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ASSEMBLY MANUAL
“ Graphics and specications may change without notice “ .
Code: SEA249
(SEA249M)
Specications:
(SEA249D)
Wingspan---------------70.9 in (180 cm).
Wing area---------------992 sq.in (64 sq.dm).
Weight-------------------11 lbs (5.0 kg).
Length-------------------58 in (147.3 cm).
Gas Engine--------------20cc
Glow Engine------------.91 cu.in
Electric Motor----------1500-2000 watt
( Power 60-110)
Radio--------------------6 channels with 8 servos.
Electric conversion: Optional.
www.seagullmodels.com
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Van’s RV- 8
INTRODUCTION.
Instruction Manual.
ank you for choosing the VAN’S RV- 8 ARTF by SEAGULL MODELS COMPANY LTD,. e
VAN’S RV- 8 was designed with the intermediate/advanced sport yer in mind. It is a semi scale
airplane which is easy to y and quick to assemble. e airframe is conventionally built using
balsa, plywood to make it stronger than the average ARTF, yet the design allows the aeroplane
to be kept light. You will nd that most of the work has been done for you already. e motor
mount has been tted and the hinges are pre-installed. Flying the VAN’S RV- 8 is simply a joy.
is instruction manual is designed to help you build a great ying aeroplane. Please read
this manual throughly before starting assembly of your VAN’S RV- 8 . Use the parts listing
below to indentify all parts.
WARNING.
Please be awere that this aeroplane is not a toy and if assembley or used incorrectly it is
capable of causing injury to people or property. WHEN YOU FLY THIS AEROPLANE YOU
ASSUME ALL RISK & REPONSIBILITY.
If you are inexperienced with basic R/C ight we strongly recommend you contact your R/C
supplier and join your local R/C model Flying Club. R/C Model Flying Clubs oer a variety
of training procedures designed to help the new pilot on his way to successful R/C ight.
ey will also be able to advise on any insurance and safety regulations that may apply.
KIT CONTENTS
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KIT CONTENTS.
SEA249 VAN’S RV- 8
SEA24901 Fuselage
SEA24902 Wing set
SEA24903 Tail set
SEA24904 Canopy
SEA24905 Cowling
SEA24906 Pilot
SEA24907 Aluminum wing tube
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED.
� 20cc gas or .91 glow.
� 1500-2000 watt electric
(Power 60-110).
� Computer radio with 8 servos.
� Glow plug to suit engine.
� Propeller to suit engine.
� Protective foam rubber for radio
system.
HINGING THE FLAP.
Note : e control surfaces, including the ai-
lerons, elevators, and rudder, are prehinged
with hinges installed, but the hinges are not
glued in place. It is imperative that you properly adhere the hinges in place per the steps
that follow using a high-quality thin C/A glue.
1) Carefully remove the aileron from one
of the wing panels. Note the position of the
hinges.
2) Remove each hinge from the wing panel
and aileron and place a T-pin in the center of
each hinge. Slide each hinge into the wing
panel until the T-pin is snug against the wing
panel. is will help ensure an equal amount
of hinge is on either side of the hinge line
when the aileron is mounted to the aileron.
TOOLS & SUPPLIES NEEDED.
in cyanoacrylate glue.
Medium cyanoacrylate glue.
30 minute epoxy.
5 minute epoxy.
Hand or electric drill.
Assorted drill bits.
Modelling knife.
Straight edge ruler.
2mm ball driver.
Phillips head screwdriver.
220 grit sandpaper.
90° square or builder’s triangle.
Wire cutters.
Masking tape & T-pins.
read-lock.
Paper towels.
.
3) Slide the wing panel on the aileron until
there is only a slight gap. e hinge is now
centered on the wing panel and aileron. Remove the T-pins and snug the aileron against
the wing panel. A gap of 1/64” or less should
be maintained between the wing panel and
aileron.
Hinge.
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Van’s RV- 8
Instruction Manual.
4) Deect the aileron and completely saturate each hinge with thin C/A glue. e ailerons front surface should lightly contact the
wing during this procedure. Ideally, when
the hinges are glued in place, a 1/64” gap or
less will be maintained throughout the lengh
of the aileron to the wing panel hinge line.
