Great Planes GPMA1245 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 an y 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 f or 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 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 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.

Manual GPMZ0213 for Kit GPMA1245 V1.0

© Copyright 1999

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

www.greatplanes.com

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Almost Ready-to-Fly

Important Safety Precaution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Optional Retract Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

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

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

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

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

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

Wing Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Install The Tail Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Engine Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Radio Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Throttle Pushrod Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Final Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Finish The Cockpit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Control Throw Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Wheel Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Fixed Gear & Tail Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Retractable Landing Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Balance Your Model Laterally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Balance Your Model (CG) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Fuel Tank Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Fuel Tank Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Secure the Pushrods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

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

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

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

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

Ground Check the Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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

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

AMA Safety Code (excerpt). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Radio Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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

Takeoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Landing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Your AT-6 ARF is not a toy, but rather a sophisticated, working
model that functions very much like a full-size airplane.
Because of its realistic performance, the AT-6 ARF, if not
assembled and operated correctly, 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 membership includes 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 av ailable.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 AT-6 ARF is a high performance sport
airplane that closely resembles the full-size AT-6 both in
appearance and performance.The fuselage in front of the wing
has been lengthened slightly to allow the model to be balanced
without the need for excess nose weight.The AT-6 ARF is very
stable and predictable, allowing even low time pilots to enjoy it.

This is not a beginner’s airplane! While the AT-6 ARF is easy
to build and flies great, we must discourage you from selecting
this kit as your first R/C airplane. It lacks the self-recovery
characteristics of good basic trainers such as the Great Planes

PT

™

Series. On the other hand, if you have already learned the
basics of R/C flying, and you are able to safely handle a .40-size
low wing airplane, the A T-6 ARF is an excellent choice to try your
skills at flying a sport scale airplane.

1.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.

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 (fuel tank, wheels,
etc.) throughout your 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

PRO TECT YOUR MODEL,

YOURSELF & OTHERS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

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 or safety of your completed model.

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 call us
at [phone]. You can also check our web site at

www.greatplanes.com

for the latest AT-6 ARF updates,

or

e-mail your questions to

[e-mail].

If
you are calling for replacement parts, please reference the
part numbers and the kit identification number (the small
sticker on the end of the carton) and have them ready when
calling.

There are several engines that will w ork well in y our AT-6 ARF.We
recommend a 2-stroke such as an O.S.®.40 LA, O.S. .40 FX, or
O.S..46 FX, or the SuperTigre®G40.For unsurpassed power and
realistic sound, an O.S. FS-52 4-stroke can’t be beat.

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)

❏ Medium Fuel Tubing (GPMQ4131)
❏ 6" Ser vo Extension (1)
❏ “Y” connector (1) when using a basic 4-channel radio
❏ Slimline Spor t Scale muffler

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)
❏ Pro Thread Locking Compound (GPMR6060)
❏ T-pins (HCAR5150)
❏ Adjustable Wrench
❏ Plastic Wrap or W axed Paper
❏ Isopropyl Alcohol (70%)

❏ Mixing Sticks (GPMR8055)
❏ Round Toothpic ks
❏ Hobby Knife (TOWR1010), #11 Blades (TOWR1015)
❏ Small Hobby Clamps
❏ String
❏ Builders Triangle Set (HCAR0480)
❏ Masking Tape (TOPR8018)
❏ Sandpaper (coarse, medium, fine grit)
❏ Easy-Touch

™

Bar Sander (GPMR6170, or similar)

❏ 1/4" Latex Foam Rubber Padding (HCAQ1000)
❏ Paper Towels
❏ Felt-Tip Marker
❏ Wire Cutter
❏ File
❏ Drill Bits: 1/16" (1.5mm), 5/64" (2mm), 3/32" (2.4mm),

1/8" (3mm), 3/16" (4.7mm), 1/4" (6mm)

❏ CA Applicator Tips (HCAR3780)
❏ CA Debonder (GPMR6039)
❏ Sealing Iron (TOPR2100)
❏ Heat Gun (TOPR2000)
❏ Single-edge Razor Blades (HCAR0312)
❏ Cur ved Tip Canopy Scissors For Trimming Plastic Parts

