Great Planes Escapade MX GP/EP ARF - GPMA1202 User Manual
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INTRODUCTION
For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to the 
Escapade MX ARF visit the Great Planes web site at www.
greatplanes.com. Open the “Airplanes” link, then select the 
Escapade MX ARF. If there is new technical information or 
changes to this model a “tech notice” box will appear in the 
upper left corner of the page.
Academy of Model Aeronautics
If you are not already a member of the AMA, please join! The
AMA is the governing body of model aviation and membership
provides liability insurance coverage, protects modelers’ rights 
and interests and is required to fl y at most R/C sites.
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: http://www.modelaircraft.org
IMPORTANT!!! Two of the most important things you can 
do to preserve the radio controlled aircraft hobby are to avoid 
fl ying near full-scale aircraft and avoid fl ying near or over 
groups of people.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Protect Your Model, Yourself & Others…
Follow These Important Safety Precautions
1. Your Escapade should not be considered a toy, but rather a
sophisticated, working model that functions very much like 
a full-size airplane. Because of its performance capabilities, 
the Escapade could possibly cause injury to yourself or 
spectators and damage to property if not assembled and 
operated correctly.
2. You must assemble the model according to the instructions.
Do not alter or modify the model, as doing so may result in 
an unsafe or unfl yable model. In a few cases the instructions 
may differ slightly from the photos. In those instances the 
written instructions should be considered as correct.
3. You must take time to build straight, true and strong.
4. You must use an R/C radio system that is in good condition,
a correctly sized engine, and other components as specifi ed 
in this instruction manual. All components must be correctly 
installed so that the model operates correctly on the ground 
and in the air. You must check the operation of the model 
and all components before every fl ight.
5. 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 
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
 Academy of Model Aeronautics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
 Motor Battery Recommendations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
 Engine Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
 Radio Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
 Required Hardware and Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
 Optional Supplies and Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
KIT INSPECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
KIT CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
TIGHTEN THE COVERING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
INSTALL THE AILERON SERVOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
ASSEMBLE THE FUSELAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
 Install the Elevator and Rudder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
 Mount the Main Landing Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
 Mount the Electric Motor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
 Mount the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
 Install the Motor Cover and Spinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
 Mount the Fuel Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
 Mount the Glow Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
HOOK UP THE THROTTLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
 Two-Stroke Hookup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
 Install the Fuel Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
 Four-Stroke Hookup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
FINAL ASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
 Final Radio Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
 Install the Propeller and Spinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
 Install the Wings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
 Apply the Decals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
 Install and Connect the Motor Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
 Check the Control Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
 Set the Control Throws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
 Balance the Model (C.G.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
 Balance the Model Laterally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
PREFLIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
 Identify Your Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
 Charge the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
 Balance the Propellers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
 Ground Check and Range Check. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
AMA SAFETY CODE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
 General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
 Radio Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
CHECK LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
FLYING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
 Fuel Mixture Adjustments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
 Takeoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
 Flight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover
 Landing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover
TABLE OF CONTENTS
