Stevens Aero Model Swift 100 Manual

Swift (100)
A Full House Ultra Micro AeroBat!
By Stevens AeroModel
Length 17 inches | Span 21 inches | Area: 92 inches2| Flying Weight 3.0 oz.
Version 05/26/2011
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 (6 Sheets)
☐Build Instruction - Manual (photo supplement available on-line at stevensaero.com)
☐Computer drawn plan set (2 Pages)
☐1 - 1/4 in. Square x 24 in. Balsa Stock (leading edge)
Taped to back of wood brick:
☐1 - .045 in. x 12 in. wire
☐2 - .025 in. x 18 in. wire
☐Hardware Bag
1 - 1/16 in. Ply Motor Mount (F8)
1 - 6 in. length of 1/16 in. heat shrink tube
1 - 3.5 in. length of 1/8 in. dia. hardwood dowel
2 - Balsa Servo Cuffs (W13)
2 - Nylon Washers
3 - #2 x 1/4 in. Screws
6 - #16 Rubber Bands
Suggested Electronics (Available at StevensAero.com)
☐Spektrum Brushless DSM2 or DSMX 2.4ghz transmitter with at least 4 channels
☐Spektrum ultra micro receiver/esc/servo “brick” [SPMAR6400LBL]
☐Linear Ultra-Micro Servos (2) [SPMAS2000]
☐3 in. Ultra-Micro “Y” Harness [SPMA2002]
☐SA Sport BL180 Brushless Outrunner Motor [SUPA1504-18]
☐4.5 x 3 Propeller [GWS EP-4530] with Adapter [ADP001]
☐120 - 240 mAh 7.4V LiPo [EFLB1202S20] or [HP-LG325-0240-2S]
☐JST ESC Connector and Wire [EFLA242]
Required Building Supplies and Tools
☐Du-Bro RC 1-1/2 in. Wheels [DUB150MW]
☐1/4 oz. Medium CA Glue [PAAPT04]
☐1/4 oz. Thin CA Glue [PAAPT10]
☐CA glue applicator tips [PAAPT21]
☐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 [MMM190]
☐Servo mounting tape [DUB634]
☐Adhesive Backed Velcro [DUB348]
☐Soldering Iron
☐1/8 in. Drill Bits (2)
☐Paste Glue Stick or 3M 77
Optional Building Supplies and Tools
☐CA glue accelerator (kicker) [PAAPT15]
☐CA glue de-bonder [PAAPT16]
☐Balsa filler [HCAR3401]
☐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
AeroModel Swift (100) (100). A micro full-house
flyer inspired by the Comper Swift. 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 intermediate 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 (temporarily bonding parts in
assembly using a small dot of glue) parts, 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 F30.
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. Fit center crutch F2 to right fuselage side F1
observing “Top” orientation.
2. Fit and bond F3a to F3b to make former F3.
Note: Upper tab on F3 extends beyond outer
surface of fuselage side.
3. Fit and tack glue formers F3 and F4 at each
end of crutch F2, as indicated on the plan.
4. Fit battery tray F5 to fuselage side and F5
observing “Bottom” orientation.
5. Fit ply part F6 to fuselage side and F5.
6. Fit former F7 to F5 and fuselage side.
7. Fit motor mount F8 to fuselage side. Inspect
fit of all formers installed in steps 1-7. With
parts properly seated, proceed to tack glue
each former to retain within fuselage
assembly at the tab and notch locations.
8. Fit F9 to fuselage side and F2. Tack glue to
retain.
9. Fit F10 to back of F9, fuselage side, and F2.
Once satisfied with fit bond F9 to F10.
10. Fit left fuselage side F11 to assembly. Square
assembly then bond all mating surfaces
between fuselage side, formers and crutch
with medium CA.
11. Fit ply part F12 to back side of F6 and
fuselage sides.
12. Fit ply part F13 to back of F12 and fuselage
sides. Bond F12 and F13 within position
along outside edges using thin CA glue. Wick
minimal amounts of CA within “pocket” area
between ply parts.
13. Bond balsa fuselage doubler F14 to right and
left fuselage side with thick or medium CA.
14. Bond second doubler F15 over F14. Align
F15 using a 1/8 in. drill bit, or length of 1/8 in.
dowel, in the forward alignment holes.
Remove alignment dowel before the glue
sets.
15. Fit and glue the edge of nose sheeting F16 to
the top of F3...
