Top Flite TOPA0215 - Manual (Page 34)

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5. Make sure the control surfaces move in the
proper direction as illustrated in the following sketch.
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6. Adjust your pushrod hookups and set up your
radio to provide the control surface movements as
follows. Use a ruler or a Great Planes AccuThrow
Control Surface Deflection Meter (GPMR2405) to
measure the throws.
CONTROL THROWS
High rate Low Rate
Aileron 3/8" [9.5mm] Up 1/4" [6mm] Up
3/8" [9.5mm] Down 1/4" [6mm] Down
Elevator 5/8" [16mm] Up 7/16" [11mm] Up
5/8" [16mm] Down 7/16" [11mm] Down
Rudder 3/4" [19mm] Right 1/2" [13mm] Right
3/4" [19mm] Left 1/2" [13mm] Left
GET YOUR MODEL READY TO FLY
Balance your Model
NOTE: This section is VERY important and must
NOT be omitted! A model that is not properly
balanced will be unstable and possibly unflyable.
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1. See the Expert Tip that follows to accurately mark
the balance point on the bottom of the wing on both
sides of the fuselage. The balance point is shown on
the plan (CG), and is located 3-1/2" (89mm) back from
the leading edge at the wing root as shown in the
sketch and on the plans. This is the balance point at
which your model should be balanced for your first
flights. Later, you may experiment by shifting the
balance up to 1/2" [13mm] forward or 1/2" [13mm] back
to change the flying characteristics. If you move the
balance point forward it may improve the smoothness
and tracking, but your Elder may then require more
speed for takeoff and become more difficult to slow for
landing. If you move the balance aft it may make your
Elder more agile with a lighter feel and allow you to slow
the model more for landing. In any case, please start at
the location we recommend and do not at any time
balance your model outside the recommended range.
HOW TO MARK THE BALANCE POINT
The balance point is measured from the leading
edge down the bottom center of the wing. Mark the
balance point outward a few inches so you can see
where to lift the wing when it’s bolted to the fuse. To
do this, mark the balance point with a felt tip pen or
tape on both ends of the center section. Place a
straightedge across the marks. Mark the balance
point along the straightedge further out on the wing.
Mount the wing to the fuselage.
3-1/2" [89mm]
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2. With the wing attached to the fuselage and an
empty fuel tank, lift the model at the balance point.
We use the Great Planes C.G. Machine
™ (shown in
the sketch). If the tail drops, the model is tail heavy
and you must shift your battery pack or other
components forward or add weight to the nose. If the
nose drops, it is nose heavy and you must shift your
battery pack or other components aft or add weight
to the tail. In order to save weight, relocate your
battery pack and/or receiver or other components
before you add additional weight to arrive at the
correct C.G. You may install nose weight by using a
spinner weight or gluing lead weights to the firewall.