NOTE : e hinge is constructed of a special material that allows the C/A to wick
or penetrate and distribute throughout
the hinge, securely bonding it to the wood
structure of the wing panel and aileron.
T-pin.
Hinge.
8) Aer both ailerons are securely hinged,
rmly grasp the wing panel and aileron to
make sure the hinges are securely glued and
cannot be pulled out. Do this by carefully applying medium pressure, trying to separate
the aileron from the wing panel. Use caution
not to crush the wing structure.
Note :
Work the aileron up and down several times to “work in” the hinges
and check for proper movement.
in CA.
5) Turn the wing panel over and deect the
aileron in the opposite direction from the
opposite side. Apply thin C/A glue to each
hinge, making sure that the C/A penetrates
into both the aileron and wing panel.
6) Using C/A remover/debonder and a paper towel, remove any excess C/A glue that
may have accumulated on the wing or in the
aileron hinge area.
7) Repeat this process with the other wing
panel, securely hinging the aileron in place.
HINGING THE AILERON.
Note : e control surfaces, including the ai-
lerons, elevators, and rudder, are prehinged
with hinges installed, but the hinges are not
glued in place. It is imperative that you properly adhere the hinges in place per the steps
that follow using a high-quality thin C/A glue.
1) Carefully remove the aileron from one
of the wing panels. Note the position of the
hinges.
2) Remove each hinge from the wing panel
and aileron and place a T-pin in the center of
each hinge. Slide each hinge into the wing
panel until the T-pin is snug against the wing
panel. is will help ensure an equal amount
of hinge is on either side of the hinge line
when the aileron is mounted to the aileron.
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5) Turn the wing panel over and deect the
aileron in the opposite direction from the
opposite side. Apply thin C/A glue to each
hinge, making sure that the C/A penetrates
into both the aileron and wing panel.
6) Using C/A remover/debonder and a pa-
Hinge.
per towel, remove any excess C/A glue that
may have accumulated on the wing or in the
aileron hinge area.
3) Slide the wing panel on the aileron until
there is only a slight gap. e hinge is now
centered on the wing panel and aileron. Remove the T-pins and snug the aileron against
the wing panel. A gap of 1/64” or less should
be maintained between the wing panel and
aileron.
4) Deect the aileron and completely saturate each hinge with thin C/A glue. e ailerons front surface should lightly contact the
wing during this procedure. Ideally, when
the hinges are glued in place, a 1/64” gap or
less will be maintained throughout the lengh
of the aileron to the wing panel hinge line.
NOTE : e hinge is constructed of a special material that allows the C/A to wick
or penetrate and distribute throughout
the hinge, securely bonding it to the wood
structure of the wing panel and aileron.
7) Repeat this process with the other wing
panel, securely hinging the aileron in place.
8) Aer both ailerons are securely hinged,
rmly grasp the wing panel and aileron to
make sure the hinges are securely glued and
cannot be pulled out. Do this by carefully applying medium pressure, trying to separate
the aileron from the wing panel. Use caution
not to crush the wing structure.
Note :
Work the aileron up and down several times to “work in” the hinges
and check for proper movement.
in CA.
HINGING THE ELEVATORS.
Glue the elevator hinges in place using
the same techniques used to hinge the ailerons.
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Van’s RV- 8
Instruction Manual.
HINGING THE RUDDER.
Glue the rudder hinges in place using
the same techniques used to hinge the ailerons.
INSTALL THE AILERONS CONTROL
HORN.
INSTALL FLAP CONTROL HORN.
Install the ap control horn using the
same method as same as the aileron control horns.
Fiberglass control horn.
Fiberglass control horn
Ep ox y.
INSTALL ELEVATOR CONTROL HORN.
Ep ox y.
Fiberglass control horn.
Aileron control horn.
Ep ox y.
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Ep ox y.
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Ep ox y.
Elevator berglass control horn.
INSTALL RUDDER CONTROL HORN.
INSTALLING THE FUSELAGE SERVOS.
Because the size of servos dier, you
may need to adjust the size of the precut
opening in the mount. e notch in the
sides of the mount allow the servo lead to
pass through.
1) Install the rubber grommets and brass
collets onto the throttle servo. Test t the
servo into the aileron servo mount.
