Top Flite TOPA0310 - Manual (Page 13)

Build the elevators
❏
1. Make both elevator cores by gluing together
the two die-cut 3/32" balsa pieces as shown in the
photo and on the plan.
❏ 2. Make two 1/4" elevator leading edges by
gluing together two sets of die-cut 1/8" balsa
elevator leading edges (ELE) . Lightly sand the
edges to align them and to remove excess glue.
❏
3. Use a ballpoint pen and a straightedge to mark
a centerline on both elevator LE’s. Use T-pins to hold
the straightedge on center while you mark the line.
Using the centerline as a guide, mark an additional
guideline close to the centerline (3/64" from the
centerline to be exact) to make certain the elevator
core will remain true and on center when it’s time to
glue it to the elevator LE.
Build the left elevator first.
❏ ❏
4. Glue one of the elevator cores to one of the
elevator LE’s using the guidelines you drew to keep
the core on center and straight. Use a small square
to hold the core perpendicular to the LE as you
proceed. Note that the LE extends beyond the root
end of the core by 1/8".
❏ ❏ 5. Glue the die-cut 3/32" balsa elevator tip
core to the elevator LE. Hint: Place both cores on
pieces of 1/2" balsa or something similar to assure
correct alignment. Trim the tip of the elevator LE even
with the tip core and elevator core.
❏ ❏ 6. Glue two die-cut 3/32" balsa elevator S7A
ribs together. Refer to the following photo, then clamp
the glued-together ribs to S7 on the end of the stab
with a 1/16" spacer in between. Use your bar sander
to sand the end of the ribs even with the trailing
edge. Leave the ribs temporarily clamped to the stab
until instructed to remove the clamps.
Note: The following steps are intended to assure
accurate alignment of the elevator, the elevator tip
and the stab. When the elevator is neutral or
centered, the elevator tip must also be centered to
align with the stab—especially at the leading edge
where even a slight misalignment will be easily seen.
Keep this in mind while you proceed.
❏ ❏
7. Temporarily, but securely pin the elevator LE
to the stab TE and S7 ribs to the stab. Be certain
the elevator core and elevator tip core are centered
and neutral, then glue the elevator tip core to the
S7A tip ribs.
❏ ❏ 8. Remove the clamps. Use a bar sander to
carefully sand the elevator LE and elevator tip ribs to
match the stab.
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