Stevens Aero Model Air Camper 100 Manual

Air Camper (100)
By Stevens AeroModel
Length 15.25 inches | Span 23.75 inches | Area: 100 inches2| Flying Weight 2.1 oz.
Version 1.0
Build Instructions Revised: 06/22/2011
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 1 of 11

Build Instructions Revised: 06/22/2011
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 2 of 11
WARRANTY
Stevens AeroModel 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 Stevens AeroModel’s liability exceed the original cost of the purchased kit. Further,
Stevens AeroModel reserves the right to change or modify this warranty without notice.
LIABILITY RELEASE
In that Stevens AeroModel 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.
THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED FOR CHILDREN 12 YEARS OF AGE OR YOUNGER
WARNING: This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and
or birth defects or other reproductive harm.
PRODUCT SUPPORT
This product has been engineered to function properly and perform as advertised with the suggested
power system and supporting electronics as outlined within this product manual. Product support
cannot be provided nor can Stevens AeroModel assist in determining the suitability or use of
electronics, hardware, or power systems not explicitly recommended by Stevens AeroModel.
For product assembly support, replacement parts, hardware, and electronics to complete this model
please contact Stevens AeroModel on-line at www.stevensaero.com.
Stevens AeroModel
PO Box 15347 - Colorado Springs, CO 80935 - USA
719-387-4187 - www.stevensaero.com

Project Checklist
Kit Contents
☐Laser cut wood (9 Sheets)
☐Build Instructions
☐Computer drawn plan set (2 Pages)
Taped to back of wood brick:
☐1 - 1/32 in. x 18 in. wire
☐2 - 0.015 in. x 18 in. wire
☐Hardware Bag
1 - 4 in. length of 1/16 in. Heat Shrink Tube [*]
1 - 2 in. length of 3/32 in. Aluminum Tube [*]
1 - Basswood Elevator Joiner “E6” [*]
1 - Plastic Mesh [*]
2 - Acetate Windscreens [*}
2 - 2 in. Wheels [DUB200ML]
4 - 1/8 in. x 1/16 in. Neo-Magnets [4013]
4 - 1/8 in. I.D. x 1/4 in. O.D. O-rings [4012]
Suggested Electronics (Available at StevensAero.com)
☐Spektrum DSM2 2.4ghz transmitter with at least 3 channels
☐Parkzone or Spektrum ultra micro receiver/esc/servo “brick” [PKZ3351], [UA1151], or [SPMAR6400]*
☐Parkzone motor and gearbox [PKZ3624]
☐130mm x 70mm Propeller [EFL9051]
☐3.7V 120-160mAh LiPo compatible with Parkzone / Spektrum “brick”
Required Building Supplies and Tools
☐1/4 oz. Thick CA Glue
☐1/4 oz. Medium CA Glue
☐1/4 oz. Thin CA Glue
☐CA glue applicator tips
☐CA glue accelerator (kicker)
☐Balsa filler
☐Hobby Knife with ample supply of #11 blades
☐Sanding block with 400 and 600 grit paper
☐Heat Gun and Covering Iron
☐Small Needle Nose Pliers
☐1/2 in. wide clear tape
☐Servo mounting tape (optional)
☐Soldering Iron
Optional Building Supplies and Tools
☐Modeling Clay for Ballast
☐CA glue de-bonder
☐Long sanding bar
☐Masking Tape (Low tack painters tape)
Build Instructions Revised: 06/22/2011
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 3 of 11

General Assembly Instructions
Thank you, for purchasing this Stevens Air
Camper™ (100). A micro indoor scale flyer of the
1928 Pietenpol Air Camper. This product has
been developed and manufactured using state of
the art CAD/CAM systems and features a unique
interlocking construction process that, when
compared to traditional methods found in other
model aircraft kits, save countless hours of
measuring, cutting, sanding, and fitting. We are
certain that you’ll find our kit to offer a truly
exceptional build experience. As this kit is
recommended for the novice model builder and
pilot; we invite beginners who have purchased
this kit to seek the help of a seasoned builder and
pilot. At any time should one run across a term or
technique that is foreign please don’t hesitate to
contact our staff with your questions.
