Stevens Aero Model SkyBuggy 100 Manual

SkyBuggy (100)
By Stevens AeroModel
Length 16 inches | Span 19.5 inches | Area: 100 inches2| Flying Weight 2 oz.
Version 10/26/2010
Build Instructions
© 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 1 of 10

Build Instructions
© 2010 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)
Taped to back of wood brick:
☐1 - 1/32 in. x 12 in. wire
☐2 - 0.015 in. x 12 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
1 - Basswood elevator joiner “E6”
6 - #16 Rubber Bands
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] or [SPMAR6400]*
☐Parkzone motor and gearbox [PKZ3624]
☐130mm x 70mm Propeller [EFL9051]
☐3.7V 120-160mAh LiPo compatible with Parkzone / Spektrum “brick”
Optional Brushless Electronics (Available at StevensAero.com
☐ Spektrum DSM2 2.4ghz computer programable transmitter
☐ SA Sport Park BL180 (2200KV)
☐ 5 x 3 GWS HD Propeller
☐ Spektrum ultra micro receiver/esc/servo “brick” [SPMAR6400LBL]*
☐ 7.4V 120-160mAh LiPo compatible with Spektrum “brick”
*Requires computer radio with available custom channel mixing function.
Required Building Supplies and Tools
☐1/2 oz. Medium CA Glue
☐1/2 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. x 1 in. length sticky back velcro
☐1/2 in. wide clear tape
☐Servo mounting tape
Optional Building Supplies and Tools
☐1/2 oz. Thick CA Glue
☐Modeling Clay for Ballast
☐CA glue de-bonder
☐Long sanding bar
☐Masking Tape (Low tack painters tape)
☐Soldering Iron
Build Instructions
© 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 3 of 10

General Assembly Instructions
Thank you, for purchasing this Stevens
SkyBuggy™ (100). A micro indoor flyer based
upon the park flyer version of this model. 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
© 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 4 of 10

Empennage
The empennage consists of the horizontal
stabilizer, elevator, vertical stabilizer and rudder.
Assemble parts required for each component of
the empennage over top of your plan set. Dry fit
components together then bond all parts while
holding assembly flat against your work table.
1. Fit and bond the vertical stabilizer from 3/32
in. balsa parts V1, V2, and V3.
2. Fit and bond the rudder from 3/32 in. balsa
parts R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5.
3. Fit and bond the horizontal stabilizer from
3/32 in. balsa parts H1, H2, H3, H4, and H5.
4. Fit and bond one elevator half from 3/32 in.
balsa parts E1, E2, E3, E4, and E5. Repeat
for second elevator halve.
5. Align leading edge (hinge line) of elevator
parts against a straight edge or ruler. Use
medium CA glue to bond 3/32 in. bass wood
part E6 (included in your hardware bag)
between elevator halves as indicated on the
plan set.
6. Lightly sand all empennage parts using 400
grit sand paper and a sanding block. Lightly
radius the leading edge of the horizontal and
vertical stabilizes leaving the trailing edge of
parts square.
7. Follow sanding instructions given on the plan
set under “Tape Hinge Diagram” for
preparing surfaces for hinging.
8. Cover empennage parts using a high quality
light weight covering film. We suggest
AeroLITE by Stevens AeroModel. Note that
the plan set contains a trim guide for the
scalloped covering scheme represented on
the product packaging.
9. Once again, following the “Tape Hinge
Diagram” instruction given on the plan set,
leave a 1/32 in. gap between surfaces at
hinge line then, apply tape hinges to join the
horizontal stabilizer to elevator and vertical
stabilizer to rudder. Note: we prefer clear
tape or covering film for tape hinges.
Tip: Use a low-tack painters masking tape to
tape the parts to be hinged to your work table.
This will make it much easier to retain part
alignment and hinge gap distances while
applying your tape hinges.
Set empennage parts aside until final assembly.
Wing
The wing is composed of two spars (main and
sub), leading edge, trailing edge, ribs and sub
ribs. 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 W12.
The wing is assembled in one panel and is
composed of a right and left side. Assembly
begins at the wing center section and works out to
the wing tips. When a part is required in the build
sequence (for instance “W3”) refer to the plan set
for part placement and to determine if you must
also install a second mirror of that part to the
opposite wing panel.
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.
10. Locate parts W1 (main spar), W2 (sub spar),
and W3 (two each center section ribs). Using
the plan set as a guide, dry fit ribs W3 to slots
within spars W2 and W3. Note: The bottoms
of ribs should seat flush with bottom of spars.
11. Locate leading edge webbing W4 at leading
edge of wing with tabs facing forward and
notches facing aft. Use plan set as a
placement guide. Fit W4 flush with bottom of
ribs W3 at leading edge. Ensure that W4 is
properly seated to rib assembly and retain
using tack glue method described previously.
12. Assemble W5 trailing edge over plan set from
parts W5a, W5b, and W5c. Tack glue parts
W5b and W5c to W5a to retain parts within
assembly.
13. Fit assembled W5 trailing edge to notches in
center section ribs W3 at rib trailing edge.
Build Instructions
© 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 5 of 10

