GRAUPNER piper cherokee 9589 User manual

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
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1
Order No. 9589
Instructions
PIPER CHEROKEE
For four-stroke internal-combustion engines up to about 30 cc
and
two-stroke petrol engines up to about 26 cc capacity
This model requires a six-function radio control system

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
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Specification
Wingspan approx. 2200 mm
Fuselage length excl. spinner approx. 1700 mm
Wing area approx. 75 dm²
Tailplane area approx. 6 dm²
Total surface area approx. 81 dm²
All-up weight according to fittings approx. 7200 g
Longitudinal dihedral 0-0.5 Grad
Centre of Gravity approx. 95 - 100 mm behind root leading edge
Caution: this model is not a toy!
If you are a beginner to this type of powered model, please ask an experienced
model flyer for help and support. If you attempt to operate the aeroplane without
knowing what you are doing, you could easily injure yourself or somebody else.
Please keep your safety and well-being in mind at all times.
Important: before you start construction
Even if you have already built a large number of RC models please read right through
these instructions and check that all the kit components are actually present. We
have taken great trouble to keep construction as simple as possible, without making
any compromises in the area of safety.
Note regarding the film covering
Minor creases or bubbles may develop in the film covering due to major fluctuations
in weather conditions (temperature, humidity etc.); in rare cases you may even find a
slight warp in a component. These minor faults are in the nature of film-covered built-
up wooden structures, and can easily be corrected using a heat gun, as commonly
used for modelling.
Creases: Blow warm air over the area and rub down with a soft cloth.
Wing warp: Hold the panel twisted gently in the opposite direction to the warp,
and apply warm air to remove the creases from the covering.
Caution! do not heat the film more than is absolutely necessary. If the air or the iron
is too hot, the film may melt and holes may be formed.
This aeroplane is highly pre-fabricated and can be built in a very short time. However,
the work which you have to carry out is important and must be done carefully. The
model will only be strong and fly well if you complete your tasks competently - so
please work slowly and accurately.
When self-tapping screws have to be screwed into wood, apply a little white
glue to prevent them shaking loose: just squirt white glue into the hole before
fitting the screw.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
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Notes on building the model
•Before you start building the aircraft it is essential to study the plan and read right
through the instructions. Please bear in mind the dangers inherent in the handling
of tools.
•When preparing wiring, be sure to use cable capable of carrying the currents like-
ly to flow when the model is flying.
•Deploy the receiver aerial as far away as possible from high-current cables (at
least 3 cm).
•Remove all traces of grease from the joint surfaces of components which are to
be glued. A good method is to sand lightly before wiping with a non-greasy liquid
detergent solution. The same applies to surfaces which are to be painted, other-
wise the paint will not adhere permanently. Before gluing any GRP parts, and
GRP fuselages in particular, the joint surfaces must be sanded thoroughly with
fine-grit abrasive paper before de-greasing with a solvent such as acetone. This
is the only method of obtaining durable glued joints involving GRP parts.
Additional items required
Motor
Order No.
Capacity
cc
Silencer
Order No.
Propeller
Order No.
OS MAX FT 160
1412
2 x 13.26 2x1839.33 1318.40.20
G 26 petrol engine
1903
26 1903.34 1318.40.25
OS MAX FS-200S
2728
32.4 2728.33 1318.45.20
Radio control system
The RC system must feature at least five control functions and ten servos. The
transmitter should also include a servo reverse facility.
We particularly recommend MC-22s to MC-24 computer systems. The model is de-
signed for standard-sized servos.
We recommend the following receiver power supply: two GRAUPNER 5N-5000
NiMH packs, Order No.98903.5, or two LiIo-Nano A 123 packs, Order No. 7682.2,
which need to be maintained carefully before and after each flying session. Please
note that batteries of this type do not reach full capacity until they have been charged
and discharged (cycled) several times.