2) Secure the servos with the screws provided with your radio system.
.
Repeat steps to install the rudder control
horn as same as steps done for ailerons.
Fiberglass control horn.
rottle servo.
Elevator servo.
Rudder servo.
Elevator servo.
THROTTLE SERVO ARM
INSTALLATION.
Install adjustable servo connector in the
servo arm as same as picture below:
Loctite secure.
Adjustable servo
connector.
Ep ox y.
Rudder berglass control horn.
Servo arm.
rottle servo arm.
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INSTALLING THE RECEIVER SWITCH.
Install the switch into the precut hole in
the side, in the fuselage.
3/32” Hole.
Instruction Manual.
Switch.
INSTALLING THE S TOPPER
ASSEMBLY.
1) Using a modeling knife, carefully cut
o the rear portion of one of the 3 nylon
tubes leaving 1/2” protruding from the
rear of the stopper. is will be the fuel
pick up tube.
Trim and cut.
.
Switch.
INSTALLING THE ENGINE SWITCH.
2) Using a modeling knife, cut one length
of silicon fuel line. Connect one end of
the line to the weighted fuel pick up and
the other end to the nylon pick up tube.
Trim and cut.
8
A
B
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7) Slide the fuel tank into the fuselage. Guide
the lines from the tank through the hole in
the rewall.
8) Use plywood template to hold in place the
fuel tank with C/A glue to secure the fuel
tank inside the fuselage.
Vent tube.
Fuel fill tube.
Fuel pick up tube.
3) Carefully bend the second nylon tube up
at a 45º angle. is tube is the vent tube.
4) Test t the stopper assembly into the tank.
It may be necessary to remove some of the
ashing around the tank opening using a
modeling knife. If ashing is present, make
sure none falls into the tank.
5) With the stopper assembly in place, the
weighted pick-up should rest away from the
rear of the tank and move freely inside the
tank. e top of the vent tube should rest just
below the top of the tank. It should not touch
the top of the tank.
A
C/A glue.
B
C/A glue.
6) When satised with the alignment of the
stopper assembly tighten the 3 x 20mm machine screw until the rubber stopper expands
and seals the tank opening. Do not overtighten the assembly as this could cause the
tank to split.
FUEL TANK INSTALLATION.
You should mark which tube is the vent
and which is the fuel pickup when you attach
fuel tubing to the tubes in the stopper. Once
the tank is installed inside the fuselage, it may
be dicult to determine which is which.
Balsa wood.
Vent tube.
Fuel ll tube.
Fuel pick up tube.
9) Connect the lines from the tank to the engine and muer. e vent line will connect
to the muer and the line from the clunk to
the carburetor.
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Blow through one of the lines to ensure
the fuel lines have not become kinked inside
the fuel tank compartment. Air should ow
through easily.
ENGINE MOUNT INSTALLATION.
Instruction Manual.
MOUNTING THE ENGINE - 20CC GAS.
1) Position the engine with the drive
washer (145mm) forward of the rewall
as shown.
145mm
1) Locate the items necessary to install
the engine mount included with your
model.
.
4x30mm
2) Use four 4x30mm head bolts and four
4mm washers to attach the engine mount
rails to the rewall. Tighten the screws .
Make sure to use threadlock on the screws to
help prevent them from vibrating loose.
2) Use a pin drill and 4mm drill bit to
drill a small indentation in the mount for
the engine mounting screw.
4mm
3) Use a drill to drill the four holes in the
engine mount rails.
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4mm
read locker glue.
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4) On the re wall has the location for the
throttle pusshrod tube (pre-drill).
5) Slide the pushrod tube in the rewall
and guide it through the fuel tank mount.
Use medium C/A to glue the tube to the
rewall and the fuel tank mount.
6) Connect the Z-bend in the 450mm
throttle pushrod to the outer hole of the
carburetor arm.
7) Slide the throttle pushrod wire into
the tube. Position the engine between the
mounts. Use four M4x30mm machine
screws to secure the engine to the mount
as shown.
Machine screw M4x30mm
Pushrod wire.
8) Reinstall the servo horn by sliding the
connector over the pushrod wire. Center
the throttle stick and trim and install the
servo horn perpendicular to the servo
center line.
