Stevens Aero Model rockette 100 Manual

Rockette (100)
By Stevens AeroModel
Length 16 inches | Span 22 inches | Area: 100 inches2| Flying Weight 1.8 oz.
Version 03/28/2011
Build Instructions
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 1 of 10

Build Instructions
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 2 of 10
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 (5 Sheets)
☐Build Instructions
☐Computer drawn plan set (2 Pages)
☐Laser Cut Acetate Windscreen
Taped to back of wood brick:
☐1 - 1/32 in. x 12 in. wire
☐2 - 0.015 in. x 18 in. wire
☐Hardware Bag
1 - 1-1/2 in. length of 1/16 in. heat shrink tube
1 - 4 in. length of 1/8 in. dia. hardwood dowel
6 - #16 Rubber Bands
Suggested Electronics (Available at StevensAero.com)
☐Spektrum DSM2 2.4ghz transmitter with at least 3 channels and servo reversing.
☐ParkZone ultra micro receiver/esc/servo “brick”* [PKZ3351] or [PKZUA1151]
*[SPMAR6400] may be used but requires a computer radio with mixing.
☐Battery Lead Extension [PKZ3052]
☐ParkZone motor and gearbox [PKZ3624]
☐130mm x 70mm Propeller [EFL9051]
☐3.7V 120-130mAh LiPo compatible with Parkzone / Spektrum “brick”
Required Building Supplies and Tools
☐Du-Bro 1-12 in. wheels [DUB150MW]
☐1/4 oz. Medium CA Glue [PAAPT04]
☐1/4 oz. Thin CA Glue [PAAPT10]
☐CA glue applicator tips [PAAPT21]
☐Balsa filler [HCAR3401]
☐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 [DUB634
☐Soldering Iron
☐Glass cleaner solution (Windex)
Optional Building Supplies and Tools
☐1/2 oz. Thick CA Glue [PAAPT20]
☐CA glue accelerator (kicker) [PAAPT15]
☐CA glue de-bonder [PAAPT16]
☐Modeling Clay for Ballast
☐Long sanding bar
☐Masking Tape (Low tack painters tape)
Build Instructions
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 3 of 10

General Assembly Instructions
Thank you, for purchasing this Stevens
Rockette™ (100). A micro indoor flyer based
upon the Rocketeer A. 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
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 4 of 10

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 F26.
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 observed.
You will dry fit the majority of this fuselage
assembly together only gluing at the final
instructional steps. 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 former F2. Ensure
side of F1 and F2 marked “TOP” faces UP.
2. Glue balsa former F3a to the front of ply
former F3b. Outer dimensions vary
slightly, so use the inner edge of the frame
for alignment.
3. Fit, do not glue, F3 assembly to crutch
assembly.
4. Fit crutch assembly to Fuselage side F4 and
tack glue in place along crutch and formers
between F2 and F3 only.
5. Fit former F5 to fuselage side and crutch
assembly.
6. Fit ply motor mount F6 to fuselage side F4.
Ensure side marked “TOP” faces UP. This is
critical to ensure proper right thrust offset of
motor.
7. Fit landing gear brace F7 to fuselage side F4.
8. Fit landing gear brace F8 to fuselage side F4.
9. Fit balsa doubler F9 to inside of fuselage side
F4, butting up against F8 and F1. Bond with
medim CA.
10. Fit fuselage side F10 to assembly. Square on
a flat surface and bond all mating surfaces
between formers, crutch, motor mount, and
fuselage sides - from F2 forward.
11. Lightly sand ply part F11a to reduce overal
thickness allowing it to easily slide into
landing gear pocket created by F7, F8, and
fuselage sides. Open end of F11a should
face down. bond with thin CA. Place F11b in
a safe place as it will not be used until
finishing the model later in this manual.
12. Fit cabin top F12 to top of fuselage and bond
with thin CA.
13. Pinch rear of fuselage sides together, mating
them with the tabs on F1. Bond fuselage
sides to F1 with thin CA.
14. Fit rear fuselage sheeting F13 between
fuselage sides and bond in place.
15. Fit and bond former F14 to under side of F1,
in front of former F2.
16. Fit and bond former F15 to underside of F1,
behind former F2.
17. Assemble F16 bottom keel from parts F16a
and F16b. Fit keel F16 to formers, notch in
landing gear brace F8 and slots in rear of F1.
Bond with thin CA.
18. Fit remaining doubler F17 to inside of
fuselage side, opposite doubler F9. Bond
with thin CA.
19. Assemble bottom sheeting F18 from parts
F18a and F18b. Fit and bond to keel F16,
landing gear brace F8 and fuselage sides.
20. Carefully align lower right and left fuselage
nose doubler parts, marked F19 and F20, to
both right and left inside surface of fuselage,
below the F6 motor mount. Doubler parts
should fit flush with leading edge profile of
fuselage sides. Bond with CA glue.
In the same manner, fit upper right and left
fuselage nose doublers, F21 and F22, to the
right and left inside of the fuselage sides, at
the nose, above the F6 motor mount. Bond
with CA glue.
Build Instructions
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 5 of 10

