Great Planes GPMA1542 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-assemb led 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.

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.

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

GPMZ1542 for GPMA1542 V1.0Entire Contents © Copyright 2006

Champaign, Illinois

[phone], Ext 5

[e-mail]

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Wingspan: 41 in [1040mm]
Wing Area: 356 sq in [23dm2]
Weight: 24 – 27 oz [680 – 765g]
Wing Loading: 9.7 – 10.9 oz/sq ft [30 – 33g/dm2]
Length: 38 in [960mm]
Requires (not included):
Radio: 4-channel with four micro servos, two 6" [152mm] servo

extensions and one Y-harness

Motor: RimFire™35-30-950 out-runner (GPMG4590) or

Ammo™24-33-4040 in-runner brushless motor (GPMG5165)

Gear-Drive: 24mm gear-dr ive with 4.5:1 gear ratio
ESC: 25 amp brushless ESC
Battery: 3-cell 1250 to 2100mAh LiPo battery &

LiPo-compatible charger

™

2

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

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

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

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

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

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

Propeller ........................................................................3

ESC ...............................................................................3

Battery Pack..................................................................3

Required Adhesive & Building Supplies........................4

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

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

ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS .................................4

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

METRIC CONVERSIONS....................................................5

KIT INSPECTION ................................................................6

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

PREPARATIONS .................................................................7

ASSEMBLE THE WING PANELS .......................................7

INST ALL THE WING P ANELS.............................................9

ASSEMBLE THE T AIL SECTION......................................10

INSTALL THE TAIL SERVOS & PUSHRODS ...................13

INSTALL THE LANDING GEAR ........................................14

MOUNT THE MOTOR........................................................15

In-runner Brushless Motor with 24mm Gear-Drive......15

Out-runner Brushless Motor........................................16

INSTALL THE RADIO & ESC............................................16

FINAL ASSEMBLY ............................................................19

Apply the Decals..........................................................20

GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY ...................................20

Check the Control Directions.......................................20

Set the Control Throws................................................20

Balance the Model (C.G.) ............................................21

Balance the Model Laterally........................................21

PREFLIGHT.......................................................................22

Identify Your Model ......................................................22

Charge the Batteries ...................................................22

Balance Propellers ......................................................22

Range Check ...............................................................22

MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS....................................22

LITHIUM BATTERY HANDLING & USAGE......................22

AMA SAFETY CODE (excerpts)......................................23

CHECK LIST......................................................................23

FLYING...............................................................................24

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

Flight............................................................................24

Landing........................................................................24

3D FLYING.........................................................................25

The E Performance Series YAK 54 EP 3D ARF is the
second release in a line of electric, built-up, all out
performance 3D planes.Just like Reactor EP, the YAK 54 EP
3D ARF can perform virtually any aerobatic maneuver with
authority.High-capacity LiPo battery packs will allow you the
convenience of electric flying, combined with the flight
characteristics of planes much larger in size, like the Great
Planes YAK 54 1.60 ARF. In addition to the flight
performance of a large 3D plane in a small package, the
beautiful trim scheme from the YAK 54 1.60 ARF has been
carried down to the YAK 54 EP 3D ARF.

For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to the
YAK 54 EP 3D ARF visit the Great Planes web site at
www.greatplanes.com. Open the “Airplanes” link, then
select the YAK 54 EP 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.

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. Failure to comply with the 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
country. Contact the AMA at the address or toll-free phone
number below.

IMPORTANT!!! T w o 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.

1.Your YAK 54 EP 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 YAK 54 EP 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 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.

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

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

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

5.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.

6. 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 hobb y
shop has information about clubs in your area whose
membership includes experienced pilots.

7.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, or if a motor larger than one in the
recommended range is used, the modeler is responsible for
taking steps to reinforce the high-stress points and/or
substituting hardware more suitable for the increased stress .

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 YAK 54 EP
3D ARF that may require planning or decision making before
starting to build. Order numbers are provided in parentheses.

