background image

3

 6.   You must check the operation of the model before every 

fl ight to ensure that all equipment is operating and that the 

model has remained structurally sound. Be sure to check 
clevises or other connectors often and replace them if they 
show any signs of wear or fatigue.

 7.  If you are not an experienced pilot or have not fl own this 

type of model before, we recommend that you get the 
assistance of an experienced pilot in your R/C club for 
your fi rst  fl ights. If you’re not a member of a club, your 
local hobby shop has information about clubs in your area 
whose membership includes experienced pilots.

 8.   While this model has been fl ight tested to exceed normal 

use, if a motor larger than the one recommended is used, 
the modeler is responsible for taking steps to reinforce the 
high  stress  points  and/or  substituting  hardware  more 
suitable for the increased stress.

WARNING:

 Drilling, sawing, sanding, or machining 

wood products can expose you to wood dust, a 

substance known to the State of California to cause cancer. 

Avoid  inhaling  wood  dust  or  use  a  dust  mask  or  other 

safeguards for personal protection. For more information 
go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/wood

We, as the ARF manufacturer, provide you with a top quality, 
thoroughly tested plane and instructions, but ultimately 
the quality and fl yability of your fi nished model depends 
on how you build it; therefore, we cannot in any way 
guarantee the performance of your completed model, 

and no representations are expressed or implied as to the 
performance or safety of your completed model.

REMEMBER:

 Take your time and follow the instructions 

to end up with a well-built model that is straight and true.

ELECTRIC MOTOR

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

WARNING!

 A spinning propeller has the potential to cause 

serious and permanent injury.

WARNING!

 Once the motor batteries are connected, the 

propeller can start spinning at any time. Make sure the fail 
safe is set on your radio to prevent the motor from starting 
if the signal is lost.

WARNING!

 Stand clear of the propeller when handling 

the aircraft. Make sure the aircraft is held securely until the 
battery has been disconnected.

ALWAYS

 remove the propeller if the motor batteries will be 

connected while working on your plane.

ALWAYS

 remove the motor batteries from the plane 

when charging.

ALWAYS

 switch on the transmitter fi rst, then the receiver.

ALWAYS

 unplug the motor batteries fi rst before switching 

off the receiver then transmitter.

NEVER

 touch the motor during or right after operation. The 

motor gets HOT!

NEVER

 switch off the transmitter with the motor batteries 

plugged in.

NEVER

 reach through the arc of the propeller when plugging 

the battery into the ESC.

 

LITHIUM BATTERY WARNING!

This product requires the use of a lithium polymer 

(LiPo) battery. Improper handling of a LiPo battery 
could result in 

FIRE!

 A lithium battery fi re has the 

potential to ignite surrounding areas and may cause property 
damage or cause personal injury.

For safe LiPo handling, follow ALL of these guidelines:

MOST IMPORTANT!

 

Never leave the battery or charger 

unattended during charging or discharging.

WARNING:

 Read the entire instruction sheet included with 

your motor batteries. Failure to follow the instructions could 

cause permanent damage to the battery and its surroundings 
and cause bodily harm!

ALWAYS

 follow the charging instructions included with your 

charger for charging LiPo batteries. LiPo batteries can cause 
serious damage or fi re if misused.

ALWAYS

 use a LiPo-approved charger.

ALWAYS

 set the charger’s output volts to match the 

battery volts.

ALWAYS

 charge a LiPo battery in a fi reproof location.

ALWAYS

 balance charge the battery.

ALWAYS

 store and transport LiPo batteries in a fi reproof 

container away from combustible materials.

ALWAYS

 KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

ALWAYS

 keep LiPo batteries out of the reach of animals. A 

punctured battery may cause a fi re.

ALWAYS

 disconnect the battery and unplug the charger 

after the charge is complete.

ALWAYS

 keep a supply of sand accessible when charging 

a LiPo battery. Dumping sand on the battery will assist in 
extinguishing a LiPo chemical fi re.

ALWAYS

 remove the batteries from the plane after a crash. 

