Composite-ARF Pitts S12
tions can damage a servo quite quickly.
The ignition unit can be secured on top of the motor dome as shown in the photos. The ignition
battery was fitted inside the motor dome on a foam pad, and retained using 3 cable-ties.
Fuel proofing
We highly recommend that you protect all the bare wood parts and edges inside the front of the
plane with one thin coat of 24 hr laminating epoxy, or similar, brushed on. Be careful not to add
excess weight here - it only needs about 25 - 30 grams (1 oz.) of epoxy to fuel proof all the wood
in the whole area in the front of the plane.
Final check
Check that you have fixed all components securely. Keep in mind that everything inside the air-
craft is loaded with the same G’s as the wing and the wing spar during aerobatic manoeuvres.
Check engine, cowling, wing and stab mounts carefully again.
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Are all extension leads, cables and fuel tubes securely fixed to the side of the fuselage ?
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Are all extension leads, cables and fuel tubes protected from rubbing against any carbon
or fibreglass composite parts? Extension cables and tubes will be cut through in just one
flight if they rub against the edges of carbon or glass, so please make sure that
everything is protected with rubber grommets, plastic spiral-wrap, plastic tube or similar.
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Make sure that no fuel tubing or wires can come into contact the hot exhaust.
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Did you fit short Tygon or silicone tube pieces over all the steel clevises?
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Did you tighten the M3 locknuts against all the clevises?
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Are the swages crimped up nice and tight on the rudder cables?
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Have you put clear tape over the end of the hinge tubes and the stab bolts ?
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For added security add one small drop of loctite/thread locking compound on all engine
mounting bolts, and those that hold the servo arms to the servos, especially important
with digital types.
Then you can go on set up all the linkages, control throws and R/C system as described below.
Setting Up Your Aircraft
Centre of Gravity:
For the 1st flights set the Centre of Gravity at the front edge of the outer struts (70mm back from
the leading edge of the bottom wing). This is the ‘Pattern’ C of G position. For serious 3D
manoeuvres you can move the C of Gravity backwards to 15mm in front of the front strut secur-
ing bolt (approx. 85mm from the leading edge of the lower wing). Hold it with a helper at both
wing tips in this position and make sure the plane balances horizontally, or slightly nose-down.
Don’t forget to balance the plane laterally also, holding the spinner central bolt and a fingertip
under the rudder, and if needed add a small weight to the light wing tip(s).
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