16. Now, wrap F16 over fuselage sides to nose of
model. Bond to fuselage sides/doublers, F3,
and motor mount F8. TIP: Moisten outside of
F16 with glass cleaner to soften it. This will
make it easier to bend around the curve of the
nose. Tape part in position using a low tack
painters tape and allow to dry thoroughly prior
to bonding.
17. Fit and tack glue former F17 between
fuselage sides where indicated on plan.
18. Fit and tack glue former F18 between
fuselage sides at rear of model.
19. Fit and tack glue former F19 to underside of
the rear of the fuselage.
20. Fit F20 to the top of F4 and F17, with aft end
centered on top of F18. Bond F17 and F20
permanently to fuselage sides, each other, F4
and F18.
21. Fit and bond F21 to rear edge of cockpit,
against F4. Note: Lower edge of F21 will
extend beyond exterior edge of cockpit. F21
will later be sanded flush with edge of
fuselage.
Build Instructions
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 5 of 10

22. Assemble and bond parts F22a and F22b to
form a right and left keel F22. Fit and bond
keel to the right and left notches in bottoms of
all formers, motor mount, and edge of F19.
23. Fit then bond ply doublers F23 to outside
surface of right and left keels F22 between
F13 and F7.
24. Fit and bond ply F24 spanning right and left
keel and F13.
25. Fit and bond ply F25 spanning right and left
keel and F7.
26. Fit and bond long side stringers F26 to
notches in fuselage doublers and along right
and left fuselage sides.
27. Fit and bond short stringers F27 along top
edge of fuselage sides aft of cockpit.
28. Assemble doubler F28 from parts F28a and
F28b, and install along lower edge of fuselage
sides F1/F11. Bottom profile of F28 should
match lower profile of fuselage side.
Reference plan set for part positioning.
29. Fit and bond center shape stringer F29 to
right and left fuselage side. Reference plan
set for part location
30. Sand fuselage lightly. Sand cockpit side flush
with edge of former F4. Round corners of
nose. Bevel edges of F20 in line with
fuselage sides.
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”, 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.
31. 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.
Locate the elevator part E. Bevel the straight
leading edge at a 45 degree angle, following
the “Elevator and Aileron Tape Hinge Diagram
“ on the wing plan set. Lightly sand the
elevator, leaving the trailing edge square.
32. Dry assemble the vertical stabilizer and
rudder over the plan from parts V1 through V5
and R1 through R4. Bond rudder and
stabilizer parts with thin CA. Note: do not
bond rudder to the stabilizer. Lightly sand
stabilizer, rounding the leading edge and
leave the trailing edge square.
Bevel the leading edge of the rudder at a 45
degree angle, following the “Rudder Tape
Hinge Diagram” on the fuselage plan set.
Lightly sand the rudder, leaving the trailing
edge 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
assembly and required parts follows in numeric
order from W1 to W15.
The wing is assembled one half at a time - left
side first, then mirror build sequence to the right
side. 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.
33. Begin by building left half of wing. Locate
parts W1 (main spar), and one rib W2. Using
the plan set as a guide, dry fit left side rib W2
to spar W1. Note: The bottoms of all ribs
should seat flush with bottom of spars.
34. Fit rib W3 to outer slot of spar W1. Refer
back to plan for part placement.
Build Instructions
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 6 of 10

35. Fit trailing edge W4 to ribs W2, and W3.
Properly seat then tack glue assembled parts
to retain within assembly.
36. Fit rib W5 and W6 to spar W1 and trailing
edge W4. Square assembly over the plan
and tack glue ribs to spar and trailing edge.
37. Fit and tack glue tip support W7 to rib W3.
Note: upward taper on part W7 should match
that of spar.
38. Repeat steps 33 through 37 to complete the
rib installation for right half of the wing.
39. Fit 1/4 in. square balsa leading edge stock
centered across notches in leading edge of
the ribs. ensure that an equal length of the
leading edge extends from each end of the
wing. Bond with medium CA.
40. Assemble two wing tips W8 from parts W8a
and W8b. Bond W8a/b with thin CA.
41. Fit left wing tip W8 to tab on leading edge of
left rib W3. Align Leading edge of wing tip
along back surface of leading edge stock and
against forward portion of rib W6. Tack glue
along leading edge to retain. Repeat process
for right wing tip. Allow glue to cure prior to
completing next step.
42. With wing held flat against the table, bend left
wing tip over rear portion of ribs, fitting to tab
on W7 and notch in aft end of rib W3. Tack
glue to hold position then revisit wing tip with
CA to thoroughly bond part to assembly.
