Great Planes GPMA1153 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 assemb ly, 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 buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product,the buyer is advised to return this kit immediatel y 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 eva luated as quickly as possible.

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

GPMZ0252 for GPMA1153 V1.0 Entire Contents © Copyright 2004

Champaign, IL

[phone], Ext. 5

[e-mail]

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Wingspan: 41 in [1040mm]
Wing Area: 269 sq in [17.4 dm

2

]

Weight: 10 oz [285g]
Wing Loading: 7.5 oz/sq ft [23 g/dm

2

]

Length: 29.5 in [750mm]
Radio: 3-channel with 2 sub-micro servos
Motor: T-280-size with 3.5:1 gear box
Motor Battery: 9.6V – 650 mAh

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

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

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

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

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

Battery Selection.........................................................................3

Chargers......................................................................................4

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

Adhesives & Building Supplies....................................................4

Optional Supplies & Tools ...........................................................4

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

COMMON ABBREVIATIONS.............................................................5

ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS ...............................................5

KIT CONTENTS .................................................................................6

METRIC/INCH RULER.......................................................................6

BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS...............................................................7

Preparations................................................................................7

Join the Wing...............................................................................7

Install the Landing Gear..............................................................7

Install the Tail Skid & Wing Braces..............................................8

Assemble the Tail........................................................................9

Install the Windscreen ...............................................................10

Pushrod Installation...................................................................10

Mount the Servos......................................................................10

Mount the Motor........................................................................11

Install the Cowl ..........................................................................11

Optional: Install the Wing Struts................................................11

GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY ..................................................12

Final Radio Hook Up.................................................................12

Check the Control Directions ....................................................13

Set the Control Throws..............................................................13

Propeller Installation..................................................................14

Balance the Model (C.G.)..........................................................14

Balance the Model Laterally......................................................14

PREFLIGHT......................................................................................15

Identify Y our Model....................................................................15

Charge the Batteries.................................................................15

Balance the Propellers..............................................................15

Ground Check...........................................................................15

Range Check.............................................................................15

Mount the Wing.........................................................................15

MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ..................................................16

AMA SAFETY CODE (excerpt).......................................................16

General......................................................................................16

Radio Control ............................................................................16

CHECK LIST ....................................................................................17

FLYING .............................................................................................17

Takeoff.......................................................................................17

Flight..........................................................................................17

Landing......................................................................................18

The Mini Cub ARF is a true park flyer, able to fly in small
areas (but not intended for indoor settings). It is a great
second airplane, with 6+ minutes of flight time on the stock
motor package recommended, and climbs with authority to
do mild aerobatics such as loops and stall turns.

For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to the
Great Planes Mini Cub ARF, visit the Great Planes web site

at

www.greatplanes.com

. Open the “Airplanes” link, and
then select the Great Planes Mini Cub 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.

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.F ailure to comply with
the

AMA 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 countr y.Contact the
AMA at the address or toll-free phone number below:

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

CAUTION: Be aware that the Mini Cub ARF is operated
on the same frequency band as larger, “regular” R/C
models. If flying your Mini Cub ARF within 5 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 the potential for property
damage or injury.) The best thing to do is to join an R/C
club and fly at the site where frequency control measures
will be in effect. If you insist on flying elsewhere

always be aware of your proximity to R/C fl ying sites.

PRO TECT YOUR MODEL,Y OURSELF

& OTHERS...FOLLOW THESE

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Academy of Model Aeronautics

5151 East Memorial Drive

Muncie, IN 47302

Tele: [phone]

Fax [phone]

Or via the Internet at:

http://www.modelaircraft.org

AMA

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

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 Mini Cub ARF is small, lightweight and
flies slowly, if it is not assembled and operated correctly, it
could possibly cause injury to yourself or spectators and
property damage.

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.

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; a correctly sized motor and components (servos,
battery, etc...) throughout the building process; and a micro
speed control capable of handling 5 Amps.

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

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.

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

This is a partial list of items required to finish the Great
Planes Mini Cub ARF that may require planning or decision
making before starting to build.Order numbers are provided
in parentheses.

The Mini Cub ARF requires a micro receiver and two Nano
servos. Futaba®S3107 (FUTM0037) or Hobbico®CS-5
(HCAM0090) micro servos are suitable. A 3-channel radio
is also required. The Great Planes C-5 (GPMM2000) hi­frequency speed control is required.

