Hangar 9 Sukhoi SU-31 User manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL
1/3-Scale Unlimited Aerobatic ARF
Specifications
Wingspan: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 in (2463.8 mm)
Length: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88.7 in (2253 mm)
Wing Area: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1810 sq in (116.7 sq dm)
Weight: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22.5–25.5 lb (10.2–11.6 kg)
Recommended Engines: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60–80cc
WE GET PEOPLE FLYING
TM
®
• Superior controllability and aerobatic flight characteristics
• Lightweight construction
• Designed by veteran TOC competitor Mike McConville
• 90% built 1/3-scale ARF
• Plug-in wings for easy transport and field assembly

3
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Additional Required Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Other Items Needed (not included in the kit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Tools and Adhesives Needed (not included in the kit) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Additional Items Needed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Contents of Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Section 1. Installing the Wing to the Fuselage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Section 2. Installing the Aileron Servos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Section 3. Installing the Aileron Control Horns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Section 4. Hinging and Sealing the Aileron Control Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Section 5. Installing the Aileron Linkages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Section 6. Installing the Rudder and Elevator Servos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Section 7. Installing the Elevator, Control Horns, and Linkages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Section 8. Installing the Rudder, Control Horns, and Linkages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Section 9. Attaching the Tail Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Section 10. Installing the Landing Gear and Wheelpants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Section 11. Installing the Receiver, Battery, and Fuel Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Section 12. Mounting the Engine and Cowl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Section 13. Hatch Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Section 14. Balancing the Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Section 15. Radio Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Section 16. Control Throws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Section 17. Preflight at the Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Section 18. Setup and Flight Information by Mike McConville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
AMA Safety Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Table of Contents

4
Thank you for purchasing the Hangar 9®33% Sukhoi Su-31.
Because size and weight create a higher degree for potential danger,
an added measure of care and responsibility is needed for both
building and flying giant scale models. If this is your first giant
scale aerobatic aircraft, it’s important that you carefully follow the
instructions, especially those regarding hinging and the section
on flying. Like all giant scale aerobatic aircraft, the 1/3-Scale
Sukhoi Su-31 requires powerful, heavy-duty servos. Servos
greatly affect the flight performance, feel, and response of the
model. To get the most out of your Su-31, it’s important to use
accurate, powerful servos with a minimum of 80 oz in of torque
for elevator and rudder and 60 oz in of torque for each of the
four aileron servos. In the prototype models, we used JR 8101
and JR 8231 servos with excellent results. A less powerful servo
can lead to a crash.
The 1/3-Scale Sukhoi Su-31 does not include hardware. Many
experienced giant scale pilots have specific hardware preferences
and can individually choose the components they prefer.
Hangar 9 offers an optional Hardware Package (HAN1220-JR,
HAN1221-FUT) that includes the hardware that our staff regularly
uses and recommends.
Throughout the manual, the above hardware will be used during
the assembly process. If using another type/brand of hardware,
it’s your responsibility to be sure that it’s strong enough for this
application and properly installed.
If you encounter difficulty in any construction sequence, please
contact one of our technicians. We can provide assistance
concerning the construction of your 1/3-Scale Sukhoi. You can
contact us at:
Horizon Hobby, Inc.
4105 Fieldstone Road
Champaign, IL 61822
[phone]
www.horizonhobby.com
Introduction
Warning
An R/C aircraft is not a toy! If misused, it can cause serious
bodily harm and damage to property. Fly only in open areas,
preferably AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) approved
flying sites, following all instructions included with your radio
and engine.

5
Additional Required Equipment
Radio Equipment with Computer Radio
1000mAh receiver battery pack or larger
Servos with 80 oz in of torque minimum (elevator and rudder) (JR8101, 4721, 2721, or 8411 or equivalent) (4)
Servos with 60 oz in of torque (aileron) (4)
Servo for throttle (standard) (1)
Y-Harness (JRP133) (2)
24" Servo Extension (JRPA102) (6)
18" Servo Extension (JRPA099) (1)
12" Servo Extension (JRPA098) (2)
Radio Equipment (Non-Computer Radio)
1400mAh receiver battery pack or larger
Servos with 80 oz in of torque minimum (elevator and rudder) (JR8101, 4721, 2721, or 8411 or equivalent) (4)
Servos with 60 oz in of torque (aileron) (4)
Servo for throttle (JR537) (1)
Y-Harnesses (JRP133) (3)
24" Servo Extension (JRPA102) (2)
18" Servo Extension (JRPA099) (5)
6" Servo Extension (JRPA095) (2)
Note: Requires one reversed servo for elevator
Recommended JR Systems:
JR XP662
JR X-378
JR XP8103
JR PCM10X
Engine Requirements
Recommended Engines:
62–80cc Gasoline Engine
Recommended Gasoline Engines:
Zenoah®G-62 Gasoline Engine
Zenoah GT-80 Gasoline Engine
JR XP8103 JR PCM10X
JR X-378JR XP662
Zenoah GT-80
(ZENE80T)
Zenoah G62
(ZENE62A)

