Great Planes GPMA1315 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
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, 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.

GPMZ0217 for GPMA1315 V1.0© Copyright 2000

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

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Important Safety Precaution......................................................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 and Tools ..................................................4

General Inspection ................................................................4

Inch/Metric Ruler ...................................................................4

Parts List................................................................................5

Wing Assembly ...........................................................................6

Rudder Assembly ..................................................................6

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

Install The Stabilizer...................................................................7

Engine Installation......................................................................8

Cowling Installation..................................................................10

Fuel Tank Installation ...............................................................10

Main Landing Gear Installation ...............................................11

Radio Installation......................................................................12

Attach the Ailerons...............................................................12

Install the Aileron Servos.....................................................13

Attach the Elevators ............................................................14

Install the Elevator Servos...................................................15

Attach the Rudder................................................................16

Install the Rudder Servo......................................................16

Tail Gear Installation ............................................................17

Throttle Servo Installation....................................................18

Receiver & Battery Installation ............................................19

Final Assembly..........................................................................19

Control Throw Adjustment ...................................................20

Control Surface Throws.......................................................20

Balance Your Model..................................................................20

Balance Your Model Laterally ..............................................21

Advanced Aerobatics ...............................................................21

Preflight .....................................................................................23

Charge the Batteries ...........................................................23

Balance the Propeller ..........................................................23

Find a Safe Place to Fly ......................................................23

Ground Check Your Model ..................................................23

Range Check Your Radio ....................................................23

Engine Safety Precautions ..................................................24

AMA Safety Code (excerpt)......................................................24

General................................................................................24

Radio Control.......................................................................24

Flying .........................................................................................24

Takeoff .................................................................................24

Flying ...................................................................................25

Landing................................................................................25

Appendix: Flight Trimming......................................................26

Flight Log ..................................................................Back Cover

Engine Mount Template ...........................................Back Cover

Your Giles G-202 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
Giles G-202 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 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

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Great
Planes Giles G-202 ARF. We’d like to provide you with a bit
of history on our selection of this aircraft as the newest
release in the Great Planes scale aerobatic ARF line.

Richard Giles noted a trend in the International Aerobatic
Club (I.A.C.) competition arena toward bigger, heavier, more
costly “super monoplanes,” and he wanted to do better. The
resulting “full-scale” Giles G-200 and G-202 were designed
specifically to be a reasonably priced, low wing loading,
unlimited level, superior performer on a reasonably priced
4-cylinder engine.

Flying the Giles G-202 is a thrilling experience–as it should
be for such an aerobatic model! It doesn’t take much
elevator or aileron throw to put the Giles through its paces.
When you have a feel for your Giles G-202, the throws can
be increased to high rates (illustrated in the instructions) to
really showcase the aerobatic potential.

We hope you enjoy building and flying your Great Planes
Giles G-202 ARF as much as we did testing the prototypes.

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.

2. Take time to align the components straight, true and

strong.

PRECAUTIONS

INTRODUCTION

PROTECT YOUR MODEL,YOURSELF &

OTHERS...FOLLOW THIS IMPORTANT

SAFETY PRECAUTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

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 assembly 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 and other connectors often
and replace them if they show signs of wear or fatigue.

Remember: Take your time and follow directions to end up
with a well-built model that is straight and true. Please
inspect all parts carefully before starting to build! If any parts
are missing, broken or defective, or if you have any
questions about assembling or flying this airplane, please
call us at [phone]. If you are calling for replacement
parts, please reference the part names and numbers on
page 5 and have them ready when calling.

We can also be reached by e-mail at:

[e-mail]

Items in parentheses such as (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 Six Servos (minimum of 65

oz/in of torque for flight controls)

❏ “Y” Harness for Aileron and Elevator Servos (if not

using a computer radio)

❏ Five 24" Servo Extensions for Aileron, Elevator and

Rudder Servos

❏ Engine - See Engine Selection
❏ Spare Glow Plugs (O.S. #8 for most 2-Stroke engines,

OSMG2691, or O.S. Type F for most 4-stroke engines,
OSMG2692)

❏ Propeller (Top Flite Power Point

®

-refer to your engine’s

instructions for proper size)

