SIG 4-STAR 64 EG ARF Assembly Manual Download Page 15

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good bond.  Carefully place the canopy onto the fuselage and
check it’s alignment.  With a wet paper towel, wipe off any excess
glue that seeps out from the canopy.  Once this is clean use some
masking tape to hold the canopy in place on the plane while the
glue dries.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Your 4-STAR 64 is completely assembled.  However, it is NOT
ready for flight!  There are a few very critical pre-flight tasks we
must perform before flying.  These are extremely important and
should be approached with patience and care.

BALANCE

Balancing your airplane may be the single most important step in
preparing it for flight. All airplanes, model or full-size, must be ac-
curately balanced in order to fly successfully. An airplane that is
not properly balanced will be unstable and will most likely crash.

NOT ALL 4-STARS WILL BALANCE THE SAME

It is impossible to produce a model airplane kit that will automat-
ically have the correct balance point.  Not everyone uses the same
motor or radio gear - and all those items can vary in weight!  Even
propellers of the same size can vary as much as a 3/4 oz. be-
tween different brands.  That’s why every model must be balanced
before flying.  Don’t feel that whatever balance point your model
came out at is “good enough”.  Check carefully and make adjust-
ments as required.  An out of balance model is dangerous!

RECOMMENDED BALANCE RANGE IS FROM

3-1/2" to 4-3/8"

AFT OF THE LEADING EDGE OF THE WING

The following table lists several acceptable measurements and
the equivalent percent of MAC (Mean Aerodynamic Chord).

DISTANCE

% MAC

  3-1/2"   =   26%
  3-3/4"   =   28%
  4" =   30%
  4-3/8"   =   33%

A balance point at the center of the main spar (approx. 3-5/8” aft
of the leading edge) is ideal for the initial test flight. After test flying
you can adjust the balance point to fit your flying style.

Important: All the parts and components that will be in the airplane
in flight must be installed in their correct positions.  This includes
all the radio gear, the propeller, battery pack, etc.  Every piece of
essential equipment must be installed, ready for flight.  If your air-
plane is glow powered, always balance the airplane with the fuel
tank empty.

CONTROL SURFACE TRAVEL

The following control surface travel data is based on our experi-
ence with the 4-STAR 64. These suggested surface movements
should be considered as starting points. As your experience
builds, the control travel can be adjusted to suit your particular
style of flying and to explore the airplane's capabilities.

All measurements are taken at the widest point of the control sur-
face. Adjust for HIGH RATES first, using mechanical means
rather than your transmitter "end point adustment" to get as close
as possible to the recommended travel. By moving the position
of the clevis at the control horn toward the outermost hole, you
will decrease the amount of control throw of the control surface.
Moving it toward the control surface will increase the amount of
throw. Moving the pushrod wire at the servo arm will have the op-

posite effect: Moving it closer to center will decrease throw, and
away from center will increase throw. Work with a combination of
the two to achieve the closest or exact control throws listed. Once
the HIGH RATES are set, just for LOW RATES using your trans-
mitter "dual rate" adjustment.

A Note About High Rate Throws

High rate control throws are only meant for extreme aerobatics -
not for normal flying. You should be competent and comfortable
flying your 4-STAR 64 with normal control throws before attempt-
ing high rates.

A Note About Exponential:

You will find lots of opinions about

the proper amount of exponential travel to use on each control
surface in both low and high rate settings.  The best aerobatic pi-
lots in the world agree that you will want more expo at high rates
than at low rates.  After test flights adjust your settings as needed
to obtain the control feel you want.  Consult your radio manual to
find out how to adjust the exponential settings of your transmitter.

If you have carefully followed the assembly instructions in this
manual, test flying your new 4-STAR 64 should be a lot of fun.
When test flying a new model we always recommend a calm day
with little or no wind. These conditions allow you to better evaluate
and more accurately adjust the trim of your airplane.

Always make it part of your pre-flight routine to check each control
on the airplane, making sure the surfaces are moving in the cor-
rect directions. Also check each control linkage to be sure they
are secure and that nothing is loose.

For take-off the airplane should be lined-up with the center of the
field with the nose pointed directly into the wind.  Hold a little up
elevator and smoothly advance the throttle. As the 4-STAR 64 be-
gins moving forward use the rudder as needed to keep the air-
plane going straight.  At takeoff speed, use a slight amount of up
elevator to lift off, using ailerons to keep the wings level.  Climb to
a reasonable altitude before making any trim changes.

FLYING

PRE-FLIGHT

LOW RATES

Elevator

3/4" up

15%-50% expo

3/4" down

Ailerons

5/8" up

15%-50% expo

5/8" down

Rudder