Top Flite TOPA0150 - Manual (Page 58)

by shifting the C.G. up to 13/64" forward or back to
change the flying characteristics. Moving the C.G.
forward may improve the smoothness and arrow-like
tracking, but it may then require more speed for
takeoff and make it more difficult to slow down for
landing. Moving the C.G. aft makes the model more
agile with a lighter and snappier feel. In any case,
start at the location we recommend and do not at
any time balance your model outside the
recommended range.
❏
2. With the wing attached to the fuselage, all parts of
the model installed (ready to fly), an empty fuel tank
and the landing gear retracted (if you have retracts),
place the model upside-down on a Great Planes CG
Machine at the balance point you marked, or hold it
upside-down in a stand with the stabilizer level.
❏
3. If the tail drops, the model is “tail heavy” and you
must add weight to the nose to balance. If the nose
drops, the model is “nose heavy” and you must add
weight to the tail to balance. An easy way to
determine how much weight to add, and where to
add it is to temporarily set segments of Great Planes
(GPMQ4485) “stick-on” lead weight directly on the
outside of the fuselage over a location where the
weight could be permanently attached
inside the
fuselage. For example, if the model is tail heavy, a
good place to add weight would be to former F-2
(don’t attach weight to the cowl—it is not intended to
support weight). Begin by placing incrementally
increasing amounts of weight on the bottom of the
fuse over F-2 until the model balances. Once you
have determined the amount of weight required, it
can be permanently attached to F-2 inside the fuse.
This process should first be done with your receiver
and battery pack if you have not yet mounted them.
Add additional weight if required. Tail weight, if
required, may be added by cutting open the bottom
of the fuse aft of the tail wheel and gluing it
permanently inside.
Note: Do not rely upon the adhesive on the back of
the lead weight to permanently hold it in place. Over
time, fuel and exhaust residue will soften the
adhesive and cause the weight to fall off. Use #2
sheet metal screws, RTV silicone or epoxy to
permanently hold the weight in place.
❏
4. Once you have determined where to mount the
battery pack and receiver and/or any additional weight
required to achieve the correct balance, take the model
off the balance stand and remove the wing.
❏
5. If you have not already done so, mount the
receiver and battery pack. Attach additional lead
weight where required.
❏
6. IMPORTANT: Recheck the C.G.
Set the control surface throws
❏
1. If you haven’t already done so, center all the
servos. The servo arms on the flap servos should be
positioned so the flaps are up when the switch on the
transmitter is in the “up” position.
❏
2. Make certain all the controls move in the correct
direction.
❏
3. Adjust your pushrod hookups, ATV’s and dual
rates as necessary to provide the proper control
surface movements as shown.
CONTROL SURFACE THROWS
❏ NOTE: Throws are measured at the widest part
of the elevators, rudder, ailerons and flaps. Use a
Great Planes AccuThrow
™ meter to accurately
measure control throw.
We recommend the following control surface throws:
ELEVATOR: (High Rate) (Low Rate)
5/8" up 7/16" up
5/8" down 7/16" down
RUDDER: (High Rate) (Low Rate)
1-1/4" right 7/8" right
1-1/4" left 7/8" left
AILERONS: (High Rate) (Low Rate)
11/16" up 7/16" up
11/16" down 7/16" down
FLAPS: (Maximum setting) 1-11/16" down
The balance point and control surface throws
listed in this manual are the ones at which the
Focke-Wulf flies best. Set up your aircraft to those
specifications. If, after a few flights, you would like
to adjust the throws or C.G. to suit your tastes, that
is fine. Too much control surface throw can make
your model difficult to control or force it into a stall,
so remember...More is not better.
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