Hobbico SkyVista User manual

™
Innovative Prebuilt R/C Sport Aircraft
Assembly Instructions
© Copyright 1998 HCAZ3082 for HCAA2202 V 1.0
• Innovative Pre-Built Aerobatic
Trainer
• Builds with 2 tools in 1 evening
• No gluing, cutting, covering or
painting required

2
Congratulations!. You now own one of the most unique model
airplanes in the world. The Hobbico®SkyVista™can be built in
just one evening using common tools. Please read through the
instruction manual before beginning assembly to familiarize
yourself with the kit.
The SkyVista is a sport aircraft featuring a symmetrical airfoil.
Aerobatics are a joy with this aircraft. It is capable of loops,
rolls, inverted flight, hammerheads and more! All this while
maintaining outstanding low-speed handling characteristics.
The plane takes off and lands easily and is amazingly stable.
Stalls are gentle and controllable.
Please note, although the SkyVista can be a gentle handling
aircraft, it is not a beginners kit! You should be able to
competently fly an aileron equipped trainer before flying this
plane. The Hobbico AirVista trainer is the perfect choice for
learning to fly.
Your SkyVista is not a toy, but rather a sophisticated, working
model that functions very much like an actual airplane.
Because of its realistic performance, the SkyVista, if not
assembled and operated correctly, could possibly cause injury
to yourself or spectators and damage property.
To make your R/C modeling experience totally enjoyable,
we
recommend that you get help from an experienced,
knowledgeable modeler for your first flights. You will learn
faster and avoid risking your model before you’re truly ready to
solo. Your local hobby shop has information about flying clubs
in your area whose membership includes qualified instructors.
You can also contact the national Academy of Model
Aeronautics (AMA), which has more than 2500 chartered
clubs across the country. Through any one of them, instructor
training programs and insured newcomer training are
available.
Contact the AMA at:
You only need two tools to build the SkyVista:
❏(1) Medium Phillips Screwdriver (#1)
❏(1) Pliers
For convenience, these additional tools will make the job a
little easier:
❏(1) Hobby knife with #11 blade
❏(1) Adjustable wrench
❏(1) Large Phillips Screwdriver (#2)
❏(1) Scissors
❏(1) Diagonal Cutter
❏4-channel radio system with 4 servos
❏We recommend the Top Flite®Power Point®brand of props
(see the engine manufacturer’s recommendations)
❏.40-size two-stroke engine
NO GLUE REQUIRED!
ACCESSORIES REQUIRED TO
FINISH YOUR SKYVISTA
OPTIONAL TOOLS
REQUIRED TOOLS
Academy of Model Aeronautics
5151 East Memorial Drive
Muncie, IN 47302
Office: [phone]
Toll Free: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Web Site: http://www.modelaircraft.org
PROTECT YOUR MODEL, YOURSELF &
OTHERS...FOLLOW THESE IMPORTANT
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
INTRODUCTION
0" 1" 2" 3" 4" 5" 6" 7"
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180
Inch Scale
Metric Scale
O.S.®.40 LA
OSMG0040

1 (1) Right Wing Panel
2 (1) Left Wing Panel
3 (1) Steel Wing Joiner Rod
4 (1) Plywood Center Rib Assembly
5 (1) Fuselage
6 (1) Fin/Rudder Assembly
7 (1) Stab/Elevator Assembly
8 (2) 4mm Landing Gear Wire
9 (1) 4mm Nose Gear Strut
10 (3) Wheels
11 (4) Plastic Dowel Caps
12 (2) Wing Dowels (Wood)
13 (1) Plywood Servo Tray
14 (1) 1.5mm Wire for Nose Gear Steering
15 (1) Spinner Assembly
16 (1) Steering Arm
17 (14) #64 Rubber Bands
18 (1) Foam Sheet
19 (1) Cowl
20 (4) Metal Landing Gear Straps
Hardware included with the kit:
(7) 3 x 5mm Screws
(1) 3 x 8mm Screw
(4) Nylon Torque Rod Horns
(4) Nylon Servo Connectors
(5) Nylon Clevis
(1) Fuel Tubing
(5) Clevis Retainer
(2) Brass Pushrod Connector
(2) Nylon Retainers For Brass Pushrod Connectors
(2) 2-56 Wire Pushrod for Elevator/Rudder
(2) 2-56 Wire Pushrod for Aileron
(1) 2-56 Wire Pushrod for Throttle
(7) Metal Wheel Collars
(1) White Decal Strip
(1) Window Decal Sheet
(16) 2.5 x 10mm Sheet Metal Screws
(4) #4 x 5/8" Sheet Metal Screws
(2) 4-40 Lock Nuts
(2) 4-40 x 1/8" Phillips Head Screw
(6) #4 Washers
(1) Fuel Tank Assembly
(4) 4 x 20mm Screws
(4) 4mm Washers
(4) 4mm Lock Washers
(4) 4mm Nuts
(1) Metal “T” Pin
(1) Small Rubber Band
Replacement Parts:
In the event that you need replacement parts, contact your hobby
dealer and ask for the following:
Wing Tips (HCAA3566)
Right Wing Panel (HCAA3567)
Left Wing Panel (HCAA3568)
Aileron Servo Tray and Wing Joiner Rod (HCAA3569)
Fuse and Servo Tray (HCAA3570)
Fin Set (HCAA3571)
Cowl (HCAA3572)
3
1
2
5
34
19
12
11
17
13
20
18
8
15
15
10
16
14
10
6
7
9
SkyVista Parts List
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the parts of the SkyVista.
If you need help or have any questions
during assembly, please contact us at:
[phone]
or e-mail us at
[email protected]
See more of our products at
www.hobbico.com
Need Help?