There are mainly two kinds of battery packs used for
electric R/C models; nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) packs and
nickel-cadmium (NiCd, pronounced ny-cad) packs. NiMH
batteries are recommended for the Mini Cub ARF because
they provide nearly twice the capacity of a NiCd for their
size.However, it should be noted that nickel-metal hydrides
cannot be charged as fast as NiCds.

Each individual cell that makes up a battery is 1.2 volts.
Simply stated, a volt is the amount of power a battery pack
can deliver (a 6-cell battery pack is 7.2 volts). Batteries are
also rated by their capacity in mAh (milli-Amp-hours), or how
much energy they store. A 550 mAh battery can supply 1
Ampere for .55 hours (about 30 minutes).A 1200 mAh battery
pack is about twice the size of a 550 mAh battery pack.

The battery pack recommended for the Mini Cub ARF:

• GPMP0072 8-cell 9.6V 2/3AA 650 NiMH

Battery Selection

Radio Equipment

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE

Note: 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.

3

Note:

Depending on battery choice, you may have to
remove the cross brace in the battery compartment to allow
the battery pack to fit. This does not adversely affect the
performance of the Mini Cub ARF.

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
nickel-metal hydride batteries, NiCds and transmitter
battery packs.

If you have another type of charger that is not a peak charger,
you will have to calculate the length of time it takes to charge
the batteries yourself, then turn the charger off when the
batteries are fully charged. Overcharging the batteries can
damage them. Before you can calculate the time it takes to
charge a battery pack, you first must know the charge rate you
are going to use. Nickel-metal hydrides must be charged at a
rate of no more than 1/10 of their capacity. For the 650 mAh
batteries recommended for the Mini Cub ARF this would be a
charge rate of approximately 65 mAh. Divide the capacity of
the battery pack by the charge rate to calculate the charge
time. A discharged 650 mAh battery pack charged at 0.65
mAh will take 10 hours to charge.

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

A Great Planes ElectriFly DC Peak 400 Charger
(GPMM3001) is also suitable for charging the battery packs
used in the Mini Cub ARF.

Note: The period required to charge the battery in the
example is for a fully discharged battery. If the battery you
are going to charge is not discharged (and you are not
using a peak-charger), connect it to the motor on your
model.Run the motor until the auto cutoff on the ESC stops
the motor.

In addition to common household tools and hobby tools, this
is the “short list” of the most important items required to
build the Mini Cub ARF.

Great Planes Pro™CA and Epoxy

glue are recommended.

❏ Hobby knife (HCAR0105)
❏ #11 blades (HCAR0211)

❏ Small T-pins (HCAR5100)
❏ Electric drill and 1/16" [1.6mm] drill bit
❏ Small Phillips and flat blade screwdrivers
❏ Pliers with wire cutter (HCAR0630)
❏ 1/2 oz.Thin Pro CA (GPMR6001)
❏ 6-Minute Epoxy (GPMR6045)
❏ 30-Minute Epoxy (GPMR6047)
❏ R/C-56 Canopy glue (JOZR5007)
❏ Non-elastic monofilament or Kevlar

®

fishing line (for

stab alignment)

❏ Builder’s Tr iangle Set (HCAR0480) (for fin alignment)
❏ Thread Locking Compound

Here is a list of optional tools mentioned in the manual that
will help you build the Mini Cub ARF.

❏ Great Planes CG Machine

™

(GPMR2400)

❏ Straightedge with scale (HCAR0475)
❏ Top Flite

®

MonoKote®sealing iron (TOPR2100)

❏ Top Flite MonoKote trim seal iron (TOPR2200)
❏ Masking tape (TOPR8018)
❏ CA accelerator (GPMR6034)
❏ Mixing sticks (GPMR8055)
❏ Denatured alcohol (for epoxy clean up)
❏ Curved-tip canopy scissors (HCAR0667)
❏ Clear packing tape

• 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 necessar y for the best fit.

• Whenever the term

glue

is written you should rely upon
your experience to decide what type of glue to use.When a
specific type of adhesive works best for that step, the
instructions will make a recommendation.

• Whenever just

epoxy

is specified you may use either
30-minute (or 45-minute) epoxy or 6-minute epoxy. When
30-minute epoxy is specified it is highly recommended that
you use only 30-minute (or 45-minute) epoxy, because you
will need the working time and/or the additional strength.