❏ 3' Medium 3/32" Glow Fuel Tubing (GPMQ4131)
❏ 1/4" Latex Foam Rubber Padding (HCAQ1000)

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)
❏ CA Accelerator (GPMR6035)
❏ 6-Minute Pro Epoxy (GPMR6045)
❏ 30-Minute Pro Epoxy (GPMR6047)
❏ Canopy Glue (JOZR5007)
❏ #1 Hobby Knife Handle (HCAR0105)
❏ #11 Blades (HCAR0311, 100 Qty)
❏ Builders Triangle Set (HCAR0480)
❏ Masking Tape (TOPR8018)
❏ Electric Power Drill
❏ Slip-Joint & Needle Nose Pliers
❏ Monofilament String for Stabilizer Alignment
❏ Screwdrivers – Flat Blade & Phillips
❏ Pro Thread Locking Compound (GPMR6060)
❏ Isopropyl Alcohol (70%)
❏ Drill Bits: 1/16" [1.5mm], 3/32" [2.5mm], 1/8" [3mm],

9/64"[3.5mm], 3/16" [5mm], 7/32" [5.5mm], 1/4"

[6mm],

5/16" [8mm], 1/2" [13mm], #29

❏ 8-32 Tap & Drill (GPMR8103)
❏ Top Flite Trim Seal Tool

™

(TOPR2200)

❏ Panel Line Pen (TOPQ2510)
❏ Sandpaper (coarse and fine grit)
❏ Metal File
❏ 3/4 oz. Fiberglass Cloth (HCAR5000)
❏ Paper Towels
❏ T-Pins (HCAR5100)
❏ Silver Solder (GPMR8070)

Building Supplies & Tools

Required Accessories

PREPARATIONS

Engine Selection

There are several engines that will work well in your Giles
G-202 ARF. We recommend a SuperTigre®G-2300 for the
best performance for your Giles G-202. An O.S.®FT-160
would be the best choice for a 4-stroke. Your choice of
2-stroke or 4-stroke will determine the location of the
throttle servo and throttle pushrod exit on the firewall, so
plan ahead.

Note: Please see the FLYING section regarding flutter,
propeller selection and aerobatic performance.

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE

Note: We, as the manufacturer, provide you with a
top quality kit and great instructions, but ultimately
the quality of your finished model depends on how
you assemble 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

❏ Electrical Tape or Heat Shrink Tubing
❏ Hobby Heat

™

Micro Torch (HCAR0750)

❏ Razor Saw
❏ Petroleum Jelly
❏ 4" White Spinner

❏ CA Applicator Tips (HCAR3780)
❏ Epoxy Brushes (GPMR8060)
❏ Epoxy Mixing Sticks (GPMR8055, Qty. 50)
❏ CA Debonder (GPMR6039)
❏ Dremel

®

Moto-Tool™or Similar with Cut-Off Wheel

❏ Hot Sock

™

(TOPR2175)

❏ Dead Center

™

Engine Mount Hole Locator

(GPMR8130)

❏ Curved Tip Canopy Scissors for Canopy Trimming

(HCAR0667)

❏ Switch and Charge Jack (GPMM1000)
❏ Sealing Iron (TOPR2100)
❏ Household Oil
❏ 6 oz. Segmented Lead Weight (GPMQ4485)
❏ C.G. Machine

™

(GPMR2400)

❏ Power Point

®

Balancer (TOPQ5700)

❏ Fingertip Prop Balancer (GPMQ5000)
❏ Fueling System (Great Planes Top Fueler

™

,

GPMQ4160)

1. Closely inspect the fuselage, wing panels, rudder
assembly and stabilizer assembly for damage. If you find
any damage, contact the place of purchase, or Hobby
Services at Great Planes for a replacement.

2. Eliminate any wrinkles you find in the covering by
shrinking them away with a heat gun, then apply pressure to
the area with a covering iron and a hot sock. This will
securely bond the covering to the wood so the wrinkles will
be less likely to reappear in the future. Caution: Be careful

while working around areas where the colors overlap.