READ THIS!
Please READ and RE-READ these instructions
along with any other included documentation prior
to starting your build and/or contacting our staff
for builder support.
Pre-sanding
Do not skip this step. Prior to removing any parts
from the laser cut sheet wood use a sanding
block loaded with 250-400 grit paper and lightly
sand the back side of each sheet of wood. This
step removes any residue produced as a result of
the laser cutting process and, as we have found
that most stock wood sizes run several
thousandths of an inch over sized, slightly
reduces the thickness of each sheet.
Leave your pre-sanded parts in the sheet until
required in the assembly process.
Protecting your worktable
Use the poly tube that this kit was shipped in as a
non-stick barrier between your worktable and the
product assembly. Promptly clean up any epoxy
spills with rubbing alcohol and a disposable towel.
Bonding the assembly
As this product tabs, notches, and otherwise
interlocks like a 3D puzzle we suggest that when
fitting parts you dry fit (use no glue) the parts
together first. It’s advised to work 1-2 steps
ahead in the instructions using this dry-fit
technique which allows ample opportunity to
inspect the fit and location of assembled
components and realizes a benefit as each
successive part contributes to pulling the entire
assembly square. Once you arrive at the end of a
major assembly sequence square your work on
top of a flat building table and revisit the dry fit
joints with glue. Using the dry-fit process you’ll be
able to recover from a minor build mistake and
will ultimately end up with a more square and true
assembly.
Unless otherwise noted in the instructions we find
it easier to tack glue part (temporarily bonding
parts in assembly using a small dot of glue) using
medium CA glue applied with a fine-tip CA glue
applicator tip. Tight fitting joints should be bonded
using thin CA glue applied, sparingly, with a CA
glue applicator tip.
Never force the fit!
Remember this is a precision cut kit our machines
cut to within 5 thousandth of an inch in accuracy.
Yet the wood stock supplied by the mill may vary
in thickness by up to 20 thousandths. This
variance in the wood stock can cause some tabs/
notches to fit very tight. With this in mind,
consider lightly sanding, or lightly pinching, a tight
fitting tab rather than crushing and forcing your
parts together. You’ll break fewer parts in
assembly and will end up with a more square and
true airframe.
Manual Updates
Please check our web-site for updates to these
instructions prior to commencing the build.
While not required for proper assembly of this
model, full-color photos following the build
sequence given in this instruction manual are
available to download at www.stevensaero.com
To obtain downloads and updates relative to this
model aircraft kit, please visit the corresponding
product page at StevensAero.com
Build Instructions Revised: 06/22/2011
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 4 of 11

Fuselage
Fuselage parts are designated with a “F” followed
by a numeric. Parts have been numbered so that
the fuselage assembly and required parts follows
in numeric order from F1 to F33 (F3 is used in the
final assembly of the model).
The fuselage is of traditional sheet side with
central crutch assembly. Many of the formers will
need to be installed in a forward and top
orientation. Unless otherwise specified, formers
should be installed with the etched part number
facing the front of the assembly and any top or
bottom designations followed. If no top or bottom
designation is given on the part, then parts will be
installed with engraved part number right side up
and facing front of model.
You will “fit” (use no glue) the majority of this
fuselage assembly together “bonding” (thoroughly
gluing) only as instructed. When parts cannot
easily be retained with friction, use a single tiny
drop of medium CA glue applied sparingly through
a CA glue applicator tip to “Tack Glue” the part in
place. Should you commit an error in assembly it
will be easier to recover from the mistake and
remove or correct the part fit in error if you do not
slather the assembly in glue after each step!
Further this method of assembly will allow our
interlocking design to do it’s job as each
successive part installed within the fuselage will
help pull the entire structure square and true.
1. Assemble the center crutch. Locate center
crutch F1 and dry fit to formers F2 and F3.
