Great Planes GPMA1100 User Manual

WARRANTY

Great Planes

®

Model Manufacturing Co. guarantees this kit to be free from defects in both material and workmanship at the date of
purchase.This warranty does not cover any component parts damaged by use or modification. In no case shall Great Planes’ liability
exceed the original cost of the purchased kit. Further, Great Planes reserves the right to change or modify this warranty without notice.

In that Great Planes has no control over the final assembly or material used for final assembly, no liability shall be assumed nor
accepted for any damage resulting from the use by the user of the final user-assemb led 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 buyer is advised to return this
kit immediately in new and unused condition to the place of purchase.

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

GPMZ0209 for GPMA1100 V1.1© Copyright 2003, Printed in China

Champaign, Illinois

[phone], Ext 5

[e-mail]

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Wingspan: 41 in [1040mm]

Wing Area: 496 sq in [32 dm2]

Weight: 12 oz [340 g]

Wing Loading: 3 oz/sq ft [9 g/dm2]

Length: 38.5 in [980mm]

Radio: 3-channel w/2 micro servos,

micro receiver and electronic speed control

TM

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

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

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

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

Speed Controller................................................................3

Battery ...............................................................................4

Charger..............................................................................4

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

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

Optional Items....................................................................4

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

KIT CONTENTS ................................................................5

ASSEMBLY .......................................................................6

Assemble the Tail...............................................................6

Mount the Fuselage Parts .................................................7

Mount the Motor.................................................................9

FINAL SET UP................................................................10

Set Up the Radio .............................................................10

Set the Control Throws....................................................11

Apply the Decals ..............................................................12

Mount the Wings and Check the C.G..............................12

CHECKLIST ....................................................................13

PREFLIGHT.....................................................................13

Identify the Model ............................................................13

Charge the Batteries ........................................................14

Range Check...................................................................14

PERFORMANCE TIPS....................................................14

Balance the Propeller ......................................................14

Cycle the Batteries...........................................................14

MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS .................................14

AMA SAFETY CODE......................................................15

FIND A SAFE PLACE TO FLY........................................15

FLYING ............................................................................15

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Great
Planes Y ard Stik. Since park flyers are small and fly slowly,

little space is required. In fact, the Yard Stik can be flown
both indoors and outdoors. Park flyers are also perfect for
those evenings at the field when everybody else is packing
up their gear, the wind has died and there is still enough light
to fly a small, slow model that can be kept close-in.

The Yard Stik is a slow flying model that is about as simple­to-build as they get.However , if you ha v e ne v er flown an R/C
model before, learning to fly the Yard Stik all by yourself is
not recommended. As with any trainer airplane, you should
find an experienced modeler to help you with your first
flights. Information about R/C clubs and instructors is
provided later in this manual.

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.

1. Even though the Yard Stik is small, lightweight and
flies slowly, if it is not assembled and operated correctly it
could possibly cause injury to yourself or spectators and
damage property.

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

3. Use an R/C radio system that is in first-class condition.
This Park Flyer requires micro servos, a micro receiver and
a micro speed control able to handle 5 amps.

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

5. 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,YOURSELF

& OTHERS...FOLLOW THESE

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

CAUTION: Be aware that the Yard Stik is operated on the

same frequency band as larger, “regular” R/C models. If
flying your Yard Stik within five miles of an R/C site, there
is a real possibility that you could be operating your model
on the same frequency (channel) as another R/C pilot. If
this happens, a crash will result–with the person flying the
more expensive model suffering the greater loss (and
having greater potential for property damage or injury).
The best way to avoid this is to join an R/C club and fly
at the site where frequency control measures will be in
effect. If you do insist on flying elsewhere, always be

aware of your proximity to R/C flying sites.

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 your first flights.
You’ll learn faster and avoid risking your model bef ore 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

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 give us a call at [phone] or e-mail
us at [e-mail] and we’ll be
glad to help. If you are calling for replacement parts,
please reference the part numbers and have them ready
when calling.

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

The Yard Stik requires a micro receiver and two micro
servos. If you already have a transmitter you are going to
use to fly the Yard Stik, you can get the receiver and servos

separately. Or, you can purchase a complete system
(including transmitter) specially packaged for park flyers. If
purchasing a complete system, the Futaba®3FR

Skysport

single-stick radio is suitable. It comes with a micro receiver
and two Futaba S-3106 micro servos. The transmitter also
has NiCd’s.Following are descriptions and part numbers for
suitable radio equipment.

