Great Planes GPMA1105 User Manual
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Wing Span - 39.5 in
Wing Area - 288 sq in
Weight - 13 oz
Wing Loading - 6.5 oz/sq ft
Fuse Length - 26 in
™
GPMZ0204 for GPMA1105 V1.0© Copyright 2000
™
IN
E
D
A
M
USA
2
WARRANTY
Great Planes®Model Manufacturing Co. guarantees this kit to be free from defects in both material and workmanship at the date of
purchase. This warranty does not cover any component parts damaged by use or modification. In no case shall Great Planes' liability
exceed the original cost of the purchased kit. Further, Great Planes reserves the right to change or modify this warranty without
notice.
In that Great Planes has no control over the final assembly or material used for final assembly, no liability shall be assumed nor
accepted for any damage resulting from the use by the user of the final user-assembled product. By the act of using the userassembled 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.
GREAT PLANES MODEL MANUFACTURING COMPANY
P.O. Box 788
Urbana, IL 61803
(217) 398-8970
WWW.GREATPLANES.COM
READ THROUGH THIS MANUAL BEFORE STARTING CONSTRUCTION. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT
INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY AND USE OF THIS MODEL.
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................3
PRECAUTIONS.........................................................................................3
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED.............................................................5
Flight Equipment................................................................................5
Building Supplies ...............................................................................6
METRIC CONVERSIONS .........................................................................6
METRIC/INCH RULER..............................................................................7
PARTS DRAWINGS.........................................................................7 to 10
IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES ............................................................11
ASSEMBLY .............................................................................................11
Assemble the Tail Surfaces..............................................................11
Assemble the Battery Holder...........................................................14
Assemble the Fuselage ...................................................................15
Install the Servos .............................................................................18
Assemble the Wing..........................................................................19
Hook Up the Controls ......................................................................21
Mount the Motor ..............................................................................23
Final Assembly ................................................................................26
PREPARE THE MODEL FOR FLYING ...................................................28
Set the Control Throws....................................................................28
Balance the Model (C.G.) ................................................................29
Identify Your Model ..........................................................................31
Charge the Transmitter Batteries .....................................................31
Ground Inspection ...........................................................................31
Range Check ...................................................................................31
Performance Tips.............................................................................31
Motor Safety Precautions ................................................................32
AMA SAFETY CODE ..............................................................................32
FIND A SAFE PLACE TO FLY ................................................................33
FLYING ....................................................................................................34
Takeoff .............................................................................................34
Flight ................................................................................................35
Landing ............................................................................................35
ROG (Rise Off Ground ) Takeoff .....................................................36
Thank you for purchasing the Great Planes Escapade. The
Escapade is a lightweight, slow-flying
Park Flyer
that can be
flown just about anywhere there is an open area clear of
obstacles. Since the Escapade is constructed mostly of
molded plastic foam, it is durable and does not require the
application of film coverings used on wood models. And
since the Escapade features tricycle landing gear, ROG
(rise off ground) takeoffs from smooth surfaces are a snap.
1. Although the Escapade is a slow-flying electric powered
model, just the same as any R/C plane, it should still be
flown with care. Even while gliding with the motor off the
Escapade could possibly cause injury to yourself or
spectators and damage property.
PROTECT YOUR MODEL,YOURSELF
& OTHERS...FOLLOW THESE
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
INTRODUCTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3
2. You must assemble the Escapade according to the
instructions. Modifications may reduce performance. In
cases where the instructions differ from the photos, the
written instructions are correct.
3. You must use an R/C radio system that is reliable and in
good condition. You must properly install all components so
that the model operates correctly on the ground and in
the air.
4. You must check the operation of the model before every
flight to insure that all equipment is operating and that the
model has remained structurally sound.
Remember: Take your time and follow the instructions
to end up with a well-built model that is straight and
true.
Before starting to build, compare the parts in this kit
with the Parts List, and note any missing parts. Also
inspect all parts to make sure they are of acceptable
quality. If any parts are missing, broken or defective, or
if you have any questions about building or flying this
airplane, please call us at (217) 398-8970, or e-mail us at
productsupport@greatplanes.com. If you are
contacting
us for replacement parts, please be sure to provide the
full kit name (Great Planes Escapade) and the part
numbers as listed in the Parts List.
You can also check our web site at
www.greatplanes.com
for the latest Escapade updates.
To make your R/C modeling experience totally enjoyable, if
this is your first R/C model, we recommend that you get the
assistance of an experienced pilot. If you're not currently a
member of an R/C club, your local hobby shop has
information about clubs in your area whose membership
includes experienced pilots.
If you're not already an Academy of Model Aeronautics
(AMA) member, we strongly urge you to join. There are over
2,500 AMA chartered clubs across the country. Among
other benefits, the AMA provides insurance to its members
who fly at sanctioned sites and events. Additionally, training
programs and instructors are available at AMA club sites to
We, as the kit manufacturer, provide you with a top
quality kit and 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.
