Great Planes Avistar Elite .46 RTF - GPMA1605 - Manual (Page 2)

2
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of the Hobbico Avistar Elite
.46 RTF! 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 joined
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.
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 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 RTF. 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
IMPORTANT: Once mastered, piloting a model aircraft can
be one of the most rewarding hobbies around. However, it
cannot be stated strongly enough that, if you do not already
know how to fl y an R/C airplane, you will probably not be able
to fl y this model by yourself. It may appear to be easy, but over-
controlling and disorientation quickly overcome inexperienced
fl iers, swiftly ending their fi rst fl ight. The best thing you can do
to ensure success is to fi nd a fl ight instructor who will inspect
your model for airworthiness and provide fl ying lessons. If you
haven't yet done so, contact the local hobby shop and ask them
to introduce you to an instructor or an R/C club representative.
If there is no club or experienced R/C pilot nearby, it would be
worth even a long drive to fi nd one-if only for just a few fl ight
lessons (then you'll have an idea of what to expect). 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.
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
AMA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
ITEMS REQUIRED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Field Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Required Hardware & Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Optional Flap Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Optional Supplies and Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Building Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
KIT INSPECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
PREPARATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
ASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Install the Propeller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Install the Wing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Apply the Decals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Optional Flaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Check the Control Directions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Check the Throttle Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Check the Control Throws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Balance the Model (C.G.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Balance the Model Laterally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
PREFLIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Identify Your Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Balance Propellers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Ground Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Range Check. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
AMA SAFETY CODE EXCERPTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
General
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Radio Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
CHECK LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
GATHER YOUR TOOLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
SPARE PARTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
FUELING THE AVISTAR ELITE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
STARTING YOUR O.S. .46 AX II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
ADJUST THE NEEDLE VALVE
AND BREAK IN THE ENGINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
ADJUSTING THE MIXTURE CONTROL VALVE . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
FLYING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Taxiing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Takeoff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
MAINTENANCE TIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Clean Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
FINAL NOTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
TABLE OF CONTENTS