Repeat for the right wing tip.
43. Trim excess leading edge stock just beyond
left rib W3. Repeat for right side.
44. Locate the long and short laser cut strips of
3/32 square balsa W9 and W10. Fit W9 in
the notches over the spar and bond to the
spar and ribs with medium CA. Fit W10 in the
notches in the forward portion of the ribs and
nesting within slot at wing tip. Bond with
medium CA.
45. Fit and bond W11 to the bottom of ribs W2.
46. Fit and bond the ply servo mounting plates
W12 to the notches in spar W1 and ribs W5.
47. Bond the balsa servo cuffs W13 to the
BOTTOM of each servo mounting plate, to
create a pocket for the servo to rest in.
48. Fit ply trailing edge reinforcement W14 within
notch of part W4 at trailing edge of wing.
Bond with medium CA glue.
49. Use the plan set as a guide for proper
positioning of balsa diagonal sub ribs W15.
Fit right and left sub ribs to assembly, hold
wing flat against your building board and bond
with medium CA to retain parts.
50. Sand the leading edge to shape. Match the
contour of the leading edge to fit the wing
saddle on the fuselage. Flow the leading
edge smoothly into the wing tip.
51. Dry assemble ailerons from parts A1 through
A5. Bond with thin CA. Following the
“Elevator and Aileron Tape Hinge Diagram” on
wing plan sheet, bevel the underside of the
leading edge of the ailerons at a 45 degree
angle. Note: Ensure that you sand the
leading edges on the correct side so that you
will end up with a LEFT and a RIGHT aileron.
Final Assembly
52. Cover fuselage, wing, ailerons, and stabilizers
with a lightweight covering material. We
suggest AeroLite, available at
stevensaero.com.
53. Following “Landing Gear Detail” on plan set
accurately bend landing gear using needle
nose pliers and included 12 in length of .045
in. wire.
54. Trim covering on fuselage to expose landing
gear pocket. Test fit landing gear within gear
pocket of fuselage. Remove.
55. 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.
56. Install landing gear within fuselage and retain
with 1/32 ply part F30 as illustrated on plan
set. Retain F30 and landing gear within
fuselage using CA glue.
57. Fit and bond ply tail skid TS to slot in F19.
58. Using a warm soldering iron, open the
covering over the wing dowel holes in front of
the wing saddle.
Build Instructions
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 7 of 10

59. Cut the provided 4 in. length of 1/8 in.
hardwood dowel to one 1/2 in. length and one
2-1/2 in. length forming the front and rear
wing retention dowels. If desired, paint these
dowels to match your trim scheme. Install the
longer dowel through the holes in the
fuselage side, centered within the fuselage so
that about 3/8 in. extends from each side.
Bond with thin CA.
60. Fit and 1/2 in. cut dowel (from step above)
through formers F10 and F9, leaving about
1/4 in. extending aft of former F10.
61. Following the Tape Hinge Diagrams on the
plan sheets, attach the ailerons, elevator and
rudder to their respective surfaces with clear
tape.
62. Open covering over the control horn slots in
the rudder and elevator. Install the ply rudder
horn R to the RIGHT side of the rudder.
Ensure that it is oriented per the diagram on
the plan. Installing the horn backwards will
create unequal left and right rudder throw.
Install the elevator horn on the TOP LEFT
side of the elevator. Note: Elevator horn will
not center over hinge line. This is intentional
and produces the proper amount of
differential travel specified on the plan set.
63. Install pushrods through their exit slots first,
then through former F4, and finally through
formers F9/F10. The rudder pushrod will
pass through the right slot on top of the
fuselage, and the right holes in F4, and F9/
F10. The elevator pushrod will pass through
the left slot in the fuselage top, and through
the left holes in F4 and F9/F10. Keep
pushrods from sliding out by applying a small
amount of tape to each end.
64. With pushrods in place, follow the General
Pushrod Detail on the wing plan sheet to
make “snake” bends on the ends of the push-
rods that will connect with the receiver brick.
65. We suggest extending the leads from the
Spektrum SPMAR6400LBL Receiver/ESC/
Servo “Brick” by 2 in. Remove the motor
lead or clip off the connector and solder on an
appropriate length of 22 AWG wire. Finished
length should be at least 5-1/2 in.
For the Battery lead we suggest clipping off
the connector and soldering on a JST
connector suitable for most small batteries.
Finished length should be at least 5-1/2 in.