Ensure etched side of F1 faces DOWN, round
edge of F2 and F3 face top, and etching on
F3 faces AFT.
2. Assemble fuselage side frame main frame F4
and uprights A and B. Ensure that the ends of
the uprights marked A and B fit to slots also
marked A and B. Bond uprights within F4.
Repeat above process for F5 fuselage side.
3. Dry fit crutch assembly (from step 1) to
fuselage side F4.
4. Dry fit fuselage side F5 to assembly. Square
assembly on a flat surface and bond all
mating surfaces with thin CA.
5. Tack glue former F6 to notches in fuselage
sides where indicated on plan. Ensure
etching on former faces AFT.
6. Tack glue former F7 to notches in fuselage
sides where indicated on plan.
7. Tack glue former F8 to fuselage sides where
indicated on plan.
8. Tack glue former F9 to fuselage sides with
medium CA.
9. Tack glue F10 to fuselage sides.
10. Tack glue F11a to fuselage sides. Tip: square
fuselage and temporarily tape fuselage sides
together behind F11a.
11. Tack F11b to fuselage side behind F11a.
12. Fit fuselage bottom F12 to fuselage sides.
Square assembly on a flat surface and bond
all mating surfaces between fuselage sides,
formers and bottom.
13. Assemble bottom sheeting F13 from parts
F13a and F13b. Bond.
14. Fit and bond F13 to fuselage with thin CA.
Note: “U” shape cut-out in F13 opens to front
of model.
15. Dry fit ply landing gear brace F14 where
indicated on plan.
16. Fit ply spacer F15 behind F14.
17. Fit ply part F16 behind F15. Bond F14, F15,
an F16 by wicking thin CA around edges. Do
not fill pocket with glue!
18. Fit and bond F17 to bottom of fuselage in
front of the landing gear pocket.
19. Moisten one side of F18 fuselage decking
with glass cleaner. Fit F18 to fuselage
spanning F2 and F6 with the wet side out.
Hold in place with masking tape until dry.
Repeat with F19, spanning formers F7 and
F3. Note: It’s important to properly match
edges of the strut pocket cut-outs within F18
decking and F4/F5 fuselage sides.
20. When F18 and F19 are dry, remove tape and
tack glue in place with small drops of medium
CA. When you are satisfied with the
placement, final bond with thin CA.
21. Fit two inner stringers F20 to notches closest
to the center of formers F3, F10, F9, and
F11a.
Build Instructions Revised: 06/22/2011
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 5 of 11

22. Fit two outer stringers F21 to notches just
outside of inner stringers on formers F3, F10,
F9, and F11a.
Complete stringer installation from steps 21
and 22 by squaring fuselage to work table
and thoroughly bonding stringers within
assembly.
23. Position ply doublers F22 over left and right
fuselage sides where indicated on plan. Align
upper edge of F22 with the upper edge of the
F4/F5 fuselage side, and the leading edge
flush with the end of the fuselage side at F2
firewall.
24. Fit and bond shape stringers F23 to fuselage
sides.
25. Tack glue part F24 to former F2.
26. Fit part F25 to parts F24 and former F2.
Bond F24, F25, and F2 with thin CA.
27. Turn the fuselage over, and fit lower cowl
block F26 to part F24. Do not bond!
28. Fit side cowl blocks F27 to tabs on each side
of F25. Check that the mating surfaces
between F27, F26, and former F2 are all
flush. Bond cowl assembly parts and
assembly to fuselage at F2 firewall with
medium CA.
29. Gently sand the corners of the ends of F26 an
both F27’s, just until flat. Don’t over sand this
area! You are just creating a flat place for
F29 to rest in a later step. Tip: It’s very
helpful to dry fit parts F28 and F29 and use
these parts as a reference to prevent over-
sanding.
30. Fit and bond ply motor mount F28 to notches
in the top of the cowl side blocks F27. Ensure
that the side marked “Top” faces UP. This will
set the correct right thrust offset for the motor.
31. Fit ply nose ring F29 to tabs in F28, and rest
on the flat surface you created in step 29.