A 4-channel radio system with four micro servos and a micro
receiver are required for this plane.The servos and receiver
shown in the manual are Futaba®S3110 micro servos and
the Futaba R114F micro receiver. Two 6" [150mm] servo
extensions and a Y-harness are also required. Order
numbers for these items are provided below.

• (4) Futaba S3110 Micro High Torque Servo
[7.7g] (FUTM0046)

• Futaba R114F FM Micro Receiver
(Low Band – FUTL0442, High Band – FUTL0443)

• Futaba FM Single Conversion Short Crystal
(Low Band – FUTL62**, High Band – FUTL63**)

• (2) Futaba C-25 Extension Slim Wire
6" [152mm] (FUTM4506)

• Futaba 6" [152mm] Dual Servo Extension
J (FUTM4130)

The YAK 54 EP 3D ARF comes with a mounting box that will
accommodate either a brushless in-runner motor with gear­drive or a brushless out-runner motor.The motors that have
been tested and perform well in this plane are listed below.
If using the in-runner motor with gear-drive, be sure to install
the 11T pinion that is included with the gear-drive to achieve
a gear ratio of 4.5:1.

• Great Planes Ammo™24-33-4040kV Brushless
In-runner Motor (GPMG5165)
Great Planes Gear-Drive 24mm Motors (GPMG0505)

• Great Planes RimFire™35-30-950kV Brushless
Out-runner Motor (GPMG4590)

Note: Motors from other manufacturers may work with the
YAK 54 EP 3D ARF. However, the included firewall pieces
are designed to work specifically with the Great Planes
motors listed.

If using the Ammo Brushless In-runner motor with 4.5:1
gearbox or the RimFire Brushless Out-runner motor, y ou will
need a 11x4.5 Slo-Flyer Electric Propeller (GPMQ6695).

A Brushless ESC (electronic speed control) is required for
this plane. We recommend using the Great Planes Silver
Series 25A Brushless ESC 5V/2A BEC (GPMM1820).

The YAK 54 EP 3D ARF has been tested with 11.1V LiPo
packs ranging from 1250mAh to 2100mAh. Order numbers
are provided for packs of this size. The lighter 1250mAh
pack is suggested for maximum performance. A 20C
discharge pack is necessary for best performance.

• Great Planes LiPo 1250mAh 11.1V 20C Discharge
w/Balance (GPMP0609)

• Great Planes LiPo 1500mAh 11.1V 20C Discharge
w/Balance (GPMP0613)

Battery Pack

ESC

Propeller

Motor Recommendations

Radio Equipment

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE

We, as the kit manuf acturer, 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

• Great Planes LiPo 2100mAh 11.1V 20C Discharge
w/Balance (GPMP0617)

Note: Do not use Great Planes LiPo 1500mAh 11.1V 3S 8C
Discharge (GPMP0831).This battery pack is not capable of
supporting the current draw of the recommended
power systems.

This is the list of adhesive and building supplies required to
finish the YAK 54 EP 3D ARF. Order numbers are provided
in parentheses.

❏ 1/2 oz. [15g] Thin Pro

™

CA (GPMR6001)

❏ 1/2 oz. [15g] Medium Pro CA+ (GPMR6007)
❏ Pro 30-minute epoxy (GPMR6047)
❏ Denatured alcohol
❏ Drill bits: 5/64" [2mm], 1/8" [3mm]
❏ #1 Hobby knife (HCAR0105)
❏ #11 blades (5-pack, HCAR0211)
❏ Hobbico

®

Steel T-Pins 1" [25mm] (100, HCAR5100)

❏ Great Planes Pro Threadlocker (GPMR6060)
❏ Great Planes Double-Sided Servo Tape

1" [25mm] (GPMQ4442)

❏ CA applicator tips (HCAR3780)
❏ Small spring clamps
❏ 220-grit Sandpaper

Here is a list of optional tools mentioned in the manual that
will help you build the YAK 54 EP ARF.

