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INTRODUCTION ................................................................2
IMAA...................................................................................2
Scale competition ...............................................................3
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ..................................................3
DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE ........................................4
Radio Equipment................................................................4
Engine Recommendations .................................................4
Spinner Adapter Kit ............................................................4
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED .....................................4
Hardware and Accessories ................................................4
Adhesives and Building Supplies .......................................4
Optional Supplies and Tools...............................................5
IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES.......................................5
KIT CONTENTS.................................................................6
ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS...............................7
TIGHTEN THE  COVERING................................................8
ASSEMBLE THE WING .....................................................8
Hinge the Ailerons ..............................................................8
Hook Up the Ailerons .........................................................9
Join the Wing......................................................................9
Mount the Landing Gear ..................................................10
ASSEMBLE THE  FUSELAGE .........................................12
Mount the Stabilizer and Fin ............................................12
Mount the Servos .............................................................15
Hook Up the Rudder ........................................................17
Hook Up the Elevators .....................................................18
Mount the Tailgear ............................................................20
Mount the Engine .............................................................21
Mount the Cowl ................................................................22
Finish the Radio Installation .............................................24
SCALE DETAILS .............................................................24
Mount the Wing Struts......................................................24
Finish the Cockpits ...........................................................25
Apply the Decals ..............................................................27
PREPARE THE MODEL FOR FLYING............................27
Set the Control Throws.....................................................27
Balance the Model Laterally.............................................28
Balance the Model (C.G.).................................................28
Identify Your Model ...........................................................29
Charge the Batteries ........................................................29
Balance Propellers ...........................................................29
CHECKLIST .....................................................................29
FINAL PREPARATIONS ..................................................30
Ground Check ..................................................................30
Range Check....................................................................30
ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS .................................30
AMA SAFETY CODE ......................................................30
General.............................................................................30
Radio Control ...................................................................31
FLYING.............................................................................31
Takeoff ..............................................................................31
Flight.................................................................................31
Landing ..............................................................Back Cover
Windscreen Template .....................................Back  Cover

Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the Great
Planes Ryan STA-M ARF. We at Great Planes R&D were
pleased with the appearance and performance of the
original red, white and black civilian Ryan STA and are just
as pleased with this military “M” version. In fact, a couple of
minor improvements make this plane our best ARF yet.
Although not intended to be an all-out scale model, the
Ryan's classic design and two-cockpit layout make it
tempting for enthusiastic modelers to spend a few extra
hours adding even more details (such as cockpit controls,
flying wires, panel lines, etc.).

When it's time to fly your STA-M, you'll be as pleased with
its performance as you are with its appearance. During test
flying, it flew so well that we had to actually try to make bad
landings! And every time the Ryan went up, local R/C club
members stopped what they were doing to watch this model
fly. The STA-M's greatest attribute–and what you can expect
when you get your model in the air–is its nostalgic
gracefulness. Make sure you have plenty of fuel in your field
box because when it's time to fly, you'll be needing it.

For the latest technical updates or instruction manual
corrections to the Ryan STA-M, visit the web site listed below
and select the Great Planes Ryan STA-M ARF. 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.

http://www.greatplanes.com/airplanes/index.html

The Great Planes Ryan STA-M is an excellent sport-scale
model and is eligible to fly in IMAA (International Miniature
Aircraft Association) events. The IMAA is an organization
that promotes non-competitive flying of giant-scale models.
If you plan to attend an IMAA event, contact the IMAA for a
copy of the IMAA Safety Code at the address or telephone
number below.

IMAA 

205 S. Hilldale Road

Salina, KS 67401

(913) 823-5569

IMAA Information

INTRODUCTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

Summary of Contents for Ryan STA-M

Page 1: ...sing the user assembled product the user accepts all resulting liability If the buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product the buyer is advised to return thi...

Page 2: ...fact a couple of minor improvements make this plane our best ARF yet Although not intended to be an all out scale model the Ryan s classic design and two cockpit layout make it tempting for enthusiast...

Page 3: ...eck clevises or other connectors often and replace them if they show any signs of wear or fatigue 7 If you are not already an experienced R C pilot you should fly the model only with the help of a com...

Page 4: ...d on the Ryan an adapter kit for mounting the spinner is not included with this kit and must be purchased separately For the O S 61 SF SX and other two stroke engines with a 5 16 24 crankshaft thread...

Page 5: ...mm long with forty threads per inch When you see the term test fit in the instructions it means that you should first position the part on the assembly without using any glue then slightly modify or c...

Page 6: ...w lock connector body 2 4 40 x 1 8 3mm screws for screw lock 2 nylon retainers for screw lock 1 nylon ball link tail steering 1 0 80 threaded ball tail steering 1 0 80 nut for threaded ball 2 1 4 20 b...

Page 7: ...R L ailerons hinge strip 3 pc ply forward wing joiner ply aft wing joiner 2 wing dowels wing bolt plate GPMA2281 Fuselage Kit Fuselage forward and aft servo trays 4 hardwood cowl mounting blocks 2 coc...

