Great Planes Avistar Elite .46 ARF - GPMA1005 - Manual (Page 2)

2
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the Hobbico Avistar Elite
.46 GP/EP ARF! This latest version of the popular Avistar is just
what you need as a stepping stone from your fl at-bottomed
wing trainer, or is also suitable as a fi rst plane with help from
an instructor. The components of the Avistar Elite can be
assembled without the use of glue. The self-aligning, bolt-on
tail and pre-hinged control surfaces speed up assembly time.
The included IsoSmooth ™ engine mount reduces engine
vibration which could cause fuel to foam and parts to loosen
over time. The Avistar can also be built with brushless motor
power. A pre-assembled brushless motor mount is included
and is designed for the recommended motor. A magnetic
battery hatch allows you easy access to your fl ight battery.
In addition, you will fi nd other time-saving steps already
completed for you such as the assembly of the fuel tank, fl at
spots ground into the axles for wheel collars, control horns
pre-installed, etc. Once in the air, you’ll fi nd the Avistar to be
a pleasure to fl y and capable of performing basic aerobatics.
The high wing design is self-righting and can fl y well at only
1/2 throttle which will help new pilots learn the basics.
For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to the
Avistar Elite visit the Hobbico web site at www.hobbico.com.
Open the “Airplanes” link, then select the Avistar Elite 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.
AMA
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 fl y at AMA clubs.
Though joining the AMA provides many benefi ts, one of the
primary reasons to join is liability protection. Coverage is not
limited to fl ying at contests or on the club fi eld. It even applies
to fl ying 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:
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
IMPORTANT!!! Two of the most important things you can
do to preserve the radio controlled aircraft hobby are to avoid
fl ying near full-scale aircraft and avoid fl ying near or over
groups of people.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
PROTECT YOUR MODEL, YOURSELF & OTHERS…
FOLLOW THESE IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1. Your Avistar Elite 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
Avistar, if not assembled and operated correctly, could possibly
cause injury to yourself or spectators and damage to property.
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
AMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Radio Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Power System Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Propeller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Required Hardware & Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Optional Supplies and Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Building Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
KIT INSPECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
KIT CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
PREPARATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
BUILDING INSTRUCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Assemble the Wing Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Optional Flaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Glow Engine Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Brushless Motor Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Install the Landing Gear & Tail Section . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Install the Tail Surface Servos & Pushrods . . . . . . . . 19
Finish the Model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Apply the Decals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Check the Control Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Set the Control Throws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Balance the Model (C.G.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Balance the Model Laterally. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
PREFLIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Identify Your Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Charge the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Balance Propellers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Ground Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Range Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
ENGINE & ELECTRIC MOTOR SAFETY . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
AMA SAFETY CODE EXCERPTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Radio Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
CHECK LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
FLYING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Taxiing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Takeoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Final Note. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
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