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As ON / OFF switch for the receiving system we strongly recommend the use of the
PRX, Order No. 4136.
You will need four suppressor filters, Order No. 1040, or a folding ferrite ring, Order
No. 98516.1 and four extension leads, Order No. 3935.18, in order to connect the
two aileron servos and two landing flap servos to the receiver, i.e. these leads are
plugged into the receiver permanently.
The following servo leads are required: one extension lead, Order No. 3935.65, for
each aileron servo, and one extension lead, Order No. 3935.32 for each landing flap
servo. The receiver and receiver batteries should be packed in soft foam for shock
protection.
The model requires standard-sized servos with an output torque of around 50 Ncm.
Adhesives
Fast-setting epoxy, e.g. UHU plus schnellfest, Order No. 962
Slow-setting epoxy, e.g. UHU plus endfest 300, Order No. 950.43
Wood glue, e.g. UHU Holzleim express, Order No. 958.60
UHU hart, e.g. Order No. 534.35
Cyano-acrylate, e.g. Order No. 5821
Cyano-acrylate, e.g. Order No. 5822
Thread-lock fluid, e.g. Order No. 952
Items required for flying the model (not included)
Fuel based on synthetic oil, to suit engine
Fuel filter, e.g. Order No. 1650.1
Fuel tubing, e.g. Order No. 1643 for glowplug engines
Fuel tubing, e.g. Order No. 1325.2 for petrol engines
Aerobatic fueltank, e.g. Order No. 136
Fueltank plugs, Order No. 133
Manual fuelpump, e.g. Order No. 1610 or 6870
Glowplug energizer battery with plug clip, e.g. Order No. 3247
Electric starter, e.g. Order No. 1628
Starter battery, e.g. Order No. 2592
Tools required (not included)
Set of cross-point screwdrivers, pointed-nose pliers, flat-nose pliers, side-cutters,
balsa knife or razor blade, set of twist drills, pencil, felt-tip pen, fine-tip soldering iron.
Assembling the PIPER CHEROKEE
Wing and undercarriage
Please don’t start assembling the model until you have checked the kit components
and the building instructions, and are familiar with the construction procedure. If you
are not happy with any component, kindly return it to your model shop without delay.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
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Mark a centreline on all the aileron hinges using a pencil, as shown in the photo.
The hinges can now be inserted in the ailerons as far as the pencil lines, and glued in
place. We recommend thick cyano for this: push the hinges into the slots to a depth
of about 1 mm, apply cyano on both sides, then push them in as far as the marked
lines.
Use your fingertips to locate the holes in the ailerons for the horns, and melt the film
over them using the tip of a hot soldering iron.
When the glue has set hard, insert the projecting hinges into the slots in the wings to
check alignment; you may need to adjust the slots in the wings slightly.
Now repeat the above procedure: push the hinges into the wing to a depth of about 1
mm, apply cyano on both sides, then push the ailerons into place, leaving a gap
about 0.5 mm wide at the hinge line.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
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Lengthen the aileron servo leads with the appropriate extension leads, and fit a piece
of heat-shrink sleeve round each connection to prevent it working loose; a drop of
cyano also works well. Set the servos to centre from the transmitter, and fit the output
arms on the output shafts.
Set the servos to centre by connecting them to the receiving system. The wing-
mounted servos can now be attached to the support blocks using the retaining
screws supplied with them: the first step is to push the rubber grommets into the
servo mounting lugs, followed by the brass tubular spacers, with the flange on the
underside. The spacers are easier to fit if you slip them on a suitable screwdriver first.
Drill 1.5 mm Ø pilot-holes in the support blocks, using the metal spacers as a guide,
then fit the servo retaining screws as shown.
The servo leads can now be pulled through the wing panels using a length of thread:
tie the thread to the servo lead just behind the connector, then pull it through until it
appears at the root rib.
Run the servo leads out of both wing panels through the holes adjacent to the root
ribs, then temporarily fit cable ties on them to prevent them slipping back inside.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
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Fit short pieces of heat-shrink sleeve over the landing flap hinges to prevent the jaws
opening.
On the underside of the wing you will find marked points indicating the position of the
flap hinges; note that the pivot axis of all the hinges must be exactly the same dis-
tance from the wing trailing edge. Temporarily fix the hinges to the wing with one
screw, as shown in the left-hand photo, then set the hinge assembly exactly at right-
angles to the wing trailing edge using an engineer’s square or setsquare before fitting
the remaining two screws to secure the hinge to the wing. Now offer up the landing
flaps to the wings and tape them in place temporarily. Fit the retaining screws to fix
the hinges to the flaps.
On one aileron remove a disc of covering film the same size as the base of the ai-
leron horn socket. Assemble the threaded socket, the cheesehead screw, the horn
lug and the nut as shown in the photo. Repeat for the second aileron.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
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Insert the horns in the holes in the ailerons and set them to the correct height (see
photo). The horns can now be glued in the holes in the ailerons. These joints must be
strong, and we recommend the use of thickened 24-hour epoxy for durability.
The aileron and landing flap pushrods are assembled as shown in the following se-
quence of photos.
Set the servo and each control surface to neutral, then adjust the length of the push-
rod and apply a drop of UHU thread-lock fluid to prevent it moving out of adjustment.
The next step is to locate the undercarriage channels in the wings using your finger-
tips. Remove the film over the channels using the tip of a hot soldering iron.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
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Now insert the undercarriage leg in the channel prior to marking the position of the
two saddle clamps. Place the clamps and the undercarriage fairing on the wing as
shown in the photo.
Drill pilot-holes in the wings to suit the retaining screws, then screw the clamps and
the wheel fairing support block to the wing.
You will need to file away the inside of the two wheel fairings to provide clearance for
the wire undercarriage units. Note that the convex side of the wheel fairings must
face outwards. The wheels can now be attached to the axles using collets and grub-
screws. Apply UHU thread-lock fluid to the grubscrews to prevent them working
loose.
The wheels and wheel fairings must be aligned exactly parallel with the fuselage cen-
treline.
Use your fingertips to locate the holes for the wing retainer screws in the wing root
area, and remove the covering film over them using the tip of a hot soldering iron.
The final stage on the wings is to glue the GRP wingtips to the tip ribs using UHU
Holzleim express, Order No. 958.60. Tape the tips in place as shown in the photo, to
prevent them shifting while the glue is hardening.