14. Fit left and right sub rib W6 spanning W1
main spar and W4 leading edge webbing.
Tack glue part at W4 and W1 to retain.
15. Fit left and right rib W7 to assembly spanning
trailing edge W5, sub spar W2, main spar W1,
and leading edge webbing W4.
16. Fit left and right sub rib W8 spanning W1
main spar and W4 leading edge webbing.
Tack glue part at W4 and W1 to retain.
17. Fit left and right tip rib W9 to assembly
spanning trailing edge W5, sub spar W2,
main spar W1, and leading edge webbing
W4. Tack glue W9 to assembly at leading
edge, spar, and trailing edge.
18. Fit notches in W10 leading edge over tabs in
W4 at leading edge of wing. Retain W10 by
tack gluing at each rib and sub rib interface.
19. Assemble a right and left W11 wing tip from
parts W11a and W11b. Fit and bond parts
over a flat work surface.
20. Fit W11 wing tip to assembly aligning tabs in
spars W1 and W2 with notches in W11. Bond
wing tip first at tab locations along and in-
between spars at tip rib.
Now wrap W11 wing tip aft to trailing edge
following contour of tip rib W9 and nesting
tabs within corresponding notches to rib.
Bond from sub spar aft to trailing edge along
tip rib.
Complete wing tip by wrapping forward to
leading edge following contour of tip rib W9
and nesting tabs within corresponding
notches to rib. Bond from main spar forward
to leading edge. Wing tip should come to rest
flush with leading edge part W10. Bond wing
tip at W10.
Repeat process for opposite wing tip.
21. Hold wing assembly flat against your work
table and fit right and left W12 truss ribs
where indicated on plan set. W12 should fit
flush with bottom of wing and taper in width
as it approaches the leading edge.
With both left and right W12 installed, and
your wing held flat to your building table,
thoroughly bond all parts within the wing
assembly.
22. Using 400 grit sand paper and a sanding
block, lightly sand exterior edges of wing in
preparation for covering. Use the plan set as
a guide to shape leading edge.
23. Cover wing using a high quality light weight
covering film. We suggest AeroLITE by
Stevens AeroModel. Note that the plan set
contains a trim guide for the scalloped
covering scheme represented on the product
packaging.
Set wing aside until final assembly.
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 F18.
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.
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.
24. Build the center crutch. Locate the ply firewall
F1, central crutch F2, and rear former F3.
Orient parts F1/F3 so that etched part
numbers face forward and observe “top”
designation. Former F2 should be installed
so that etched receiver placement guidelines
will be visible from the bottom of the fuselage
assembly. Reference parts over plan set and
retain by tack gluing.
25. Place F4 fuselage side on work table with
etched part number facing up. Now, dry fit
completed center crutch to fuselage side F4
Build Instructions
© 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 6 of 10