21. Fit lower nose sheeting F23 to landing gear
brace F7 and fuselage sides. Tack glue to
F7. Moisten outside of F23 with glass cleaner
and carefully bend F23 over fuselage sides,
bonding with a slow set CA glue (medium or
thick) as you go.
22. In the same manner, install upper nose
sheeting F24. Begin by tack gluing to F5 and
proceed as before.
23. Fit and bond F25 to notches in F13 on top of
the fuselage.
24. Fit and bond stringer F26 to F25 and F13.
The pre-cut stingers are supplied in three different
lengths, and extras of each size are provided in
case of beakage. Install pre-cut stringers one at a
time as follows:
25. Select one of the shortest stringers and nest
the stepped end of stringer to upper, stepped,
notch in fuselage sides (reference plan set for
part positioning). Ensure stringer is properly
aligned within slot and parallel to fuselage
side (when viewed from above). Bond
stringer first within stepped notch at fuselage.
Now, fit stringer to notches in F14 and F2.
The end of the stringer should seat within
notch and rest flush with the outside edge of
F15. Bond to formers with medium CA.
Repeat this step for the corresponding
stringer on the opposite side of the fuselage.
26. Select one of the longest stringers and, in the
same manner as instructional step above, fit
to the notch below the first stringer. Align and
bond to notch, then fit stringer to notches in
formers F14, F2, and F15. The stringer
should end lying on F1, against F16 as shown
in the on-line photo supplement. Repeat this
step for the corresponding stringer on the
opposite side of the fuselage.
27. Select one of the mid-size stringers.
IMPORTANT! This stringer must bend and
twist to fit properly. Spray/soak this
stringer with glass cleaner solution prior
to installation to soften it and make it more
flexible! Fit and bond stringer to lower notch
in fuselage side. Carefully bend and twist
stringer to fit notches in formers F14 and F2,
tack gluing to formers as you go. End with
stringer butting against F15, flush with its
outer edge, between the center stringer and
the keel F16. Repeat this step for the
corresponding stringer on the opposite side of
the fuselage.
28. Lightly sand fuselage, rounding edges of the
nose slightly.
Set fuselage aside until final assembly.
Tail Group.
The horizontal and vertical stabilizers, rudder,
elevator, and sub-fin are designated with a “H”,
“V”, “R”, “E”, or “SF” 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.
29. Dry assemble horizontal stabilizer over the
plan, from parts H1 through H5. Bond with
thin CA. Lightly sand stabilizer, rounding the
leading edge and leaving the trailing edge
square.
30. Locate the elevator part E. Bevel the straight
leading edge at a 45 degree angle, following
the Stabilizer and Tape Hinge diagram on the
plan. Lightly sand the elevator, leaving the
trailing edge square.
31. Dry assemble the vertical stabilizer over the
plan from parts V1 through V5. Bond with
thin CA. Lightly sand stabilizer, rounding the
leading edge and leaving the trailing edge
square.
32. Dry assemble the rudder over the plan from
parts R1, R2, and R3. Bond with thin CA.
Bevel the leading edge at a 45 degree angle,
following the Rudder Tape Hinge diagram on
the plan. Lightly sand the rudder, leaving the
trailing edge square.
33. Dry assemble the sub-fin over the plan from
parts SF1 through SF4. Bond with thin CA.
Lightly sand the sub-fin, rounding the edges
and leaving the mating edge along SF4
square.
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
Build Instructions
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 6 of 10

