DAY & NIGHT VERSIONS DESIGNED BY:
BEFORE CONTINUING WITH THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL OR ASSEMBLY OF YOUR AIRCRAFT, PLEASE VISIT OUR WIKI SUPPORT SITE FOR THE LATEST PRODUCT UPDATES, FEATURE CHANGES, MANUAL ADDENDUMS AND FIRMWARE CHANGES FOR BOTH YOUR AIRCRAFT AND THE INSTALLED AURA 8 ADVANCED FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM. wiki.flexinnovations.com/wiki/RV8 wiki.flexinnovations.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction .......................................................................... Box Contents ....................................................................... Specifications ...................................................................... Completion Items ................................................................ Battery Charging Guidelines ............................................... Special Language Definitions ..............................................
SPECIFICATIONS COMPLETION ITEMS ! 66.3 in. (1685mm) ED L AL ST IN 1120 sq. in. (72.3 sq. dm.) ! ED L AL ST IN Day Version: 10.3lb (4660g) Night Version: 10.
SPECIAL LANGUAGE DEFINITIONS The following terms are used throughout the product literature to indicate various levels of potential harm when operating this product: NOTICE: CAUTION: WARNING: Procedures, which if not properly followed, create a possibility of physical property damage AND a little or no possibility of injury. Procedures, which if not properly followed, create the probability of physical property damage AND a possibility of serious injury.
MAIN LANDING GEAR INSTALLATION Required Tools and Fasteners: (QTY 2) (QTY 10) #1 Phillips Screwdriver 1.5mm Hex Driver 8mm Open End Wrench 12mm Open End Wrench Adjustable Wrench (optional) (2) M3x12 Phillips Head Self-Tapping Screw (10) M3x8 Phillips Head Self-Tapping Screw (4) M3x20 Phillips Head Machine Screw Blue Thread Lock (QTY 4) 1. Locate the wheel pants, Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws from the wheel pants and separate the wheel pant halves from each other. 2.
MAIN LANDING GEAR INSTALLATION (CONTINUED) 3. Locate the wheel and axle assembly. Use a 1.5mm hex driver to remove the set screws in the wheel collars. Apply blue thread lock to the set screws and re-assemble. 4. Slide the threaded end of the axle through the landing gear from the outside of the landing gear. Place a washer over the axle and apply blue thread lock to the axle threads. Secure the axle to the landing gear using an M5 nut and an 8mm and 12mm open end wrench. .
MAIN LANDING GEAR INSTALLATION (CONTINUED) 6. Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver and five M3x8 self-tapping screws to secure the outside half of the wheel pant to the landing gear assembly. 7. Apply blue thread lock to the four M3x20 machine screws. Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver and the four M3x20 screws to secure the landing gear to the fuselage.
TAIL WHEEL INSTALLATION Required Tools and Fasteners: #1 Phillips Screwdriver (3) M3x7 Phillips Head Self-Tapping Screw (QTY 3) 1. Locate the vertical fin assembly, tail wheel and tail wheel retaining plate. Insert the tail wheel into the bottom of the rudder, being sure to orient it so that the tail wheel wire angles towards the tail as the wire moves away from the fuselage. 2. Insert the retaininig plate into the cavity on the bottom of the rudder.
VERTICAL FIN INSTALLATION Required Tools and Fasteners: 30-Minute Epoxy Craft Sticks (for mixing epoxy) Mixing Cup 220 Grit Sandpaper Paper Towels Isopropyl Alcohol 1. Locate the vertical fin assembly and vertical fin tube. The vertical fin tube is the shortest tube included with your aircraft. Test fit the vertical fin to the fuselage by inserting the tube into the vertical fin, and then into the fuselage. Confirm everything fits, and aligns appropriately.
AURA 8 AFCS The Aura 8 Advanced Flight Control System (AFCS) installed in your RV-8 is a giant leap forward in aircraft flight control system technology. Compatible with virtually every receiver on the market today, the Aura features special configuration for DSM systems via remote receiver connection(s), and serial data connection for Futaba or Hitec S.
