Great Planes GPMA1226 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-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.

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, the
modeler is responsible for taking steps to reinforce the high stress points.

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

GPMZ0227 for GPMA1225/1226 V1.0© Copyright 2000

P.O. Box 788 Urbana, IL 61803 [phone]

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

A. R. F.

Almost Ready to Fly

Important Safety Precautions .........................................2

Introduction ......................................................................2

Precautions.......................................................................2

Decisions You Must Make ...............................................3

Engine Selection..........................................................3

Preparations......................................................................3

Required Accessories ..................................................3

Building Supplies and Tools.........................................3

Optional Supplies Tools ...............................................3

General Inspection.......................................................3

Building Notes..............................................................3

Parts List......................................................................4

Metric Conversions ......................................................4

Wing Assembly.................................................................5

Wing Installation...............................................................7

Install the Tail Components.............................................8

Engine Installation .........................................................10

Prop and Spinner Installation........................................11

Mount the Landing Gear ................................................11

Radio Installation ...........................................................13

Throttle Pushrod Installation ........................................15

Fuel Tank Assembly and Installation ...........................15

Decal Application ...........................................................16

Control Throw Adjustment............................................16

Balance Your Model Laterally .......................................16

Balance Your Model (CG) ..............................................17

Preflight...........................................................................17

Charge the Batteries..................................................17

Balance the Propeller ................................................17

Find a Safe Place to Fly ............................................17

Ground Check the Model...........................................17

Range Check Your Radio ..........................................18

Engine Safety Precautions ........................................18

AMA Safety Precautions (excerpt) ...............................18

Flying...............................................................................19

Your Big Stik ARF is not a toy, but rather a very sophisticated,
working model that functions very much like a full-size
airplane. Because of its realistic performance, the Big Stik, if
not assembled and operated properly, could possibly cause
injury to yourself or spectators and damage property.

To make your R/C modeling experience totally enjoyable,
we recommend that you get experienced, knowledgeable
help from an instructor with assembly and during your first
flights. You'll learn faster and avoid risking your model
before you're truly ready to solo. Your local hobby shop has
information about flying clubs in your area whose members
include 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

The Great Planes Big Stik ARF is an aircraft that lets you
progress from your trainer aircraft into a model that is not
only a good choice for improving your flying skills but is also
a great high performance, aerobatic model.

This plane is a good choice for a second airplane or as an
aerobatic trainer. We are sure that you will enjoy building and
flying the Big Stik ARF.

1. You must assemble the model according to the instructions.
Do not modify or alter 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
instruction should be considered as correct.

2. Take time to build straight, true and strong.

3. Use an R/C radio system that is in first-class condition
and a correctly sized engine and components throughout
the building process.

4. You must properly install the R/C radio system 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 you must
make certain that the model has remained structurally
sound. Be sure to check clevises or other connectors often
and replace them if they show signs of wear or fatigue.

PRECAUTIONS

INTRODUCTION

PROTECT YOUR MODEL, YOURSELF

& OTHERS...FOLLOW THIS

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

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 contact us at [phone]. You can also check
our web site at www.greatplanes.com or e-mail your
questions to [e-mail]. If you
are calling for replacement parts, please have your kit
information on hand before calling.

Items in parentheses (GPMQ4243) are suggested part
numbers recognized by distributors and hobby shops and
are listed for your ordering convenience. GPM is the Great
Planes®brand , TOP is the Top Flite®brand, and HCA is the
Hobbico®brand.

❏ Four channel radio with five servos
❏ Engine - See Engine Selection above
❏ Propeller (Top Flite

®

Power Point®–Refer To Your

Engine’s Instructions For Proper Size)

❏ 6" servo extension (2)
❏ “Y” connector (1) when using a basic 4 channel radio

These are the building tools that are required. We
recommend Great Planes Pro™CA and Epoxy glue.

❏ 2 oz. Pro CA (Thin, GPMR6003)
❏ 2 oz. Pro CA+ (Medium, GPMR6009)
❏ 6-Minute Pro Epoxy (GPMR6045)
❏ 30-Minute Pro Epoxy (GPMR6047)
❏ Epoxy Brushes (GPMR8060)
❏ Mixing Sticks (GPMR8055)
❏ Hobby Knife (TOWR1010), #11 blades (TOWR1015)
❏ String
❏ Builders Triangle Set (HCAR0480)
❏ Masking Tape (TOPR8018)
❏ 1/4" Latex Foam Rubber Padding (HCAQ1000)
❏ Paper Towels
❏ Felt tip pen
❏ Drill Bits: 1/16" (1.5mm), 5/64" (2mm), 3/32"

(2.4mm), 5/32" (4mm), 11/64" (4.4mm), 1/8" (3mm),
1/4" (6mm), #8 (5.2mm), #36 (2.8mm)

❏ Sealing Iron (TOPR2100)
❏ Heat Gun (TOPR2000)
❏ Switch and Charge Jack (GPMM1000)
❏ Fuel Filler Valve (GPMQ4160)

Remove the fuselage, wing panels, rudder assembly and
stabilizer assembly from their bags. Inspect all items closely
to check for any damage.