9) Move the throttle stick to the closed position and move the carburetor to closed.
Use a 2.5mm hex wrench to tighten the
screw that secures the throttle pushrod
wire. Make sure to use threadlock on the
screw so it does not vibrate loose.
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Instruction Manual.
COWLING.
Please see these below pictures.
Because of the size of the cowl, it may be necessary to use a needle valve extension for the
high speed needle valve. Make this out of sufcient length 1.5mm wire and install it into
the end of the needle valve. Secure the wire in
place by tightening the set screw in the side of
the needle valve.
1) Carefully align the cowling on the airplane. e front of the cowl should be positioned so the cranksha is in the middle of
the cowl opening. Hold the cowl rmly in
place using pieces of masking tape.
Needle valve.
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2) Slide the cowl in position on the fuselage.
Use M3x10mm screws to secure the cowling
to the fuselage.
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5) Slide the pushrod tube in the rewall
and guide it through the fuel tank mount.
Use medium C/A to glue the tube to the
rewall and the fuel tank mount.
6) Connect the Z-bend in the 450mm
throttle pushrod to the outer hole of the
carburetor arm.
7) Slide the throttle pushrod wire into
the tube. Position the engine between the
mounts. Use four M4x30mm machine
screws to secure the engine to the mount
as shown.
MOUNTING THE ENGINE - 2 stroke.
1) Position the engine with the drive
washer (145mm) forward of the rewall
as shown.
145mm
2) Use a pin drill and 4mm drill bit to
drill a small indentation in the mount for
the engine mounting screw.
Machine screw M4x30mm
3) Use a drill to drill the four holes in the
engine mount rails.
4) On the re wall has the location for the
throttle pusshrod tube (pre-drill).
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Instruction Manual.
Pushrod wire.
COWLING.
1) Please see below pictures.
Because of the size of the cowl, it may be necessary to use a needle valve extension for the
high speed needle valve. Make this out of sufcient length 1.5mm wire and install it into
the end of the needle valve. Secure the wire in
place by tightening the set screw in the side of
the needle valve.
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2) Carefully align the cowling on the airplane. e front of the cowl should be positioned so the cranksha is in the middle of
the cowl opening. Hold the cowl rmly in
place using pieces of masking tape.
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Needle valve.
3x10mm
3) Slide the cowl in position on the fuselage.
Use M3x10mm screws to secure the cowling
to the fuselage.
2) Note that there is no factory-made battery hatch in the RV-8 fuselage. If you
use electric power you must design your
own method to put the battery in and
out. e easiest method is to install the
battery from the front, at the bottom of
the cowling. Make an opening in the
plywood rewall right below the motor
mounting box. Cut away enough of the
bottom of the cowling to allow the battery to slide inside the fuselage. Make
sure you make a way to hold the battery
secure during ight.
An laser-cut plywood adjustable electric
motor mount is included in this kit. It
should work for almost all suitable electric motors.
ELECTRIC POWER CONVERSION.
1) Locate the items neccessary to install
the electric power conversion included
with your model.
- Motor: 50mm
- Propeller: 15x10 ~ 16x10
- ESC: 80A
- Lipo Batteries: 8 cell 5200mA
3) Attach the electric motor box to the
rewall suitable with the cross lines
drawn on the electric motor box and rewall. Using M4x20mm to secure the motor box to the rewall. Please see pictures
below.
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M4x20mm
Instruction Manual.
.
Blind nut.
4) Attach the motor to the front of the
electric motor box using four 4mm blind
nut, four M3x12mm hex head bolts to secure the motor. Please see picture shown.
5) Attach the motor to the front of the
electric motor box using four 4mm blind
nut, four M3x12mm hex head bolts to secure the motor. Please see picture shown.
M3x12mm
Epoxy
16
4 mm
145 mm
.
Balsa stick.
Epoxy
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6) Attach the speed control to the side
of the motor box using two-sided tape
and tie wraps. Connect the appropriate
leads from the speed control to the motor. Make sure the leads will not interfere
with the operation of the motor.
Batt er y.
e propeller should not touch any
part of the spinner cone. If it does, use a
sharp modeling knife and carefully trim
away the spinner cone where the propeller comes in contact with it.
INSTALLING THE AILERON SERVOS.