6
Tools and Adhesives Needed (not included in the kit)
Additional Items Needed
Tools
• Drill
• Drill Bits: 1/16", 1/8", 5/32", 3/8", 5/16"
• Phillips screwdriver (medium)
• Straight screwdriver (small)
• Needle-nose pliers
• Hobby knife with #11 blade
• Mixing stick
• Straight edge
• Saw
• Soldering iron and solder
• Measuring device (e.g., 12" or longer ruler, 36" ruler, tape measure)
• Scissors
• Moto-tool with cut-off wheel
• 8-32 Tap and Drill Bit (DUB363)
• Sealing iron
• Glue syringe or toothpick
• Hex Wrench: 5/32" and 1/8"
• Adjustable wrench
• Countersink
Adhesives
• Thick CA (cyanoacrylate) glue
• CA remover/debonder
• 30-minute epoxy
• 6-minute epoxy
• Silicon glue
• 41/4" Spinner (Tru-turn TRU4252MZ)
• Spinner Adapter Kit (TRU0127)
• Propeller (refer to recommendations listed in
your engine’s operating instructions)
• 2' gas compatible tubing
• Cup engine mount B+B 6202 (G-62 only)
• Sandpaper (coarse)
• Radio packing foam
• Antenna tube
• Canopy glue
• Threadlock
• Electrical tape
• Masking tape
• 1/8" light plywood
• 1/4"-20x11/2" socket head screws (G-62 only) (4)
• 1/3-scale pilot
• Cable ties (small)
• Paper towels
• Rubbing alcohol
• Felt-tipped pen/pencil
• Instrumental Panel (HAN190)
Other Items Needed (not included in the kit)
Zenoah®Gas Start Kit (ZEN20002) Includes:
• Kill Switch (ZEN20000)
• Oil (2-cycle) (ZEN20001)
• Fuel Filler (HAN115)
• Fuel Filter (HAN143)
• Mixing Cup (HAN3101)
• Gas Stopper (DUB400)
• 3' Fuel Line (DUB799)
• Line Keeper (DUB677)

7
Replacement Parts
Fuselage (HAN1276)
Right Wing Panel with Aileron (HAN1277)
Left Wing Panel with Aileron (HAN1278)
Right Horizontal Stabilizer and Elevator (HAN1279)
Left Horizontal Stabilizer and Elevator (HAN1280)
Rudder (HAN1281)
Wing Tube (HAN1256)
P
Stabilizer Tubes (2)(HAN1257)
Canopy (HAN1282)
RCanopy Hatch (HAN1283)
Fiberglass Painted Cowl (HAN1284)
Landing Gear (HAN1285)
Wheelpants (HAN1286)
HAN1220—JR
HAN1221—Futaba
31/2" Pro-Lite wheels (HAN308)
41/2" 4-40 Threaded Pro-Links (HAN3556) (4)
5" 4-40 Thread Pro-Links (HAN3557) (4)
32 oz Fuel Tank (DUB690)
Tail Wheel Assembly with Hardware (OHI130)
4-40 Ball Links (DLR87) (9)
8-32 Swivel Control Horns (DLR01B) (8)
3/16" Main Axles (DUB249)
Super Hinge Points (ROB309) (24)
4-40 3-D Arm (11/4" long) JR Version (HAN3578) (2)
4-40 HD Arm (1" long) JR Version (HAN3574) (6)
BE
Contents of Kit
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A
F
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C
D
B
J
K
L
M
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Included in the optional Hangar 9®1/3-Scale Hardware Package
i

