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22

Balance the Model (C.G.)

More than any other factor, the C.G. (balance point) can 
have the greatest effect on how a model fl ies, and may 
determine whether or not your fi rst fl ight will be successful. 
If you value this model and wish to enjoy it for many fl ights, 
DO NOT OVERLOOK THIS IMPORTANT PROCEDURE.  
A model that is not properly balanced will be unstable and 
possibly unfl yable.

At this stage the model should be in ready-to-fl y  condition 
with all of the systems in place including the motor, landing 
gear, radio system, and battery. Place the battery in the 
battery compartment but do not connect it.

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1. Assemble the balance stand as shown.

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2. Use a felt-tip pen or 1/8" [3mm]-wide tape to accurately 

mark the C.G. on the bottom of the top wing on both sides 
of the fuselage. The C.G. is located 3-7/16" [87.5mm] back 
from the LE of the wing.

❏ 

3. With all parts of the model installed (ready to fl y) and a 

battery pack in place, place the model on the balance stand 
as shown and align it on the marks.

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4. If the tail drops, the model is “tail heavy” and the battery 

pack must be shifted forward or weight must be added to 
the nose to balance. If the nose drops, the model is “nose 
heavy” and the battery pack must be shifted aft or weight 
must be added to the tail to balance. If additional weight is 
required, use Great Planes (GPMQ4485) “stick-on” lead. 
A good place to add stick-on nose weight is to the fi rewall 
(don’t attach weight to the cowl–it is not intended to support 
weight). Begin by placing incrementally increasing amounts 
of weight on the top of the fuselage over the fi rewall until the 
model balances. Once you have determined the amount of 
weight required, it can be permanently attached. If required, 
tail weight may be added by cutting open the bottom of the 
fuselage and gluing it permanently inside.

❏ 

4. IMPORTANT: If you found it necessary to add any weight, 

recheck the C.G. after the weight has been installed.

Balance the Model Laterally

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1. With the wings level, lift the model by the engine 

propeller shaft and the bottom of the fuselage under the TE 
of the fi n. Do this several times.

❏ 

2. If one wing always drops when you lift the model, it means 

that side is heavy. Balance the airplane by adding weight to the 
other wingtip. An airplane that has been laterally balanced 
will track better in loops and other maneuvers.

PREFLIGHT

Identify Your  Model

No matter if you fl y at an AMA sanctioned R/C club site or 
if you fl y somewhere on your own, you should always have 
your name, address, telephone number and AMA number 
on or inside your model. It is required at all AMA R/C club 
fl ying sites and AMA sanctioned fl ying events. Fill out the 
identifi cation tag on page 26 (or on the decal sheet) and place 
it on or inside your model.

Summary of Contents for REACTOR BIPE

Page 1: ...se by the user of the final user assembled product By the act of using the user assembled product the user accepts all resulting liability If the buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associat...

Page 2: ...forming almost any maneuver with ease and precision Whatever your abilities are you will enjoy an accurate and nimble performer armed with a power package that allows unlimited aerobatics Best of all...

Page 3: ...piratory tract irritation Never blow into a part to remove fiberglass dust as the dust will blow back into your eyes Always wear safety goggles a particle mask and rubber gloves when grinding drilling...

Page 4: ...25 LiPo 1200mAh 11 1V 25C Discharge w Balance FPWP0313 Great Planes LiPo 1500mAh 11 1V 20C Discharge w Balance GPMP0613 FlightPower EVO Lite LiPo 2100mAh 11 1V 18C Discharge w Balance FPWP0117 Great P...

Page 5: ...cidences and motor thrust angles have been factory built into this model However some technically minded modelers may wish to check these measurements anyway To view this information visit the web sit...

Page 6: ...are written in the Kit Contents list Great Planes Product Support 3002 N Apollo Drive Suite 1 Champaign IL 61822 Telephone 217 398 8970 ext 5 Fax 217 398 7721 E mail airsupport greatplanes com Kit Con...