assembly and required parts follows in numeric
order from W1 to W24.
The wing is assembled one section at a time - left,
then right inner sections, and the wing tips
separately. When a part is required in the build
sequence (for instance “W3”) refer to the plan set
for part placement.
You will dry fit the majority of this wing assembly
together only gluing at the final instructional steps.
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.
34. Begin by building left half of wing. Locate
parts W1 (main spar), and one each of ribs
W2, W3, and W4. Using the plan set as a
guide, dry fit ribs W2, W3, and W4 to slots
within spar W1. Note: The bottoms of all ribs
should seat flush with bottom of spars.
35. Fit and tack glue trailing edge W5 to ribs W2,
W3, and W4. Note: Arrow on W5 faces root
rib W2.
36. Fit and tack glue leading edge web W6 to ribs
W2, W3, and W4. Note: Arrow on W6 faces
root rib W2.
37. Fit and glue leading edge W7 to leading edge
web W6. Note: Arrow on W7 faces root rib
W2.
38. Fit and tack glue sub-ribs W8 and W9 to spar
and leading edge.
39. Fit and glue gusset W10 to rib W2 and trailing
edge W5.
40. With wing flush against a flat surface, fit and
glue diagonals W11 through W14 between
ribs as indicated on plan. NOTE: W11 differs
slightly to allow for the dihedral break, and
must be located between ribs W2 and W3.
With all diagonals in place, bond all mating
surfaces between ribs, spar, leading and
trailing edges with thin CA.
41. Repeat steps 34 through 40, mirrored, to build
the right half of the wing.
42. With center section held flat against the table,
fit and glue trailing edge W15 between ribs
W2.
43. Fit and glue leading edge parts W16 and W17
to ribs W2.
44. Fit and glue ply trailing edge reinforcement
W18 to trailing edge parts W5 and W15.
45. Wing Tips: Build the left wing tip first. Dry fit
spar W19 to ribs W20 and W21. Refer to the
plan for correct placement of parts.
46. Fit and tack glue leading edge web W22 to
ribs W20 and W21. Note: Arrow on W22
faces polyhedral break of wing
47. Fit and tack glue leading edge W23 to W22
and ribs.
48. Assemble left wing tip sheeting W24(L) from
parts W24a(L), W24b(L), and W24c(L). Bond
with thin CA.
49. Fit leading edge of tip sheeting W24 flush to
leading edge W23. Tabs on ribs will partially
engage with slots in tip sheeting. Tack glue
W24 to W23 ONLY. Do not glue sheeting to
ribs or tabs at this point.
50. With wing tip on a flat surface, bend tip
sheeting over ribs, fitting tabs on ribs to slots
in sheeting and tack glueing assembly as you
proceed. Bond all mating surfaces between
ribs, spar and tip sheeting with thin CA.
51. Remove stand off tabs on spar and ribs W20
and W21. Lightly sand bottom of ribs and
spar smooth.
52. Fit wing tip to left half of wing, ensuring that
spar fits flush against rib W4, and that tabs in
tip sheeting fit flush in slots in rib W4. Bond
tip to wing with medium CA.
53. Trim and sand leading edge to flow smoothly
into tip sheeting. NOTE: Leading edge will
not contact rib W21 when finished.
54. Repeat steps 45 through 53 to build right wing
tip. Caution! Ensure that you build a mirror
image wing tip, and NOT two left wing tips!
Building Tip: Turn plan over and place on a
light colored surface - the back side of the
Build Instructions
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 7 of 10

other plan sheet works well - so that you can
see the wing tip plan through the paper. Build
your right wing tip over this “mirror image” of
the left wing tip.
55. Sand wing lightly, rounding leading edge to
match the profile on the plan. Leave the
trailing edge square.
Final Assembly
56. Cover model with a lightweight material. We
suggest AeroLITE film, available at
stevensaero.com. Leave upper rear portion
of the fuselage uncovered for now. This will
be covered later after pushrods have been
installed.
57. Following “Landing Gear Detail” on plan set
accurately bend landing gear using needle
nose pliers and included 1/32 in. wire.
58. Trim covering on fuselage to expose landing
gear pocket. Test fit landing gear within gear
pocket of fuselage. Remove.
59. Install wheels of your choosing to landing
gear. We suggest Du-Bro 1-1/2 in. mini lite
wheels [DUB150MW] available at
stevensaero.com. Retain wheels by making a
90 degree bend in gear axle and trimming
excess wire as illustrated on plan set.
60. Install landing gear within fuselage and retain
with 1/32 ply part F11a as illustrated on plan
set. Friction alone should be sufficient to
retain F11a allowing easy removal of landing
gear. If desired, retain F11a and landing gear
within fuselage using CA glue.
61. Cut the provided 4 in. length of 1/8 in.
hardwood dowel to 1 and 2 in. lengths
forming front and rear wing retention dowels.
If desired, paint these dowels to match your
trim scheme.
62. If windshield frame has been covered, use a
hot soldering iron or knife to open oval pocket
at top/center of wind screen to allow for
installation of previously cut 1 in. length of
dowel (step 49). Reference plan set for
installation of forward wing retention dowel.
Bond within fuselage assembly from behind
wind screen and underneath top former F11.
63. Use a hot soldering iron or knife to open
circular pockets immediately aft of rear former
F2 to allow for installation of previously cut 2
in. length of dowel (step 56). Center 2 in.
dowel between fuselage sides through holes
behind rear former F3. Make certain equal
amounts of dowel protrude beyond fuselage
sides on both right and left of fuselage. Once
centered, bond dowel with thin CA glue to
secure rear wing retention dowel.
64. Cover rear portion of upper deck, from the
exit slots back.
65. Install pushrods through their exit slots first,
then through former F2. The rudder pushrod
will pass through the right slot on top of the
fuselage, and through the inner right hole in
F2. The elevator pushrod will pass through
the slot in the left fuselage side, and through
the outer left hole in F2. Keep pushrods from
sliding out by applying a small amount of tape
to each end.
66. With pushrods in place, cover the rest of the
upper portion of the fuselage, from the exit
slots forward. Ensure rudder pushrod
remains free to move in it’s slot.
67. Follow tape hinge diagrams on plan for the
elevator and rudder to attach them to the
horizontal and vertical stabilizers.
68. Open up slot on LOWER LEFT side of
elevator to receive one laser cut control horn.
Fit and bond control horn as illustrated on
plan.
69. Open up slot on RIGHT side of rudder to
receive one laser cut control horn. Fit and
bond control horn as illustrated on plan.
70. Remove covering from the tab on the vertical
stabilizer, and from the slot in the horizontal
stabilizer and rear of the fuselage deck. Dry
fit vertical stabilizer through horizontal
stabilizer, and fit assembly to fuselage. The
tab on the vertical stabilizer will fit the slot in
F1.
71. Check and adjust square of horizontal and
vertical stabilizers relative to fuselage until
both are perpendicular to each other and the
fuselage. When in doubt, stand back from
model and trust your eye, it’s far more
accurate than you give it credit. With
stabilizers squared to fuselage, retain by tack
gluing with medium CA glue at several points
along horizontal stabilizer and fuselage.
When satisfied that everything is true, final
Build Instructions
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 8 of 10

