Great Planes GPMA1131 User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Wingspan: 32 in [820mm]
Length: 36.5 in [920mm]
Wing Area: 270 in2 [17.4dm2]
Weight: 5.5 – 6.7oz [155-190 g]
Wing Loading: 2.9-3.5 oz/sq ft [9-11 g/dm2]
Motor: RimFire 250 (28-23-1750) or RimFire 300 (28-22-1380) brushless out-runner motor with Silver Series 8A ESC.
Radio: 4 channel transmitter, 3 micro servos

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.

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

Hobby Services

3002 N. Apollo Dr., Suite 1

Champaign, IL 61822 USA

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.

READ THROUGH THIS MANUAL BEFORE STARTING CONSTRUCTION. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS

AND WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY AND USE OF THIS MODEL.

Champaign, Illinois

[phone], Ext 5

[e-mail]

Entire Contents © Copyright 2008 GPMA1131 Mnl 1.0

TABLE OF CONTENTS

AMA

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charger ....................................3

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

Required Hardware and Accessories .............4

Adhesives and Building Supplies.................4

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

IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES....................4

KIT INSPECTION................................4

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

PREPARATIONS ................................6

BUILD THE FUSELAGE ..........................6

INSTALL THE SERVOS AND PUSHRODS ...........11

INSTALLING THE MOTOR AND RADIO GEAR .......16

GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY .................18

Check the Control Directions ...................18

Set the Control Throws........................18

Balance the Model (C.G.)......................19

PREFLIGHT ...................................19

Identify Your Model...........................19

Charge the Batteries .........................19

Balance Propellers...........................20

Range Check ...............................20

MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS .................20

AMA SAFETY CODE (excerpts)...................21

General ...................................21

Radio Control ...............................21

CHECK LIST ..................................21

FLYING.......................................22

Takeoff ....................................22

Flight .....................................22

Landing ...................................22

We urge you to join the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics)
and a local R/C club. The AMA is the governing body of model
aviation and membership is required to fly at AMA clubs.
Though joining the AMA provides many benefits, one of the
primary reasons to join is liability protection. Coverage is not
limited to flying at contests or on the club field. It even applies
to flying 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 country. 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

IMPORTANT!!!

Two of the most important things you can do to preserve the
radio controlled aircraft hobby are to avoid flying near full­scale aircraft and avoid flying near or over groups of people.

PROTECT YOUR MODEL, YOURSELF

& OTHERS.....FOLLOW THESE

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

1. Your Yak 54 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 Yak 54, if not assembled and operated correctly, could
possibly cause injury to yourself or spectators and damage
to property.

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of the Great Planes Yak
54 3D Indoor EP ARF! This Yak 54 is a great flying model
and is suitable for both indoor and calm day outdoor flying.
It’s capable of the most extreme 3D maneuvers, but is still a
very precise and durable airplane.

For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to the
Yak 54 3D Indoor EP ARF visit the Great Planes web site
at www.greatplanes.com. Open the “Airplanes” link, then
select the Yak 54 3D Indoor EP 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.

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

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

4. You must use an R/C radio system that is in first-class
condition, and a correctly sized motor and components
(battery, wheels, etc.) 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.

2

6. 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. 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 flown
this type of model before, we recommend that you get the
assistance of an experienced pilot in your R/C club for
your first flights. 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.

Versatile Setup

3 Futaba

o

(FU TM0414)

Futaba

o

Receiver (FUTL7627)

®

S3114 Micro High Torque Servo

®

R617FS 7-Channel 2.4GHz FASST

Power System Recommendations

8. While this kit has been flight tested to exceed normal use,
if the plane will be used for extremely high stress flying, such
as racing, or if a motor 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.

We, as the kit manufacturer, provide you with a top quality,
thoroughly tested 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.

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

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE

This is a partial list of items required to finish the Yak 54
3D Indoor EP ARF that may require planning or decision
making before starting to build. Order numbers are provided
in parentheses.

Radio Equipment

The Yak 54 3D Indoor EP ARF requires a minimum 4-channel
radio system with three micro servos having a rating of at
least 20 oz-in [1.5 kg-cm].

In addition, a micro receiver will also be needed. Two different
radio setups have been provided below. The lightweight
setup utilizes micro Futaba servo connectors. The versatile
setup utilizes standard Futaba servo connectors. The part
numbers are also provided below:

Lightweight Setup

o

o

OR

3 Futaba

Micro Plug (FUTM0704)

Futaba

(FUTL7626)

®

S3114M Micro High Torque Servo w/

®

R616FFM FASST Micro Receiver

The recommended motor size for the Yak 54 is the RimFire
250 (28-23-1750) brushless out-runner motor. The RimFire
300 (28-22-1380) brushless motor would also be a good
choice, if you are planning to fly the Yak 54 outdoors.