WARNING DO NOT ATTEMPT RADIO SETUP WITH PROPELLER INSTALLED. INADVERTENT POWER UP COULD CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. TRANSMITTER SETUP The Aura 8 AFCS is designed to work seamlessly with all major transmitter and receiver brands. When programming your transmitter, start with a freshly reset new model memory in your transmitter. Make ONLY the changes shown in the Transmitter Configuration Guide unless otherwise noted.
CONNECTING A BATTERY/ARMING THE ESC Observe the following procedures to safely power up your model after it has been bound. Ensure propeller is removed unless sequence is followed to power up before flight. 1. Lower the throttle stick and trim to their lowest setting and turn on the transmitter. Wait for your transmitter to indicate the radio signal is being broadcast before proceeding.
RECEIVER INSTALLATION/SERVO CONNECTIONS Aura will auto-detect modern digital receiver connection(s). Using a modern digital receiver connection gives the Aura access to precise data of each channel for additional gyro-enabled outputs, simplifies wiring, and allows for more advanced features. To connect a modern digital receiver connection, follow the steps on this page, then skip ahead to page 16.
RECEIVER INSTALLATION/SERVO CONNECTIONS (CONTINUED) Spektrum Remote Receivers Please note, for optimum connection reliability and performance using Spektrum, the Flex Team HIGHLY recommends the use of a traditional receiver with SRXL (like the AR8010T or AR9030T). Remote receivers may still be used, however. 1. Connect (2) matching Spektrum remote receivers to Mini Port 'A' and Mini Port 'B' at the top of the Aura case. 2A.
RECEIVER INSTALLATION/SERVO CONNECTIONS (CONTINUED) Connecting a Traditional Receiver to Aura with PWM Servo Connections PWM is an acronym which stands for Pulse Width Modulation. A servo will move to a specific angle in a specific direction based on the width of the signal pulse it receives. Most transmitters output a total pulse width of 1.1-1.9ms, with the midpoint being 1.5ms. Lower pulse widths will move the servo to one side of neutral and higher pulse widths to the other side of neutral.
HORIZONTAL STABILIZER INSTALLATION Required Tools and Fasteners: #1 Phillips Screwdriver Blue Thread Lock (4) M3x8 Phillips Head Self-Tapping Screw (QTY 4) 1. Insert the horizontal stabilizer tube into the fuselage and roughly center. 2. Slide the left and right sides of the horizontal stabilizer onto the tube. Ensure the control horn orients to the bottom of the fuselage and that the elevator joiner tabs are indexed properly. Do not force the stabilizer into place. 3.
RUDDER AND ELEVATOR LINKAGE INSTALLATION Required Tools and Fasteners: (QTY 4) (QTY 4) (QTY 4) (QTY 4) Elevator and Rudder Pushrod Assemblies M2x10 Phillips Head Machine Screw (4) M2 Flat Washer (4) M2 Lock Nut (4) M3x6 Phillips Head Machine Screw (4) #1 Phillips Screwdriver #0 Phillips Screwdriver Needle-Nosed Pliers (or Hemostats) Blue Thread Lock 1. Locate the rudder and elevator pushrod assemblies, as well as the servo arms and hardware. Note that both pushrods and servo arms are the same length.
RUDDER AND ELEVATOR LINKAGE INSTALLATION (CONTINUED) 4. Use a #0 Phillips screwdriver, M2x10 machine screw, M2 washer and M2 lock nut to secure the linkage to the control horn and servo arm. Use the chart below for proper control horn and servo arm linkage locations. The order of components is as follows: M2x10 Machine Screw M2 Washer Servo Arm or Control Horn M2 Lock Nut Prototype shown. Control horn location is not correct. Reference the chart above.
MAIN WING INSTALLATION Required Tools and Fasteners: M4x18 Thumb Machine Screw (2) WARNING REMOVE THE AILERON SERVO SCREWS AND APPLY BLUE THREAD LOCK TO THE SCREWS. RE-INSTALL THE SCREWS AND TIGHTEN FULLY. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN A CRASH 1. Remove the canopy from the fuselage by pulling the latch to the rear and lifting the canopy from the fuselage. Insert the main wing tube into the fuselage and roughly center. 2. Slide the left and right wing panels onto the tube.