Page 8: ...the slots For the best result use a high speed tool such as a Dremel Insert a 11 knife blade into the slots working it back and forth a few times to clean the slots out 3 Cut four 3 4 x 1 19 x 25mm h...

Page 9: ...is mounted in a mirror image with the servo arm pointing toward the middle of the wing and the output shaft toward the trailing edge 5 Thread a nylon clevis twenty full turns onto a 6 150mm threaded...

Page 10: ...s together until the epoxy has hardened Excess epoxy that gets on the covering can be easily removed before it hardens with a tissue dampened with denatured alcohol or other suitable solvent 6 Round o...

Page 11: ...he flying field 6 Cut the covering from the grooves in the landing gear rails in the bottom of the right wing panel Trim the rail and the wing sheeting where indicated by the arrow to accommodate the...

Page 12: ...fuse it helps to have a building stand We use a Robart Super Stand II ROBP1402 1 The same as was done for the ailerons and the wing prepare the elevator stab rudder and fin for hinging by cutting a s...

Page 13: ...tab While keeping the stab centered from side to side adjust the stab and slide the tape along the string until the arrow aligns with both ends of the stab Be certain the stab remains centered side to...

Page 14: ...ertical 14 The same as you did the stab draw a line around the fin where it meets the fuse Remove the fin and carefully cut then remove the covering 15 Use 30 minute epoxy to glue the fin to the fuse...

Page 15: ...to hold the template to the firewall aligning the lines on the template with the lines on the firewall if necessary extend the lines on the firewall with a straightedge and a pen Mark the center of t...

Page 16: ...est alignment of the throttle servo with the carburetor arm on the engine As can be seen in the photo at step 6 on page 21 the forward servo tray in this model was mounted with the throttle servo near...

Page 17: ...t contact the edges when the rudder is moved back and forth 4 Slip a small copper tube also called a swage and a threaded brass coupler with a clevis about 6 150mm onto one end of the braided steel ru...

Page 18: ...levises from the torque rod horns but leave the cables inside the fuselage 13 Cut holes in both halves of the molded plastic rudder fairing to accommodate the torque rod horns on the rudder This is be...

Page 19: ...h silver solder GPMR8070 by touching the solder to it The heat of the pushrod should melt the solder not the flame of the torch or soldering iron thus allowing the solder to flow Note Do not use silve...

Page 20: ...CA work quickly If necessary use a small mallet or a wood block to tap the tubes down into the holes before the CA takes hold 5 Mount the tail gear to the fuse with the straps and four 2 x 1 2 13mm sc...

Page 21: ...Great Planes Dead Center Hole Locator GPMR8130 shown in the photo or another method to mark the locations of the holes for mounting the engine 3 Remove the engine mount from the firewall Drill 29 or 9...

Page 22: ...the edges 3 Determine your engine exhaust configuration With the O S MAX 91 Surpass II used on this model an O S in type exhaust header pipe OSMG2624 was used to position the muffler near the bottom...

Page 23: ...cowl 3 32 to 1 8 2 to 3mm is suitable Holding the cowl in position drill 3 32 2 4mm holes through the cowl and the center of the cowl mount blocks Remove the cowl Enlarge the holes in the cowl with a...

Page 24: ...del to minimize or eliminate the requirement for additional ballast but the model shown in this manual required no tail weight with the components mounted where shown Be certain the receiver and batte...

Page 25: ...wing 4 Remove the strut and enlarge the hole in the strut only with a 1 8 3 2mm drill Mount the bottom of the strut to the wing with a 4 x 5 8 16mm screw 5 Mount the top of the strut to the fuselage...

Page 26: ...the other cockpit the same way 8 Trim the molded plastic turtledeck to fit the fuse then temporarily fit it into position Trim the rear cockpit coaming to accommodate the turtledeck 9 The same way a...

Page 27: ...eceiver but it s easier to operate with the wing off the fuselage Place the wing on a stand next to the fuselage then connect the Y connector from the ailerons to a servo extension cord and connect th...

Page 28: ...sing a C G Machine lift the model upside down at the balance point marked on top of both sides of the wing using the tip of your middle finger on both hands This is where the model should balance for...

Page 29: ...CAP0270 Carefully balance the propeller before flying Balance a few spare propellers as well An unbalanced prop is the single most significant cause of vibration that can damage your model Not only wi...

Page 30: ...e in a closed room or garage Get help from an experienced pilot when learning to operate engines Use safety glasses when starting or running engines Do not run the engine in an area of loose gravel or...

Page 31: ...the throttle As the model gains speed decrease up elevator allowing the tail to come off the ground Be ready to apply right rudder to counteract engine torque Gain as much speed as the runway and fly...

Page 32: ...the tail on the ground One final note about flying the Ryan or any model Have a goal or flight plan in mind for every flight This can be learning a new maneuver s improving a maneuver s you already kn...

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