aligning tabs in crutch with corresponding
notches in F4.
26. Interlock ply motor mount parts F5b within
F5a to create F5 motor mount. Use plan set
to reference part orientation. Attention: when
fitting parts please observe top and forward
orientation, F5a has etch lines to reference
motor right thrust angles that must be visible
from top of fuselage assembly.
27. Dry fit F5 motor mount assembly to F4
fuselage side aligning tabs in motor mount
with notches in fuselage side.
28. Dry fit F6 instrument panel to F4 fuselage
side aligning tabs in panel with notches in
fuselage side.
29. Create F7 windscreen frame. Use a slow set
medium or thick CA glue to bond balsa part
F7b on top of ply part F7a. Match edges of
parts carefully prior to bonding.
30. Dry fit F7 windscreen frame to F4 fuselage
side with balsa side facing outside of
assembly. Align tabs of F7 windscreen frame
with notches in fuselage side. Tack glue
windscreen frame to fuselage side at top of
front window cut-out on fuselage side.
31. Fit opposite fuselage side F8 to assembly
capturing formers, motor mount, central
crutch, and windscreen frame within fuselage.
32. Check to ensure that all dry fit parts are
properly seated within assembly. Square
assembly to your work table and tack glue
parts at tab and notch locations.
33. Bond F9 within notches spanning fuselage
sides and F7 wind screen frame at nose of
model.
34. Bond F10 on top of F9 spanning F7
windscreen and fuselage sides.
35. Fit top former F11 spanning F7 windscreen
frame and fuselage sides match tabs and
notches. Bond F11 within assembly from F7
windscreen aft to rear former F3.
36. Fit ply landing gear pocket F12 within
fuselage behind F1 and interlocking with F2
center crutch. Bond pocket within assembly
around perimeter. Do not fill pocket area with
glue.
37. Fit ply landing gear pocket cover F13 within
fuselage assembly behind F12 and
interlocking with F2 center crutch. Bond F13
to retain part. Attention: be careful not to
allow glue to enter landing gear pocket.
38. Matching tabs and notches, fit bottom former
F14 to underside of fuselage assembly
spanning fuselage sides and rear former F3.
Bond F14 within assembly from rear former
F3 forward.
39. Matching tabs and notches, fit bottom former
F15 within fuselage assembly behind landing
gear pocket and spanning fuselage sides.
Bond F15 to retain. Attention: be careful not
to allow glue to enter landing gear pocket.
40. Fit and bond F16 nose sheeting spanning
fuselage sides forward of landing gear pocket.
41. Complete fuselage assembly by squaring
work to work table. Pinch aft end of fuselage
sides together and retain with masking tape.
Ensure sides come together perpendicular at
tail then fit and bond top former F11 and
bottom former F14 spanning fuselage sides.
Remove tape from tail of fuselage and bond
fuselage sides where they come together at
aft end of assembly.
Revisit all interior formers previously dry fit or
tack glued, with CA glue to thoroughly bond
parts.
42. Sand fuselage with sanding block and 400 grit
paper. Remove steps formed by F9 / F10 at
nose of fuselage. Remove protrusion of F11
forward of F7 windscreen. Lightly radius
corners of fuselage.
43. Cover fuselage using a high quality light
weight covering film. We suggest AeroLITE
by Stevens AeroModel. Note that the plan set
contains a trim guide for the scalloped
covering scheme represented on the product
packaging. Windows may be left open or
covered using clear AeroLITE or acetate.
Some modelers may choose to use an
opaque black or silver covering to represent
the windows instead of leaving them clear or
open.
Set fuselage aside until final assembly.
Build Instructions
© 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 7 of 10

