Carl Goldberg Products decathlon arf Owner's Manual

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D D E E C C A A T T H H L L O O N N A A R R F F
Aerobatic flying just doesn't get any better than this Decathlon ARF. Its clean lines, long tail moment, and
superb wing design will reward you with the maneuvers you love - knife edge, split S, lumcevac, torque rolls,
snaps, and ground-hugging inverted flight. What's more, we've engineered this ARF to get you into the air with
a minimum of fuss. So take a few minutes to carefully read the introductory material and then get to work. You'll
soon be out at the field with a classic aerobatic champion!
A radio-controlled model is not a toy and is not intended for persons under 16 years old. Keep
this kit out of the reach of younger children, as it contains parts that could be dangerous. A radio-
controlled model is capable of causing serious bodily injury and property damage. It is the buyer's
responsibility to assemble this aircraft correctly and to properly install the motor, radio, and all other
equipment. Test and fly the finished model only in the presence and with the assistance of another
experienced R/C flyer. The model must always be operated and flown using great care and common
sense, as well as in accordance with the Safety Code of the Academy of Model Aeronautics
(www.modelaircraft.org). We suggest you join the AMA and become properly insured prior to flying this
model. Also, consult with the AMA or your local hobby dealer to find an experienced instructor in your
area. Per the Federal Communications Commission, you are required to use only those radio fre-
quencies specified "for Model Aircraft."
Carl Goldberg Products, Ltd. has inspected and certified the components of this aircraft. The company urges the buyer to perform
his own inspection, prior to assembly, and to immediately request a replacement of any parts he believes to be defective for their
intended use. The company warrants replacement of any such components, provided the buyer requests such replacement with-
in a period of one year from the date of purchase and provided the defective part is returned, if so requested by the company.
No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the company with respect to this kit. The buyer acknowledges and under-
stands that it is his responsibility to carefully assemble the finished flying model airplane and to fly it safely. The buyer hereby
assumes full responsibility for the risk and all liability for personal or property damage or injury arising out of the buyer's use of the
components of this kit.
CARL GOLDBERG PRODUCTS, LTD.
P.O. Box 818 Oakwood GA 30566 Phone #678-450-0085 Fax # 770-532-2163 www.carlgoldbergproducts.com
© Copyright 2001 Carl Goldberg Products LTD.
WARNING
LIMITED WARRANTY
Pt. #2017 3/01

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Summary of Contents for Carl Goldberg Products decathlon arf

  • Page 1 LIMITED WARRANTY Carl Goldberg Products, Ltd. has inspected and certified the components of this aircraft. The company urges the buyer to perform his own inspection, prior to assembly, and to immediately request a replacement of any parts he believes to be defective for their intended use.
  • Page 2 30-60-90° x 6" TRIANGLE SWITCH HARNESS SOFT PENCIL A FEW STRAIGHT OR "T" PINS ADJUSTABLE WRENCH NOTE: The Decathlon ARF covering matiches WIRE CUTTER (DYKES) Cub Yellow(#884), Midnight Blue(#885) OPTIONAL HEAT GUN/COVERING IRON and White (#870) UltraCote ® . ACID BRUSH UltraCote ®...
  • Page 3 INTRODUCTION COVERING USING THIS INSTRUCTION MANUAL The DECATHLON ARF is covered in a premium poly- Before you begin assembling your DECATHLON ARF, ester film chosen by many of the world's top flyers for its take some time to read through this entire instruction book.
  • Page 4: Wing Assembly

    WING ASSEMBLY Select the aileron for the wing on which you AILERON INSTALLATION are working and insert the exposed half of each hinge into the aileron slots. Slide the aileron toward the wing until no gap remains between the aileron and the wing.
  • Page 5: Aileron Servo Installation

