Owner manual

16
FINISHING
❏ 1. We recommend you use Top Flite
®
MonoKote
®
film to cover the wings and tail as it adds a great
deal of strength and rigidity to these parts. The
fuselage will be far more interesting. If you regard
applying MonoKote film to compound curves as an
interesting challenge, you will have a ball. Those
who have tried say it’s easier than applying
MonoKote film to a golf ball, though not much.
EconoKote is much more flexible and would be
easier. Paint would be a good choice as well.
❏ 2. When done, add the tailskid and nose skid, if
you use one.
❏ 3. Install the Ply rudder horn as shown on the
plan. Make a Z-bend on one end of the wire
pushrod and install it onto the horn.
❏ 4. Place the radio components about where you
think they should go, assemble the wings and stab
and do a preliminary balance check. We
recommend you balance the Bird on the spar,
shifting the radio components or adding lead as
required. More on this in a moment.
❏ 5. Mount the servos and hook up the pushrods to
them. Mount the receiver and battery with foam rubber.
TIME TO FLY
The entire airplane should weigh about 41 ounces.
Hand glide the Bird to see that the elevator setting is
in the ball park. During test flying, test the Bird for the
proper C.G. location, anywhere from the spar to
1/4" aft. You’ll find the plane will fly at a wide range
of elevator throws and C.G. locations, but will only
perform at one. To find that setting, you will need cool
morning air that is preferably dead calm. When you
find it, the plane will speed up just a little and “go on
step”, and the L/D will appear to double. It will
probably be way off on the down end of the elevator
spectrum. When you find the setting be sure to mark it
on the side of the fin so you can get it back again.
Bear in mind that C.G. changes and changes in air-
density will have a small affect.
We recommend you make two pine blocks that fit
exactly into the open areas in front of and behind
bulkhead F2. Drill them out and epoxy in lead or
BB’s until you bring the total weight of the Bird up to
52 oz., without changing the C.G. of the airplane.
Mark these blocks “7 oz./ft.” and set them aside.
Make a second set that brings the total weight up to
70 oz., and mark them 9.5 oz./ft. These will be
needed for use at speed events.
Don’t forget to add your AMA I.D. sticker and take
lots of pictures.
Good flying!
OFFICIAL IDENTIFICATION
Issued by the
ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS
This is an experimental model which may be lost in flight. The fuel
tank may contain gasoline or other flammable fluid, which should be
drained before transporting or storing. Keep away from fire.
Finder should notify owner immediately. Model should not be given
to any claimant unless positive identification is provided.
License No.........................................................................................
Name ..................................................................................................
Address .............................................................................................
City ........................................................... State ................................
Phone .................................................................................................
UNAUTHORIZED POSSESSION OF THIS MODEL
CAN LEAD TO PROSECUTION UNDER LAW.
Cut and glue this identification
tag inside of your model.
™