Great Planes GPMA1132 User Manual

Model Manufacturing Co.

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INSTRUCTION MANUAL

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Wingspan: 40 in [1015mm]
Wing Area: 406 sq in [26.2 dm2]
Weight: 14.5 – 16.0 oz. [410 – 450g]
Wing Loading: 5.2 – 5.7 oz/sq ft

Length: 41 in [1040mm]
Radio: 4-Channel
Motor: RimFire™ 400 (28-30-950kV)

[15.9 – 17.4 g/dm2]

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 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 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

uarantees this kit t

READ THROUGH THIS MANUAL BEFORE STARTING CONSTRUCTION. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT

INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY AND USE OF THIS MODEL.

this kit immediately in new and unused condition to the place

s 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.

Entire Contents © Copyright 2009

Champaign, Illinois

[phone], Ext 5

[e-mail]

GPMA1132Mnl1.0

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

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

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

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

Motor Battery Recommendations ..............................3

Radio Recommendations ........................................... 3

Motor Recommendations ........................................... 3

ADHESIVES & BUILDING SUPPLIES REQUIRED ......... 3

IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES ...................................... 3

KIT INSPECTION .............................................................. 3

INSTALL THE WING ......................................................... 4

INSTALL THE STABILIZER .............................................. 5

RADIO INSTALLATION ....................................................6

INSTALL THE MAIN LANDING GEAR ............................. 7

MOTOR INSTALLATION ................................................... 8

GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY ................................... 9

Check the Control Directions ..................................... 9

Set the Control Throws .............................................. 9

Balance the Model (C.G.).........................................10

Balance the Model Laterally ..................................... 11

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

Identify Your Model ................................................... 11

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

Balance Propellers ................................................... 11

Ground Check and Range Check ............................ 11

MOTOR AND BATTERY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ....... 12

AMA SAFETY CODE ...................................................... 12

CHECK LIST ................................................................... 12

FLYING ............................................................................ 13

Takeoff ..................................................................... 13

Flight ........................................................................ 13

Landing .................................................................... 13

AMA

If you are not already a member of the AMA, please join! The
AMA is the governing body of model aviation and membership
provides liability insurance coverage, protects modelers’ rights
and interests and is required to fl y at most R/C sites. The AMA
has two classes of membership available: Open membership
or their Park Pilot Program, which this aircraft qualifi es for.
The Park Pilot Program is for people fl ying electric aircraft and
gliders under two pounds and which fl y slower than 60mph.
This will enable you to enjoy most AMA benefi ts and organize
clubs and fl ying sites in more congested areas.

ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS

5151 East Mem orial Dr ive

Muncie, IN 47302-9252

Tele. [phone]

Fax [phone]

Or via the Internet at:

http://www.modelaircraft.org

http://www.modelaircraft.org/parkfl yer.aspx

IMPORTANT!!! Two 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.

The indoor 3D fl ying craze started with fl at foamies, which
helped get many modelers started in indoor fl ying. The new
trend is larger, airfoil shaped wings with thick, light fuselages.
The Silhouette 3D ARF continues to push the boundaries of
indoor foam planes. The Silhouette 3D ARF is capable of most
3D maneuvers that a fl at foamy can perform, but presents
itself much better. Once you have fl own the Silhouette 3D
ARF you may never go back to a fl at foamy.

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

PROTECT YOUR MODEL, YOURSELF

& OTHERS...FOLLOW THESE

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

1. Your Silhouette 3D 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 Silhouette 3D ARF, if not assembled and
operated correctly, could possibly cause injury to yourself or
spectators and damage to property.

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 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.

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

4. You must use an R/C radio system that is in good condition,
a correctly sized motor, and other components as specifi ed
in this instruction manual. All components must be correctly
installed so that the model operates correctly on the ground
and in the air. You must check the operation of the model and
all components before every fl ight.

5. 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.

6. Carefully read and follow all the instructions included with
your LiPo battery and battery charger. LiPo batteries are
not as forgiving as NiCd or NiMH batteries. Overcharging or
charging the LiPo battery at too high a current will damage
the battery and could damage property.

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We, as the kit manufacturer, provide 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.

Motor

❏ RimFire
❏ 12 amp Brushless ESC is recommended (GPMM1810)
❏ 11x3.8 Slo-Flyer Propeller (APCQ5017)

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400 (RimFire 28-30-950 GPMG4560)

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 fi nish the Silhouette
3D ARF that may require planning or decision making before
starting to build. Order numbers are provided in parentheses.

