12
Install the horizontal stab, checking for an initial neutral setting of incidence-adjust the
incidence screw in or out to obtain this setting to start. The model should be set up to fly
right-right, which includes adjusting stab tilt to obtain this. Start with the stab tilt even (level
with wings) for initial glide tests. Attach the wing using four of the dental bands provided in
the kit. If more of these are desired, order from FAI Model Supply at the address noted in the
end of this manual.
Check the balance of the model at position shown on drawing, with the rubber motor slightly
wound to take up slack and laying uniformly in the bottom of the fuselage. If the model
appears to be balanced slightly nose down, proceed with test gliding. If the tail is obviously
lower than the nose, remove the wing and adjust the wing pins back to the aft holes in the
fuselage and remount the wing. Check for balance again. Similarly, move the wing position
forward if the nose is very strongly tilting down. It’s best to be slightly nose heavy to start.
Experiment with wing position and incidence of the horizontal stab before resorting to adding
ballast-you should not have to add any ballast to this model to get it to trim.
Begin test glides with gentle level push forward under calm conditions. Wind the motor up
just enough to make the prop turn at the approximate free wheel speed. An alternative to this
is to not install the prop or motor during the test glides. Instead ballast the model with the
noseblock installed and test glide as a glider. Once a good glide trim is obtained, mark the
center of gravity and then remove the ballast. Install the prop and motor and adjust the wing
position to achieve the center of gravity location you found during your test glides.
In either case, observe the glide path-adjust the incidence screw out to pull the nose up or in
to drop the nose in the glide. Repeat glides and screw adjustment until a very flat glide path
is achieved. If no turn is evident in the glide, start adding shim to the right side of the stab
platform to tilt the right stab tip higher than the left until a flat right hand glide pattern is
obtained, about a 30 foot radius. If stab tilt is not quite enough to gain the right hand turn,
reduce washout in the left wing. If this still is not enough, add small amounts of right rudder
tab until the right turn is satisfactory. If necessary, reset the stabilizer keys on the strike plate
to reposition the stabilizer to the right a slight amount and increase the turning force to the
right. Be very certain you have a consistent and safe glide pattern before attempting powered
flights. You may have to adjust incidence slightly again once the glide transition is observed
during power trials. The model should be adjusted to glide just above stall speed. Any
observation of repeated shallow climbs and stalling pattern in the glide should be adjusted out
by tightening the incidence screw a little at a time until the glide flattens during transition from
power. Perform glide transition testing at lower power settings-use the same motor torque
levels for each trial. Once the glide is sorted out, higher power climb stalling and turning are
handled with shimming or sanding in down and side thrust.
Begin power flights using minimum torque to start; about 400-500 turns or 3 in/oz. torque.
Use a 3/4" diameter blast tube to protect the fuselage from damage should a motor burst
during winding. Set your timer for a 20-30 second release in case there are problems-this can
save damage from aggressive stalls or other problems on the initial powered flight. Launch
the model in level attitude, and observe for a smooth climb out to the right as a goal. If the
model climbs and stalls under low power add downthrust shim to control. If the model wants
to go left add right thrust shim. If the model decays into a spiral dive to the right under power,
reduce right thrust shim or add left thrust shim. If the model still continues to shallow dive
under power, remove some downthrust shim. Add more power and adjust shimming until a
smooth climbing right hand spiral is obtained-from 30 to 40 feet in diameter. As a rule, when
