
Great Planes brand, TOP is the Top Flite®brand, HCA is the
Hobbico®brand.

❏

Minimum three-channel radio with two standard servos

❏ Electronic Speed Controller with BEC
❏ 6 or 7-cell rechargeable battery

These are the building supplies and tools that are required.
We recommend Great Planes Pro™CA and Epoxy glue.

❏ Pacer Formula 560 canopy glue (PAAR3300)
❏ Plastic wrap or wax paper
❏ Hobby knife and #11 blades (HCAR0105)
❏

1/2" [13mm] Latex foam rubber padding

(HCAQ1050)

❏ Phillips screwdriver
❏ Pliers
❏ Great Planes Pro Thin CA (1/2oz) (GPMR6001)
❏ Great Planes Pro Medium CA (1/2oz) (GPMR6007)
❏ Great Planes Pro Threadlocker (GPMR6060)
❏ Hand or electric drill with 1/16" [1.6mm], 3/32"

[2.3mm], 9/64" [3.6mm] and drill bits

❏ Top Flite Sealing Iron (TOPR2100)
❏ Top Flite Heat Gun (TOPR2000)
❏ Hobbico single-edge razor blades (HCAR0312)
❏ Hobbico Curved Tip Canopy Scissors for trimming

plastic parts (HCAR0667)

Remove the fuselage, wing panels, rudder assembly and
stabilizer assembly from their individual bags. Inspect all
items closely to check for any damage. If any damage is
found, contact the place where your SPECTRA ARF was
purchased, or Hobby Services, to obtain a replacement
for your damaged items. If any of the control surfaces are
attached, simply pull them apart and store the hinges in

a safe place until it is time to re-attach them.
Your SPECTRA ARF is covered using Top Flite

MonoKote®covering. Eliminate any wrinkles you find in the
covering by shrinking them away with a heat gun. Then,
apply pressure to the area with a covering iron and a
hot sock. This will securely bond the covering to the wood

so the wrinkles will be less likely to reappear in the future.

Several times during construction we refer to the “top” or
“bottom” of the model or a part of the model. It is
understood that the “top” or “bottom” of the model is as it
would be when the airplane is right side up and will be
referred to as the “top”even if the model is being worked on
upside-down.

Important Building Notes

General Inspection

Optional Supplies & Tools

Building Supplies & Tools

Required Accessories

PREPARATIONS

INTRODUCTION

3

4

Key # Description Qty

1 REAR CANOPY BRACE...................1

2 CANOPY BRACE BRACE.................1

3 CANOPY............................................1

4 FRONT CANOPY BRACE.................1

5 MOTOR..............................................1

6 DOWEL PUSHRODS........................2

7 SHRINK TUBING...............................1

8 STAB & ELEVATOR ...........................1

Key # Description Qty

9 FUSELAGE........................................1

10 FIN & RUDDER.................................1

11 METAL PUSHRODS..........................2

12 WING JOINER...................................1

13 WING DOWELS ................................2

14 CANOPY DOWEL .............................1

15 WING (TWO HALVES) ......................1

8
9

10
11
12

13

14
15

1
2
3
4
5
6

7

PARTS LIST

REPLACEMENT PARTS

If needed, replacement parts for your Spectra ARF are available through your hobby supplier.

GPMA2340 ....Wing Kit

GPMA2341 ....Fuselage

GPMA2342 ....Tail Set

GPMA2343 ....Motor

GPMA2344 ....Battery

GPMA2345 ....ESC

GPMQ1690.....8 x 4 Folding Prop

❏ 1. Locate the wing joiner and insert it into the r ight wing

joiner pocket as shown in the above picture.

❏2.Insert the other side of the wing joiner into the left wing

joiner pocket and slide the wings together.

❏ 3.Completed wing

❏ 1. Find and open the holes in the stabilizer covering for the

attachment screws.Attach the stabilizer to the fuselage using
two 2mm x 15mm screws, two 2mm nuts and four 2mm
washers.Use thread lock on the nuts to prevent loosening.

❏ 2. Open the holes on the top and bottom of the fuselage

covering for the fin attachment. Attach the fin using two
2mm washers and two 2mm nuts. Use Great Planes Pro
Threadlocker on the nuts to prevent loosening.

❏ 3. Install the wing dowels. Note that the smaller dowel

(7mm x 90mm) should be installed into the aft holes.

Tail Assembly

Wing Assembly

ASSEMBLY

5