❏ 21st Century

®

sealing iron (COVR2700)

❏ 21st Century iron cover (COVR2702)
❏ 2 oz. [57g] Spray CA activator (GPMR6035)
❏ 4 oz. [113g] Aerosol CA activator (GPMR634)
❏ CA debonder (GPMR6039)
❏ Epoxy brushes (6, GPMR8060)
❏ Mixing sticks (50, GPMR8055)
❏ Mixing cups (GPMR8056)
❏ Hobbico Duster

™

can of compressed air (HCAR5500)

❏ Panel Line Pen (TOPQ2510)
❏ Rotary tool such as Dremel

®

❏ Hobbico flexible 18" [457mm] ruler stainless

steel (HCAR0460)

• 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 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 vie w this inf ormation 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.

Replacement parts for the Great Planes YAK EP 3D 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.

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.

Parts may also be ordered directly from Hobby Services by
calling [phone], or via facsimile at [phone],
but full retail prices and shipping and handling charges will
apply. Illinois and Nevada residents will also be charged
sales tax. If order ing via fax, include a Visa®or MasterCard

®

number and expiration date for payment.
Mail parts orders and payments by personal check 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].

ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS

IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES

Optional Supplies & Tools

Required Adhesive & Building Supplies

4

Description How to Purchase

Missing pieces Contact Product Support
Instruction manual Contact Product Support
Full-size plans Not available
Kit parts listed below Hobby Supplier

Replacement Parts List

GPMA2945 ..........Wing Kit

GPMA2946 ..........Fuse Kit

GPMA2947 ..........Tail Set

GPMA2948 ..........Landing Gear

GPMA2949 ..........Wheel Pants

GPMA2950 ..........Cowl

GPMA2951 ..........Canopy

GPMA2952 ..........Hatch

GPMA2953 ..........Decal Sheet

GPMA2954 ..........Hardware Set

Fuse = Fuselage

Stab = Horizontal Stabilizer

Fin = Ver tical Fin

LE = Leading Edge
TE = Trailing Edge
LG = Landing Gear

Ply = Plywood

" = Inches

mm = Millimeters

ESC = Electronic Speed Control

SHCS = Socket Head Cap Screw

1" = 25.4mm (conversion factor)

METRIC CONVERSIONS

COMMON ABBREVIATIONS

5

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

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

1/4" = 6.4mm

3/8" = 9.5mm

1/2" = 12.7mm

5/8" = 15.9mm

3/4" = 19.0mm

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

6" = 152.4mm
12" = 304.8mm
18" = 457.2mm
21" = 533.4mm
24" = 609.6mm
30" = 762.0mm
36" = 914.4mm

6

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

Great Planes Product Support

3002 N. Apollo Drive, Suite 1

Champaign, IL 61822

Telephone: [phone], ext. 5

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

KIT INSPECTION

KIT CONTENTS

1

13

14

10

6

3

4

5

2

8

9

1. Cowl

2. Canopy

3. Fuselage

4. Cowl Ring

5. Hook & Loop Material

6. Landing Gear

7. Wheels (2)

8. Horizontal Stabilizer & Elevator Halves

9. Ver tical Fin & Rudder

10. Left Wing Panel

11. Spar Doubler

12. Right Wing Panel

13. Left Aileron

14. Right Aileron

12

Kit Contents

7

11

❏ 1. If you have not done so already, remove the major

parts of the kit from the box and inspect for damage. If any
parts are damaged or missing, contact Product Support at
the address or telephone number listed in the

“Kit

Inspection”

section on page 6.

❏ 2. Carefully remove the tape and separate all the control

surfaces. Use a covering iron with a covering sock on
low/medium heat to tighten the covering if necessary. Apply
pressure over sheeted areas to thoroughl ybond the covering
to the wood.

❏ 1. Use a sharp hobby knife to trim open the hinge slots in

the wing panels and ailerons.Test fit the pre-cut CA hinges
into the slots. If any are difficult to install, enlarge the slots
with your knife.