TRANSMITTER CONTROL DIRECTION TEST Refer to the chart below to determine the proper control surface directions. If controls are reversed, DO NOT REVERSE CONTROLS IN THE TRANSMITTER OR THE AURA CONFIG TOOL. Email us at support@flexinnovations.com for corrective action. Note that BOTH the Transmitter Control Direction Test AND the Flight Controller Sensor Direction Test MUST BOTH BE PASSED! IF ONE DOES NOT PASS, DO NOT FLY! Note: There is a pre-configured rudder to elevator mix programmed into the Aura.
FLIGHT CONTROL SENSING DIRECTION TEST Perform a test of the gyro system to verify the corrections made for a given movement are correct. If any of the tests do not result in the correct reaction for the airplane's gyro system, DO NOT FLY THE AIRPLANE, and contact us via email at support@flexinnovations.com. The flight control system activates with RF broadcast.
EXHAUST INSTALLATION Required Tools and Fasteners: Medium CA CA Accelerator 1. Locate the two black foam scale exhaust pieces. Use medium CA to secure the exhaust as shown in the photo below. You can also use CA accelerator to help speed up the process.
MOTOR AND PROPELLER INSTALLATION Required Tools and Fasteners: (QTY 4) (QTY 4) (QTY 2) Motor Assembly M4x22 Phillips Button Head Screw (4) M4x8 Phillips Flat Head Screw (4) M3x10 Phillips Button Head Screw (1) M3x8 Phillips Button Head Screw (2) M8 Nut #1 Phillips Screwdriver Blue Thread Lock (QTY 1) 1. Locate the motor assembly. Use a 2.5mm hex driver to remove the four prop adapter screws in the front of the motor. Apply blue thread lock to the screws and reassemble. 2.
MOTOR AND PROPELLER INSTALLATION (CONTINUED) 4. Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver and two M3x8 Phillips button head screws to secure the the cowling to the aircraft. 5. Place the propeller onto the propeller adapter, with the convex side facing forward. Place the propeller washer over the shaft, and thread the propeller nut onto the propeller adapter. Use an adjustable wrench to tighten the propeller nut. 6.
CENTER OF GRAVITY VERIFICATION SPORT OR 11-7/32 in. (285mm) The center of gravity (CG) location for your aircraft is located in two locations depending on the flying style you wish to fly. For general sport flying, the CG is located 11-7/32 inches (285mm) FORWARD of the trailing edge of the wing. AEROBATIC 10-13/16 in. (275mm) For more aerobatic capability, the CG is located 10-13/16 inches (275mm) FORWARD of the trailing edge of the wing.
FLYING YOUR RV-8 Selecting a Flying Site Trimming Selecting a flying site is critical to a successful flight. Airplanes require a lot more room than other R/C products, therefore, a neighborhood or parking lot is not recommended. A local AMA field is the best location for flying your aircraft. If no AMA field is available in your area, a large open field with short grass and generous overfly area is the best candidate. Know your overfly area.
AIRFRAME REPAIRS Your aircraft is molded from durable EPO foam and is repairable with most adhesives. Similar to building and repairing wood or composite aircraft, the correct glue for a given application is critical to the repair holding and not breaking again. For major repairs, such as a broken fuselage, epoxy is preferred because it allows time to correct any misalignment, and is less brittle than CAs.
AIRCRAFT TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE Should you encounter any abnormal situations with your aircraft, refer to the matrix below to determine probable cause and a recommended solution for the action. If the required solution does not rectify the problem, please contact product support for further assistance. NOTICE Unless specifically required, ALWAYS troubleshoot the airplane with the propeller removed.
LIMITED WARRANTY Warranty Coverage Questions & Assistance Flex Innovations, Inc. and its authorized resellers ("Flex") warrant to the original purchaser that the product purchased (the "Product") it will be free from defects in materials and workmanship at the date of purchase. Visit www.flexinnovations.com/articles.asp?ID=269 to find customer support in your region.
Academy of Model Aeronautics National Model Aircraft Safety Code Effective January 1, 2015 A. GENERAL: A model aircraft is a non-human-carrying aircraft capable of sustained fight in the atmosphere. It may not exceed limitations of this code and is intended exclusively for sport, recreation, education and/or competition. All model fights must be conducted in accordance with this safety code and any additional rules specific to the flying site. 1.
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