(HCAR0667)

❏ Switch and Charge Jack (GPMM1000)
❏ Fuel Filler Valve (GPMQ4160)

❏ Hobbico Mechanical Retracts Main (HCAP4010)
❏ Retract ser vo (compatible with your radio system)
❏ Threaded pushrods (2) (GPMQ3750)
❏ Nylon Clevis (2) (GPMQ3800)
❏ Wheel Collars (2) (GPMQ4306)
❏ 1-1/4" x 5/32" Axle (GPMQ4280)

Remove the fuselage, wing panels, rudder assembly and
stabilizer assembly from their bags.Inspect all items closely to
check for any damage. If any of the control surfaces are
attached, simply pull them apart and store the hinges in a safe
place until it is time to reattach them. The manual begins with
all the surfaces shown separated.

Your AT-6 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.

Several times during construction we refer to the “top” or
“bottom” of the model or a par t 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 Retract Items

Optional Supplies & Tools

Building Supplies & Tools

Required Accessories

Engine Selection

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE

3

4

1

5

4

24

22

19

17

15

14

16

18

21

20

25

23

18

2

3

6

11

7

8

9

13

12

10

Key # Description Qty

1.......Fuselage . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

2.......Left Wing Panel . . . . . . . . 1

3.......Left Wing Tip . . . . . . . . . . 1

4.......Left Aileron. . . . . . . . . . . . 1

5.......Left Aileron Servo Hatch. . 1

6.......Canopy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

7.......Tail Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

8.......Pushrods . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

9.......Pushrod Wire w/guide. . . . 1

10......Elevator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

11......Stabilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

12......Rudder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

13......Fin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

14......Right Aileron Servo Hatch. 1

15......Right Aileron. . . . . . . . . . . 1

16......Right Wing Tip . . . . . . . . . 1

17......Right Wing Panel . . . . . . . 1

18......Main Wheels. . . . . . . . . . . 2

19......Right Engine Mount Half. . 1

20......Left Engine Mount Half . . . 1

21......Right Wing Joiner. . . . . . . 1

22......Left Wing Joiner . . . . . . . . 1

23......Wing Center Section . . . . . 1

24......Fuel Tank Assembly . . . . . 1

25......Cowling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Replacement Parts

Canopy. . . . . . . . . . GPMA2080

Cowling . . . . . . . . . GPMA2081

Wing Set . . . . . . . . GPMA2082

Tail Set . . . . . . . . . . GPMA2083

Fuselage Set . . . . . GPMA2084

Landing Gear Set . . GPMA2085

1/64" = .4 mm
1/32" = .8 mm
1/16" = 1.6 mm
3/32" = 2.4 mm

1/8" = 3.2 mm
5/32" = 4.0 mm
3/16" = 4.8 mm

1/4" = 6.4 mm

3/8" = 9.5 mm
1/2" = 12.7 mm
5/8" = 15.9 mm
3/4" = 19.0 mm

1" = 25.4 mm
2" = 50.8 mm
3" = 76.2 mm
6" = 152.4 mm

12" = 304.8 mm
18" = 457.2 mm
21" = 533.4 mm
24" = 609.6 mm
30" = 762.0 mm
36" = 914.4 mm

METRIC CONVERSIONS

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. Remove the covering from the Aileron Servo

Openings on the bottom of the wing only. Cut 1/8” (3mm)

inside of the opening to allow some material to iron down
inside the opening. Use a sealing iron to secure the
covering around the opening.

❏ 2. Locate the preinstalled strings in the Center Section

and Outer Panels.When attaching the outer panels to the
center section, the strings for installing the aileron servos
must be moved so they do not interfere with the fit of the
panels. Don’t remove the string because you will use it to
pull your aileron servo cords through the wing later.