4
Install the rubber grommets with brass
inserts to each of the four servos.
NNoottee::Your system may look slightly
different. Consult your radio instructions.
CC..Turn off your receiver switch followed by
the transmitter. Your servos are now
properly centered.
NNoottee::If you bump or move your servos
during assembly, simply repeat this step.
SECTION 1
SECTION 1
Radio System Preparation
STEP 1: Unpack your Radio System STEP 2: Connect your Radio System
BB..Install the Brass Pushrod
Connectors onto TTWWOOof the arms.
CC..Squeeze the nylon retainers in place
using your pliers.
AA..From your radio system, select four
arms that look like an “X” or Star and
snap off the sides with your pliers.
(A diagonal cutter works well also).
STEP 3: Choose the Control Arms
AA..Connect your radio
system and turn it on.
BB..Position the “trim levers”
and sticks as shown.
ON
Throttle
Receiver
Battery
Servos
Transmitter
Switch
(Off)
Receiver
Brass Connector
Brass Connector (2)
4-40 Screw
4-40 Screw (2)
Nylon Retainer
Nylon Retainer (2)
Actual Size
Elevator
Enlarge
Enlarge
Enlarge
Tip! Hold the drill
bit with a pliers and
turn the arm.
Aileron
Rudder
Throttle
“X” Horn
Remove the wheels.
Charge your radio system following the
manufacturer’s instructions. This is usually
an overnight process.
Your grommets
may install like
one of these.
Throttle Trim
Star Horn
or
DD..Enlarge the selected holes in the
servo arms using a #48 (5/64")
drill bit.

5
AA..Connect the three servos to the receiver
according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
BB..Connect the battery to the receiver switch
harness and the switch to the “battery”
socket on the receiver (the extra wire on the
switch is for charging your system).
CC..Connect the extension
wire to the aileron socket.
STEP 5: Connect the Servos to the Receiver
Install the remaining
servo in the plywood
aileron servo tray. Note
the orientation and
routing of the
servo wire.
STEP 7: Install the Aileron Servo
STEP 6: Install the Receiver and Battery
AA..Position one servo
in each pre-cut hole
as shown. Note
the orientation.
BB..Using the screws
that came with
the radio system,
attach the servos
to the tray. Do not
overtighten.
CC..Attach the servo
arms as shown in
the drawing.
STEP 4: Install the Servos
DD..Tear or cut the foam
sheet in half and wrap
the receiver and the
receiver battery.
Use two #64 rubber
bands to secure the
receiver to the top and
the battery to the bottom
of the servo tray.
Rudder
Servo
Throttle
Servo
Plywood
Servo Tray
Receiver
Battery
IMPORTANT NOTE!
Unwrap the antenna
wire.
Servo Tray
Aileron
Servo
Plywood Aileron
Servo Tray
Elevator
Servo

6
SECTION 2
SECTION 2
Wing Assembly
Assemble the wing together
with the steel rod.
STEP 2: Assemble the Wing
Apply the white tape around
the center of the wing to hold
the assembly together.
STEP 3: Apply the Tape
Install the nylon torque rod horns
to the Ailerons, Rudder and
Elevator.
Adjust the height of the horns so
they are approximately 3/4" from
the surface.
STEP 1: Install the FOUR Torque Rod Horns
Steel Rod
Wing Panel
The servo wire
should exit along the
edge of the servo
tray as shown.
Wing Panel Alignment Peg
Nylon Torque Rod Horn (4)
Actual Size
1
23/4" 4
3
AAiilleerroonn
Right Wing
(Upside Down)
Left Wing
(Upside Down)
RRuuddddeerr
Fin
EElleevvaattoorr
Horizontal
Stabilizer
Plywood
Aileron Tray