Speed control
M3x15mm
INSTALLING THE SPINNER.
Servos
.
Small
weight
.
Thread
Because the size of servos dier, you
may need to adjust the size of the precut
opening in the mount. e notch in the
sides of the mount allow the servo lead to
pass through.
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Instruction Manual.
1) Using a small weight (Weighted fuel
pick-up works well) and string, feed the
string through the wing as indicated.
2) Place the servo between the mounting
blocks and space it from the hatch. Use a
pencil to mark the mounting hole locations on the blocks.
3) Use drill bit in a pin vise to drill the
mouting holes in the blocks.
5) Use dental oss to secure the connection so they cannot become unplugged.
6) Secure the servo to the aileron hatch
using Phillips screwdriver and the screws
provided with the servo.
4) Apply 2-3 drops of thin C/A to each
of the mounting holes. Allow the C/A to
cure without using accelerator.
7) Apply 1-2 drops of thin C/A to each
of the mounting tabs. Allow the C/A to
cure without using accelerator.
C/A glue
8) Remove the string from the wing at
the servo location and use the tape to attach it to the servo extension lead. Pull
the lead through the wing and remove
the string.
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C/A glue
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9) Set the aileron hatch in place and use a
Phillips screw driver to install it with four
wood screws.
2x10mm
INSTALLING THE AILERON SERVO.
Repeat the procedure for the aileron
servo.
INSTALLING THE FLAP SERVO.
Repeat the procedure for the aileron
servo.
.
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INSTALLING THE LIGHT COVER.
Please see below pictures.
Instruction Manual.
Ep ox y.
AILERON PU SHROD H ORN
INSTALLATION.
Please see below pictures.
Cut.
Use a felt tip pen to mark the wire where
it crosses the hole. Use a pair of pliers to
put a shrp 90-degree bend in the wire at
the mark.
.
Mark.
20
Bend at the mark
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8mm
Servo arm.
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M2 lock nut.
Snap keeper.
Snap keeper.
INSTALLING THE MAIN LANDING
GEAR TO FUSELAGE.
Metal clevis.
Nylon Snap keeper.
Hex Nut.
Fuel tubing.
INSTALLING THE FLAP PUSHROD.
Repeat the procedure for the aileron
pushrod.
1) e blind nuts for securing the landing gear are already mounted inside the
fuselage.
2) Using the hardware provided, mount
the main landing gear to the fuselage.
3) Place the fuselage inverted on the
workbench in a suitable stand. Set the
landing gear in place and use a screwdrive to secure the landing gear to the fuselage using bolts M4x20mm and washers. Make sure to use the threadlock on
the bolts so they don’t vibrate loose.
M4x20mm
read locker glue.
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Instruction Manual.
Wheel collar.
M4x20mm
WHEELS AND WHEEL PANTS.
1) Locate the items neccessary to install
2) Follow diagram below for wheel pant
installation:
Use a drill and 8mm drill bit to drill a
hole in the wheel pants.
Washer.
Wheel Pant.
C/A glue.
Axle.
M3
Wheel.
Wheel.
Washer.
nut.--
M3
Wheel collar.
Axle.
M3.
Lite-Plywood
block.
Drill a hole.
8mm
.
14mm
3) Trim each axle to correct length, using a rotary tool with an abrasive cut-o
wheel.
4) Slide the collar to the axle and setscrew
the collars to secure the collar to the axle
and then slider the wheel on the axle with
a drop of oil on the axle so the wheel will
spin freely when installed. Prepare a second collar and tighten the setscrew using
hex wrench to secure the collar to the
axle.
5) Place the wheel assembly in the wheel
pants. e threaded portion of the axle
will t the notch of the wheel pant as
shown.
6) Slide the threaded end of the axle
through the hole in the bottom of the
landing gear leg. Use a washer and locknut to tighten the axle to the landing gear.
Make sure to use threadlock on the nut so
it won’t vibrate loose in ight as shown.
7) Tighten the setcrews using a hex
wrench to secure the collars on the axle
over the at spot to retain the wheel as
shown.
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2) Slide the vertical stabilizer back inplace. Using a triangle, check to ensure
that the vertical stabilizer is aligned 90º
to the horizontal stabilizer.
