Top Flite TOPA0215 - Manual (Page 2)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Hardware and Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Adhesives and Building Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Optional Supplies and Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
GET READY TO BUILD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
COMMON ABBREVIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
METRIC CONVERSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
DIE-CUT PATTERNS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
BUILD THE TAIL SURFACES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Build the Stab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Build the Elevator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Build the Fin and Rudder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
BUILD THE WING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Frame the Wing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Install the Wing Joiners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Finish the Bottom of the Wing . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Join the Wings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Build the Wingtip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Build the Aileron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Finish the Wing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Make the Cockpit (Optional). . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
BUILD THE FUSELAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Frame the Fuselage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Mount the Wing to the Fuselage . . . . . . . . . . .20
Finish the Fuselage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Adding the Wing Fairing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Assemble and Install the Landing Gear . . . . .24
Tailskid Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Tail Wheel Wire Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
FINAL CONSTRUCTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Mount the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Install the Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
FINISHING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Fuelproofing
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Prepare the Model for Covering . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Balance the Model Laterally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Cover Your Model with MonoKote. . . . . . . . . . .28
Installing the Stab and Fin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Join the Control Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Install the Elevator and Rudder Pushrods and
Control Horns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Install the Aileron Pushrods & Control Horns. .32
Scale Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Final Hookups and Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Control Throws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
GET YOUR MODEL READY TO FLY . . . . . . . . .34
Balance your Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
PREFLIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Identify Your Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Charge the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Balance Propellers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Find a Safe Place to Fly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Ground Check Your Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Range Check Your Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
CHECK LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . .36
AMA SAFETY CODE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
FLYING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Takeoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Flight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Landing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
INTRODUCTION
Congratulation and thank you for purchasing the Top
Flite Elder. The Top Flite Elder is a classic design from
the early years of modeling, brought back by requests
from modelers just like you! This easy flying model will
provide you with many hours of relaxing flight. Though
it is simple to build and fly, it also has its own unique
character that seems to appeal to modelers of all ages
and is guaranteed to get the attention of everyone at
the field. We hope you enjoy building the Top Flite Elder
as much as we have enjoyed bringing it back to the
modeling world and introducing it to a whole new
generation of modelers.
PROTECT YOUR MODEL,
YOURSELF & OTHERS
FOLLOW THESE IMPORTANT
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1. Your Top Flite Elder 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 Top Flite Elder, 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 unflyable 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 first-
class condition, and a correctly sized engine and
components (fuel tank, wheels, etc.) throughout the
building process.
5. You must correctly install all R/C and other
components so that the model operates correctly on
the ground and in the air.
6. You must check the operation of the model before
every flight to insure that all equipment is operating
and that the model has remained structurally sound.
Be sure to check clevises or other connectors often
and replace them if they show any signs of wear or
fatigue.
7. If you are not already an experienced R/C pilot,
you should fly the model only with the help of a
competent, experienced R/C pilot.