Bond with thin CA.
32. Fit balsa motor spacer F30 (observing “top”
orientation) to slot in former F2, covering -
and aligning with - motor mount F28. Lift F30
and spread medium CA between the two
parts, and re-position.
33. Coat F30 with medium CA and position upper
cowl block F31 over F30, carefully aligning
edges.
34. Repeat step 33 for part F32, carefully aligning
it over part F31.
35. Sand cowl to shape. Taper bottom and sides
to flow from the flat surfaces around former
F2 into the rounded shape of the ply nose ring
F29. Taper the top surface from the round
profile at the top of the fuselage to a point just
above F29. Sand as if F29 nose ring were a
complete circle, flowing the balsa into this
shape. Tip: Wrap low tack masking tape over
fuselage decking and sides just aft of cowl to
prevent over-sanding these areas while
shaping the cowl.
Sand side stringers to smoothly taper into the
fuselage at each end. Give the entire
fuselage a light sanding in preparation for
covering at a later step.
36. Install four 1/8 in. x 1/16 in. ring neo-magnets
in holes along the bottom of each fuselage
side. Retain with a small drop of thin CA,
ensuring that the center hole remains free of
glue.
Finish bonding of all interior joints of
assembly for those parts that were tack glued
in place.
Set fuselage aside until final assembly.
Tail Group.
The horizontal and vertical stabilizers, rudder,
and elevator are designated with a “H”, “V”, “R”,
or “E”, as appropriate, followed by a numeric.
Parts have been numbered so that the assembly
and required parts follows in numeric order.
Assemble parts over the plan, protecting the plan
with the poly bag that this kit was shipped in.
37. Dry assemble horizontal stabilizer over the
plan, from parts H1 through H5. Bond with
thin CA. Lightly sand the stabilizer, rounding
the leading edge and leaving the trailing edge
square.
38. Dry assemble the elevator halves over the
plans, from parts E1 through E5. Bond with
thin CA.Lightly sand the elevator halves,
leaving the edges square.
Build Instructions Revised: 06/22/2011
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 6 of 11

39. Join the elevator halves with the hardwood
elevator joiner E6. Bond with medium CA.
40. Dry assemble the vertical stabilizer over the
plans, from parts V1 through V4. Bond with
thin CA. Lightly sand the stabilizer, rounding
the leading edge and leaving the trailing edge
square.
41. Dry assemble the rudder over the plan from
parts R1 through R5. Bond with thin CA.
Lightly sand the rudder leaving the edges
square.
42. Follow the “Tape Hinge Diagram” on the plan
sets, and bevel the leading edges of both the
rudder and the elevator.
Set tail group aside until final assembly.
Wing.
The wing is composed of one spar, leading edge,
trailing edge, ribs and tip sheeting. Wing parts
are designated with a “W” followed by a numeric.
Parts have been numbered so that the wing
assembly and required parts follows in numeric
order from W1 to W28.
The wing is assembled one section at a time -
center, left, then right. When a part is required in
the build sequence (for instance “W3”) refer to the
plan set for part placement.
You will “fit” (use no glue) the majority of this
fuselage assembly together “bonding” (thoroughly
gluing) only as instructed. When parts cannot
easily be retained with friction, use a single tiny
drop of medium CA glue applied sparingly through
a CA glue applicator tip to “tack glue” the part in
place. Should you commit an error in assembly it
will be easier to recover from the mistake and
remove or correct the part fit in error if you do not
slather the assembly in glue after each step!
Further, this method of assembly will allow our
interlocking design to do it’s job as each
successive part installed within the wing will help
pull the entire structure square and true.
43. Begin by building “center” section of wing.
Locate parts W1 (main spar), and two each of
ribs W2 and W3. Using the plan set as a
guide, dry fit ribs W2 and W3 to slots within
spar W1. The W2 ribs should be innermost
with the W3 ribs outboard of the W2 ribs.
Note: The bottoms of all ribs should seat flush
with bottom of spars.