4
help you get started the right way. 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
The Escapade requires a three-channel radio with two
micro servos, a receiver and a speed control. Hobbico®CS-5
Nano™servos (HCAM0090), the Hitec Feather receiver
(HRCL1535) and the Great Planes C-5 (GPMM2000) or
C-10 speed control (GPMM2010) are recommended. The
receiver comes without a crystal, which must be purchased
separately. The order number for the crystal is HRCL23**.
Substitute the “**” with the channel number you require. For
example, if the transmitter you plan to fly the Escapade with
is on channel 44, order receiver crystal HRCL2344.
Additionally, an 8-cell (7.2 volt) 150 to 350 mAh battery pack
(GPMP0050 – 150 mAh, shown in photo, GPMP0060 – 270
mAh, GPMP0070 – 350 mAh) and an APC 9 x 6 Slo-Flyer
propeller (APCQ5013) are required. For charging the
battery, the Great Planes ElectriFly Peak Charger
(GPMM3000) is recommended.
Flight Equipment
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED
5
In addition to common household tools, here is the list of
items used to build the Escapade.
❏ 30-minute epoxy (GPMR6047)
❏ 1/2 oz. Medium CA+ (GPMR6007)
❏ Hobby knife (HCAR0105)
❏ #11 blades (HCAR0211)
❏ Builder's triangle (HCAR0480)
❏ Drill and 1/16" drill bit
❏ Cellophane tape (for hinging elevator and rudder)
❏ Double-sided foam tape (GPMQ4440) for mounting
receiver and speed control
❏ Sandpaper and sanding block
❏ Soldering iron and electrical solder
❏ Modeling paint and paintbrush for painting pilot
(optional)
❏ Small Phillips screwdriver (#1)
❏ Small T-pins (HCAR5100) or craft pins
Building Supplies
6
1/64" = .4mm
1/32" = .8mm
1/16" = 1.6mm
3/32" = 2.4mm
1/8" = 3.2mm
5/32" = 4mm
3/16" = 4.8mm
1/4" = 6.4mm
3/8" = 9.5mm
1/2" = 12.7mm
5/8" = 15.9mm
3/4" = 19mm
1" = 25.4mm
2" = 50.8mm
3" = 76.2mm
6" = 152.4mm
12" = 304.8mm
15" = 381mm
18" = 457.2mm
21" = 533.4mm
24" = 609.6mm
30" = 762mm
36" = 914.4mm
Metric Conversions
To convert inches to millimeters, multiply inches by 25.4
7
Inch Scale
#22 Crutch
PARTS DRAWINGS (not actual size)
3/32" Balsa
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
Metric Scale
8
Optional Wing Struts (material not included, see page 21)
#14 Servo Trays (2)
Battery Holder Parts:
#17
#18
#19
#20 (2)
#21
Battery Holder Cover Parts:
#15
#16
3/32" Balsa
9
#6 Wing Braces (2)
#7 (2)
#8 Tab
3/32" Plywood
#1 Landing Gear Former
#2 Firewall
#3 Front Former
#4 (2)
#5 Retainer
1/32" Plywood
10
#9 Tail Struts (2)
#10 Doublers (2)
#11Control Horns (2)
#12 Spacers (2)
1/16" Balsa
#13 Wing Struts (4)
#23 Clear Plastic
Windscreen
1/32" Plywood
• Since the Escapade is made mostly of foam, and since CA
adhesives commonly used to build R/C model airplanes
dissolve foam, CA should not be used when gluing foam
parts. Therefore, 30-minute epoxy, which is compatible with
foam, is used for most of the construction. Unless otherwise
specified in the instructions, 30-minute epoxy is to be used
for gluing all parts of the model together. There are a few
instances where CA may be used for gluing wood to wood.
• For the strongest bond apply epoxy to both parts being
joined.
• Before beginning construction, refer to the parts drawings
and use a ballpoint pen to write the part number on all the
wood parts. ❏ 1. Using the precut lines as a guide, use a sharp hobby
knife to cut the rudder from the fin and the elevator from
the stabilizer (stab).
Assemble the Tail Surfaces
ASSEMBLYIMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES
11
❏ 2. Sand a bevel to the bottom of the leading edge of the
elevator. The elevator is upside-down when the slot for the
control horn is on the left side.
❏ 3. Lay the stab and elevator on your workbench with the
slot in the elevator on the right side. Be certain there is a
1/16" gap between the elevator and the stab. Use one piece
of cellophane tape on the top to join the elevator to the stab.
❏ 4. Sand a bevel to one side of the rudder (it doesn't
matter which side), then use cellophane tape to join the
rudder to the fin just the same as you joined the elevator to
the stab.
❏ 5. Use a hobby knife to carefully widen the slot in the
rudder and the elevator for the 1/32" plywood control horns
(11). Only a small sliver of foam is to be removed.
12
Loading...