Great Planes GPMA1050 User Manual

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INSTRUCTION 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 buyers are not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product, they are advised to return this kit immediately in new and unused condition to the place of purchase.

READ THROUGH THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL

FIRST. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY

AND USE OF THIS MODEL.

P.O. Box 788 Urbana, IL 61801 (217) 398-8970 productsupport@greatplanes.com

GPMZ0207 V1.1 For GPMA1050

Entire Contents © Copyright 2002

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 PREPARATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Required Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Building Supplies & Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Optional Supplies & Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 General Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Important Building Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Metric/Inch Ruler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

PARTS LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 REPLACEMENT PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 ASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Wing Assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Tail Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Radio & Motor Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Canopy Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Folding Propeller Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Final Hookups & Checks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Radio Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Balance The Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Checking For Warps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

PREFLIGHT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Charge the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Find a Safe Place to Fly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Range Check Your Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

AMA SAFETY CODE (EXCERPT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Radio Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 FLYING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Trim Flights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 First Flights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Thermal Flying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Facts About Thermals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Thermal Soaring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Pointers for Contest Soaring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

FLIGHT LOG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BACK COVER

PROTECT YOUR MODEL,YOURSELF & OTHERS...FOLLOW THESE IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Your SPECTRA ARF is not a toy, but rather a sophisticated, working model that functions very much like a full-size sailplane. Because of its realistic performance, the SPECTRA 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 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. (800) 435-9262

Fax (765) 741-0057

or via the Internet at http://www.modelaircraft.org

1.Build the plane 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 build straight, true and strong.

3.Use an R/C radio system that is in first-class condition, and a correctly sized motor and components (batteries, etc.) throughout your building process.

4.You must properly install all components so that the model operates properly on the ground and in the air.

5.You must check the operation of the model before every flight to ensure that all equipment is operating and that the model has remained structurally sound. Be sure to check nylon clevises or other connectors often and replace them if they show signs of wear or fatigue.

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.

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 building or flying this airplane, please call us at:

(217) 398-8970 or e-mail us at:

productsupport@greatplanes.com.

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

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INTRODUCTION

The SPECTRA ARF is a very stable and predictable aircraft, allowing pilots of differing skill levels to enjoy it. It is easy to build, flies great, and would be a great selection as your first R/C airplane.

PREPARATIONS

Required Accessories

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

Minimum three-channel radio with two standard servos

Electronic Speed Controller with BEC

6 or 7-cell rechargeable battery

Building Supplies & Tools

These are the building supplies and tools that are required. We recommend Great Planes ProCA and Epoxy glue.

Pacer Formula 560 canopy glue (PAAR3300)

Plastic wrap or wax paper

Hobby knife and #11 blades (HCAR0105)

1/2" [13mm] Latex foam rubber padding (HCAQ1050)

Phillips screwdriver

Pliers

Great Planes Pro Thin CA (1/2oz) (GPMR6001)

Great Planes Pro Medium CA (1/2oz) (GPMR6007)

Great Planes Pro Threadlocker (GPMR6060)

Hand or electric drill with 1/16" [1.6mm], 3/32" [2.3mm], 9/64" [3.6mm] and drill bits

Optional Supplies & Tools

Top Flite Sealing Iron (TOPR2100)

Top Flite Heat Gun (TOPR2000)

Hobbico single-edge razor blades (HCAR0312)

Hobbico Curved Tip Canopy Scissors for trimming plastic parts (HCAR0667)

General Inspection

Remove the fuselage, wing panels, rudder assembly and stabilizer assembly from their individual bags. Inspect all items closely to check for any damage. If any damage is found, contact the place where your SPECTRA ARF was purchased, or Hobby Services, to obtain a replacement for your damaged items. 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 re-attach them.

Your SPECTRA ARF is covered using Top Flite MonoKote® covering. 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.

Important Building Notes

Several times during construction we 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.

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PARTS LIST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key #

Description

Qty

Key #

Description

Qty

1

REAR CANOPY BRACE ...................

1

9

FUSELAGE........................................

1

2

CANOPY BRACE BRACE.................

1

10

FIN & RUDDER .................................

1

3

CANOPY............................................

1

11

METAL PUSHRODS..........................

2

4

FRONT CANOPY BRACE.................

1

12

WING JOINER...................................

1

5

MOTOR..............................................

1

13

WING DOWELS ................................

2

6

DOWEL PUSHRODS ........................

2

14

CANOPY DOWEL .............................

1

7

SHRINK TUBING...............................

1

15

WING (TWO HALVES) ......................

1

8

STAB & ELEVATOR...........................

1

 

 

 

REPLACEMENT PARTS

If needed, replacement parts for your Spectra ARF are available through your hobby supplier.

GPMA2340

....Wing Kit

GPMA2341

....Fuselage

GPMA2342

....Tail Set

GPMA2343

....Motor

GPMA2344

....Battery

GPMA2345 ....ESC

GPMQ1690 .....8 x 4 Folding Prop

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Great Planes GPMA1050 User Manual

ASSEMBLY

Wing Assembly

1. Locate the wing joiner and insert it into the right wing joiner pocket as shown in the above picture.

2. Insert the other side of the wing joiner into the left wing joiner pocket and slide the wings together.

3. Completed wing

Tail Assembly

1. Find and open the holes in the stabilizer covering for the attachment screws. Attach the stabilizer to the fuselage using two 2mm x 15mm screws, two 2mm nuts and four 2mm washers. Use thread lock on the nuts to prevent loosening.

2. Open the holes on the top and bottom of the fuselage covering for the fin attachment. Attach the fin using two 2mm washers and two 2mm nuts. Use Great Planes Pro Threadlocker on the nuts to prevent loosening.

3. Install the wing dowels. Note that the smaller dowel (7mm x 90mm) should be installed into the aft holes.

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