44. Slide sub spar W4 through the slot in the ribs
behind and against the main spar. Center
sub spar so that the etch marks and arrows
line up with the inner face of the ribs W2.
Bond to W1 and ribs W2 / W3.
45. Fit trailing edge W5 to ribs W2.
46. Fit gussets W6 between trailing edge W5 and
ribs W2.
Tack glue trailing edge parts from steps 45
and 46 to retain.
47. Begin “left” wing section. Fit and tack glue
leading edge web W7 to front of ribs W2.
48. Fit and tack glue leading edge W8 to web W7.
Square center section on a flat surface and
final bond all mating surfaces with medium
CA.
49. Fit and tack glue rib W9 to the end of the spar
W1.
50. Tack glue the trailing edge W10 to ribs W3
and W9. Note: Arrow engraved on part W10
should face center section of wing.
51. Tack glue gusset W11 between rib W3 and
trailing edge W10.
52. Tack glue gusset W12 between rib W9 and
trailing edge W10.
53. Tack glue leading edge web W13 to front of
ribs W3 and W9.
54. Fit ribs W14 through W18 to wing frame in
order from the center of the wing out, as
indicated on the plan.
55. Fit leading edge W19 to leading edge W13
and tack glue to W13 with medium CA. Note:
Arrow engraved on part W19 should face
center section of wing.
56. Fit diagonals W20 through W25 - in order
from the center out as indicated on the plan -
to ribs, spar, and notches in leading edge web
W13.
Hold wing down on a flat surface, make sure
all ribs and diagonals are seated properly,
and final bond all mating surfaces between
ribs, spar, diagonals, leading and trailing
edges with thin CA. Don’t forget to wick thin
CA between the spar and the sub-spar W4.
Build Instructions Revised: 06/22/2011
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 7 of 11

Build up a fillet of medium CA where the spar,
leading and trailing edges contact rib W3.
57. Assemble wing tip W26 from parts W26a and
W26b. Note: It’s important to orient parts
W26a/b so that tabs align on same side of
part. Bond. Fit wing tip W26 to slots in rib
W9. Bond W26 wing tip to rib, leading and
trailing edges.
58. Fit and bond strut fitting support W27 to
bottom of rib W16, leading and trailing edges,
and spar.
59. Fit and bond strut support W28 to rib W2,
leading and trailing edges, and spar.
Repeat steps 47 through 59 to build the
“right” half of the wing.
60. Revisit tack glued parts and thoroughly bond
wing assembly. Now, lightly sand finished
wing. Round the leading edge to match the
profile on the plan. Leave the trailing edge
square.
Final Assembly
61. Cover model with a lightweight material. We
suggest AeroLITE, available at
stevensaero.com. Using heavier than
recommended films will create weight and
balance issues and or warp the airframe.
Leave lower rear portion of the fuselage
uncovered for now. This will be covered later
after pushrods have been installed.
62. Assemble receiver tray from two ply parts RT
and one nylon clip. Position tray within
underside of model using slots in F1 to locate
tray. Install tray so that long “release” arm of
the nylon clip is nearest the landing gear
pocket. Bond with medium CA glue. See
plan set for more detail on receiver tray part
location and assembly.
63. Open covering over push-rod exit slots in rear
of the fuselage sides. Follow “Pushrod Detail”
on wing plan sheet to create and install
pushrods.
64. Having connected the pushrods to their
respective servos, install the receiver brick by
inserting the rear edge of the circuit board in
the notch in the rear arm of the receiver tray.
65. Press the forward edge of the circuit board
down until it engages the notch in the long
arm of the tray. Should you need to remove
the receiver, simply push the long arm toward
the front of the plane to release the circuit
board.
66. Once the receiver/pushrod installation is
complete, cover the bottom of the fuselage.
67. Following “Landing Gear Detail” on plan set to
accurately bend landing gear using needle
nose pliers and included 1/32 in. wire.
68. Trim covering on fuselage to expose landing
gear pocket. Test fit landing gear within gear
pocket of fuselage. make any adjustments to
the bends necessary, and reinstall the landing
gear wire. Retain wire with 1/32 in. ply part
F33 as illustrated on plan set.