Page 7: ...h sides of each link horn This will improve adhesion 2 Remove the adjustable clevis from the link horn and slide it into the slot at the TE of each of the four ailerons Position each link horn so that...

Page 8: ...ines facing forward temporarily insert a servo into each servo bay Using a 1 16 1 6mm drill bit drill holes for the servo mounting screws provided with your servos Thread a servo screw into each hole...

Page 9: ...l and glue the horns in place with epoxy or thick CA 8 Install each pushrod in the control horn so that the clevis is in the outermost hole of the control horn Install the other side of the pushrod in...

Page 10: ...strut tube Without applying any glue slide the tube through the hole in the top of the fuselage at a 55 angle To make it easier to achieve the 55 angle see the cabane strut installation template on p...

Page 11: ...elp you locate the slots in the top of the lower wings where the strut tabs will install The slots are located at the third rib in from the wingtip OR about half way in on each wing You will be cuttin...

Page 12: ...emove the upper wing and the interplane struts Slide the carbon rod back into the fuselage until it sits flush with the top of the strut fairing Please Note You should familiarize yourself with the ne...

Page 13: ...Re tack the covering using a sealing iron 2 Locate the U shaped elevator joiner wire and the two elevator halves Using 220 grit sandpaper roughen up the arms of the joiner wire 3 Lay the elevator asse...

Page 14: ...hem to the horizontal stabilizer Carefully slide each elevator onto the stab and the elevator joiner wire Position the hinges so that they are equally spaced Bend the elevator up and down several time...

Page 15: ...after the glue has cured 2 Install the other horn on the right side of the rudder 3 Trim the covering from the lower servo bay on the right side of the fuselage This is where the rudder servo will be...

Page 16: ...o vertical 9 Prepare the 2 x 155mm rudder pushrod and the 2 x 130mm elevator pushrod the same way you prepared the aileron pushrods Partially thread the 2 x 4mm sheet metal screws into the clevises 10...

Page 17: ...the opposite clevis 5 Install an adjustable clevis to the top left aileron from the outboard side Insert the aileron link rod into this clevis and adjust the rod length so that both ailerons are at ze...

Page 18: ...the axle and wheel assembly inside one wheel pant Thread it onto the 2 x 8mm axle screw and tighten this down using the included wrench As you are tightening position the wheel pant so that it keys i...

Page 19: ...to the motor mounting box 6 Connect the motor leads to the ESC Any motor wire can be connected to any ESC wire at this point Install the Radio 1 Use the sketch above to help you locate the pre drille...

Page 20: ...are trimmed we recommend that you remove all of the pushrods noting their position and carefully apply one drop of thin CA to each adjustable clevis to permanently bond them to their pushrods This wil...

Page 21: ...rough extensive testing and accurate record keeping This provides you with the best chance for success and enjoyable first flights that should be surprise free Additionally the throws and C G shown ar...

Page 22: ...ce If additional weight is required use Great Planes GPMQ4485 stick on lead A good place to add stick on nose weight is to the firewall don t attach weight to the cowl it is not intended to support we...

Page 23: ...ash MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Failure to follow these safety precautions may result in severe injury to yourself and others Get help from an experienced pilot when learning to operate electric motors U...

Page 24: ...ackplate for cracks and missing attachment screws Turn the prop to look for excessive wobble If this is the case attempt to correct this or replace the spinner 6 Check the wheels for free rotation ins...

Page 25: ...io will allow the plane to accelerate to flying speed almost instantly Climb to a comfortable altitude and throttle back to a lower power setting Flight For reassurance and to keep an eye on other tra...

Page 26: ...r and power Next start adding up elevator as needed to keep the model flat in the spin Most airplanes will require some aileron as well to keep the wings level This is one of the maneuvers to experime...

Page 27: ...able stall The C G of the plane will have a large effect on the stability of the model during this maneuver Some planes perform better with more elevator deflection and a farther forward C G while oth...

Page 28: ......

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