• Futaba 3FR Skysport single-stick radio system including

transmitter, receiver and servos (FUTJ52**)

– OR –

• Futaba R114F 4-channel low band FM micro receiver

w/o crystal (FUTL0442)

• Futaba low band receiver crystal for R114F receiver

(FUTL62**)

– OR –

• Futaba R114F 4-channel high band FM micro receiver

w/o crystal (FUTL0443)

• Futaba high band receiver crystal R114F receiver

(FUTL63**)

– OR –

• Great Planes ElectriFly™4-channel FM low band mini

receiver w/o crystal (shown in this manual) (GPML0044)

• Great Planes ElectriFly 4-channel FM high band mini

receiver w/o crystal (shown in this manual) (GPML0045)

– AND –

• Futaba S3103 Micro-Mini servo (FUTM0037)

• Futaba S3106 Micro-Mini servo (FUTM0041)

• Hobbico®CS-5 Nano™servo (HCAM0090)
Note: When purchasing radio sets or receiver crystals,

replace the “**” at the end of the par t number (FUTL62**)
with the desired channel number. Low band receivers must
use low band crystals and high band receivers must use
high band receivers. Channels 11 through 35 are in the low
band and channels 36 through 60 are in the high band.The
Great Planes ElectriFly 4-channel receivers use the same
crystals listed for the Futaba receivers. Be certain to select
a high band or low band crystal to match the receiver.

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 the on-board receiver battery).The Great Planes
ElectriFly C-5

Nano

High Frequency Electronic Speed

Control (GPMM2000) is recommended.

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

The Great Planes 7.2v 650 mAh NiMH (nickel-metal h ydride)
battery (GPMP0068) is recommended. It is the correct size
and shape to fit in the battery holder on the Yard Stik.

The best type of charger to use is a peak charger, because
it charges the batteries until they are fully charged, then
automatically switches to a trickle charge mode.The Great
Planes ElectriFly Peak Charger (GPMM3000) is suitable for
charging the nickel-metal hydride battery recommended for
the Yard Stik.

To figure out how long it will take to charge the battery , divide
its capacity (in mAh) by the charge rate being used. If fully
discharged, the 650 mAh battery recommended for the Yard
Stik, charged at a rate of 600 mAh (by the ElectriFly Peak
Charger), will take about 65 minutes to charge (650 divided
by 600 times 60 minutes = 65).Note: It is not recommended
to charge the battery at a rate any higher than two times its
rated capacity.

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

In addition to the items previously discussed and common
building supplies and hobby tools, following is a list of the
items required to assemble the Yard Stik.

Great Planes

Pro™CA is recommended.

❏ 1/2" [13mm] double-sided foam tape (GPMQ4440)
❏ 1/2 oz. [15g] Thin Pro CA (GPMR6001)
❏ 1/2 oz. [15g] Medium Pro CA+ (GPMR6007)
❏ #1 Hobby knife (HCAR0105)
❏ #11 blades (5-pack, HCAR0211)
❏ medium-grit sandpaper
❏ Propeller balancer (TOPQ5700) (Balancing propellers

on Park Flyers is important as it will increase efficiency
and improve performance and extend run time.)

❏ CA applicator tips (HCAR3780)
❏ Single-edge razor blade
❏ 2 oz. [57g] spray CA activator (GPMR6035)
❏ APC 11 x 4.7 Slo-Flyer propeller for more performance

outdoors (APCQ5020)

❏ APC 9 x 4.7 Slo-Flyer propeller for better indoor flying

(APCQ5010)

Optional Items

Building Supplies

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

Charger

Battery

4

To order replacement parts for the Yard Stik, use the order numbers in the Replacement Parts List that follows.
Replacement parts are available only as listed.Not all parts are available separately. Replacement parts are not available
from Product Support, but can be purchased from hobby shops or mail order/Internet order firms. If you need assistance
locating a dealer to purchase parts, visit www.greatplanes.com and click on “Where to Buy.” If this kit is missing par ts,
contact Great Planes Product Support.

Replacement Parts List

Order Number Description How to Purchase

Missing pieces ................................................Contact Product Support

Instruction manual...........................................Contact Product Support

Full-size plans.................................................Not available

Kit parts listed below .......................................Hobby Supplier

GPMA2434 ...........Wing Set

GPMA2435 ...........Fuselage Boom

GPMA2436 ...........Tail Set

GPMA2437 ...........Plastic Set

GPMA2438 ...........Landing Gear

GPMA2439 ...........Decal

GPMQ1650 ...........10 x 4.7 Propeller

ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS

5

0" 1" 2" 3" 4" 5" 6" 7"

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

Inch Scale

Metric Scale

To convert inches to millimeters, multiply inches by 25.4

1 Wings
2 Stabilizer w/Elevator
3 Fin w/Rudder
4 Motor

5 Gearbox
6 Wheels
7 Motor Mounting Straps (F & R)
8 Wing Mounts

9 Control Horns
10 Tail Wire Mount
11 Main Landing Gear Wire
12 Tail Wire

13 Battery Holder Mounts
14 Battery Holder
15 Pushrod Wires
16 Fuselage Boom

Pinion Gear
Gear Cement
Prop Adapter

Propeller
(2) Control Horn Retainers
(2) Pushrod Retainers

(2) #2 x 1/2" Screws
(2) Wheel Retainers
Decal Sheet

Kit Contents (Photographed)

Kit Contents (Not Photographed)

Before starting to build, use the Kit Contents list to 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 Great Planes Product Support. When reporting defective or missing parts, use
the part names exactly as they are written in the Kit Contents list on this page.

3002 N. Apollo Drive, Suite 1

Champaign, IL 61822

Telephone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

KIT INSPECTION

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