66. Connect pushrods to receiver, then mount
receiver on F2 with double sided servo tape
[DUB-634].
67. Feed motor lead through F2, F3, and motor
mount F8.
68. Remove covering over battery compartment.
Feed battery lead down through F2 and F5,
and out the opening for the battery
compartment.
69. Mount the recommended SA-SPORT Park
BL180 motor [SUPA1504-18] to F8 with three
#2 x 1/4 screws. Place one nylon washer
under the left mount to create the proper right
offset for the motor. Mount GWS 5x3 HD
propeller to motor shaft.
70. Temporarily install main wing. Now, dry fit the
horizontal and vertical stabilizers to the
fuselage. Slide the vertical stab. through the
horizontal stab. and fuselage, securing the
long tab in the slot in F19, and the short tab in
the slot in F20. Square assembly
perpendicular to the fuselage and each other,
and bond in place with medium CA. Remove
wing.
71. Follow the General Pushrod Detail on the
wing plan sheet to finish the pushrods at the
rudder and elevator.
72. Remove covering from the wing over the
servo pockets and exit hole W9. Mount the
aileron servos [SPMAS2000] within the servo
pockets in the wing. Feed the servo leads
down through the pocket, through Ribs W2
and out exit hole in W9. attach servo leads to
a “y” harness [SPA2002] or two 3 in.
extension leads [SPA2000], and plug into one
of the aileron ports - refer to receiver diagram
on plans.
Note: The servos may initially operate
together in the same direction. To correct
this, follow the Servo Reversing instructions
on the wing plan sheet, or on the servo
manufacturer’s web site.
Install the aileron control horns “A” to the
underside of the ailerons. Follow the
“General Pushrod Detail” on the wing plan
sheet to create and connect the pushrods for
the ailerons. Mount pushrods in the outer
Build Instructions
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 8 of 10

holes on the aileron control horns for initial
flights.
73. Mount paper color pilot profiles to the balsa
profile P with 3M 77 spray mount or glue
stick. Fit and bond pilot figure in slot in F2
within Cockpit.
74. Mount wing using two fresh #16 rubber
bands.
75. Adjust balance of model by moving battery
within battery tray, or adding a bit of modeling
clay within nose of model. Important! Model
must balance 1/8-1/4 in. behind the main wing
spar (see plan sheet for balance point).
76. Congratulations! Your Swift (100) is
complete! Follow the Flight Control Setup to
prepare your Swift (100) for flight.
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 - FIX THE WARP.
☐ Center control surface then set direction, rate
of travel, and dampening (expo). Ensure that
the controls move in the proper direction
according to the inputs on the transmitter.
Swift (100) is designed to be a very solid
sport aerobatic performer. The flight control
throws should be as follows:
Rudder Travel
Low Rate: +/- 20 deg. 30% expo
High Rate: SAME
Elevator Travel
Low Rate: 12 deg. down 30% expo
10 deg. up 30% expo
High Rate 25 deg. down 50% expo
20 deg. up 50% expo
Aileron Travel
Low Rate 10 deg. down 30% expo
15 deg. up 30% expo
High Rate 25 deg. down 50% expo
20 deg. up 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 averting
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 Swift (100)’s
balance. The model should balance 1/8-1/4
inch behind the main spar of the wing. 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, at the marked
CG measurements. Site from profile of
aircraft against horizon. If the horizontal
stabilizer appears to hang level with horizon
line, then Swift (100) is properly balanced to
fly. Move equipment and or battery within
fuselage to obtain proper balance.
☐ Check Weather - Swift (100)’s first flight
should be outdoors and in zero wind
conditions. Swift (100) is capable of flying in
winds up to 10 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. Note: Ailerons
must be centered at neutral point as given on
plan set.
☐ 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.
Build Instructions
© 2011 Stevens AeroModel all rights reserved.!Page 9 of 10

☐ 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
Swift (100) typically cruises 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 the Swift
(100)
By now you’ll have noticed that Swift (100) is a
stable, responsive airplane. When built straight,
and trimmed for level flight, Swift (100) should
always return to wings level from any attitude.
We’ve found Swift (100) to capture the
imagination of sport pilots with both intermediate
and advanced skills.
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
model for proper balance; equipment and
airframe for damage, improper installation, and/or
airframe twists and warps. The most common
mistake is to try and fly with a warped or twisted
wing, or a model that’s improperly balanced.
Additionally, make certain that your wing is
straight, and the aileron pushrods are connected
to the outer hole on the aileron control horns for
your first flights.
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
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