General Inspection

Optional Supplies & Tools

4

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

5

Key# Description Qty

1

Fuselage 1

2 Left Wing Panel w/Aileron 1
3 Right Wing Panel w/Aileron 1
4 Cowl 1
5 Wing Belly Pan 1
6 Canopy 1
7 Right Wheel Pant 1
8 Left Wheel Pant 1
9 Aluminum Landing Gear (Right & Left) 2
10 Stabilizer 1
11 Elevator Assembly (Right & Left) 2
12

Rudder 1

13 Wing Dowels 2
14 Servo Tray 1
15 Wing Joiner 1
16 Wing Bolt Plate 1

Parts Not Shown In Photo

Description Qty

Adjustable Engine Mount (Right & Left Halves)

2

Tail Wheel Assembly 1

Main Wheels 2
CA Hinge Strip (2" x 9") 1
Hardware Bag 1

Replacement Parts

If needed, replacement parts for

Giles G-202 ARF

are

available through your hobby supplier.

Wing Set............................................................GPMA2180

Fuselage Kit ......................................................GPMA2181

Tail Set...............................................................GPMA2182

Canopy ..............................................................GPMA2183

Cowl ..................................................................GPMA2184

Wheel Pants ......................................................GPMA2185

Landing Gear Set ..............................................GPMA2186

Parts List

11

11

10

12

6

5

2

3

1

4

13

7

8

14

15

16

9

❏❏ 1. Locate the servo cut out on the bottom of each wing

and cut the covering 1/8" [3mm] inside the edges of the
opening in the bottom of the right wing panel for the aileron
servo. Use your Top Flite MonoKote®Trim Seal Tool™to seal
the covering to the sides of the opening.

Note: You’ll notice a piece of string that passes through the
ribs at the location of the aileron servo well. Don’t remove
the string because you will use it to pull your aileron servo
cord through the wing later. Tape the string in place as

shown.

❏❏ 2. Locate the hole and cut the covering on the top of

the right wing panel for the string to exit. Remove the tape
from the wing root, and route it through the opening. Tape
the string to the top of the wing.

❏❏ 3. Test fit the wing halves with the wing joiner. The

tapered edge of the joiner faces the leading edge of the
wing. If necessary, sand any high spots on the root end of
the wing panels so there is no gap when you join them.

❏ 4. Tape a piece of wax paper or Great Planes Plan

Protector™over your work surface. Thoroughly coat the
joiner pockets and the mating ends of both wing halves with
30-minute epoxy. Set the wing halves aside and proceed
quickly. Coat all surfaces of one half of the wing joiner with
30-minute epoxy and place it in one of the wing halves. Coat
the other half of the joiner with 30-minute epoxy and join the
other wing. Use a piece of balsa or cardboard to wipe away
excess epoxy. Use masking tape to tape the wing tightly
together. Use a paper towel dampened with alcohol to wipe
away any more epoxy that oozes out of the wing, then set
the wing aside. Do not disturb the wing until the epoxy has
fully cured.

❏ 5. Locate the two 5/16" x 3-3/8" [8mm x 86mm]

hardwood wing dowels. Slightly bevel the ends of the
dowels. Test fit the dowels into the wing, making sure they
lock into the holes inside the wing. If necessary, drill the
holes in the wing using a 5/16" [8mm] drill bit. Use 30-

minute
epoxy to glue the dowels into the wing, allowing them to
protrude 1-1/8" [28mm].

Rudder Assembly

WING ASSEMBLY

6

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

center of the fuselage to one wing tip and record the
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
re-measure until they are equal. Place a mark on the wing
and fuselage so it can be repositioned accurately for the
following steps.

❏ 2. Remove the covering from the holes in the wing

center-section where the wing bolts will pass through the
wing as shown in the photo for step 5.

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

nylon bolts. Enlarge the holes if necessary to allow the

bolts to pass through the wing. 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.

❏ 4. Locate the 1/8" x 6" x 3-1/8" [3mm x 150mm x 78mm]

plywood wing bolt plate. Draw a vertical and horizontal
centerline onto the plate as shown in the photo.

❏ 5. Draw a line 3-1/8" [78mm] to each side of the center of

the wing through the center of the bolt holes.

❏ 6. Position the wing bolt plate onto the bottom of the

wing.
Align the vertical and horizontal centerlines on the plate with
the center of the wing and the line drawn through the center
of the bolts. Trace around the plate using a felt-tip marker.