69. Assemble landing gear struts from 1/32 in. ply
parts LG1 and LG2. Bond with medium CA.
70. Open slots in fuselage bottom to receive
landing gear struts. Dry fit struts in slots - DO
NOT BOND! Fit ply spreader bar LG3 to
landing gear struts. Center assembly and
square with fuselage, then bond LG3 to struts
with medium CA.
71. Remove strut assembly and paint desired
color.
72. Re-install the strut assembly and final bond to
fuselage with medium CA.
73. Paint ply tail skid part TS desired color and
install to slot in the bottom of the end of the
fuselage.
74. Bond balsa wheel discs to each side of the
supplied wheels [DUB200ML]. Sand discs to
a streamlined shape as illustrated on the
plans. Paint or cover wheels to match you
color scheme.
75. Install wheels on wire landing gear with
retainers supplies with your wheels.
76. Follow “Tape Hinge Diagram” on plans to
attach elevator and rudder to horizontal and
vertical stabilizers with clear tape.
77. Install the ply control horns in the slots in the
elevator and rudder. Rudder horn R extends
from the RIGHT side of the rudder. Elevator
Build Instructions Revised: 06/22/2011
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 8 of 11

horn E extends from the LOWER LEFT side
of the elevator.
78. Open the covering over the holes in the
horizontal stabilizer for the vertical stabilizer
tabs. Mount the vertical stabilizer tabs
through the horizontal stabilizer, and into the
slots in the rear of the fuselage. Ensure
surfaces are square to each other and
perpendicular to the fuselage, and bond with
medium CA.
79. Follow the “Push Rod Detail” on the plan to
connect the control surfaces to the pushrods.
80. Insert the motor in the slots in the cowl, with
the propeller shaft below the motor. Mark the
tabs where they extend beyond the cowling.
81. Remove the motor and sand the tabs down to
your mark. Be careful not to contact the
gearing with the sandpaper. Apply a small
drop of thick CA on each side of the motor
mount plate where the tabs will rest, and re-
install the motor.
82. Assemble Dummy engine from parts M1
through M7 in order as shown on the plan.
Bond with thin CA. M1 and M2 are at the rear
of the motor. The slots in M5 should face left.
Sand the motor smooth, slightly rounding the
edges, and paint desired color.
83. Cut the 3/32 in. aluminum tube into 1/2 in.
lengths. Insert tubes into slots in dummy
motor to create exhaust stacks. Bond with
medium CA glue.
84. Mount the dummy engine by applying thick
CA to the bottom of M1 and inserting engine
in the opening behind the motor. The dummy
engine will extend over the motor. Do not
glue the dummy engine to the motor itself.
This will allow the motor to be removed if
necessary.
85. Fit the radiator frame from parts RA1, RA2
and RA3. Note: Tabs on parts RA1 should
face common side of radiator assembly.
86. Fit the radiator face RA4 to the frame and
bond. Sand radiator smooth, rounding the
corners slightly at the top of the radiator.
87. Tack glue parts RA5 and RA6 to create the
radiator inner frame. Paint radiator parts flat
black.
88. Lay the plastic mesh inside the radiator from
the back.
89. Secure the screen by inserting the radiator
inner frame into the back of the radiator. Seat
the frame all the way into the radiator and
bond with thin CA. Set the radiator aside for
now.
90. Paint the ply cabane struts C1 and C2 to
match your planes color scheme. Open the
covering over the holes in the fuselage deck
and dry fit the struts. C1 goes in the front
holes, C2 in the rear holes. Ensure the
arrows on the struts point forward and
that the struts seat completely within
pockets at fuselage sides. Check the
alignment from the front and sides of the
plane. The four struts should be parallel to
each other and perpendicular to the fuselage.
Bond the struts to the fuselage by wicking thin
CA around the base of the struts.
91. Assemble the pilot profiles from parts Pa and
Pb. Bond with thin CA. Paint profiles flat
black.
