Top Flite TOPA0905 - Manual (Page 2)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Radio Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Engine Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Retracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED. . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Required Hardware and Accessories . . . . . . . . . 4
Optional Supplies and Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS. . . . . . . . . 5
KIT CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
PREPARATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
BUILD THE WING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Install the Flaps/Ailerons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Install the Aileron Servos and Pushrods . . . . . . . 8
Install the Flap Servos and Pushrods . . . . . . . . . 9
Install the Wing Joiners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Attach the Wings to the Fuselage . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Install the Struts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
BUILD THE FUSELAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Install the Stabilizers, Elevators and Rudder . . . 13
INSTALL THE LANDING GEAR . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Fixed Landing Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Fixed Tail Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Tail Wheel Door Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Retractable Landing Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Retractable Tail Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Tail Wheel Door Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Install the Retract Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Adjusting the Retractable Landing Gear . . . . . . 27
INSTALL THE ENGINE & THROTTLE SERVO . 28
O.S. 1.60 Two-Stroke Engine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
O.S. 1.60 Four-Stroke Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Install the Fuel Tank for the
O.S. 1.60 Two-Stroke Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Install the Fuel Tank for the
O.S. 1.60 Four-Stroke Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Install the Cowl and Dummy Engine . . . . . . . . . 30
Install the Radio System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Finishing Touches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY . . . . . . . . . . 36
Check the Control Directions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Set the Control Throws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Balance the Model (C.G.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Balance the Model Laterally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
PREFLIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Identify Your Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Charge the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Balance Propellers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Ground Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Range Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . 38
AMA SAFETY CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
IMAA SAFETY CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
CHECK LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
FLYING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Takeoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
1.60 Engine Mount Template. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
INTRODUCTION
With its clean lines, negatively staggered wings, and
retractable landing gear, the natural aesthetic beauty
of the “Staggerwing” has made it an uncontested
classic airplane. Even today the Beechcraft Model 17
Staggerwing is comparable to modern private aircraft.
This classiest of classic airplanes transported military
generals and executives throughout the Second
World War and for years afterwards. Top Flite has
returned this vintage airplane to the modeling
community in the form of a “World Class” ARF that we
are sure will bring you hours of great fun.
For the latest technical updates or manual
corrections to the Staggerwing visit the Top Flite web
site at www.top-flite.com. Open the “Airplanes” link,
and then select the Staggerwing 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.
AMA
We urge you to join the AMA (Academy of Model
Aeronautics) and a local R/C club. The AMA is the
governing body of model aviation and membership is
required to fly at AMA clubs. Though joining the AMA
provides many benefits, one of the primary reasons
to join is liability protection. Coverage is not limited to
flying at contests or on the club field. It even applies
to flying at public demonstrations and air shows.
Failure to comply with the Safety Code (excerpts
printed in the back of the manual) may endanger
insurance coverage. Additionally, training programs
and instructors are available at AMA club sites to help
you get started the right way. There are over 2,500
AMA chartered clubs across the country. Contact the
AMA at the address or toll-free phone number below:
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:
www.modelaircraft.org
IMPORTANT!!!
Two of the most important things you can do to
preserve the radio-controlled aircraft hobby are to
avoid flying near full-scale aircraft and avoid flying
near or over groups of people.
IMAA
The Top Flite Staggerwing is an excellent sport-scale
model and is eligible to fly in IMAA events. The IMAA
(International Miniature Aircraft Association) is an
organization that promotes non-competitive flying of
giant-scale models. If you plan to attend an IMAA
event, obtain a copy of the IMAA Safety Code by
contacting the IMAA at the address or telephone
number below, or by logging on to their web site at:
IMAA
205 S. Hilldale Road
Salina, KS 67401
(913) 823-5569
www.fly-imaa.org/imaa/sanction.html.
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