❏ 7. Use a fresh #11 blade to carefully cut through the

covering 1/16" [1.5mm] inside the lines. Do not cut the
wood under the covering! This will weaken the structure
and may cause failure in flight. Remove the covering from

the wing within the lines you cut. Use medium CA to glue the
plate to the wing. Drill the holes for the bolts in the plate from
the top of the wing.

❏ 1. Remove the covering from the fuselage sides in the

location for the horizontal stabilizer.

Remove Covering

INSTALL THE STABILIZER

WING INSTALLATION

7

❏ 2. Slide the stabilizer into the fuselage. Center the

stabilizer

in the fuselage by measuring the distance from the

fuselage
to the tip of the stabilizer. The stabilizer is centered when the
measurements from both sides are equal. Place a T-pin into
the stabilizer against the fuselage on one side to allow the
stabilizer to be repositioned if it accidentally moves.

❏ 3. Perform the same technique for aligning the stab as

was used for aligning the wing. This time, the center on the
fuselage is at the front, rather than the rear. Mark the stab
so it can be returned to its aligned location.

❏ 4. 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 stab 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.

❏ 5. Use a felt-tip pen to mark the sides of the fuselage on

the bottom and top of the stab. Remove the stab from the
fuselage.

❏ 6. Use a fresh #11 blade to carefully cut through the

covering 1/16" [1.5mm] inside the lines you marked on the
bottom and top of the stab that indicate the fuse sides. Do

not cut the wood under the covering! This will weaken
the structure and may cause the stab to fail in flight.

Remove the covering from the center of the stab within the
lines you cut.

❏ 7. Use a liberal coating of 30-minute epoxy to glue the

stab in position. Hold the stab in position with weights while
the epoxy cures. Double check the alignment with the wing
and fuse while the epoxy cures.

IMPORTANT: Form a thin epoxy fillet along the fuse sides
where the epoxy squeezes out to create a fuelproof seal
between the stab and fuselage.

❏ 1. Cut or break the “spreader bar” from each engine

mount half. Carefully trim any extra material left by the

ENGINE INSTALLATION

AA

A=A

8

spreader bar from each mount half. The surfaces where the
spreader bars were attached must be smooth to allow the
mount halves to fit together. Trim the flashing off any rough
edges if necessary.

❏ 2. Copy the engine mount template from the back page

and tape it to the firewall as shown. At the locations on the
template, drill four 7/32" [5.5mm] holes in the firewall for the
engine mount blind nuts.

❏ 3. Install four 8-32 blind nuts to the inside of the firewall.

Pull the blind nuts into the back side of the firewall using
8-32 socket head cap screws with a flat washer under the
head of each screw. Fit the two halves of the Engine Mount
together. Use four #8 flat washers and four 8-32 x 1"
socket head cap screws to secure the engine mount to the
firewall. Do not tighten the screws at this time, as the mount
must be adjusted for the engine.

❏ 4. Test fit your engine into the mount. Adjust the width of

the rails to fit the engine snugly. Tighten the mount screws
to allow marking the engine mounting holes without moving
the rails.

❏ 5. Position the engine on the engine mount rails so the

propeller thrust washer is 5-3/4" [136mm] ahead of the
firewall. Use a Great Planes Dead Center Hole Locator
(GPMR8130) (not included) or a sharpened piece of wire to

scribe the four engine mount holes onto the rails. Use a
center punch at the marks to prevent the drill bit from
wandering, then drill #29 pilot holes through the rails. Be
sure to hold the drill perpendicular to the rails. If you have
access to a drill press, this is a good tool for this purpose.
Use an 8-32 tap to tap the holes for the 8-32 screws. Use
four 8-32 x 1" socket head cap screws to secure the engine
to the mount.

❏ 6. Drill a 3/16" [5mm] hole in the firewall for the throttle

pushrod. The hole location will depend on whether you are
installing a 2-stroke or 4-stroke engine.

❏ 7. Roughen the outside surface of the 36" [910mm]

throttle pushrod tube with coarse grit sandpaper. Insert
the pushrod tube through the hole in the firewall. Push it in
until it protrudes 1" [25mm] in front of the firewall. Use
medium CA to glue the tube to the firewall, but leave it free
inside the fuselage until the servos are installed.

Note: The engine has been removed from the above picture
for clarity.

9