Great Planes F1 Rocket Evo GP/EP ARF - GPMA1030 - Manual (Page 2)

2
INTRODUCTION
The F-1 Rocket is another in a line of homebuilt aircraft for
general aviation enthusiasts. We think you will enjoy this
model rendition of the Rocket. Though it is a “scale” model
you will fi nd its performance to be on par with typical aerobatic
airplanes. You will enjoy putting the Rocket through loops, rolls,
etc. For the latest technical updates or manual corrections
to the F-1 Rocket visit the Great Planes web site at www.
greatplanes.com. Open the “Airplanes” link, then select the F-1
Rocket 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 F-1 Rocket 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 F-1 Rocket, if not assembled and operated correctly, could
possibly cause injury to yourself or spectators and damage
to property.
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
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Academy of Model Aeronautics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Motor Battery Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Radio Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Engine Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Adhesives and Building Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Optional Supplies and Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
KIT INSPECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
KIT CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
PREPARATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
BUILD THE WING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Install the Aileron Servos & Pushrods . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Finish the Wing Panels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
BUILD THE FUSELAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Assemble the Tail Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Install Landing Gear & Wheel Pants . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Install the Servos and Pushrods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
INSTALL THE POWER SYSTEM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Glow Engine Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Install the Electric Motor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Optional Method for Securing the Canopy . . . . . . . . . 19
Install the Cowl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Complete the Radio Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Finishing Touches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Apply the Decals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Install & Connect the Motor Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Battery Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Check the Control Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Set the Control Throws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Balance the Model (C.G.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Balance the Model Laterally. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
PREFLIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Identify Your Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Charge the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Balance Propellers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Ground Check and Range Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
AMA SAFETY CODE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Radio Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
CHECKLIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
FLYING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Fuel Mixture Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Takeoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28