Great Planes Giant Big Stik ARF - GPMA1224 - Manual (Page 22)

servo reversing in the transmitter to reverse the servos
connected to those controls. Be certain the control surfaces
have remained centered. Adjust if necessary.
Use a Great Planes AccuThrow ™ (or a ruler) to accurately
measure and set the control throw of each control surface
as indicated in the chart that follows. If your radio does not
have dual rates, we recommend setting the throws at the
high rate setting. Note: The throws are measured at the
widest part of each control surface.
Note: If you’ve set up your Giant Big Stik ARF with flaps,
1/8" [3mm] of down elevator mixing is recommended with
the half-flap setting and 1/4" [6mm] of down elevator is
recommended with the full-flap setting. Without this down
elevator mixing, the nose will noticeably pitch upward when
the flaps are extended.
At this stage the model should be in ready-to-fly condition
with all of the systems in place including the engine, landing
gear, covering and paint, and the radio system.
❏
1. Temporarily join the wings with the joiner tube. If you
will be using a Great Planes C.G. Machine to balance the
model, set the rulers to 5-7/8" [150mm], then mount the
wing to the fuselage and proceed to the next step. If you will
not be using a C.G. Machine, use a fine-point felt-tip pen to
accurately mark the C.G. on the bottom of the wing 5-7/8"
[150mm] back from the leading edge. Lay a piece of narrow
(1/8" [2mm]) tape over the line so you will be able to feel it
with your fingers when lifting the model to check the C.G.
This is where your model should balance for the first
flights. Later, you may wish to experiment by shifting the
C.G. up to 5/8" [16mm] forward or back to change the
flying characteristics. Moving the C.G. forward may
improve the smoothness and stability, but the model may
then require more speed for takeoff and make it more
difficult to slow for landing. Moving the C.G. aft makes the
model more maneuverable, but could also cause it to
become too difficult to control. In any case, start at the
recommended balance point and do not at any time
balance the model outside the specified range.
More than any other factor, the C.G. (balance point) can
have the greatest effect on how a model flies, and may
determine whether or not your first flight will be
successful. If you value this model and wish to enjoy it for
many flights, DO NOT OVERLOOK THIS IMPORTANT
PROCEDURE. A model that is not properly balanced will
be unstable and possibly unflyable.
Balance the Model (C.G.)
IMPORTANT: The Giant Big Stik ARF has been
extensively flown and tested to arrive at the throws at
which it flies best. Flying your model at these throws will
provide you with the greatest chance for successful first
flights. If, after you have become accustomed to the way
the Giant Big Stik ARF flies, you would like to change the
throws to suit your taste, that is fine. However, too much
control throw could make the model difficult to control, so
remember, “more is not always better.”
These are the recommended control surface throws:
High Rate Low Rate
ELEVATOR: 3/4" [19mm] up 1/2" [13mm] up
3/4" [19mm] down 1/2" [13mm] down
RUDDER: 3" [76mm] right 1-1/2" [38mm] right
3" [76mm] left 1-1/2" [38mm] left
AILERONS: 1-1/4" [32mm] up 1" [25mm] up
1-1/4" [32mm] down 1" [25mm] down
FLAPS: 1-5/8" [42mm] full
13/16" [21mm] half
Set the Control Throws
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