Horizontal
Stabilizer.
Vertical
90º
Stabilizer.
Repeat steps to install remaining wheel
pants to the landing gear.
INSTALLING VERTICAL STABILIZER
1) Using a modeling knife, remove the
covering from over the precut hinge slot cut
into the lower rear portion of the fuselage.
3) When you are sure that everything
is aligned correctly, mix up a generous
amount of 30 Minute Epoxy. Ap¬ply a
thin layer to the bottom of the vertical
stabilizer mounting area. Apply epoxy to
the ller blocks. Set the vertical stabilizer
assembly in place. As you do this, install
the bottom rudder hinge into the fuselage
without any glue. Re-align the vertical
stabilizer carefully. Double check all of
your measurements once more before the
epoxy cures. Hold the stabilizer in place
with T-pins or masking tape, and remove
any excess epoxy using a paper towel and
rubbing alcohol. Allow the epoxy to fully
cure before proceeding. Aer the epoxy
is dry, glue the lower rudder hinge with
thin CA.
Epoxy glue the rudder control horn in
the slot in the le side of the rudder.
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Van’s RV- 8
Instruction Manual.
Fill epoxy.
Fill epoxy.
Epoxy
INSTALLING THE HORIZONTAL
STABILIZER.
M3x15mm
RUDDER PUSHROD INSTALLATION.
24
Epoxy glue a control horn in the slot in
bottom of each elevator.
1) Locate items necessary to install rudder pushrod.
Install the berglass rudder control horn
in the same manner as the ailerons.
M2 clevis.
M2 lock nut.
Cut.
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Elevator control horn.
Rudder control horn.
Rudder servo.
INSTALL DUAL ELEVATOR
PUSHRODS.
1) Locate items necessary to install rudder pushrod.
Rudder pushrod.
Install the berglass elevator control
horn in the same manner as the ailerons.
M2 clevis.
Elevator control horn.
M2 lock nut.
Cut.
8mm
Elevator pushrod.
M2 clevis.
Hex nut.
.
Fuel tubing.
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Instruction Manual.
3x25mm.
3x20mm.
.
Aluminum tail
landing gear.
Elevator servo.
Elevator servo.
TAILWHEEL INSTALLATION.
Locate items necessaryto install tailwheel.
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INSTALLATION PILOT AND CANOPY.
1) Locate items necessary to install pilot,
.
seats.
Ep ox y.
2) A scale pilot is included with this ARF.
e Seagull Pilot included tting well to
the cockpit. (or you can order others scale
pilot gures made by Seagull factory.
ey are available at Seagull distributors.)
If you are going to install a pilot gure,
please use a sanding bar to sand the base
of the gure so that it is at.
150mm
4) Position the canopy onto the fuselage.
Trace around the canopy and onto the
fu¬selage using a felt-tipped pen. Carefully cut and remove covering material from the fusealge where the canopy
makes contact, exposing the bare wood.
e permanently glue the canopy in place
with epoxy glue or special “canopy glue”.
Ep ox y.
3) Position the pilot gure on the canopy
oor as shown. Use epoxy to glue the base
of the pilot gure to the cockpit oor,
please see pictures as shown.
Glue the cockpit instrument panel in
place with C/A glue, please see pictures
as shown.
APPLY THE DECALS.
e decals are sticky-back type. Most
are factory die-cut to shape. If you want
to trim the edges closer, use a sharp #11
hobby knife. Small decals can be applied
by simply removing the paper backing
sheet, and then lay the decal in position.
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Instruction Manual.
For the larger decals we recommend a
“wet” application method - 1) Peel the paper backing sheet o the decal.; 2) Use a
soapy water product (like window cleaner) to spray the adhesive side of the decal.
Also spray the area of the model where the
decal goes.; 3) Lightly place the decal onto
the wet surface of the model. e liquid
cleaner will keep the decal from sticking
to the model, to give you time to shi it
around into exact position.; 4) Once in
position, use a piece of sti cardboard to
squeegee the excess liquid out from under
the decal. Squeegee repeatedly, removing
all excess liquid and air bubbles. Mop up
the liquid with a paper towel. Allow to
dry overnight.
ATTACHMENT WING- FUSELAGE.
Cut.
Ep ox y.