8
Parts Needed
• Left wing panel w/aileron attached (taped in place)
• Right wing panel w/aileron attached (taped in place)
• Fuselage
• Wing Tube
• 1/4" x 20 bolt with washer (2)
Tools and Adhesives Needed
• Hobby knife w/#11 blade
• Thick CA
Step 1. Locate the wing tube and be sure it does not have any
“burrs” on the ends. Also check the tube socket openings in the
fuselage for covering and/or any debris. If you need to remove
any covering or debris from around the inside of the tube socket
openings, use a hobby knife with a sharp #11 blade and carefully
clear the socket openings
Step 2. Be sure the alignment tubes located on the root rib
of each wing panel are securely glued in before installing the
wings. If the tubes are not secure, remove them and apply thick
CA (small amount) into the tube socket and reinstall
Step 3. Insert the wing tube into a wing panel and slide the
wing in place on the fuselage. Reach inside the fuselage and
hold the wing alignment tube blocks while inserting the wing
half. Make sure the wing panel alignment tubes slide into the
holes in the fuselage.
Note: The fit may be tight; use caution when inserting
the wing panels onto the wing tube and fuselage.
Step 4. Carefully slide the other wing panel onto the wing tube
that projects from the other side of the fuselage. Reach inside the
fuselage and hold the wing alignment tube blocks while inserting
the wing half.
Note: The tight fit of the wing tube into the wing panels
is intentional, and it will loosen with use.
Step 5. Locate the holes for the 1/4" x 20 wing bolts on the
root rib of the wing. The fuselage has a hole in the same spot as
the holes on the wing panel. To secure the wing to the fuselage
thread the wing bolts from the inside of the fuselage as shown.
Step 6. Remove the wing panels before proceeding with the
section titled “Installing the Aileron Servos.”
Section 1: Installing the Wing to the Fuselage

9
Parts Needed
• Left and right wing panels
• Servos w/mounting hardware (60 oz in minimum torque) (4)
• 6" Servo Extension (JRPA095) (2)
• 24" Servo Extension (JRPA102) (2)
• Y-Harness (JRPA133) (3 for non-computer radios) (2)
• 1" Servo Arms (HAN3574-JR or HAN3575-Futaba) (4)
Tools and Adhesives Needed
• Phillips screwdriver
• Drill
• Drill Bit: 1/16"
• Electrical tape
• Threadlock
Note: The ailerons require a minimum of 60 oz in of
servo torque. In the example used for this manual we
installed JR 8411 digital servos for the ultimate in
precision control. We have test flown the Sukhoi with
JR8101 and JR8231 servos with great results.
MatchBox Option: To simplify the installation of the aileron
servos, you may want to use the new JR MatchBox™servo
matching/power system (JRPA900). Two MatchBoxes would
be used in this application—one for each wing. The MatchBox
allows easy adjustment of the servo’s center and endpoints,
making aileron setup a snap. You can also use a seperate battery
to run the Matchbox, reducing the load on the flight battery
powering the receiver.
FAST FACTS: It is common to use two servos per aileron on
many larger models. This setup requires some special attention
to assure that the servos do not fight each other. If this is not
done correctly, battery consumption will be greatly increased,
and in the case of a high torque digital servo, the servos may be
damaged. When setting up the ailerons with two servos, there
are some special steps that need to be taken.
Step 1. Select two sets of servos and Hangar 9®1" arms that
have the same neutral. All servos will have a slightly different
neutral. If you are using Hangar 9 metal arms, they don’t all orient
the same, (i.e., the splines are not oriented the same relative to
the arm). First choose one servo and arm, plug it into the aileron
channel on your receiver through the Y-connection, and set to
EXACT NEUTRAL, (i.e., servo arm is perpendicular to the servo
centerline). Next, start plugging in your other servos one by one
and installing the arms until you find one that is as close as you
can get to the EXACT SAME NEUTRAL as the other servo.
Repeat this process to find a second pair of servos.
Note: The arms need to face outward toward the
wing tips as shown Step 4. Be sure to use a drop of
threadlock to secure the servo arm screws if using
metal-geared servos.
Step 2. Install the servo hardware (grommets and eyelets)
included with the servo.
Step 3. Plug a 6" and 24" extension into each of the sets of
matched aileron servos. Tie a knot at the connector as shown,
then wrap with electrical tape to prevent the servo connectors
from pulling apart.
Step 4. Insert the servo with the 6" extension into the aileron
cutout on the bottom of the wing closest to the wing root, as
shown below. Be sure the output shaft is oriented toward the
trailing edge of the wing with the servo arm pointing towards
the wing tip. Insert the second servo with the 24" extension into
the servo cutout located closest to the wing tip. Allow the servo
leads to exit the root of the wing.
Section 2: Installing the Aileron Servos

10
Note: A computer radio using flapperon mixing is recommended.
In this case, each wings servos plug into a Y-harness and
then the Y-harnesses are plugged directly into the receiver
using the aileron and appropriate auxiliary channel used for
flapperon mixing (see your radio’s instructions).
Note: If a non-computer radio is used, three Y-harnesses
are required. Plug one Y-harness into the aileron port of
your receiver. Plug each wings servos into a Y-harness and
then plug those into the Y-harness connected to the receiver.
Step 5. With the servos in position, mark the four locations for
the mounting screws. Remove the servo and drill a 1/16" pilot
hole in the servo rails. Secure the servos to the wing using the
screws provided with the servos.