Final Assembly
44. Following “Landing Gear Detail” on plan set
accurately bend landing gear using needle
nose pliers and included 1/32 in. wire.
45. Trim covering on fuselage to expose landing
gear pocket. Test fit landing gear within gear
pocket of fuselage. Remove.
46. 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.
47. Install landing gear within fuselage and retain
with 1/32 ply part F17 as illustrated on plan
set. Friction alone should be sufficient to
retain F17 allowing easy removal of landing
gear. If desired, retain F17 and landing gear
within fuselage using CA glue.
48. Paint F18 tail skid to match trim scheme of
model. Open covering in fuselage where tail
skid installs. Fit and bond F18 to fuselage
using medium CA glue.
49. 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.
50. 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.
51. Use a hot soldering iron or knife to open
circular pockets immediately aft of rear former
F3 to allow for installation of previously cut 2
in. length of dowel (step 49). 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.
52. Remove covering from slot in aft of fuselage
to allow installation of horizontal stabilizer and
elevator. Dry fit stabilizer within slot and
center within fuselage.
53. Center wing over fuselage and retain using
two #16 rubber bands looped across front and
rear wing retention dowels. Square wing to
fuselage.
54. Check and adjust square of horizontal
stabilizer relative to wing until identical
measurements can be obtained from identical
reference points at wing trailing edge and
outside point of hinge line at stabilizer on both
right and left sides of model. When in doubt,
stand back from model and trust your eye it’s
far more accurate than you give it credit. With
stabilizer squared to wing and fuselage, retain
by tack gluing with medium CA glue at several
points along slot in fuselage.
55. Remove covering from tab on bottom of
vertical stabilizer where it will insert through
fuselage. Remove covering over notch in top/
aft deck of fuselage to receive vertical
stabilizer. Fit vertical stabilizer to fuselage
and square perpendicular to wing and
horizontal stabilizer. Retain stabilizer with
medium CA glue. After glue cures, apply a
length of clear tape to extend tape hinge to
span fuselage and rudder beneath elevator
assembly as indicated on plan set.
56. Open up slot on left side of elevator to receive
one laser cut control horn. Additionally, open
up top push-rod exit slot on left side of
fuselage to allow elevator push-rod to exit. Fit
and bond control horn as illustrated on plan.
57. Open up slot on right side of rudder to receive
one laser cut control horn. Additionally, open
up lower push-rod exit slot on right side of
fuselage to allow rudder push-rod to exit. Fit
and bond control horn as illustrated on plan.
58. Mount PKZ3351 receiver/esc/servo unit
exactly as illustrated on plan set using Du-Bro
RC double sided servo tape [DUB634].
59. Follow instructional given on plan set for
creating rudder and elevator push-rods.
Route push-rods through proper slots in
fuselage sides and holes / slots provided in
F2 and F3. It may be helpful to trim covering
from the lightening hole in F14 at bottom of
fuselage assembly aft of former F3 to allow
better access to push-rod routing (make a
covering patch after installation of push-rods).
Connect push-rods to servos on PKZ3351
and control horns at control surfaces. Prior to
setting final length of push-rods (by securing
Build Instructions
© 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 8 of 10

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.
60. Route motor wire from PKZ3624 through
opening in former F1 and down through hole
behind receiver mounting in F2. Connect
motor to receiver. Set motor and gearbox on
top of F5a and align outside edge of gearbox
“ears” with etch lines engraved on top side of
motor mount F5a. Secure gearbox with a
drop of medium CA glue under each “ear” to
retain proper right offset to thrust line.
61. Install 120-160 mAh 3.7V li-po battery within
fuselage behind landing gear pocket on top of
former F15 using a small patch of velcro (not
supplied). Alternatively, battery may be
passed through opening in landing gear
pocket into cavity forward of gear to adjust
balance of model forward.
62. Adjust balance of model by moving battery or
adding a bit of modeling clay within nose of
model. Model should balance on or just
forward of the spar or 1-5/8 in. to 1-3/4 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!
SkyBuggy™ is designed to be a very docile
flyer, therefore the flight controls are set up for
fairly minimal throws. With the pushrods
connected to the outer holes on the control
horns (as they should be for test flights), the
Rudder and Elevator throws should be as
follows:
Rudder Travel (rudder is VERY effective)
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.
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 SkyBuggy’s™
balance. The model should balance between
1-5/8 - 1-3/4 inches from the leading edge of
the wing (basically at to just forward of the
main spar). Use a permanent marker or trim
tape to mark the underside of the left and
right wing half at the forward and aft most CG
measurements 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 top edge of
the fuselage appears to hang level with
horizon line, then SkyBuggy™ is properly
balanced to fly. Move equipment and or
battery within fuselage to obtain proper
balance.
Build Instructions
© 2010 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 9 of 10

☐ Check Weather - SkyBuggy’s™ first flight
should be outdoors and in zero wind
conditions. SkyBuggy™ 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
SkyBuggy™ 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). SkyBuggy™
By now you’ll have noticed that SkyBuggy™ is a
very stable airplane. When built straight, and
trimmed for level flight, SkyBuggy™ should
always return to wings level from any attitude.
We’ve found SkyBuggy™ to capture the
imagination of prospective pilots both young and
old. We never miss an opportunity to allow an on-
looker at the field to get some stick time in with
SkyBuggy™. In-fact we’ve found SkyBuggy™ to
be a very capable, instructor assisted, three
channel trainer.
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
Build Instructions
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