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© 2005 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.
First Flight
Are you using fresh rubber bands for each attachment? If not, then replace the motor mount, landing gear, and
wing rubber bands with new.
The balance point or CG (Center of Gravity) is the same as that listed for the 3ch SQuiRT – please see your
plan sheet for more detail. You roughly would like the model to balance
¼
” forward of the wing spar.
Sight along wings and tail surfaced and remove warps if found. Your rudder should be perpendicular to your
horizontal stabilizer and your horizontal stabilizer should be parallel to your wings. Wing tips should not twist
down in the back (wash in). Ailerons should be evenly set and matched with trailing edge of wing.
A simple way to check your wing for warps is to sight along the underside of the wing from the back of
the model – to do this let your models main gear rest on the ground stand behind the model and raise
the tail up until you can see the underside of the wing. Slowly drop the tail until the underside of the
wing starts to vanish from your line of sight – hold the model in this position and compare the visible
surfaces of the top and bottom of both wings. If you can see more of the bottom of the right wing
compared to the left then you probably have a bit of wash-out (a slight twist up at the wing tip trailing
edge) in the right wing alternatively you may have a bit of wash-in in the left wing or the tendency for
the wing trailing edge to twist down. You can also lay each wing half on a flat surface, hold the root of
the wing (inside rib) flat against your table top and observe if your wing lies flat on the table. Wash
out will make the plane more stable and spin resistant, as the tips of the wing will continue to fly while
the root is stalled. Wash-in will make the plane more difficult to fly at near stall speeds. A model that
always drops one wing at stall will often have a bit of twist in the wing or wash-in on the wing that
drops.
Set control surface throws.
Suggested Control Surface Travel
Elevator +/- 1/2 "
/- 3/4"
A 1/2” – 3/8”
Choose a calm day and a grassy field for your maiden trim flight!
Slowly advance throttle to
¾
power – pick a point on the ground about 100’ out and give the SQuiRT an easy
LEVEL toss into the wind aiming at that point on the ground DO NOT THROW THE PLANE UP into the air.
Alternatively you may ROG (rise off ground) by setting the SQuiRT on a smooth dirt or paved surface facing into
the wind and advancing the throttle slowly - steer with rudder to track the plane straight – within about 10-20’
you will be airborne. Either way allow the plane to climb slowly under power resisting the urge to add excessive
elevator to climb out. Climb out to 100+ feet and begin trimming the plane for level flight at cruise.
First trim the SQuiRT in pitch. You will notice that the SQuiRT will climb under power this is part of the planes
nature and stems from it’s positive stability (the SQuiRT will recover rapidly to level flight from a dive by simply
centering the control surfaces and allowing the plane to fly itself out of trouble). To trim for pitch set your throttle
to just over
½
. Next, use the trim tab on your transmitter for elevator to add or decrease elevator trim until you
have the plane flying level. Reducing power or adding power will necessitate re-trimming the plane in pitch.
Remember when you want your plane to climb add power not up elevator. When you want to descend, reduce
power.
Next, trim the plane in roll. Using the aileron trim tab on your transmitter add left or right aileron trim until the
wings are level.
Next, trim the rudder. With the power off enter a shallow dive and note if the plane tracks right or left. Trim the
plane to track straight in a shallow dive.
The SQuiRT carries energy very well and will glide in nicely for simple landings once the plane has been
trimmed.
Enjoy your 4ch SQuiRT!