16
c)
Attach the wing panel to the fuselage with nylon wing bolts.
There are two wing bolts per wing panel. After attaching both
wing panels, connect the aileron servo wires to the receiver
with a Y-Harness.
d)
Install the Side Force Generators (SFG), if desired, using two M3
x 16mm button head machine screws and two 3mm flat washers.
Be careful not to over-tighten the screws and damage the
underlying wood. A drop of blue thread locker will help keep the
screws tight without crushing the wood.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Your EDGEtra ARF 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 YOUR AIRPLANE
This may be the single most important step in preparing your airplane
for flight. All airplanes, model or full-size, must be accurately balanced
in order to fly successfully. An airplane that is not properly balanced
will be unstable and will most likely crash.
NOT ALL EDGEtras WILL BALANCE THE SAME
It is impossible to produce a model airplane kit that will automatically
have the correct balance point. Not everyone uses the same motor or
radio gear - and all those items can vary in weight! You might be
surprised to know electric motors in the same size class may vary in
weight by as much as 1 to 2 ounces. In addition, LiPo batteries from
different manufacturers might have the same capacity, but have
different weights as well. There can even be as much as a 3/4 oz.
difference in weight between different brands of propellers! So, that’s
why every model must be balanced before flying. Don’t feel that
whatever the balance point your model came out at is “good enough”.
Check carefully and make whatever adjustments are required. Trying
to fly an out of balance model is dangerous!
Preliminary: 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, spinner, flight battery, etc. Every piece of
essential equipment must be installed, ready for flight. Always balance
an electric powered model with the battery pack in place.
RECOMMENDED BALANCE POINT: 4-1/4” Behind the
Leading Edge of the Wing
This was found to be the optimum Center
of Gravity (CG) for sport and 3D flight
Using a ruler, measure back from the leading edge of the wing and mark
the balance point on the top of the wing, next to the fuselage. Make
the same marks on both sides of the fuselage. Flip the aircraft upside
down (inverted), and place your fingertips on the balance point on both
sides of the airplane and carefully lift the plane. No part of the model
should be touching anything except your fingertips! If the EDGEtra will
sit on your fingertips in a level attitude, then it is properly balanced and
ready to fly.
If the airplane sits on your fingertips in an extreme nose down attitude,
then it is nose heavy. You will have to add weight to the rear of the
airplane to get it to balance. NOTE: Before adding additional weight to
the model, try simply moving the battery pack to a further aft location.
The battery pack is relatively heavy and therefore makes a good
balancing tool. You might try switching places between the battery and
receiver; or move the battery right in front of the servos. If you can’t
get your model balanced simply by re-locating the battery pack, then
you will have to purchase lead weights from your hobby dealer and glue
them into the tail end of the fuselage.
If the airplane sits on your fingertips with the tail down, it is tail heavy.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FLY IT! A tail heavy model is very dangerous and
will most likely crash!! Weight will have to be added to the nose of the
model to bring it into balance. If the battery pack is not enough weight,
the weights can be glued to the front of the firewall. There are also
“spinner weights” available for tail heavy models. Wherever you put
the balancing weight, make sure it cannot come loose in flight!
CONTROL SURFACE TRAVEL
Double check the alignment and movement of all the controls one
more time! Adjust all of your pushrod linkages so that the control
surfaces are in their neutral position when the transmitter sticks and
trim levers are centered. Make sure the control surfaces move in the
proper direction when you move the sticks. You’d be amazed to know
how many models have been destroyed on takeoff with one of the
controls reversed. Don’t let it happen to you! In fact, it’s a good idea
to get into the habit of checking for proper control response every time
you get ready to fly.
Adjust your pushrod linkages and/or transmitter EPA (End Point
Adjustment) settings as necessary to provide the recommended
amount of control surface travel. NOTE: ALL measurement are taken
at the control surface’s WIDEST point.
Note: The following control surface data has been flight tested with
the EDGEtra. However these numbers are only recommended as a
starting point. Your flying style may dictate changes.
Summary of Contents for Edgetra ARF
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