Use a Great Planes AccuThrow (or a ruler) to accurately
measure and set the control throw of each control surface as
indicated in the chart that follows. If your radio does not have
dual rates, we recommend setting the throws at the low
rate setting.
Note: The throws are measured at the widest part of the
elevators, rudder and ailerons.
At this stage the model should be in ready-to-fly condition
with all of the systems in place including the motor, landing
gear, motor battery, and the radio system.
❏
1. Use a felt-tip pen or 3mm-wide [1/8"] tape to accurately
mark the C.G. on the bottom of the top wing on both sides
of the fuselage. The C.G. is located 54mm [2-1/8"] back from
the LE of the top wing.
❏
2. With the wing attached to the fuselage, all parts of the
model installed (ready to fly) and the motor battery installed,
place the model right-side up on a Great Planes CG
Machine, or lift it at the balance point you marked.
❏
3. If the tail drops, the model is “tail heavy” and the motor
battery and/or receiver must be shifted forward or weight
must be added to the nose to balance. If the nose drops, the
model is “nose heavy” and the motor battery and/or receiver
must be shifted aft or weight must be added to the tail to
balance. If possible, move the receiver forward or aft to
minimize or eliminate any additional ballast required. If
additional weight is required, use Great Planes “stick-on”
lead (GPMQ4485). A good place to add stick-on nose
weight is under the battery cover (don’t attach weight to the
cowl-it is not intended to support weight). Begin by placing
incrementally increasing amounts of weight on the bottom of
the fuse over the firewall until the model balances. Once you
have determined the amount of weight required, it can be
permanently attached. If required, tail weight may be added
by cutting open the bottom of the fuse and gluing it
permanently inside.
IMPORTANT: If you found it necessary to add any weight,
recheck the C.G. after the weight has been installed.
❏
1. With the wing level, lift the model by the prop shaft and the
bottom of the fuse under the TE of the fin. Do this several times.
❏
2. If one wing always drops when you lift the model, it means
that side is heavy. Balance the airplane by adding weight to the
other wing tip. An airplane that has been laterally balanced
will track better in loops and other maneuvers.
Balance the Model Laterally
This is where your model should balance for the first
flights. Later, you may wish to experiment by shifting the
C.G. up to 3mm [1/8"] forward or 3mm [1/8"] back to
change the flying characteristics. Moving the C.G. forward
may improve the smoothness and stability, but the model
may then require more speed for takeoff and make it more
difficult to slow for landing. Moving the C.G. aft makes the
model more maneuverable, but could also cause it to
become too difficult to control. In any case, start at the
recommended balance point and do not at any time
balance the model outside the specified range.
More than any other factor, the C.G. (balance point) can
have the greatest effect on how a model flies, and may
determine whether or not your first flight will be
successful. If you value this model and wish to enjoy it for
many flights, DO NOT OVERLOOK THIS IMPORTANT
PROCEDURE. A model that is not properly balanced will
be unstable and possibly unflyable.
Balance the Model (C.G.)
IMPORTANT: The Fokker D.VII EP ARF has been
extensively flown and tested to arrive at the throws at
which it flies best. Flying your model at these throws will
provide you with the greatest chance for successful first
flights. If, after you have become accustomed to the way
the Fokker D.VII EP ARF flies, you would like to change
the throws to suit your taste, that is fine. However, too
much control throw could make the model difficult to
control, so remember, “more is not always better.”
These are the recommended control surface throws:
High Rate
Low Rate
ELEVATOR:
13mm [1/2"] up
8mm [5/16"] up
13mm [1/2"] down
8mm [5/16"] down
RUDDER:
25mm [1"] right
13mm [1/2"] right
25mm [1"] left
13mm [1/2"] left
AILERONS:
14mm [9/16"] up
9.5mm [3/8"] up
14mm [9/16"] down 9.5mm [3/8"] down
Set the Control Throws
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