Motor Battery

For best fl ight performance a lightweight battery is
recommended. We recommend the Great Planes Power
Series 11.1 volt 640mAh 20C LiPo battery (GPMR0601).

Radio Equipment

❏ 4-channel radio system is required.
❏ (4) Futaba
❏ (1) 6" Y-harness (FUTM4130)
❏ (2) 150mm Slim Wire Servo Extensions (FUTM4506)
❏ (2) 300mm Slim Wire Servo Extensions (FUTM4507)

®

S3114 Micro High Torque servos (FUTM0414)

ADHESIVES & BUILDING

SUPPLIES REQUIRED

This is the list of Adhesives and Building Supplies that are
required to fi nish the Silhouette 3D ARF.

❏ UFO Foam-safe Thin CA 1oz. (HOTR1040)
❏ Great Planes Pro

(GPMR6069)

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Foam-safe Medium CA 1oz.

❏ CA Activator Foam-safe 2oz. pump (GPMR6035)
❏ #55 (3/64") drill bit
❏ Drill
❏ 36" (914mm) Ruler (HCAR0475)
❏ Hobby Knife with 5 blades (HCAR0101)
❏ Phillips head screw driver

IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES

• 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 fl y, please expect slight
deviations between your model and the published values.

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

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Product Support.

Great Planes Product Support

3002 N Apollo Drive, Suite 1

Champaign, IL 61822

Telephone: [phone], ext. 5

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

1. Fuselage

2. Wing

3. Horizontal Stab

4. Wheels (2)

5. Wheel Pants (2)

6. Main Landing Gear

INSTALL THE WING

Due to the radius of the leading edge of the wing and the material
used in construction of the wing, small cracks are not uncommon
and will not cause any undesirable fl ight characteristics.

❏ 1. Remove the battery hatch (canopy top) by carefully sliding

it forward until the tab at the aft end clears the fuselage top.

fuselage. If the wing is tight when sliding through the fuselage,
you may have to carefully work it back and forth. If it is still
too tight, lightly sanding the opening may be required. The
reason the wing slides in tightly is that the wing is tapered
and the center of the wing is slightly larger than the section
that is glued to the fuselage. So, do not sand the opening
too much or the wing will fi t loosely in the fuselage, requiring
excessive CA to fi ll the gap.

❏ 2. Then lift the battery hatch up and slide it out at the front.

❏ 3. Carefully insert the wing in the fuselage so that the

aileron servo openings are on the bottom. Make sure the
string coming out of the center of the wing is inside the

AA'

A = A'

❏ 4. Slide the wing forward and center the wing in the fuselage.

Measure the distance from the wing tips to the center of the
top of the fi n. Adjust the wing so that the distance is the
same. T-pins can be inserted in the trailing edge to help hold

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the wing in position. Use a square to check that the wing is
perpendicular to the fuselage. Since the fuselage is tapered,
make sure the gap is the same on both sides.

❏ 5. With the plane setting on your building table, apply a

bead of foam-safe thin CA along the top joint between the
fuselage and the wing. Once the CA has cured (do not use
CA activator yet), turn the plane over and again apply a bead
of foam-safe thin CA along the bottom joint.

❏ 6. Once the foam-safe thin CA has cured, apply a bead of

foam-safe medium CA along the joint where there is a gap
between the fuselage and the wing. Now use foam-safe CA
activator on the glue joints.

❏ 2. Insert the stab in the stab slot and center it side-to-side.

Measure the distance from the tip of the stab to the center
of the fuselage. Adjust the position of the stab until they are
equal. Also check that the stab is parallel with the wing when
viewed from the aft end. Use thin foam-safe CA to glue the
stab to the fuselage.

❏ 7. Bevel the ends of the two 3mm x 6mm x 290mm wing

reinforcement strips. Glue the strips to the underside of the
wing and fuselage joint.

INSTALL THE STABILIZER

❏ 1. Carefully insert the elevator in the stabilizer slot. Make

sure the counter balances are facing forward and the correct
side is up.

❏ 3. Cut two 170mm long pieces of clear tape for the elevator

hinges. Apply one of the pieces of tape to the leading edge of
the left elevator half so that half of the tape is on the elevator.
Center the elevator on the stabilizer and with the elevator
hanging down, press the hinge tape onto the stabilizer.
Repeat the process on the right side.

❏ 4. Insert one of the plywood control horns in the slot in the

bottom of the elevator. Glue the control horn in the elevator
with foam-safe thin CA.

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