bond the tail group with medium CA along
contact points between each other and the
fuselage.
72. Tack glue the sub-fin to the bottom of the
fuselage with medium CA. Center the fin on
the keel, with trailing edge flush with rear of
fuselage. Ensure fin is perpendicular to
fuselage, then bond to fuselage with medium
CA.
73. Solder a battery lead extension - PKZ3052 -
to the battery lead from the PKZ3351 receiver
brick, or simply cut the lead and solder in a
3-1/2 in splice from similar sized wire.
74. Refer to pushrod detail on plan to bend ends
to mate to servos on the PKZ3351 receiver
brick. Connect push-rods to servos, then
mount the receiver/esc/servo unit exactly as
illustrated on plan set using Du-Bro RC
double sided servo tape [DUB634]. Route
battery lead through holes in F1 and landing
gear pock.
75. Trim pushrods to length and attach to control
horns at control surfaces per diagram on
plans. Prior to setting final length of push-
rods (by securing parts “A” and “B” with heat
shrink), power up your radio equipment and
center the trims for channels controlling
elevator and rudder. Once centered at
transmitter, mechanically center the rudder
and elevator. Finally use a soldering iron to
shrink tubing joining overlap of push-rod parts
“A” and “B” then secure with a drop of
medium CA glue.
76. Route motor wire from PKZ3624 motor over
landing gear pocket. Connect motor to
receiver. Set motor and gearbox within slot in
F6. Secure gearbox with a drop of medium
CA glue under each “ear” to retain proper
right offset to thrust line.
77. Fold acetate windshield along perforations
and install in position indicated on plan.
Retain windscreen by carefully applying small
drops of medium CA along edges of
windshield.
78. The battery plugs into the lead extending from
the nose of the model. After connecting the
battery, slide it back into the opening so that it
rests within the nose of the model.
79. Mount the propellor [EFL9051] on the motor.
80. Mount wing with two #16 rubber bands.
81. Adjust balance of model by moving battery or
adding a bit of modeling clay within nose of
model. Model should balance on the spar,
1-5/8 in. from the leading edge of the wing.
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!
Rockette™ 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
Low Rate +/- 15 degrees 30% expo
High Rate +/- 20 degrees 50% expo
Elevator Travel
Low Rate +/- 15 degrees 30% expo
High Rate +/- 20 degrees 50% 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.
Build Instructions
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 9 of 10

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 Rockette’s’™
balance. The model should balance 1-5/8
inches from the leading edge of the wing
(basically at the main 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.
☐ 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 lower edge
of the fuselage side along F1 appears to hang
level with horizon line, then Rockette™ is
properly balanced to fly. Move equipment
and or battery within fuselage to obtain proper
balance.
☐ Check Weather - Rockette’s’™ first flight
should be outdoors and in zero wind
conditions. Rockette™ 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 rubber bands, 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
Rockette™ typically cruise at just over 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
Rockette™ When built straight, and trimmed for
level flight, Rockette™ should always return to
wings level from any attitude.
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. With such a fat chord and short
moments a small warp can cause big in-flight
problems. Make certain that your wing is straight
before you fly.
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
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 10 of 10