❏❏3. Locate the hardwood wing joiners. Use the sketch

to differentiate the left and right joiners. (The sketch is of
the right wing joiner.) Draw a centerline on both sides of the
right joiner. Test fit the wing joiner into the right wing panel
and the right side of the center section. A snug fit of the

joiner is desirable. If the joiner does not fit properly, lightly
sand any uneven surfaces from the joiner edges and sides.
Note: The wing joiners are tapered to fit into the wing
panels. Make sure the angles are lined up to provide the
correct alignment of the wing panels and center section.
Use the sketch to determine the orientation of the joiner.

Make a dry run of the following step without using any

glue so you will know how to join your wing together.

❏❏4. Untape the preinstalled strings in the Center

Section and Outer Panels. Tie the strings together, being

careful not to pull the strings out of the panels. Note: Don’t
remove the strings because you will use them to pull your
aileron servo cords through the wing later. Use a liberal
amount of 30-minute epoxy to glue the wing joiner into the
right wing panel and center section. Apply epoxy to all sides
of the joiner, joiner pockets, and center ribs of both the right
wing panel and center section. Join the wing panel and
center section. Use masking tape to tightly tape the right
wing panel and center section together. Be cer tain the
leading and trailing edges align.Wipe off any excess epoxy
from the outside of the wing with a paper towel and rubbing
alcohol. With the center section upr ight and flat on your
building surface, measure the distance from your work
surface to the tip of the outer panel to make sure you have
the correct amount of polyhedral as shown in the sketch.

❏ 5. After the epoxy has cured, repeat the above steps 3

and 4 to join the left wing panel to the center section.

❏1. Place the wing on the Fuselage. Measure from the aft

center of the fuselage to one wing tip and record the

WING INSTALLATION

WING ASSEMBLY

5

CENTER SECTION

TIP SECTION

FRONT

CENTER

SECTION

TIP

PANEL

TOP

distance.Measure from the same point to the opposite wing
tip, and compare it to the first measurement. If the
measurements are not the same, adjust the wing and
remeasure until they are equal. Place a mar k on the wing
and fuselage so it can be repositioned accurately for the
following steps.

❏ 2. Remove the covering from the wing center section

where the wing bolts will pass through the wing.

❏ 3. Bolt the wing to the fuselage using the 1/4-20 x 2”

Nylon Bolts. Check the alignment of the wing and enlarge
the holes in the wing if necessary to allow the wing to be
shifted to match the alignment marks.

❏ 1. Remove the covering on the fuselage for the

Horizontal Stabilizer. Slide the stabilizer into position, and
check the alignment as shown in the photo.

❏ 2. Mount the wing to the fuselage using the nylon bolts.

Stand back 8 to 10 feet (2.5 to 3 meters) and view the
model from the front and rear.The stabilizer tips should be
equally spaced above the level of the wing. If not, lightly
sand the high side of the stab saddle to correct the
problem.Work slowly and check the alignment often.

❏3.When the alignment looks good, mark the outline of the

fuselage onto the stabilizer. Remove the stabilizer, and trim
the covering 1/32” (.8mm) inside of the lines, being careful
not to cut into the underlying wood. Slide the stabilizer
back into the fuselage, recheck the alignment, and wick thin
CA along the joint between the stabilizer and fuselage.

❏ 4. Test fit the Fin in the slot at the aft edge of the

fuselage. The trailing edge of the fin must be flush with the
aft edge of the fuselage. Draw a line along the bottom of
the fin at the fuselage and remove the covering 1/32”
(.8mm) below the line, being careful not to cut into the
underlying wood. Use 30-minute epoxy to glue the fin in
position. Work the epoxy into the slot in the fuselage, filling
any loose-fitting joints between the fuselage and stabilizer.
Check the alignment of the fin to the stabilizer with a
triangle, then secure it in position with masking tape until
the epoxy has cured. Double check the alignment of the fin
with the stabilizer while the epoxy cures.

❏ 5. Drill a 1/8” (3mm) hole 1” (25mm) up from the bottom

of the Rudder. Cut a groove down from the hole to the
bottom for the plastic bushing on the Tail Gear Assembly
to ride in. Apply petroleum jelly to the wire and work it into
the plastic bushing.Use 6-minute epoxy to glue the tail gear
assembly into the rudder.

INST ALL THE T AIL COMPONENTS

6