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Fuselage, tailplane, fin and noseleg
The covering film has to be removed from the mating surfaces of the fuselage and fin
before the fin can be glued in place, as shown in the photos.
Use a felt-tip pen to mark the outline of the fuselage on the tailplane, then run a hot
soldering iron just inside the marked line before peeling off the unwanted film.
Apply UHU Holzleim express, Order No. 958.60, to the tailplane saddle, place the
tailplane in position, and press it firmly into place. Check that the tailplane is ‘square’
to the fuselage in all three axes, then pin or weight it down to prevent it shifting while
the glue hardens.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
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Allow the glue to set hard, then push the fin into the slot in the fuselage turtle deck.
Mark the outline of the fuselage on the fin using a felt-tip pen, and the outline of the
rear part of the fin on the top of the fuselage.
Use the tip of a hot soldering iron to melt through the film just inside the marked lines,
and peel off the unwanted material. Apply glue to the fin, the fin slot and the in-fill
piece. Push the fin into its slot, and fit the in-fill piece on the tailplane. The elevator
and rudder can now be attached to the tailplane and fin by fitting the hinges in the
manner already described for the ailerons.
Allow the glue to set hard, then glue the horns in the rudder and elevator as previ-
ously described.
Check that the flange of the threaded sockets lies flat on the control surfaces, and
makes good contact all round.
Allow the glue to set hard, then connect the clevises to the horn lugs as shown in the
photos. Squeeze the crimp sleeves firmly onto the steel pull-cables for the rudder
linkage.
Install the rudder and elevator servos in the servo plate as shown in the photo, using
the screws supplied in the servo accessory packs. Drill pilot-holes for the screws be-
fore fitting them.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
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Screw an M2 locknut onto the threaded end of the elevator pushrod, followed by a
clevis. Screw the clevis in or out until the elevator is exactly at centre when the servo
is at neutral. Adjust the pull-cable (closed loop) rudder system so that the rudder and
servo are exactly at centre, and both cables are under equal and moderate tension,
i.e. there is no lost motion (slop) in the control system.
The two pilots’ seats, the joysticks, the dummy baggage and the sunshield have to be
installed in the cockpit before the canopy is attached to the fuselage, as shown in the
photos below.
Cut out the sunshield along the marked lines, and fix it over the control panel as
shown in the right-hand photo. This is most easily accomplished using strips of clear
adhesive tape.
The dummy baggage can simply be glued in the appropriate position using UHU
ALLESKLEBER Kraft.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
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Prepare the baggage straps from the materials supplied, and attach them as shown.
The canopy can now be fixed to the fuselage. Place the canopy accurately over the
cockpit: it should end flush with the black film at the front, and with the red film on
both sides. Fix the canopy to the fuselage in this position using strips of clear ad-
hesive tape.
Glue the dummy lighting units to the top of the fin and rudder using UHU ALLES-
KLEBER Kraft, as shown in the photo.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
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Install the nosewheel steering servo in the forward servo plate using the retaining
screws supplied in the accessory pack.
Fix the noseleg in the bracket by tightening the screw in the collet. Install the nose-
wheel steering cables as shown in the photographs.
As with the other control systems, it is important to check that the nosewheel is ex-
actly at the ‘straight ahead’ position when the steering servo is at centre. Later the
nosewheel steering servo and the rudder servo can be connected to separate chan-
nels and superimposed using a mixer at the transmitter.
The nosewheel spat can now be attached to the yoke of the noseleg unit. Drill two
mounting holes in the spat as shown in the left-hand photo below. Take care to posi-
tion the spat correctly, i.e. to drill the holes in the correct side of the moulding.

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A hole also has to be drilled in the wheel spat to clear the screw-head of the wheel
axle, as shown in the right-hand photo.
The spat can now be screwed to the noseleg, fitting the wheel on the axle with two
collets at the same time.
Installing the engine
Attach the engine to the two-part engine mount as shown in the photo.
Note that the engine’s mounting lugs should end flush with the front edge of the en-
gine mount arms.
If you wish to install a different power plant, note that the distance between the pro-
peller driver and the rear face of the engine mounts needs to be about 165 mm.
The next step is to mark the position of the engine mount holes on the firewall. En-
sure that the centreline of the engine coincides with the marked lines on the firewall.

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Fix the engine mounts to the firewall using the screws supplied in the kit.
Assemble the parts for the throttle servo mount, and glue the completed mount in the
slots in the firewall. Install the servo when the glue has set hard.
Install the pull-cable carburettor linkage as shown in the photo.
The ignition unit for the G 26 should be screwed to the firewall on the left-hand side.

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
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Assembling and installing the fueltank
Cut a piece of fuel tubing and push it onto the fueltank clunk pick-up. Push the free
end of the fuel tubing onto one of the tubes in the fueltank stopper, and check that
the pick-up will be able to move freely inside the tank without binding or jamming
when the stopper is in place. Use a heat-gun or match to heat the other two plastic
tubes gently, so that they can be curved: one should face down (later used to fill the
tank); the second faces up (serves later as overflow when the tank is filled). Extend
each tube with a piece of fuel tubing so that they extend to the top and bottom of the
tank respectively.
Now push the tank stopper, complete with pick-up and pre-formed tubes, into the
throat of the fueltank, and tighten the cross-point screw to clamp the stopper in place.
It is essential to tighten the screw to the point where the tank is completely sealed.
You can check this by holding the tank under water and blowing hard into the fuel
tubes: any air bubbles indicate a leak which must be eliminated.
Connect a further length of fuel tubing to each stub tube projecting from the fueltank
stopper.
Mark the individual fuel lines so that you can identify which is the fuel feed (to the
engine), which is the overflow, and which is the filler line.
Push the fueltank into the tank compartment behind the firewall, passing the three
fuel lines through the hole in the bulkhead.
The fuel tube connected to the clunk should be connected to the engine’s carburet-
tor, while the overflow should run down and out of the model. The fuel filler line can
later be routed out of the model through a hole in the cowl. Secure the fueltank care-
fully, so that it cannot shift in flight.

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The next step is to cut or file out openings in the cowl to clear the silencer exhaust
pipe, sparkplug, etc.; the position and extent of the openings vary according to the
engine you are using. Position the cowl on the fuselage in such a way that there is
about 2 mm clearance all round between the front face of the cowl and the rear face
of the spinner backplate. Fix the cowl to the fuselage using four pan-head self-
tapping screws, as shown in the photos.
Cut out the wing-fuselage fairings along the marked lines. Trim them to fit neatly be-
fore gluing them to the fuselage using UHU ALLESKLEBER Kraft.
The ON / OFF switch for the engine ignition system should be installed in the left-
hand fuselage side, as shown in the photo.

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The ON / OFF switch for the receiving system is installed in the right-hand fuselage
side.
Balancing the PIPER CHEROKEE
The completely equipped model, with the fueltank empty (or the flight packs fitted),
should balance level at a point about 95 - 100 mm aft of the wing root leading edge,
ideally with the nose inclined slightly down. It is easier to balance the Cherokee when
it is held inverted. If necessary, adjust the position of the receiver batteries until the
model balances at the stated point. Before flying the aircraft, set the transmitter trims
to centre and ensure that all the control surfaces are also exactly at centre (neutral).
Control surface travels for normal flying
Ailerons 30 mm up, 15 mm down
Elevator 25 mm up and down
Rudder 45 mm right and left
Landing flaps take-off 12 mm down
landing 60 mm down
We recommend that you set 30% Exponential values at the transmitter.
Important:
When fitting and adjusting the various linkages you should ensure that they move
freely, without binding, are able to move to their full extent - including trim travel - and
are not obstructed mechanically at any point.
When you move the rudder stick to the right, the rudder should also deflect to the
right (left stick: left rudder). Pull the elevator stick back towards you, and both eleva-
tors must deflect up (stick forward: elevator down). If you move the aileron stick to the
right, the right aileron should rise, the left aileron fall. When you move the throttle
stick forward, the engine should run at full power; pull the throttle stick back, and the
engine should idle. Move the trim right back to its end-point, and the engine should
reliably stop. The landing flaps are best assigned to a three-position switch.
All that remains is for all of us to wish you many hours of pleasure flying your PIPER
CHEROKEE.
Yours - the team !

GRAUPNER GmbH & Co. KG D-73230 KIRCHHEIM/TECK GERMANY
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Safety notes and warnings
relating to model aircraft powered by internal-combustion engines
•Be sure to read right through the instructions covering assembly and op-
eration of your model before you attempt to operate it for the first time.
•These safety notes are an integral part of the instructions. Please keep
them and the operating instructions in a safe place. If you ever dispose of
the model be sure to pass them on to the new owner.
•Powered model aircraft are very demanding and potentially dangerous ma-
chines, and call for a high level of technical knowledge and skill from the
operator, together with a responsible attitude.
•Powered model aircraft are not suitable for young persons under eighteen
years of age.
•Young people should only be permitted to operate this model under the
instruction and supervision of an adult who is aware of the hazards in-
volved in this activity.
•The operator of the model must be in full possession of his bodily and
mental faculties. As with car driving, operating a model aircraft under the
influence of alcohol or drugs is not permissible under any circumstances.
•Radio-controlled model aircraft may only be employed for the purpose in-
tended by the manufacturer. They must never be used as man-carrying ma-
chines. Any other use of this model is prohibited.
•A radio-controlled model aircraft can only work properly and fulfil your ex-
pectations if it is built very carefully and in accordance with the building in-
structions. Do not make any modifications of any kind to the design fea-
tures or materials. If you wish to avoid injuring people and damaging prop-
erty it is essential to be careful and painstaking at all stages of building and
operating your model. Nobody would climb into a full-size light aircraft and
try to fly it without completing a course of training first. Model flying is a
skill which has to be learned in just the same way. We suggest that you ask
for help from an experienced model flyer, or join a model club or flight
training school. Your local model shop and the specialist magazines are
excellent sources of information.
•It is fundamentally essential to set the Centre of Gravity (C.G.) and control
surface travels correctly. Adjust the model until they are exactly correct.
•Radio control system: satisfy yourself that your frequency is vacant before
you switch on. Check your RC system regularly as its components eventu-
ally wear and need to be replaced or repaired. Radio interference caused by
unknown sources can occur at any time without warning. If this should
happen, your model will be uncontrollable and completely unpredictable.
Never leave your radio control system unguarded, as other people might
pick it up and try to use it. Your RC system can only work reliably if the bat-
teries are kept fully charged.
•Don’t ignore our warnings. They refer to materials and situations which, if
ignored, can result in fatal injury or permanent damage.
•You alone are responsible for the safe operation of your radio-controlled
model aircraft and engine.