7
SECTION 3
SECTION 3
Fuselage Assembly
Tail and Wing Dowel Installation
Part
Part One
One
The nylon horn
should be towards
the fuselage bottom.
Align the holes in the
fuselage with the holes
in the stab.
Insert the Stabilizer into the Fuselage.
STEP 1: Install the Horizontal Stabilizer
Insert the Fin into the fuselage. Use the
two 4-40 lock nuts along with washers
to hold the tail in place.
STEP 2: Install the Fin
STEP 3: Install the Wing Dowels
Fuselage Bottom
4-40 Lock Nut (2)
#4 Washer (2)
Actual Size
2.5 x 10mm Screw (4)
Actual Size
AA..Install the window decals.
B. Use the screwdriver to
open the dowel holes.
CC..Insert the two wood
dowels into the fuselage.
Install the Plastic
Dowel Caps.
You may need to hold one screw with a pliers
while installing the other side.

8
AA..Insert the Black Nozzle into the Rubber “Stopper.”
BB..Cut the fuel line to 2-3/4" (70mm) and install it onto the black nozzle and to
the Metal fuel pickup (commonly referred to as the “clunk”).
CC..Insert the stopper into the tank and tighten the cap. You may need to
lubricate the stopper with skin oil (best found on the sides of your nose) to
help it install easier.
STEP 1: Assemble the Fuel Tank
Fuel Tank and Radio Tray Installation
Part
Part T
Two
wo
AA..Insert the fuel tubing into the holes located
on the firewall.
BB..Attach the tube that goes through the left
hole to the black nozzle. Attach the tube that
goes through the right hole to the top nozzle on
the tank. NNoottee::The middle nozzle will not
be used.
CC..Carefully install the fuel tank into the fuselage
while pulling the tubing from the front.
STEP 2: Install the Fuel Tank
Insert the two longest Pushrods into
the tubes from inside the fuselage.
The longer of
the two
pushrods
goes here.
STEP 3: Insert the Pushrods
DD..Slide the fuel tank in place. Make sure the fuel line
is not pinched during installation. This will cut off
the fuel supply to the engine.
Cut to 2-3/4” long.
Pushrod
Bottom of
Fuel Tank
Rubber Stopper
Cap
Black
Nozzle
Clunk
Actual Size
Fuel Line
NNoottee::“Left” and “Right”
are as viewed from the
rear of the upright airplane.

9
BB..Secure it in place with four #4 x 5/8" screws
and washers.
CC..NNoottee::If you bump the servo arms, re-center
them as shown in section 1.
STEP 4: Install the Radio Tray
AA..Insert the pushrods from the bottom of the servo arms
(for easier installation remove the arms from the servos).
BB..Install the nylon pushrod retainers.
STEP 5: Hook Up the Servos
Nylon Pushrod Retainer (2)
AA..Install the radio tray into
the fuselage.
#4 x 5/8” Screw (4)
#4 Washer (4)
Actual Size
Actual Size
Make sure the
servo wires do
not get pinched.
Cut the white
tubes if they are
in the way.

AA..Install the two remaining clevises with retainers
onto the short pushrod wires.
BB..Connect the rods using the nylon retainers.
CC..Adjust the clevises so the ailerons are centered
when the servo is centered.
STEP 8: Install the Aileron Pushrods
CC..Attach the switch to the
left side of the fuselage.
STEP 7: Attach the Switch
AA..Slide a silicone clevis retainer onto each
wire pushrod.
BB..Make sure the servos do not move.
CC..Screw the clevises on so that the control
surfaces are centered. Attach the clevises
to the horns.
DD..Slide the retainers over the
clevises.
STEP 6: Attach the Clevises to the Control Surfaces
Nylon Clevis (2)
Silicone Clevis
Retainer
Note: If the pushrods
are too short, turn the
servos around. Nylon Clevis
Silicone Clevis
Retainer Silicone Clevis
Retainer
Antenna Wire
Actual Size
Retainer
Silicone Clevis
Retainer (2)
10
AA..Position a cut-off
servo arm from
page 4 on
the
antenna wire about
6" away from the
receiver. This is
called “strain relief.”
BB..Route the antenna
wire through the
longer slot where
you installed
the switch.