INSTALLING BATTERY - RECEIVER.
1) Plug the ve servo leads and the switch
lead into the receiver. Plug the battery
pack lead into the switch also.
2) Wrap the receiver and battery pack in
the protective foam rubber to protect
them from vibration.
Batt er y.
Receiver.
Attach the aluminium tube into fuselage.
Wing tube.
Insert two wing panels as pictures below.
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WWW.SEAGULLMODELS.COM
1) It is critical that your airplane be
balanced correctly. Improper balance will
cause your plane to lose control and
crash. THE CENTER OF GRAVITY IS LOCATED 88MM BACK
FROM THE LEADING EDGE OF
THE WING AT THE WING ROOT.
2) Mount the wing to the fuselage. Using
a couple of pieces of masking tape, place
them on the top side of the wing 88mm
back from the leading edge of the wing at
the wing root.
BALANCING.
3) With the model inverted, place your
ngers on the masking tape and carefully
li the plane.
Accurately mark the balance point on the
top of the wing on both sides of the fuselage. e balance point is located 88mm
back from the leading edge of the wing at
the wing root. is is the balance point
at which your model should balance for
your rst ights. Later, you may wish to
experiment by shiing the balance up to
10mm forward or back to change the ying characteristics. Moving the balance
forward may improve the smoothness
and arrow- like tracking, but it may then
require more speed for take o and make
it more dicult to slow down for landing.
Moving the balance a makes the model
more agile with a lighter and snappier
”feel”. In any case,please start at the location we recommend .
Wing bolt.
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Page 30
Van’s RV- 8
With the wing attached to the fuselage,
all parts of the model installed ( ready to
y), and empty fuel tanks, hold the model at the marked balance point with the
stabilizer level.
Li the model. If the tail drops when
you li, the model is “tail heavy” and you
must add weight* to the nose. If the nose
drops, it is “nose heavy” and you must
add weight* to the tail to balance.
*If possible, rst attempt to balance the
model by changing the position of the receiver battery and receiver. If you are unable to obtain good balance by doing so,
then it will be necessary to add weight to
the nose or tail to achieve the
proper balance point.
Instruction Manual.
88 mm
CONTROL THROWS.
Ailerons:
High Rate : 12mm
Low Rate : 10mm
Elevator:
High Rate : 12mm
Low Rate : 10 mm
Rudder:
High Rate : 30mm
Low Rate : 20 mm
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WWW.SEAGULLMODELS.COM
FLIGHT PREPARATION. PREFLIGHT CHECK.
Check the operation and direction
of the elevator, rudder, ailerons and
throttle.
A) Plug in your radio system per the
manufacturer’s instructions and turn
everything on.
B) Check the elevator rst. Pull
back on the elevator stick. e elevator halves should move up. If it they do
not, ip the servo reversing switch on
your transmitter to change the direc-
C) Check the rudder. Looking from
behind the airplane, move the rudder
stick to the right. e rudder should
move to the right. If it does not, ip
the servo reversing switch on your
transmitter to change the direction.
1) Completely charge your transmitter and receiver batteries before
your rst day of ying.
2) Check every bolt and every
glue joint in the VAN’S RV-8 to en-
sure that everything is tight and well
bonded.
3) Double check the balance of the
airplane. Do this with the fuel tank
empty.
4) Check the control surfaces. All
should move in the correct direction
and not bind in any way.
5) If your radio transmitter is
equipped with dual rate switches
double check that they are on the low
rate setting for your rst few ights.
D) Check the throttle. Moving the
throttle stick forward should open the
carburetor barrel. If it does not, ip the
servo reversing switch on your trans-
E) From behind the airplane, look
at the aileron on the right wing half.
Move the aileron stick to the right.
e right aileron should move up and
the other aileron should move down.
If it does not, ip the servo reversing
switch on your transmitter to change
the direction.
We wish you many safe and enjoyable ights
with your VAN’S RV- 8.
6) Check to ensure the control surfaces are moving the proper amount
for both low and high rate settings.
7) Check the receiver antenna.
It should be fully extended and not
coiled up inside the fuselage.
8) Properly balance the propeller.
An out of balance propeller will cause
excessive vibration which could lead
to engine and/or airframe failure.
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