92. Install the pilot profiles to the slots in formers
F7 and F8 with thin CA.
93. Install acetate windscreens by positioning
them where indicated on the plan. Mark the
points where the spikes on the lower edge of
the windscreen will contact the fuselage
decking. With a sharp hobby knife, cut two
small slots in the fuselage deck on your
marks. Fit windscreen to slots and bond with
a tiny drop of thin CA or canopy glue.
94. Paint the cabane stubs C3 and C4 to match
the cabane struts C1 and C2. Open the
covering over the holes in the center section
of the wing and install the stubs. Ensure the
arrows on the stubs point toward the leading
edge of the wing. Install C3 in the front holes,
and C4 in the rear holes nesting within
pockets at wing center section. Bond stubs to
the wing with thin CA.
95. Open the covering over the slots in W27 to
receive the ply flying strut attachments SA.
Bond attachments to wing with thin CA.
96. Slide four 1/8 in. I.D. x 1/4 in. O.D. rubber o-
rings over cabane struts. Fit cabane struts to
stubs in wing center section. Slide o-rings
over joint in cabane struts to secure wing to
fuselage.
Build Instructions Revised: 06/22/2011
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 9 of 11

97. Position radiator on fuselage just in front of
the wing. ensure radiator is perpendicular to
fuselage from the front and sides, and bond to
fuselage decking with medium CA. Do not
bond radiator to wing.
98. Trim a length of 1/16 in. heat shrink tube to fit
between the dummy engine and radiator as
shown on the plans, to simulate the radiator
hose. Bond tubing to radiator and engine with
medium CA.
99. Using a piece of .025 in. wire, scrape away
the etched area on the basswood flying struts
to create a recess for the strut fittings to rest
in.
100. Create the strut fittings by making a 90
degree bend 1/8 in. from one end of a length
of .025 in. wire. Trim bend to 1/32 in. long,
and cut fitting to 1 in. in length. Insert bend of
fitting into hole in the struts and rest fitting
within recess. Bond fitting to strut with thin
CA. See plan set for good detail of proper
fitting finished lengths and install positions.
101. At one end of each strut, bend the fitting 90
degrees AWAY from the strut. Trim to 1/8 in.
in length. See plan set for good detail of
proper fitting finished lengths and install
positions.
102. At the other end of the strut trim the fitting to
extend 1/8 in beyond the end of the strut.
See plan set for good detail of proper fitting
finished lengths and install positions.
103. Hook bent end of struts through strut
attachments in outer wing panels.
104. Open covering over hole in magnets
installed in fuselage. Fit straight end of struts
into the hole in the magnet. If strut fitting
seems too long, trim the fitting slightly until it
can be place in the hole without distorting the
wing.
Congratulations! You’ve now completed
your model of the 1928 Pietenpol Air
Camper™! Run around the living room with it
while making appropriate engine sounds until
your kids roll their eyes at you.
Flight Control Setup
☐ Inspect wing for any warps that may have
worked their way in when covering, or while
the model was in storage, and remove prior to
flight. DO NOT ATTEMPT FLIGHT IF WING
IS WARPED. Lack of aileron control on this
model will make contending with a warped
wing very difficult. FIX THE WARP.
☐ Center control surface then set direction, rate
of travel, and dampening (expo).
Rudder servo should be controlled by the
Aileron channel of your radio as rudder on
this model also controls roll of the aircraft.
Rudder should follow Aileron stick travel i.e.
moving Aileron stick to right should move
Rudder to right of aircraft. Likewise, left
Aileron stick input will move Rudder left.
Elevator servo will be controlled by Elevator
channel of your radio. Pulling back on the
Elevator stick should result in the Elevator
moving UP! Likewise, forward stick results in
the Elevator moving DOWN!
The Air Camper™is designed to be a very
docile flyer, therefore the flight controls are
set up for fairly minimal throws. The Rudder
and Elevator throws should be as follows:
Rudder Travel
Rate +/- 15 degrees 30% expo
Elevator Travel
Rate +/- 10 degrees 30% expo
The above exponential settings apply only to
computer radios.