•

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 Mini Cub ARF is factory-covered with Top Flite
MonoKote film. Should repairs ever be required, MonoKote
film can be patched with additional MonoKote film purchased
separately. MonoKote film is packaged in six-foot rolls, but

IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES

Optional Supplies & Tools

Adhesives & Building Supplies

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

Chargers

4

some hobby shops also sell it by the f oot.If only a small piece
of MonoKote film is needed f or a minor patch, perhaps a fellow
modeler would give you some. MonoKote film is applied with
a model airplane covering iron, but in an emergency a regular
clothing iron could be used. A roll of MonoKote film includes
full instructions for application. Following is the color used on
this model and the order number for a six foot roll.

Cub Yellow – TOPQ0220

• The stabilizer and wing incidences and motor thrust
angles have been f actory-built into this model.Howe ver, 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.

Fuse = Fuselage

Stab = Horizontal Stabilizer

Fin = Vertical Fin

LE = Leading Edge
TE = Trailing Edge

LG = Landing Gear

" = Inches

mm = millimeters

COMMON ABBREVIATIONS

5

Replacement parts for the Great Planes Mini Cub ARF are available using the order numbers in the Replacement Parts List that
follows.The fastest, most economical service can be provided by your hobby dealer or mail-order company. Parts may also be ordered
directly from Hobby Services, but full retail prices and shipping and handling charges will apply. Illinois and Nevada residents will also
be charged sales tax.

To locate a hobby dealer, visit the Hobbico web site at

www

.hobbico.com

. Choose “Where to Buy” at the bottom of the menu on
the left side of the page.Follow the instructions provided on the page to locate a U .S., Canadian or International dealer.If a hobby shop
is not available, replacement parts may also be ordered from Tower Hobbies at

www

.towerhobbies.com

, or by calling toll free
[phone], or from Hobby Services by calling [phone], or via facsimile at [phone].If ordering via fax, include a Visa
or MasterCard number and expiration date for payment.

Mail parts orders and payments by personal check or money order to:Hobby Services, 3002 N Apollo Drive, Suite 1, Champaign, IL, 61822
Be certain to specify the order number exactly as listed in the Replacement Parts List. Payment by credit card or personal check

only; no C.O.D.

If additional assistance is required for any reason, contact Product Support by e-mail at

[e-mail]

, or by

telephone at [phone].

Replacement Parts List

Order Number

Description How to Purchase

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

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

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

GPMA2640 Wing Set
GPMA2641 Fuselage
GPMA2642 Tail Set
GPMA2643 Cowl
GPMA2644 Windscreen
GPMA2645 Landing Gear
GPMA2646 Gear Drive
GPMA2647 Speed Control
GPMA2648 Motor
GPMA2649 Propeller

ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS

................

Contact Your Hobby
Supplier to Purchase
These Items

6

Kit Contents

1. L and R Wing Panels

2. Fuselage

3. Stab and Elevator

4. Fin and Rudder

5. Landing Gear

6. Wheels (2)

7. Propeller

8. Cowl

9. Motor

10. Hardware Bag

11. Parts Bag

12. Servo Tray

13. Pushrods (2)

Kit Contents (not photographed)

(1) Tail Skid
(2) Wing Dowel Rods
(2) Nylon Control Horns with Back Plates
(4) 2 x 10mm Machine Screws
(1) Wooden Landing Gear Brace
(4) 2 x 5mm Washer Head Self- Tapping Screws
(1) 2 x 8mm Washer Head Self- Tapping Screw
(1) Battery Cover Latch
(2) 2 x 6mm Round Head Self-Tapping Screws
(2) Knurled Nuts

(2) Quick Connect Posts
(2) 2.8 x 5mm Machine Screws
(1) Electronic Speed Control
(2) Nylon Tie Straps

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
Great Planes Product Support. When repor ting defective or missing parts, use the part names exactly as they are written in
the Kit Contents list on this page.

Great Planes Product Support:

Telephone: [phone], ext. 5

Fax: [phone]

E-mail:

[e-mail]

KIT CONTENTS

To convert inches to millimeters, multiply inches by 25.4

1

1

2

4

5

7

8

3

11

10

13

6

9

12