Great Planes Giant Aeromaster Kit - GPMA0502 - Manual (Page 46)

NOTE: This section is VERY important and must NOT
be omitted! A model that is not properly balanced will
be unstable and possibly unflyable.
D 1. The balance point (CG) is located 2-7/8" back from
the leading edge of the lower wing next to the fuse sides
as shown in the sketch and on the fuselage plan
Accurately mark the balance point on the top of the wing
on both sides of the fuselage Use thin strips of tape or a
felt-tip pen to make the marks.
Hint: Reference the full size fuse plan to help you locate the
proper balance point This is the balance point at which your
model should balance for your first flights After initial trim
flights and when you become more acquainted with your
Aeromaster, you may wish to experiment by shifting the
balance up to 3/8" forward or backward to change its flying
characteristics Moving the balance forward may improve
the smoothness and stability but the model may then require
more speed for takeoff and may become more difficult to
slow for landing Moving the balance aft makes the model
more agile with a lighter, snappier "feel" and often improves
knife-edge capabilities In any case, please start at the
location we recommend. Do not at any time balance
your model outside the recommended range.
D 2 With the wing attached to the fuselage, all parts of the
model installed (ready to fly) and an empty fuel tank, hold
the model upside down, with the stabilizer level.
D 3. Lift the model at the balance point. If the tail drops
when you lift, the model is "tail heavy" and you must add
weight* to the nose to balance the model If the nose
drops, it is "nose heavy' and you must add weight* to the
tail to balance the model.
NOTE: Nose weight may be easily installed by using a
"spinner weight" or gluing lead weights to the firewall Tail
weight may be added by using Great Planes (GPMQ4485)
"stick on" lead weights Later if the balance is 0 K , you can
open the fuse bottom and glue the weights in permanently
* If possible, first attempt to balance the model by changing
the position of the receiver battery and receiver If you are
unable to obtain good balance by doing so, then it w i l l be
necessary to add weight to the nose or tail to achieve the
proper balance point.
At this time check all connections including servo arm
screws, clevises, servo cords and extensions Make sure
you have installed the nylon retainer on the Screw-Lock
Pushrod Connector on the throttle pushrod at the servo
arm and the retainers on all the clevises.
Follow the battery charging procedures in your radio
instruction manual You should always charge your transmitter
and receiver batteries the night before you go flying and at
other times as recommended by the radio manufacturer.
Carefully balance your propellers before flying. An
unbalanced prop is the single most significant cause of
vibration Not only may engine mounting screws vibrate
out, possibly with disastrous effect, but vibration may also
damage your radio receiver and battery. Vibration may
cause your fuel to foam, which will, in turn, cause your
engine to run lean or quit
We use a Top Flite Precision Magnetic Prop Balancer
(TOPQ5700) in the workshop and keep a Great Planes
Fingertip Balancer (GPMQ5000) in our flight box.
Since you have chosen the Aeromaster we assume that you
are an experienced modeler Therefore, you should already
know about AMA chartered flying fields and other safe places
to fly If, for some reason you are a relatively inexperienced
modeler and have not been informed, we strongly suggest
that the best place to fly is an AMA chartered club field Ask
the AMA or your local hobby shop dealer if there is a club in
your area and join Club fields are set up for R/C flying and
that makes your outing safer and more enjoyable The AMA
address and telephone number is in the front of this manual.
If a club and flying site are not available, find a large, grassy
area at least 6 miles away from houses, buildings and streets
and any other R/C radio operation like R/C boats and R/C
cars A schoolyard may look inviting but is too close to
people, power lines and possible radio interference.
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