Pre-Flight
Have and experienced pilot assist you with pre-
flighting your new model. Just like having
someone proof read something you’ve written,
having a second fresh set of eyes to inspect your
final product is often helpful at avoiding disaster.
While not an exhaustive pre-flight check these are
some of the major items that you should consider
using when developing your own pre-flight check
list. Get in the habit of always pre-flighting your
models before each and every flight.
☐ Weight and Balance - Check the Air
Camper’s’™ balance. The model should
balance 1/8 inch behind the main wing spar.
Use a permanent marker or trim tape to mark
the underside of the left and right wing half at
the CG measurement as given above.
Build Instructions Revised: 06/22/2011
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 10 of 11

☐ Use your right and left hand index fingers and
suspend the model from below, between the
marked CG measurements. Site from profile
of aircraft against horizon. If the upper edge
of the fuselage side along appears to hang
level with horizon line, then the Air Camper is
properly balanced to fly. Move equipment
and or battery within fuselage to obtain proper
balance.
☐ Check Weather - The Air Camper’s first
flight should be outdoors and in zero wind
conditions. The Air Camper is capable of
flying in winds up to 5-8 mph so long as the
pilot is capable.
☐ Inspect airframe for warps and obvious signs
of wear or damage. Do not fly a damaged or
warped model.
☐ Inspect control surfaces for center, proper
direction of travel, rate of throw, secure
pushrod connections, hinges, and receiver/
servo mounting hardware.
☐ Check wing attach points for damage and/
or wear. Inspect o-rings, that they are
installed correctly and in good condition to
adequately retain wing.
☐ Inspect battery for full charge. Never begin
a flight with a partially charged battery.
☐ Clear prop! Before applying power to the
model, clear and keep clear of the prop arc.
☐ Range check radio. Follow the radio makers
guidelines for performing a proper range
check.
☐ Check for traffic. Proceed to the flight line
(With your mentor/instructor if you are a
novice pilot) and observe other RC traffic. If
the runway is clear, and no one is in the
pattern to land, loudly announce your
intentions to take off. Remember etiquette
dictates that all aircraft on ground must yield
the runway to those landing.
☐ Go flying. Point model into wind (if present)
and steadily advance throttle to full. Use
rudder to correct track while on ground roll.
Within several feet the model should be
airborne. Fly model to a comfortable 1-2
mistake high altitude, reduce throttle to stop
climb, then trim model for straight and level
flight at a comfortable cruise speed
(Depending on speed control responsiveness,
the Air Camper will typically cruise at about
1/2 throttle).
☐ Setup for landing. Clearly announce your
intention to land. Make landings into the
wind. With rudder/elevator control and no
ailerons setting up landings in cross-winds
should be avoided until you are comfortable
with the model’s in-flight behavior.
Congratulations!
You’ve completed your first flight(s) on the
Pietenpol Air Camper
By now you’ll have noticed that the Air Camper is
a very stable airplane. When built straight, and
trimmed for level flight, the Air Camper should
always return to wings level from any attitude.
We’ve found the Air Camper to capture the
imagination of prospective pilots both young and
old. We hope you will enjoy many hours of
pleasurable flying with your Stevens Aero
Pietenpol Air Camper.
If your first flight was a bit more exciting than
you’d have liked and are having problems with
erratic flight performance; please inspect your
equipment and airframe for damage, improper
installation, and/or twists and warps. The most
common mistake is to try and fly with a warped or
twisted wing or a model that’s badly out of
balance.
We are committed to improving your build and
flying experience and are constantly refining our
processes, designs, and manuals to reflect
customer feedback. You may correspond with
Stevens AeroModel staff using any of the
following methods:
E-Mail - [email protected]
RCGroups.com - Forum Build Threads
Facebook.com - Search for Stevens AeroModel
Phone - 719-387-4187
Build Instructions Revised: 06/22/2011
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 11 of 11