Top Flite Sierra 40 Trainer Kit - Manual (Page 5)

5
EARLY IN THE
BUILDING SEQUENCE
ENGINE AND MOUNT SELECTION
The recommended engine size range is as fol-
lows:
.28-.40-.46 cu. in. 2-cycle
.40-.48-.60 cu. in. 4-cycle
NOTE: The displacement in bold type is the
most highly recommended. However, all of
these engines will fly the Sierra well.
The supplied MM40 motor mount should
hold most of the two strokes in the range and
some of the four strokes. It is permissible to file
the inside of the mount slightly to fit larger engines
(see photo on page 28). Some engines may
require you to buy a different mount from your
hobby dealer. Study the plans and the engine
mounting section of this bookformore information
and sample installations.
BOLT-ON OR
RUBBER BAND-ON WINGS
The Sierra has been designed and tested
with rubber band-on or bolt-on wings. The rub-
ber band on wings will better absorb the shocks
of a crash or landing accident such as a cartwheel.
If you have a good instructor and flying site or
already have some flying experience, you may
want to use the bolt-on wing option.
3 OR 4 CHANNELS
The Sierra flies very well with or without
ailerons. The 3-channel version will be cheaper
and easierto build. The 4-channel version offers
the extra flexibility of aileron control. Ailerons
make cross wind take offs and landings easier
to control, so many instructors recommend
ailerons.
TRICYCLE OR TAILDRAGGER
GEAR
The tricycle landing gear is considered
standard. We recommend the tricycle gear if
this is your first airplane because it offers the
best ground handling as well as straight ahead
take offs and landings. The tricycle gear also
does a better job of protecting the propeller
during bouncy take offs and landings. If you
are sport flying the Sierra or want to learn to fly
a taildragger, provisions have been made to
allow you to build the Sierra as a taildragger.
The Great Planes #L-7 tail wheel assembly
may be purchased from your dealer and
modified slightly to match the drawing on the
fuselage plans.
SELECTION OF WHEELS
The standard recommended wheels are
two 2-3/4" main wheels and one 2-1/2" nose
wheel. If you are flying off grass or an uneven
surface, you may wish to use larger wheels
than those recommended. The standard
wheels have been tested off of grass and work
fine, but 3" wheels all the way around would
work even better.
If you will be flying a taildragger off of
grass, we recommend using 3" to 3-1/4" main
wheels and a 1" to 1-1/4" tailwheel.
OTHER ITEMS REQUIRED
Three or Four-channel radio with 3 or 4 servos
Engine
Propellers (Top Flite Power Point recommended-see
engine instructions for sizes)
2-1/4" Prop Spinner
Fuel Tank (Most 6 to 10 oz. tanks will tit)
2-3/4" Main Wheels (2)
2-1/2" Nose Wheel (1) (or 1" Tailwheel)
5/32" Wheel Collars - (4-6)
Top Flite MonoKote"
*Model shown covered with 2 rolls of Yellow, plus Missile
Red, and Orange for trim
Silicone Fuel Tubing
Latex Foam Rubber Padding (1/4" thick)
#64 Rubber Bands (10-12 for rubber band-on wings)
1/8" Foam Wing Seating Tape (optional)
SUGGESTED SUPPLIES
AND TOOLS
2 oz. Thin CA Adhesive (Hobbico Bullet Glue is Recommended)
2 oz. Medium CA Adhesive (Hobbico Bullet Glue is Recom-
mended)
15-Minute Epoxy (Hobbico Bullet Glue is Recommended)
Hand or Electric Drill
Drill Bits: 1/16", 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16", 1/4"
Top Flite Heat Sealing Tool
Top Flite Heat Gun
Hobby Saw (X-acto Razor Saw)
X-acto Knife, #11 Blades
Pliers
Screw Drivers
T-Pins
Straightedge
Short ruler
Masking Tape (Suggested for construction)
Sandpaper (coarse, medium, fine grit)*
T-Bar Sanding Block (or similar)
Waxed Paper
Lightweight Balsa Filler
1/4-20 Tap. Tap Wrench (optional bolt on wings)
IsopropyI Rubbing Alcohol (70%)
Dremel Moto Tool or similar (optional)
NOTE: On our workbench, we have four 11" T-Bar sanders,
equipped with #80, #100, #150, and #220-grit sandpaper. This
setup is all that is required for almost any sanding task.
Sanding blocks can be made from balsa for sanding hard to
reach spots. We also keep some #320-grit wet-or-dry
sandpaper handy for finish sanding before covering