Great Planes Silver Series 8A Brushless ESC 5V/

o

BEC (GPMM1840)

Great Planes RimFire 250 (28-23-1750) Brushless

o

Out-runner Motor (GPMG4502)

Great Planes ElectriFly

o

Competition BP Series (GPMP0700)

OR

Great Planes RimFire 300 (28-22-1380) Brushless

o

Out-runner Motor (GPMG4505)

Great Planes ElectriFly

o

Competition BP Series (GPMP0701)

™

LiPo 7.4V 300mAh 20C

™

LiPo 11.1V 300mAh 20C

Charger

A LiPo compatable charger is required to charge LiPo
batteries. The Great Planes PolyCharge4
LiPo packs only; however, it is able to charge four LiPo packs
simultaneously. The Great Planes Triton2
charge one pack at a time, but is capable of charging NiCd,
NiMH, Pb acid, and LiPo batteries. Order numbers for both
are provided below:

Great Planes PolyCharge4

o

Charger (GPMM3015)

OR

Great Planes ElectriFly Triton2

o

Charger (GPMM3153)

Throughout the life of a LiPo battery, the individual cells
located inside the battery may become unbalanced. These
unbalanced cells can shorten the life of the battery or cause
it to malfunction. For this reason, it is always recommended
that a cell balancer be used when charging LiPo batteries.
The Electrifly Equinox
with any LiPo charger and is capable of maintaining the cell
balance of the battery.

Great Planes ElectriFly

o

1-5 (GPMM3160)

3

™

is a cell balancer that may be used

™

DC Only 4 Output LiPo

™

Equinox LiPo Cell Balancer

™

is designed for

™

charger will only

™

DC Comp Peak

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES

Required Hardware and Accessories

This is a partial list of the hardware and accessories
required to finish the Yak 54. Order numbers are provided
in parentheses:

Adhesives and Building Supplies

This is the list of Adhesives and Building Supplies that are
required to finish the Yak 54:

Foam Safe CA+ Medium Glue 2oz (GPMR6070)

o

2 oz spray CA activator (GPMR6035)

o

8 oz Foam Safe Activator Refill 8oz (GPMR6036)

o

Masking tape (TOPR8018)

o

#1 Hobby knife (HCAR0105)

o

#11 blades (5-pack, HCAR0211)

o

Hobbico Soldering Iron 30 Watt (HCAR0775)

o

• Self-tapping screws are designated by

a number and a length. For example,
#6 x 3/4" [19mm].

• When you see the term test fit in the instructions,

it means that you should first position the part on the
assembly without using any glue, then slightly modify
or custom fit the part as necessary for the best fit.

• Whenever the term glue is written you should use foam

safe CA glue.

• 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 motor 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 fly,
please expect slight deviations between your model and
the published values.

Optional Supplies and Tools

Here is a list of optional tools that will help you build
the Yak 54:

Threadlocker thread locking cement (GPMR6060)

o

CA applicator tips (HCAR3780)

o

CA debonder (GPMR6039)

o

Pliers with wire cutter (HCAR0630)

o

Hobbico Duster

o

Precision Magnetic Prop Balancer (TOPQ5700)

o

Hobbico Flexible 18" Ruler Stainless Steel

o

(HCAR0460)

Hobbico Pin Vise 1/16 Collet w/6 Bits (HCAR0696)

o

Great Planes Pro

o

X-Acto

o

®

Extra Hands Double Clip (XACR4214)

™

can of compressed air (HCAR5500)

™

CA Glue Thin 1oz (GPMR6002)

KIT INSPECTION

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: [phone], ext. 5
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

4

KIT CONTENTS

1

2

4

3

1. Vertical fuselage and rudder

2. Fuselage stringers

3. Landing gear assembly

5

Kit Contents

4. Aft horizontal fuselage

5. Forward horizontal fuselage and wing

To convert inches to millimeters, multiply inches by 25.4 (25.4mm = 1")

5

PREPARATION S

1. If you have not done so already, remove the major parts

o 

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 4.

BUILD THE FUSELAGE

1. Locate the two ABS landing gear stiffeners. Glue a

o 

landing gear stiffener to each side of the fuselage in the
location shown.

3. Key the rear of the horizontal fuselage into the

o 

vertical fuselage. Then key the wing portion into the
vertical fuselage.

2. Remove the twelve fuselage alignment jig pieces from

o 

their surrounding foam. Note: These pieces are labeled
1,2,3,4,6, and W. There are no pieces labeled 5.

6

4. On a flat, level work surface, place the base sections

o 

of alignment jig pieces number 1,3, and 4 underneath the
fuselage in the locations shown.

5. Test fit the top sections of the alignment jig pieces onto

o 

their corresponding bases. Install the motor mount onto the
front of the firewall, but DO NOT glue it in place at this time.
Connect the top portions of the jig pieces to their bases by
applying a small amount of foam safe CA glue to the tabs
that overlap. Be very careful to not glue the jig pieces to

the fuselage.

7

6. Place the base section of jig piece 2 under the wing, and

o 

place base jig piece 6 under the horizontal stabilizer. Slide
the corresponding top sections over the fuse, as pictured.

8. Apply a thin bead of foam safe CA glue to the

o 

opposite side of the fuselage, and to the seam behind the
wing. Activate this CA and allow a few moments for the
glue to cure.

9. Once the glue has cured, gently turn the Yak over and

o 

apply glue to the underside fuselage seams.

7. Glue the two fuselage pieces together by gently sliding

o 

the vertical fuselage and applying foam safe CA glue to the
seam between the two fuselage pieces. Be very careful when
gluing around the jig pieces. DO NOT glue the jig pieces to
the fuselage. Apply some foam safe accelerator to the seam,
and allow a few moments for the glue to cure.

8