Set them aside in a safe location for at least 20 minutes. If 
the batteries are damaged in the crash, they could catch 
fi re. If the battery starts to swell, quickly move the battery to 
a safe location, preferably outside away from combustible 
material. Place it in a bucket, covering the battery with sand.

NEVER

 use water to try and extinguish a LiPo fi re.

NEVER

  charge  or  use  a  battery  that  is  deformed,  bent, 

crushed, swollen, or has any type of visible damage.

Summary of Contents for VISTA GRANDE EP

Page 1: ...and workmanship at the date of purchase This warranty does not cover any component parts damaged by use or modification In no case shall Tower Hobbies liability exceed the original cost of the purchased kit Further Tower Hobbies reserves the right to change or modify this warranty without notice In that Tower Hobbies has no control over the final assembly or material used for final assembly no lia...

Page 2: ... Academy of Model Aeronautics 5151 East Memorial Drive Muncie IN 47302 9252 Tele 800 435 9262 Fax 765 741 0057 Or via the Internet at www modelaircraft org IMPORTANT Two of the most important things you can do to preserve the radio controlled aircraft hobby are to avoid flying near full scale aircraft and avoid flying near or over groups of people SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Protect Your Model Yourself Oth...

Page 3: ...ing on your plane ALWAYS remove the motor batteries from the plane when charging ALWAYS switch on the transmitter first then the receiver ALWAYS unplug the motor batteries first before switching off the receiver then transmitter NEVER touch the motor during or right after operation The motor gets HOT NEVER switch off the transmitter with the motor batteries plugged in NEVER reach through the arc o...

Page 4: ...er than 23mm TACJ2610 Tactic TTX610 6 Channel SLT System includes TR625 receiver TACJ2660 Tactic TTX660 6 Channel Computer Transmitter does not include receiver TACL0625 Tactic TR625 6 Channel SLT Receiver TACM0220 Tactic TSX20 Mini High Speed 2BB Servo TACM0205 Tactic TSX5 Micro High Speed Servo FUTM0004 Futaba S3004 Standard Ball Bearing Servo FUTM0414 Futaba S3114 Micro High Torque Servo Batter...

Page 5: ... installed in wood first install the screw remove the screw and apply a couple of drops of thin CA in the hole to harden the threads After the CA has cured reinstall the screw Photos and sketches are placed before the step they refer to Frequently you can study photos in following steps to get another view of the same parts You will see this symbol anytime cyanoacrylate glue is required You will s...

Page 6: ...ne piece of plywood and one piece of aluminum Look at the pieces and notice that they can only match up one way be sure you will be joining the layers together correctly Coat one side of one of the pieces with epoxy 6 minute or 30 minute and sandwich them together CONTENTS 1 Center Wing w Spoiler 2 Outer Wing Panels 3 Fuselage 4 Canopy Hatch 5 Horz Stab w Elevator 6 Vert Fin w Rudder 7 Wing Joiner...

Page 7: ...cessary make adjustments to the holes so they fit 4 It is not necessary to permanently epoxy the outer panels to the center section All of our test flying was done with the outer panels attached to center section with regular clear office tape This allows the outer panels to be removed from the center section for easier transport and storage At this time you can remove the outer panels and wing jo...

Page 8: ... operate correctly You can fine tune the throw and arm position after it s been tested 8 Use sand paper to roughen the underside of the spoiler servo tray 180 or 220 grit is fine Glue the servo tray with medium or thick CA or epoxy into the center wing section at the location shown The tray should be approximately centered between the servo lead exit hole and the wing rib Use a hobby knife or rota...

Page 9: ...ults and repeat if necessary 11 Place the spoiler servo into the servo tray Install the top plate over the servo using the two 2 5 x 10mm self tapping screws 7 8 22 mm 12 The simplest way to get the screw on the servo arm into the spoiler bracket slot is to use pliers to flex the servo arm as shown You can also loosen the screw and nut from the servo arm Now would be a good time to temporarily hoo...