Your Big Stik ARF is covered with high quality Top Flite
MonoKote®covering. If any of the covering has loosened,
use a heat gun or sealing iron to tighten it.

During the construction we often refer to the “top” or
“bottom” of the model or a part of the model. It is understood
that the “top” or “bottom” of the model is as it would be when
the airplane is right side up and will be referred to as the
“top” even if the model is being worked on upside-down.

Building Notes

General Inspection

Optional Supplies & Tools

Building Supplies & Tools

Required Accessories

PREPARATIONS

Engine Selection

There are several engines that will work well in your Big
Stik ARF.

For the .40 Big Stik we recommend a 2-stroke engine
such as the O.S.®LA .40, O.S. .40 FX, O.S. .46 FS or the
SuperTigre®G40. For unsurpassed power and realistic
sound, an O.S. FS-52 can't be beat.

For the .60 Big Stik we recommend a 2-stroke engine
such as the O.S. LA .65, O.S. .61 FX or the SuperTigre

G61. If you prefer a four stroke engine the O.S.FS-70 or
O.S. FS-91 are both good choices.

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE

Note: We as the kit manufacturer, provide you with a top
quality kit and great instructions, but ultimately the quality 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 of your completed model.

3

4

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

Parts List

Big Stik .40 (GPMA1225) Replacement Parts

If needed, replacement parts for your

Big Stik .40 ARF

are

available through your hobby supplier.

Wing Kit (A) ............................................................GPMA2187

Fuselage Kit (B) .....................................................GPMA2188

Tail Set (C) .............................................................GPMA2189

Landing Gear Set (D).............................................GPMA2190

Big Stik .60 (GPMA1226) Replacement Parts

If needed, replacement parts for your

Big Stik .60 ARF

are

available through your hobby supplier.

Wing Kit (A) ............................................................GPMA2191

Fuselage Kit (B) .....................................................GPMA2192

Tail Set (C) .............................................................GPMA2193

Landing Gear Set (D).............................................GPMA2194

Inch Scale

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

❏ 1. Locate the left and right aileron. Make a line 3/4"

(19mm) long on the leading edge of the aileron 1-1/2"
(38mm) from each end of the aileron. Make two additional
3/4" (19mm) lines, spacing them equally between the first
two lines.

❏ 2. From the 2" x 9" (50mm x 230mm) hinge material, cut

out your hinges. A total of 16 hinges will be needed for the
entire airplane. The hinges need to be cut to 3/4" x 1"
(19mm x 25mm).

❏ 3. Cut a 3/4" (19mm) slot in the leading edge of the

aileron at the previously marked locations. Trial fit the hinge

to make sure it goes in 1/2" (13mm). The slot can be done
with a hobby knife or the Great Planes Slot Machine™. The
Slot Machine is a real time saver when cutting slots for
hinges. If you are an avid modeler you will find this to be a
great tool to add to you shop!

❏ 4. Align the aileron in position at the trailing edge of the

wing. Be sure to leave at least a 1/6" (1.6mm) spacing
between the aileron and the outboard trailing edge of the
wing. When you are satisfied with the fit, mark the location
for the hinges on the trailing edge of the wing. Do this for the
left and right wing.

❏ 5. Install the aileron to the wing by applying 6 drops of

thin CA to the hinge. After the glue has cured, flex the aileron
back and forth a few times to loosen up the hinge. Pull on
the aileron to make sure that the aileron is firmly attached to
the wing. Repeat this step for the other wing.

❏ 6. Locate the servo bay in the bottom of each wing and

cut away the MonoKote to reveal the servo tray. Repeat for
the other wing.

TEMPORARY PIN

TO KEEP HINGE

CENTERED

THIN

CA

AND #11 BLADE

WITH HOBBY KNIFE

CUT HINGE SLOT

DRILL A 3/32" HOLE

1/2" DEEP, IN CENTER

OF HINGE SLOT

1"

1"

3/4"

WING ASSEMBLY

5

❏ ❏ 7. On the root rib there is a small hole. This is the hole

that the aileron servo wire will be fed through. Directly above
this hole make a 1/2” opening through the wing skin. This is
easily done with a Dremel® sanding drum.

❏ ❏ 8. Attach a clevis to one of the included pushrods. Tie

a loop onto a piece of string long enough to reach from the
servo bay to the hole you made in the wing skin. This string
will be used to assist pulling the servo wire through when we
get to the installation of the servos.

❏ ❏ 9. Insert the pushrod through the hole in the root rib

until the clevis shows in the servo bay. Put the string onto
the clevis and pull the string back through the hole.

❏ ❏ 10. Pull the string out through the opening in the

bottom of the wing skin. Using masking tape, tape the string
to the wing at the servo bay and the hole you pulled the
string through. Taping the string in place will prevent it from
falling back into the wing.

❏ 11. Repeat steps 7 - 10 for the other wing.

❏ 12. Locate the three wood joiners. Draw a center line on

each of them. Trial fit them into both wing halves making
sure that the straight edge of the joiner is aligned with the
top of the wing. Once you are satisfied with the fit, apply
6-minute epoxy to 1/2 of the joiner and one pocket of one of
the wing.

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