Top Flite TOPA0310 - Manual (Page 23)

❏ ❏ 4. Test fit the die-cut 3/32" balsa aileron core to
the wing and trim as necessary for a good fit between
the aileron tip ribs. Mark the rib locations on both sides
of the aileron core where shown on the plan.
❏ ❏ 5. Position the aileron core on the aileron LE.
Align the core so that both ends of the trailing edge
align with the wing (at ribs 9 and 15). Because of this
alignment, the leading edge of the core may not be
exactly centered on the LE, but it should be close.
This is to account for the washout in the wing. If you
are not accurate here, the ends of the aileron may
not align with the wing when it’s finished.
❏ ❏ 6. After you have aligned the aileron core, glue
it to the aileron LE and the tip ribs.
Refer to this photo for the following five steps.
❏ ❏ 7. Cut the top and bottom aileron ribs from a
3/32" x 5/8" x 24" balsa stick and glue them to the
aileron. Be certain to cut the ribs 1/16" below the aileron
LE to accommodate 1/16" cap strips which will be
added later.
Note: Don’t forget to cut small vent holes
through the aileron ribs the same as we suggested for
the elevators and rudder. As you may recall, this is to
allow expanded air to escape during the covering
procedure so the covering will fully tighten.
❏ ❏
8. Cut the aileron control horn block from the
5/8" x 5/8" basswood stick used for the elevators and
rudder. Glue the horn block to the
bottom of the
aileron as shown on the plan.
❏ ❏ 9. Cut sixteen 1" long TE hinge blocks from a
1/4" x 1/2" x 24" balsa stick. Glue the hinge blocks to
both sides of the aileron core and to the outer TE
spar where shown on the plan. Trim the hinge blocks
on the aileron where necessary so they will not
contact the covering.
❏ ❏ 10. Cut the aileron cap strips from a 1/16" x 1/4"
x 36" balsa stick and glue them to the aileron ribs.
❏ ❏ 11. Use a bar sander and 80-grit sandpaper to
gradually taper the 3/32" cap strips on ribs 7, 8 and
9 to 1/16" at the ends (to blend them to the 1/16" cap
strips on the aileron).
❏ ❏ 12. Use two 1/16" x 1/4" x 36" balsa sticks for
the aileron edging. Glue the edging to the aileron and
the mid TE. Sand the edging even with the cap strips.
❏ ❏ 13. Cut the edging between the end of the
aileron and the mid TE. Carefully “break” the aileron
free from the wing. True the ends of the aileron with
a bar sander and 80-grit sandpaper.
❏ ❏ 14. Use a straightedge and T-pins to mark the
hinge line across the front of the aileron LE. Note:
The hinge line should be directly in line with the
aileron core which may not be
exactly centered on
the LE. (As described in step 5.)
❏ ❏ 15. Mark the hinge line on the outer TE spar to
match up with the hinge line of the aileron. Mark the
hinge locations where shown on the plan and drill the
holes in the aileron and the wing for the hinges.
❏ ❏ 16. Test fit the aileron to the wing with the
hinges. Make adjustments where necessary.
❏ ❏ 17. Bevel the LE of the aileron as shown in the
sketch. The dimensions shown should provide the
correct control throw, but measure the throw of your
aileron to be certain you can achieve 1" of up and
7/8" of down throw. Increase the angle of the bevel if
necessary to permit the correct throw.
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