Page 10: ...he center position Stand back several feet behind the model and confirm that the stab is parallel with the wing If it isn t remove the stab and lightly sand the stab saddle on the high side for a stab just slightly out of level try adding some weight to the high side Check the stab again and repeat this process until the stab and wing are parallel We recommend also confirming the stab is square wi...

Page 11: ...ld be glued in place as shown here Trim away the covering from beneath the gussets like you did with the wing bolt plate The short gusset should be installed on the left side toward the aft end of the fin Hinge Line Hinge Line Correct Incorrect 6 Insert one of the 36 914mm pushrods into the rudder pushrod tube in the fuselage The aft end of the pushrod should be used to align and mark the screw ho...

Page 12: ...easier but it has a tendency to slip off the hexagonal base and is awkward to use Picking up a clevis installation tool will make short work of getting clevises threaded onto pushrods and is way easier on your fingers We keep one within reach during every ARF and kit build we do Our favorite version is the Great Planes Clevis Tool GPMR8030 9 Prepare your rudder servo by first using your radio syst...

Page 13: ...control horn turn the pushrod sideways and make a 90 degree bend at your mark Cut off the excess pushrod 1 4 6mm beyond the bend Fit the bent end of the pushrod wire into the servo arm hole and secure it with a 90 degree pushrod connector Reinstall the clevis into the second outer hole in the rudder control horn Slide the silicone clevis retainer up to the end of the clevis and you can now remove ...

Page 14: ...ide from the self adhesive hook and loop material to the battery tray 17 Feed the ESC motor leads underneath the battery tray up to the motor Connect the motor leads to the motor and the ESC to the receiver There is no need to secure the ESC down It will stay in place beneath the battery tray Route the battery connector up through the cutout in the battery tray 18 Now is a good time to test the op...

Page 15: ...Beep Beep Brake ON To change the brake operation lower the throttle stick during the pause of the beep sequence of the desired brake function The ESC will confirm the setting with a higher pitched beep There will be another pause then a single beep indicating the ESC is ready to be armed To arm the ESC move the throttle stick to full throttle The ESC will beep twice confirming the full throttle po...

Page 16: ...e high rate settings These are the recommended control surface throws ELEVATOR HIGH RATE LOW RATE 1 2 13mm 17 Up 1 2 13mm 17 Down 3 8 10mm 12 Up 3 8 10mm 12 Down 1 3 8 35mm 22 Right 1 3 8 35mm 22 Left 7 8 22mm 13 Right 7 8 22mm 13 Left RUDDER 7 8 22mm Full 7 16 11mm Half SPOILER Preparing to Balance the Model 1 Assemble the folding propeller as shown Fit the propeller blades into the hub and then ...

Page 17: ...ading edge 2 With the plane ready to fly and with motor batteries installed use a Great Planes C G Machine or apply narrow 1 16 2mm strips of tape at the front and rear C G locations so you will be able to feel them when lifting the model with your fingers to check the C G location Do not at any time balance the model outside this C G range 3 First move the motor battery forward or aft to balance ...

Page 18: ...ties scarfs long hair or loose objects such as pencils or screwdrivers that may fall out of shirt or jacket pockets into the prop ALWAYS keep your face and body as well as all spectators away from the plane of rotation of the propeller as you run the motor ALWAYS wear safety glasses when operating the motor ALWAYS remove the propeller if the motor batteries will be connected when working on your p...

Page 19: ...rongly urge you to seek the assistance of a competent experienced R C pilot to check your model for airworthiness AND to teach you how to fly No matter how stable or forgiving the Vista Grande is attempting to learn to fly on your own is dangerous and may result in destruction of your model or even injury to yourself and others Therefore find an instructor and fly only under their guidance and sup...

Page 20: ...uit and come around again to land making the necessary altitude adjustments on your approach to hit your landing area avoid using motor power with the spoiler up Be sure you have the motor off before the Vista is near the ground When the Vista is nearing touch down a foot or two above the ground increasingly add some up elevator to slow the model without allowing it to climb When the model makes c...

Reviews: