GREAT PLANES Electrifly Rifle User manual

Champaign, Illinois
[phone], Ext 5
airsuppor[email protected]
Entire Contents © 2010 GPMA1805 Mnl
READ THROUGH THIS MANUAL BEFORE STARTING CONSTRUCTION. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT
INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY AND USE OF THIS MODEL.
WARRANTY
SPECIFICATIONS
Great Planes®Model Manufacturing Co. guarantees this kit to
be free from defects in both material and workmanship at the
date of purchase. This warranty does not cover any component
parts damaged by use or modification. In no case shall Great
Planes’ liability exceed the original cost of the purchased kit.
Further, Great Planes reserves the right to change or modify this
warranty without notice.
In that Great Planes has no control over the final assembly or
material used for final assembly, no liability shall be assumed nor
accepted for any damage resulting from the use by the user of
the final user-assembled product. By the act of using the
user-assembled product, the user accepts all resulting liability.
If the buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associated
with the use of this product, the buyer is advised to return
this kit immediately in new and unused condition to the
place of purchase.
To make a warranty claim send the defective part or item to
Hobby Services at the address below:
Hobby Services
3002 N. Apollo Dr. Suite 1
Champaign IL 61822 USA
Include a letter stating your name, return shipping address, as
much contact information as possible (daytime telephone
number, fax number, e-mail address), a detailed description of
the problem and a photocopy of the purchase receipt. Upon
receipt of the package the problem will be evaluated as quickly
as possible.
Wingspan: 31 in [785mm]
Wing Area: 112 in2 [7.2 dm2]
Wing Loading: 21.9–23.1 oz/ft2 [67–70 g/dm2]
Length: 24.5 in [620mm]
Weight: 17–18 oz [480–510 g]
Radio: 3-channel, 2 nano servos, mini receiver
Motor, ESC, Battery: 24-33-3180kV Ammo inrunner,
25A ESC, 1500mAh 11.1V 25C LiPo
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
AMA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
DECISIONSYOU MUST MAKE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Motor, Battery and ESC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Servos, Receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Propeller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Battery Chargers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Adhesives and Building Supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Optional Supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
KIT INSPECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
KIT CONTENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Hook Up the Elevator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Install the Motor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Mount the Receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Mark the Balance Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Hook Up the Ailerons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Mount the Landing Skids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Apply the decals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
GETTHE MODEL READY TO FLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Set the Control Throws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Balance the Model (C.G.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Balance the Model Laterally. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
PREFLIGHT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
IdentifyYour Model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Charge the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
AMA SAFETY CODE (excerpts) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Radio Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
CHECK LIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
FLYING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Mount the Wing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Ground Check and Range Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Hand-Launch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Flying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the Great Planes Rifle ARF.
Prepare to be thrilled! Before flying your Rifle make sure
you’re really ready;get a good night’s sleep and do what you
can to optimize your reaction time and concentration level,
because the Rifle’s small size and extreme speed can cause
it to get out of visual range within a few seconds! We’ve
clocked it at average speeds of 90mph, but in actuality it
seems like it’s going over 200! The Rifle does fly predictably
and smoothly, so TOC (Tournament of Champions) skills
are not required, but you still must be a competent pilot with
the ability to remain calm and react decisively when being
challenged. And even after you get used to your Rifle, you’ll
still breathe a sigh of relief after every landing, but you’ll
become addicted to the speed and be ready for the next
flight after you’ve calmed your nerves.
For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to
the Rifle visit the Great Planes web site at www.greatplanes.
com.Open the “Airplanes”link, then select Rifle 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.
Academy of Model Aeronautics
If you are not already a member of the AMA, please join!
The AMA is the governing body of model aviation and
membership provides liability insurance coverage, protects
modelers’ rights and interests and is required to fly at most
R/C sites.
Academy of Model Aeronautics
5151 East Memorial Drive
Muncie, IN 47302-9252
Tele. [phone]
Fax [phone]
Or via the Internet at:
http://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.
PROTECT YOUR MODEL, YOURSELF
& OTHERS… FOLLOW THESE
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1. Your Rifle should not be considered a toy, but rather a
sophisticated, working model that functions very much
like a full-size airplane. Because of its performance
capabilities, the Rifle, if not assembled and operated
correctly, could possibly cause injury to yourself or
spectators and damage to property.
2. You must assemble the model according to the
instructions. Do not alter or modify the model, as doing
so may result in an unsafe or unflyable model. In a few
cases the instructions may differ slightly from the photos.
In those instances the written instructions should be
considered as correct.
3. You must take time to build straight, true and strong.
4. You must use an R/C radio system that is in good condition,
a correctly sized motor, and other components as specified
in this instruction manual.All components must becorrectly
installed so thatthe model operates correctlyon the ground
and in the air.You must check the operation of the model
and all components before every flight.

3
5. If you are not an experienced pilot or have not flown this
type of model before, we recommend that you get the
assistance of an experienced pilot in your R/C club for
your first flights. If you’re not a member of a club, your
local hobby shop has information about clubs in your area
whose membership includes experienced pilots.
6. While this kit has been flight tested to exceed normal use,
if the plane will be used for extremely high stress flying,
such as racing, or if a motor larger than recommended
is used, the modeler is responsible for taking steps
to reinforce the high stress points and/or substituting
hardware more suitable for the increased stress.
7. WARNING: The fuselage, wing and horizontal stabilizer
included in this kit are made of fiberglass, the fibers of
which may cause eye, skin and respiratory tract irritation.
Never blow into a part to remove fiberglass dust, as the
dust will blow back into your eyes. Always wear safety
goggles, a particle mask and rubber gloves when
grinding, drilling and sanding fiberglass parts. Vacuum
the parts and the work area thoroughly after working with
fiberglass parts.
We, as the kit manufacturer, provide you with a top quality,
thoroughly tested kit and instructions, but ultimately the
quality and flyability of your finished model depends
on how you build it; therefore, we cannot in any way
guarantee the performance of your completed model,
and no representations are expressed or implied as to the
performance or safety of your completed model.
Remember:Take your time and follow the instructions to
end up with a well-built model that is straight and true.
DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE
This is a partial list of items required to finish the Rifle that
may require planning or decision making before starting
assembly. Order numbers are provided in parentheses.
Motor, Battery and ESC
The Rifle was designed for and tested exclusively with the:
❍ElectriFly Ammo™24-33-3180kV inrunner
brushless motor (GPMG5155)
This motor provided straight-and-level average speeds
of 90mph.
There are two different batteries suitable for the Rifle.Due to
its larger capacity the:
❍ElectriFly 11.1V (3S) 1500mAh 25C Power
Series LiPo (GPMP0511)
is preferred, but the:
❍ElectriFly 11.1V (3S) 1300 mAh 25C Power
Series LiPo (GPMP0505)
is also suitable because it is only slightly less in capacity and
is also .5 oz [14g] lighter.
If purchasing several batteries for your Rifle, it may be a
good idea to purchase at least one lighter battery, allowing
your Rifle to be slightly more maneuverable and land slightly
slower which may be beneficial at least for the first flight.
Under “normal” flying conditions (mostly full throttle),
average flight times are approximately four minutes of
motor run time (with approximately one more minute for
multiple landing attempts).
The:
❍Great Planes ElectriFly SS-25 25 Amp
brushless ESC (GPMM1820)
is also recommended.
Servos, Receiver
No unusual radio gear is required for the Rifle, just a small
receiver and one elevator servo and aileron servo in the 15-
20 oz-in torque range that will fit in the mounts.
Servos used in the prototypes for testing were both the:
❍Great Planes ES50 Nano servos (GPMM1210)
and the
❍Futaba®S3107 servos (FUTM0025).
Anymini4-channelaircraftreceiverwillwork.AFutaba2.4GHz
R617FS FASST™receiver (FUTL7627) was also used in the
prototypes and is illustrated in the instruction manual.
Propeller
The Rifle was flown exclusively with an:
❍APC 4.75 x 4.75 Speed 400 electric propeller
(APCQ4910)
You should also have several spare propellers on-hand to
replace ones that break upon landing.

4
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED
Battery Charger
•A LiPo-capable battery charger and a power source for
the charger is required. One recommended charger is
the Great Planes ElectriFly TritonEQ™AC/DC Charger
(GPMM3155). The TritonEQ can be powered either by
an AC or DC power source and features a built-in LiPo
cell balancer.
•Another suitable LiPo battery charger is the Great Planes
PolyCharge4™DC LiPo charger (GPMM3015). The
PolyCharge4 can charge up to four LiPo batteries at the
same time, but requires separate LiPo cell balancers, so
for each LiPo battery you wish to charge simultaneously
(up to 4), one Great Planes Equinox™LiPo Cell Balancer
(GPMM3160) will be required. The Equinox comes with
2S and 3S charge adapters, so these will be suitable for
the batteries recommended for your Rifle. Finally, the
PolyCharge4 does not have AC capability, so if wall-
charging from home is a priority a separate A/C 12-Volt
power source must also be purchased. A suitable power
supply then for the PolyCharge4 is the Great Planes 12V
12A DC power supply (GPMP0901).
Adhesives and Building Supplies
Other than common hobby tools this is the list of adhesives
and building supplies that are required to finish the Rifle.
❍1/2 oz. [15g] Thin Pro™CA (GPMR6001)
❍CA applicator tips (HCAR3780)
❍2 oz. [59mL] spray CA activator (GPMR6035)
❍Threadlocker thread locking cement (GPMR6060)
❍Stick-on segmented lead weights (GPMQ4485)
❍1/16" [1.6mm] drill
Optional Supplies
❍Du-Bro®double-sided tape (DUBQ3551—for
mounting ESC, receiver)
❍Shoe Goo™(DTXC2460—for securing servo wires)
❍Great Planes Velcro®(GPMQ4480—for additional
batteries)
KIT INSPECTION
Before starting to build, take an inventory of this kit to make
sure it is complete, and inspect the parts to make sure they
areofacceptablequality.Ifanyparts are missing or are not of
acceptable quality, or if you need assistance with assembly,
contact Product Support. When reporting defective or
missing parts, use the part names exactly as they are written
in the Kit Contents list.
Great Planes Ph: [phone], ext. 5
Product Support Fax: [phone]
3002 N Apollo Drive, Suite 1
Champaign, IL 61822
E-mail: airsuppor[email protected]
KIT CONTENTS
1. Fuselage
2. Wing
3. Elevator pushrod
4. Horizontal stabilizer
5. Spinner
(cone, back plate, shaft,
washer, nut, spare shaft)
6. Balancing stand
7. Adhesive-back
hook & loop material
8. Elevator servo mount
9. Landing skids
10. Aileron pushrods
11. Antenna guide tube
1
6
2
4
9
10
11
8
7
3
5

5
ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS
Replacement parts for the Great Planes Rifle ARF are
availableusing the ordernumbersin the Replacement Parts
List that follows. The fastest, most economical service can
be provided by your hobby dealer or mail-order company.
To locate a hobby dealer, visit the Great Planes web site
at www.greatplanes.com. Select “Where to Buy” in the
menu across the top of the page and follow the instructions
provided to locate a U.S., Canadian or International dealer.
Parts may also be ordered directly from Hobby Services by
calling [phone], or via facsimile at [phone],
but full retail prices and shipping and handling charges will
apply. Illinois and Nevada residents will also be charged
sales tax. If ordering via fax, include a Visa®or MasterCard®
number and expiration date for payment.
Mail parts orders and payments by personal check to:
Hobby Services
3002 N Apollo Drive, Suite 1
Champaign IL 61822
Be certain to specify the order number exactly as listed in
the Replacement Parts List. Payment by credit card or
personal check only;no C.O.D.
If additional assistance is required for any reason contact
Product Support by e-mail at productsupport@greatplanes.
com, or by telephone at [phone].
Order No. Description
NOTE
REPLACEMENT PARTS LIST
Wing
Fuselage
Horizontal Stabilizer
Spinner Set
Decal Sheet
GPMA2720
GPMA2721
GPMA2722
GPMA2723
GPMA2724
Full-size plans are not available.
You can download a copy of this
manual at www.greatplanes.com.
•The stabilizer and wing incidences and engine thrust
angles have been factory-built into this model. However,
some technically-minded modelers may wish to check
these measurements anyway. To view this information
visit the web site at www.greatplanes.com and click on
“Technical Data.” Due to manufacturing tolerances which
will have little or no effect on the way your model will fly,
please expect slight deviations between your model and
the published values.
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
Hook Up the Elevator
❏ 1. Test fit your elevator servo to the servo mount. If
necessary, trim the mount to fit the servo—it will probably
be necessary to trim a portion of one of the blocks to
accommodate the servo wire.
❏ 2. Place your servo in the mount and drill 1/16" [1.6mm]
holes through the blocks for the mounting screws.
❏ 3. Mount the servo with the screws included with this kit
(or the screws that came with your servo).
❏ 4. Remove the servo from the mount, add a few drops
of thin CA to screw holes and allow to harden. Remount
the servo.
The servo has to be centered before mounting the servo arm,
so temporarily hook up the radio and center the servo as
described…

6
Cut off the unused arms
5/16" [8mm]
Cut
ELEVATOR Servo Arm
❏ 5. Connect your ESC and elevator servo to your receiver.
Turn on your transmitter, center the trims and connect a
battery to the ESC so the servo will center. Temporarily fit
a servo arm that has holes 5/16" [8mm] out from center to
the servo so it will be 90 degrees (this will be the longer two
of the four arms on the small servo arm that comes with the
Futaba and ElectriFly ES50 Nano servo). Take off the arm,
cut off the unused arms, then mount the servo arm to the
servo with the mounting screw.
❏ 6. Connect the elevator pushrod to the elevator servo
arm as shown.
❏ 7. Guide the elevator pushrod down through the guide
tube in the fuselage and mount the elevator servo by keying
the tab in the back of the mount into the former and holding
down the front with one of the 2mm x 10mm Phillips wood
screws included with this kit.
❏ 8. With the elevator servo centered, use flat-nose pliers
to bend the pushrod 1/8" [3mm] from the trailing edge of the
vertical stabilizer (fin) where shown.
❏ 9. Connectone ofthealuminumscrew-lock connectorsto
farthest-in hole in the elevator control horn on the elevator.
❏ 10. Fit the elevator pushrod into the screw-lock connector
and mount the horizontal stabilizer (stab) to the fin with the
two 2mm x 8mm counter-sink Phillips flat-head screws.
Note: Obviously, the stab must be securely mounted. While

7
tightening the screws, make certain they are getting a good
“bite” into the fin and that they can be tightened securely.
You may be tempted to permanently glue the stab into
position, but all of our rigorous testing proved that this was
not necessary as all of our prototypes depended upon the
screws only. If your screws don’t seem to get an adequate
bite, remove the screws, add a few drops of thin CA down
into the screw holes in the top of the fin, allow to thoroughly
harden, and then remount the stab with the screws.
❏ 11. Temporarily connect the servo to your receiver and
power the system up. With the servo and elevator centered
temporarily lock the pushrod to the screw-lock with a 2mm
screw. Use your transmitter to move the elevator. Make sure
it moves smoothly and that you can get the 3/16" [5mm]
(13°) of up and down elevator throw as specified on page
12.Make any adjustments necessary to the bend in the wire
and cut off excess wire.
❏ 12. Once satisfied with the elevator movement, remove
the screw, add a drop of threadlocker, reinstall the screw and
securely tighten.
Note: If for some reason you ever need to make another
elevator pushrod, use K&S .039" [1mm] music wire.
Install the Motor
❏ 1. Cut the rougher, “hook” side of the included hook &
loop material to a length of 3" [75mm]. Apply the strip inside
the bottom of the fuselage just ahead of the front former.
Use the butt end of a small screwdriver or something similar
to thoroughly “rub” the strip down onto the bottom of the
fuselage. Apply a few drops of thin CA around the edges of
the strip to make sure it never comes up.
❏ 2. While you’ve got your hook & loop material out, attach
a matching strip of the softer, “loop” side to your battery.
❏ 3. Optional: Shortening the ESC wires will remove
excess wire from the battery compartment, making it
easier to install and remove the battery. If you don’t feel like
shortening the wires you can just coil them up inside the
roof of the fuselage behind the motor. To shorten the wires,
remove the protective shrink tubing from the connectors
on the ESC, de solder the connectors, cut the wires so the
ends of the connectors will be 1" [25mm] from the end of the
ESC and re solder the connectors—don’t forget to apply new
pieces of shrink tubing.
❏ 4. Connect the ESC to your motor and connect the
ESC to the receiver. Turn on your transmitter and reverse
the throttle channel. Connect the battery to the ESC and
advance the throttle to make sure the motor is turning in
the correct direction. If the motor is not turning the correct
direction, switch any two motor/ESC wires with each other
to change the direction.

8
❏ 5. Apply double-sided foam adhesive mounting tape or
the adhesive hook & loop material to the ESC so it can be
mounted inside the top of the fuselage.
❏ 6. Drop the motor and ESC down into the fuselage so the
motor shaft comes out the hole in the middle of the motor
mount.Note that the motor is mounted with the wires on top
so the ESC can also be mounted in the top of the fuselage,
leaving room for the battery on the bottom of the fuselage.
You should be able to stick your pinkey finger through one of
the openings in the side of the fuselage to rotate the motor
so the threaded screw holes align with the mounting holes
in the mount.
❏ 7. Mount the motor to the firewall with the 3mm screws
that came with the motor and a drop of threadlocker. Stick
the ESC to the top of the fuselage.
Do not mount the propeller until instructed to do so after the
control throws have been set.
Mount the Receiver
Refer to these two photos while mounting the receiver.
❏ 1. Use the included, double-sided adhesive hook & loop
material or double-sided foam adhesive mounting tape to
mountthereceivertothebottomofthe fuselage—mount it as
far aft as you can (making room for the antenna if necessary)
so it will not interfere with removal and installation of the
motor battery.
❏ 2. If using a Futaba FASST receiver with dual antennas
(or another similar receiver with short antennas), use coarse
sandpaper to roughen the included 4" [100mm] antenna
tube so glue will adhere. Cut pieces from the tube to the
appropriate lengths and glue them to the inside of the
fuselage for securing the antennas.
❏ 3. If using a 72MHz receiver that has a longer, “whip”
antenna, drill a small hole near the end of the fuselage
and guide the antenna down through the fuselage and out
the hole.
❏ 4. While you’re down inside the fuselage connect the
elevator servo wire and the ESC wire to the receiver. We

9
also used Shoe Goo to glue the ESC wire to the side of the
fuselage so it wouldn’t get in the way of the battery or aileron
servo.Other, non-permanent adhesive such as RTV silicone
would also be suitable for this.
Mark the Balance Range
❏ 1. Use a fine-point, felt-tip pen to mark the forward, mid
(recommended) and aft C.G. locations on the bottom of both
sidesof thewing1/2"[13mm],11/16"[17mm]and7/8"[22mm]
back from the leading edges where they meet the fuselage.
❏ 2. Cut the C.G. Marking Guide from the back of the
manual. Use the guide to draw lines across the marks you
made in the previous step.
❏ 3. Lay strips of vinyl tape across the balance lines where
indicated by the arrows on the guide. These tape strips,
aligned with the sharpened supports on the balance stand,
will keep the plane from slipping off the stand.
Hook Up the Ailerons
Refer to this photo while hooking up the ailerons.
❏ 1. Test fit the aileron servo in the plywood servo
mount on the bottom of the wing. If necessary, carefully
trim the mount to accommodate your servo, then mount
the servo with the included servo screws (or the screws
that came with your servo).
❏ 2. Temporarily remove the servo, harden the screw
holes with a drop of thin CA, and allow to harden. Then,
remount the servo.
Torque Rod Horn
Aileron
Torque
Rod
Screw-lock Connector
1/8" [3mm]
❏ 3. Mount a micro screw-lock connector to each torque
rod horn with the retainers. Thread the horns onto the
torque rods until the tops of the horns are 1/8" [3mm] down
past the ends of the rods.

10
9/16"
[15mm]
AILERON Servo Arm
❏ 4. Temporarily connect the aileron servo to the receiver
and turn the system on to center the servo. Fit a servo arm
to the servo that will have holes 9/16" [15mm] apart and cut
off the unused arms.
Torque
Rod Horn
Pushrod
Make sure the end of the pushrod is not
contacting the side of the torque rod horn.
NO YES
❏ 5. Connect the servo arm to the torque rods with the
included pushrods. Center the ailerons and temporarily
tighten the screws in the screw-lock connectors to lock the
pushrods down.Make sure the ends of the pushrods do not
contact the sides of the torque rod horns. If they do, shorten
the pushrods as necessary.
❏ 6. With the radio on and the ailerons centered, securely
lock the pushrods down to the screw-lock connectors with
the screws and a drop of threadlocker.
❏ 7. Make sure the servo arm screw is in place.Turn on
your transmitter and lower the throttle stick. Install and
connect the motor battery, then connect the aileron servo
wire to the receiver. Mount the wing to the fuselage with
the included 3mm x 10mm counter-sink flat-head Allen
screw. Operate the ailerons to make sure the servo arm,
pushrods and torque rods are not interfering with anything
else down inside the fuselage (such as the elevator servo,
receiver or wiring).
❏ 8. Since you’re working on your ailerons and have them
operating now, this would be a good time to set the aileron
throw as noted on page 12 (or, you could wait to set the
throws when you get to that part of the manual later).
Mount the Landing Skids
Don’t fly your Rifle without the landing skids. In addition
to protecting the underside, the landing skids perform
the important function of causing the plane to maintain a
straight-ahead trajectory on landing. Otherwise, it may spin
and pirouette, causing one of the wing tips to dig into the
ground and possibly cause damage.
❏ 1. Find an assistant to hold the wing as shown in the top
photo, with the trailing edge against your workbench. Use a
small builder’s square and a pencil to mark vertical lines on
the bottom of both wings 1-1/2" [40mm] from the tips.
❏ 2. Apply strips of masking tape 1/16" [1.5mm] on both
sides of both lines.

11
❏ 3. Use medium-grit sandpaper to roughen the exposed
paint between the tape. Hint: Wrap your sandpaper around
a 3/32" [2.4mm] sheet of balsa or something similar.
❏ 4. Remove the tape and clean off any residual tape glue.
Note that base of the two wing skids is slightly curved to
match the airfoil shape of the wing while the fuselage skid
is flat. Glue the wing skids to the bottom of the wing as
shown, starting with just a drop of thin CA. After the thin CA
has hardened, follow with another drop or two of thin CA or
medium CA. Allow to harden.
❏ 5. Prepare the bottom of the fuselage the same way
and glue the fuselage skid to the bottom of the fuselage 5"
[130mm] from the end, making certain it is centered.
Apply the Decals
The decals are applied “wet,” with window cleaner. This
allows for precise positioning and after you squeegee out
the window cleaner from under the decal there will be no air
bubbles (as there usually are when you apply them dry).
1. Use scissors or a sharp hobby knife to cut each decal
from the sheet.
2. Becertainthemodeliscleanandfreefromoilyfingerprints
and dust. Peel the first decal you wish to apply from its
protective backing. Then, spray the back of the decal with
window cleaner.
3. Position the decal where desired and adjust for perfection.
Use a piece of soft balsa or something similar to squeegee
the window cleaner from under the decal. Apply the rest of
the decals the same way.
GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY
Set the Control Throws
To ensureasuccessfulfirstflight,setupthe Rifleaccording
to the control throws specified. The throws have been
determined through flight testing and record-keeping to
give the pilot enough control to quickly change directions
while at the same time not over controlling. If, after you
have become accustomed to the way the Rifle flies, you
would like to change the throws to suit your taste, that
is fine. However, too much control throw could make the
model too responsive and difficult to control, so remember,
“more is not always better.”
Measure the high rate elevator throw first…
❏ 1. Turn on the transmitter, install and connect the motor
battery, plug in the aileron servo, and mount the wing.
❏ 2. Holding a ruler vertically against the trailing edge of
the middle of the elevator (the widest part), measure and

12
compare the up and down throw to the specified throw below.
If necessary, adjust the elevator throw by changing the ATVs
in your transmitter or by moving the pushrod on the servo arm.
If you’ve connected the pushrod to the servo arm as specified
in the instructions the throws should be pretty close.
If your radio does not have dual rates, we recommend
setting the throws at the high rate settings.
NOTE:The throws are measured at the widest part of the
elevator and ailerons.
These are the recommended control surface throws:
ELEVATOR
HIGH RATE LOW RATE
3/16"
[5mm]
13 deg
Up 3/16"
[5mm]
13 deg
Down 3/32"
[2mm]
7deg
Up 3/32"
[2mm]
7deg
Down
AILERONS 3/16"
[5mm]
11 deg
Up 3/16"
[5mm]
11 deg
Down 1/8"
[3mm]
7deg
Up 1/8"
[3mm]
7deg
Down
❏ 3. Measure and set the low-rate elevator throw and the
high and low-rate aileron throw.
Balance the Model (C.G.)
More than any other factor, the C.G. (center of gravity/
balance point) can have the greatest effect on how a
model flies and could determine whether or not your first
flight will be successful. If you value your model and wish
to enjoy it for many flights, DO NOT OVERLOOK THIS
IMPORTANT PROCEDURE. A model that is not properly
balanced may be unstable and possibly unflyable.
❏ 1. Assemble and glue together the plywood balance
stand, but before gluing in the dowel uprights sand the
ends to a point.
❏ 2. At this stage your Rifle should be in ready-to-fly
condition with all of the components in place including the
complete radio system, motor, propeller and spinner. Install
the motor battery and mount the wing.
❏ 3. Place your Rifle on the balance stand with the
pointed ends of the uprights on the middle balance lines
you marked earlier.
This is where the Rifle should balance for the first flights.
Later, you may experiment by shifting the C.G. 3/16"
[4.8mm] forward or 3/16" [4.8mm] back to change the
flying characteristics.Moving the C.G.forward will improve
stability, but the model will then land even faster. Moving
the C.G. aft will allow for slightly slower landing speeds,
but the model will then be more responsive. In any case,
start at the recommended balance point and do not at
any time balance the model outside the specified range.
❏ 4. If the model sits level it is perfectly balanced and
is nearly ready to fly. If it does not sit level ballast may be
required.Try moving your Rifle forward or aft on the pointed
uprights just to see where it actually does balance. If it
balances within 1/16" [1.6mm] forward or aft of the middle
line (noting the recommended balance point) you could
probably fly your Rifle as balanced. But if it balances any
farther than that you should go ahead and balance it at the
recommended location. For certain, DO NOT fly the Rifle if
it balances outside the forward or aft lines. If any ballast is
required, it shouldn’t take much more than approximately 1/4
oz. [7g] on the tail or 1/2 oz. [14] in the nose.

13
❏ 5. To find out how much weight will be required, lay
segments of Great Planes “stick-on” lead (GPMQ4485) on
the fuselage over the nose or tail where it will be attached.
Nose weight can be added inside the top of the fuselage just
behind the motor and tail weight can be stuck to the bottom
of the stab right next to where it attaches to the fuselage.
Once you have determined the amount of weight required, it
can be permanently attached.
❏ 6. IMPORTANT: If you found it necessary to add any
weight, recheck the C.G. after the weight has been installed.
Balance the Model Laterally
❏ 1. With the wing level, lift the model by the spinner and
one finger under the tail at the very end of the fuselage. Do
this several times.
❏ 2. If one wing always drops, it means that side is heavy.
Add stick-on weight to the bottom of the wing under the light
wing tip. An airplane that has been laterally balanced will
track better in loops and other maneuvers.
PREFLIGHT
Identify Your Model
No matter if you fly at an AMA sanctioned R/C club site or
if you fly somewhere on your own, you should always have
your name, address, telephone number and AMA number
on or inside your model. It is required at all AMA R/C club
flying sites and AMA sanctioned flying events. Fill out the
identification tag on the decal sheet and place it on or inside
your model.
Charge the Battery
Follow the battery charging instructions that came with your
radio control system to charge the transmitter batteries.
You should always charge your transmitter and receiver
batteries the night before you go flying, and at other times
as recommended by the radio manufacturer.
CAUTION: Unless the instructions that came with your
radio system state differently, the initial charge on new
transmitter and receiver batteries should be done for 15
hours using the slow-charger that came with the radio
system.This will “condition” the batteries so that the next
charge may be done using the fast-charger of your choice.
If the initial charge is done with a fast-charger the batteries
may not reach their full capacity and you may be flying
with batteries that are only partially charged.
AMA SAFETY CODE (EXCERPTS)
Read and abide by the following excerpts from the Academy
of Model Aeronautics Safety Code. For the complete Safety
Code refer to Model Aviation magazine, the AMA web site or
the Code that came with your AMA license.
General
1) I will not fly my model aircraft in sanctioned events,
air shows, or model flying demonstrations until it has
been proven to be airworthy by having been previously,
successfully flight tested.
2) I will not fly my model aircraft higher than approximately
400 feet within 3 miles of an airport without notifying the
airport operator. I will give right-of-way and avoid flying
in the proximity of full-scale aircraft. Where necessary,
an observer shall be utilized to supervise flying to avoid
having models fly in the proximity of full-scale aircraft.
3) Where established, I will abide by the safety rules
for the flying site I use, and I will not willfully and
deliberately fly my models in a careless, reckless and/
or dangerous manner.
5) I will not fly my model unless it is identified with my name
and address or AMA number, on or in the model. Note:
This does not apply to models while being flown indoors.
7) I will not operate models with pyrotechnics (any device
that explodes, burns, or propels a projectile of any kind).
Radio Control
1) I will have completed a successful radio equipment ground
check before the first flight of a new or repaired model.
2) Iwillnotflymymodelaircraftinthepresenceofspectators
until I become a qualified flier, unless assisted by an
experienced helper.
3) At all flying sites a straight or curved line(s) must be
established in front of which all flying takes place with the
other side for spectators. Only personnel involved with
flying the aircraft are allowed at or in the front of the flight
line.Intentional flying behind the flight line is prohibited.
4) Iwilloperatemymodelusingonlyradiocontrolfrequencies
currently allowed by the Federal Communications
Commission.
5) I will not knowingly operate my model within three
miles of any pre-existing flying site except in
accordance with the frequency sharing agreement
listed [in the complete AMA Safety Code].
9) Under no circumstances may a pilot or other person
touch a powered model in flight;nor should any part of
the model other than the landing gear, intentionally
touch the ground, except while landing.

14
CHECK LIST
During the last few moments of preparation your mind
may be elsewhere anticipating the excitement of the first
flight. Because of this, you may be more likely to overlook
certain checks and procedures that should be performed
before the model is flown. To help avoid this, a check list
is provided to make sure these important areas are not
overlooked. Many are covered in the instruction manual,
so where appropriate, refer to the manual for complete
instructions. Be sure to check the items off as they are
completed (that’s why it’s called a check list!).
❏ 1. Make certain you’ve set the C.G. and the control
throws according to the measurements provided in
the manual.
❏ 2. Confirm that the elevator and ailerons operate in the
correct direction.
❏ 3. Make sure the servo arms are secured with the screws
that came with them.
❏ 4. Make sure the receiver antennas are oriented as
specified by the manufacturer.
❏ 5. Use threadlocking compound on the screws that lock
the pushrods down to the screw-lock connectors.
❏ 6. Examine the elevator and ailerons to make sure the
built-in hinges are intact.
❏ 7. Make sure the servo screw holes have been hardened
with thin CA.
❏ 8. Placeyourname,address,AMAnumberandtelephone
number on or inside your model.
❏ 9. Range check your radio when you get to the flying field.
❏ 10. Before each flight closely inspect the elevator and
aileron pushrod linkages to make sure they are secure.
FLYING
1. Advancedflying skills are required to flythe Rifle.It should
not be flown by beginner or intermediate pilots.
2. The Rifle will fly at speeds near 100 mph and should be
flown only at an approved AMA flying site.
3. The Rifle can get out of sight quickly. Keep your focus on
the plane at all times.
CAUTION: The Rifle flies smoothly and predictably, but it is
smallandfliesEXTREMELYfast,soitisnotaplanethatshould
be flown by beginners or pilots with little experience. Further,
the Rifle possesses no self-correcting tendencies what-
so-ever—it waits for your inputs before changing directions.
Therefore, the Rifle must be flown only by experienced
pilots who are able to keenly detect what the model is
doing and decisively provide the correct control inputs.
When the Rifle is flying in front of you…
it’s easy to see!
there may be moments during the turnaround when…
However,
this is all you see.
Even experienced pilots must not underestimate the Rifle’s
extreme speed. Of course, it’s easy to lock onto the Rifle
when it’s shooting by right out in front of you, but it takes
only a few seconds to get near the limits of your flight
pattern when it will appear extremely small and you will be
seeing it from a different perspective.This is when you can
lose orientation or visual contact altogether, so you must
see clearly and react decisively. For these reasons please
follow these pieces of advice—especially for your very
first flights.
1. Do not fly your Rifle on a cloudy or overcast day. Poor
lighting and a gray background make it even more difficult
to see. No matter what colors or markings your Rifle has,
it will all disappear when it gets far away and just turns
into a black dot with no orientation cues.
2. Do not fly when facing the sun. Wait for ideal light
conditions when the sun is at your back.
3. Do not try to fly your Rifle in confined flying sites.
While it is always possible (but not advisable) to fly above
obstructions, the Rifle requires at least two or three times
the approach and landing space of regular sport models.
4. Do not fly the Rifle if for some reason, any of your senses
may have been compromised (from lack of sleep, hunger,
dehydration, etc.).Your vision, concentration and reaction
time must be optimum.
5. Never take your eyes off the model – even while adjusting
the flight trims.
Mount the Wing
When ready to fly, turn on your transmitter and make sure
the throttle stick is all the way down. Install and connect the
battery, plug the aileron servo wire into the receiver and
mount the wing.
Operate the controls to make sure everything is responding
correctly and smoothly.

15
Ground Check and Range Check
Always perform an operational ground check of your radio
before the first flight of the day following the manufacturer’s
instructions that came with your radio. This should be done
once with the motor off and once with the motor running
at various speeds. If the control surfaces do not respond
correctly, do not fly! Find and correct the problem first.Look
for loose servo connections or broken wires, corroded wires
on old servo connectors, or poor receiver antenna routing.
Hand-Launch
First, it’s a good idea to use a flight timer to alert you when
it’s time to land—it’s always desirable to have reserve battery
power because more than one landing attempt will probably
be necessary—especially for the first flight. Throughout
testing we set our timer to four minutes (of motor run time).
This should provide an additional minute of run time for
landing approaches. For your first flight it might even be a
good idea to set your timer to three minutes until you know
for certain how long your Rifle will fly.
The Rifle can be launched by the pilot, but for the first couple of
flights, and until the model has been trimmed for straight-and-
level flight, it is a good idea to have an assistant (with some
prior hand-launching experience) launch the Rifle for you.
Hold the model by the bottom of the fuselage under the wing.
As you should do before every flight, double-check that
the controls are responding properly and in the correct
direction. Then, arm the motor and run it up for a second
to make sure it is making full power and sounds good. Make
sure your launch will be directly into any prevailing wind.
Inform your assistant of your intentions, make certain he
acknowledges, and then apply full throttle. Your assistant
should run for a few steps, then throw the plane into the air
at about a 30-degree angle, doing his best to level the wing
with the horizon.
Expect the Rifle to descend briefly before it gains enough
airspeed to establish a climb. Use the sticks to keep the
wings level.
At this point you’re in the clear and the model will climb as it
rapidly continues to gain speed—this will all happen within
two or three seconds!
Flying
Your first priorities will be to get the Rifle trimmed so it flies
straight-and-level when the sticks are neutral and to keep
it under control so you can keep it within visual range. If
you find yourself getting “behind” the Rifle, you can always
throttle back to 1/2 or even slightly less throttle.This will slow
the plane (a little) providing you with (slightly) more time to
think and react.You can also have your assistant adjust the
trims for you so you don't have to lift your fingers from the
control sticks.
Once you have the Rifle trimmed you should be able to fly
full throttle for extended periods, but it’s prudent to throttle
back (or cut the throttle altogether!) in turns so it doesn’t
get too far away. Fly “large”, keeping turns wide and smooth.
One good turn-around maneuver is to climb vertically, half
roll, throttle back, and then pull a 3/4 loop to upright level.Of
course, you can always “crank and bank” it too!
While at a high altitude with plenty of battery power, simulate
a landing approach by cutting the throttle and watching the
Rifle glide.This will give you an indication of how it will land.
(Continued on page 16)

16
Landing
The Rifle doesn’t land like most other airplanes. It won’t fly
slowly enough to make a proper flair and you need to keep
the speed up to maintain aileron control authority to keep
the wings level.
When you’re ready to land, throttle back early on the
downwind leg and allow the Rifle to bleed off some of its
airspeed. Before the Rifle makes its crosswind turn cut the
throttle completely and allow it to continue its descent toward
the landing zone.It will still be considerably far out and you’ll
be looking at it almost head-on.
When the Rifle is a foot or two [.3 - .6m] off the ground allow
it to continue a shallow descent with the first priority to keep
the wings level. Continue to hold elevator until it eventually
catches the ground and skids to a stop—it usually doesn’t
skid very far—just a few yards [meters] or so.
If, at any point during your landing setup you realize you
are coming in too fast, simply throttle up, go around and
try again. And if you’re coming in too short, apply throttle to
stretch the landing.
After every landing closely inspect the model looking for any
damage.Replace the propeller if necessary.
After a few flights you’ll have your Rifle all trimmed out
for level flight and be executing perfect hand-launches,
adrenaline-pumping flights and smooth, routine landings
right at your feet.
One final note about flying your Rifle. Have a goal or flight
plan in mind for every flight. This can be learning a new
maneuver(s), improving a maneuver(s) you already know,
or learning how the model behaves in certain conditions
(such as on high or low rates). This is not necessarily to
improve your skills (though it is never a bad idea!), but more
importantly so you do not surprise yourself by impulsively
attempting a maneuver and suddenly finding that you’ve run
out of time, altitude or airspeed. Every maneuver should be
deliberate, not impulsive.For example, if you’re going to do a
loop,checkyouraltitude,mindthewinddirection(anticipating
rudder corrections that will be required to maintain heading),
remember to throttle back at the top, and make certain you
are on the desired rates (high/low rates).A flight plan greatly
reduces the chances of crashing your model just because of
poor planning and impulsive moves. Remember to think.
Have a ball! But always stay in control
and fly in a safe manner.
GOOD LUCK AND GREAT FLYING!
C.G. Marking Guide
Spare C.G. Marking Guide
This model belongs to:
Name
Address
City, State, Zip
Phone Number
AMA Number
Once over the flying field the Rifle prefers a long, shallow descent.
SHALLOW
LONG