❏ 2. Inser t the CA hinges halfway into the slots in the wing

panels. Push small T-pins through the middle of the hinges
to keep them centered. Insert the ailerons onto the other
ends of the hinges. Align the outer tips of the ailerons flush
with the wing tips.Pull the ailerons away from the panels far
enough to confirm that the hinges remained perpendicular
with the hinge line. If not, use a hobby knife or small
screwdriver to nudge them straight.

❏ 3. When satisfied, carefully remove the T-pins from the

hinges. Use thin CA glue to secure the ailerons by applying
6 to 7 drops onto both sides of each hinge.

ASSEMBLE THE WING P ANELS

PREPARATIONS

7

❏ 4. Attach a 6" [150mm] servo extension to each aileron

servo and wrap the connection with heat-shrink tubing or
transparent tape.

❏ 5. Trim the covering from the aileron servo bays on the

undersides of the wing panels.

❏ 6.Insert the servo leads into the servo bays and pull them

through the wing ribs.The servos can be installed using the
hardware included with the servos or they can be glued in
place. If gluing the servos in place, slit or puncture the
covering just beneath the servo mounting tabs where they
will contact the wing. This will ensure that the servo will be
glued to the plywood servo bay, not just the covering. Glue
the aileron servos into the servo bays using epoxy or CA
glue with the servo splines facing the LE of the wings. After
the glue has cured, confirm that the servos are properly
secured to the wings and reinforce with extra glue if
necessary.

❏ 7. Locate two double-sided servo arms that fit the output

splines of your aileron servos and four adjustable clevises.

❏ 8. Temporarily connect your aileron servos and battery

pack to your radio and center the servos and trim levers on
the transmitter.Test fit the double-sided servo arms parallel
to the aileron hinge line.If the servo arm does not fit onto the
servo spline parallel to the hinge line, remove it from the
servo and rotate it 180°. Decide which way fits best (closest
to parallel) and cut off the arm that isn’t used. Be sure to
make a left and right servo arm.

❏ 9. Fit two adjustable clevises onto both 5/64" x 3-1/2"

[2mm x 90mm] aileron pushrods.Push one of the clevises
from each pushrod into the outer holes of the servo arms.

8

❏ 10. Locate the aileron double rib that has a rectangular

mounting block at the LE.Using the position of the pushrods
as a guide, cut a slot 3/8" [9.5mm] long perpendicular to the
hinge line just behind the bevel of the LE of the aileron for
each control horn in the center of the mounting block.The
slot only needs to be wide enough to accommodate the
thickness of the control horn backplate tab on the control
horn (approximately 1/16" [1.6mm] thick). Do not cut all the
way through the ailerons! 3/16" to 1/4" [5mm to 6mm] deep
is sufficient.

❏ 11. Trim the control horn backplate tabs to length so that

the control horns seat flat in the slots you made. Confirm
that the holes in the control horn are centered over the hinge
line. When satisfied, coat the backplate tabs with medium
CA and press them into the slots.

❏ 12. Use the position of the control horn to adjust the

length of the pushrods as needed. Remove the servo arms
from the aileron servos. Connect the other adjustable
clevises on the aileron pushrods to the control horns and
reattach the servo arms. Fine tune the length of the
pushrods inside the clevises so that the ailerons are in the
neutral position when the servo arms are parallel to the
hinge line.Lock the clevises onto the pushrods by threading
a 2mm x 4mm screw into each clevis scre w hole and tighten
carefully.The excess rod ends can be cut away.

❏ 1. Use medium or thick CA to glue the anti-rotation

dowels into the wing root ribs. The dowels should protrude

beyond the wing root ribs by 5/16" [8mm]. If the dowels are
slightly loose inside the holes in the wings, try to glue the
dowels as perpendicular to the root ribs as possible.

❏ 2. Before gluing, test fit both wing panels into the fuselage

to confirm a proper fit. The center spar extends into the
fuselage and interlocks with the spar of the other wing panel.

INST ALL THE WING P ANELS

9