    AILERON SERVO INSTALLATION Note: The following pictures may not exactly match the hardware you are using. Always check the radio manufacturer's instructions when installing radio equipment. When the epoxy is dry, drill 1/16" holes into the servo blocks and, using the screws sup- plied with the radio, mount the servo onto the blocks.
  • Page 6 With the aileron servo door in place, make a Make a 90º bend (or a "z" bend, if preferred) mark at a 90º degree angle to the trailing in the wire and insert the wire in the servo edge and in line with the servo arm. arm.
  • Page 7 Tape the extension securely to the wing, so Insert a 8-32 blind nut into each hole in the that it will not slide back in while you are wing mounting block, with the teeth pointing working. Screw the servo door onto the wing. upward into the blocks.
  • Page 8: Wing Strut Installation

    WING STRUT INSTALLATION Modify the small control horns by cutting, as shown above. Collect the following parts: (2) Wing strut (1) Wing/fuse assembly (4) Small control horn (8) #2 x 1/2” Pan head screw Thread the metal clevis onto the threaded (4) Metal clevis wires at the outer end of the strut until the (2) Nylon straps 7/8”...
  • Page 9: Tail Assembly

    TAIL ASSEMBLY STAB INSTALLATION Collect the following parts: (1) Stabilizer (1) Wing/fuse assembly TAPE TAPE 35-1/2" 35-1/2" Mark a centerline on the fuselage, just behind the wing. Place a piece of masking tape along the top of the fuselage, as shown, and draw a line from the center mark in front of the stab up to the center mark below the wing.
  • Page 10: Fin Installation

    When satisfied with the fit, mark the location of the fin on the fuse and stab by drawing a line on both sides of the fin, as shown. When satisfied with the alignment of the stab, temporarily tape it securely in place. Mark the area on the bottom of the stab where it rests on the fuse.
  • Page 11: Rudder & Elevator Control Horn Installation

    RUDDER & ELEVATOR CONTROL HORN INSTALLATION Place the control horn in the rudder notch, as shown. The control horn must be even with the hinge line. When you are satisfied with the fit, mark the location of the screw hole and drill, using a 3/32”...
  • Page 12: Landing Gear Installation

    FUSELAGE ASSEMBLY LANDING GEAR INSTALLATION NOTE: The tailwheel might be different than shown in your kit. Collect the following parts: Working on one landing gear leg at a time, (2) Landing gear place the gear in the bottom of the fuselage, (6) 6-32 x 1/2”...
  • Page 13: Rudder Cable Installation

    Now, making sure the cable is all the way into another threaded coupler, solder it to the cut end. The total length of the finished cable should be 24”. Repeat the above steps to make a second cable to the same length. Wash the soldered coupler/cable assembly with soap and water.
  • Page 14: Elevator Pushrod Installation

    ELEVATOR PUSHROD INSTALLATION Using the 5/64” drill, and holding a pushrod plug, as shown, drill out the center of the plug Collect the following items: to form a tube. Repeat for the other plug. (2) .072 x 10” threaded wire (1) .063 x 6-3/8”...
  • Page 15 When the bent tip is exiting the hole in the pushrod and the plug tightly meets the pushrod, apply CA glue to the joint. With the pointed end of the plug facing the threaded end of the wired, slide the double- hole plug onto the non-threaded end of the wires.
  • Page 16 Motor Mount/Engine Installation Once the wire has exited the fuselage, remove the nylon tubing from the end of the wires. 1 Collect the following items: (1) Engine (1) Motor Mount (4) 6-32 x 1-1/2” socket head screw (4) 6-32 Blind nut (4) #6 Washer (4) #8 x 1”...
  • Page 17 6" FROM FIREWALL Place the engine on the motor mount, mak- Drill a pilot hole through the motor mount, ing sure the propeller drive plate is 6” away using a 1/8” drill bit. from the firewall. Remove the motor mount and re-drill the Using the drill, lightly mark the locations of holes, using a 5/32”...
  • Page 18: Throttle Pushrod Installation

    THROTTLE PUSHROD INSTALLATION Drill a 1/8” hole into the plywood pushrod support. slide the pushrod support on to the end of the tubing. Collect the following items: (1) .063 x 16-3/4” wire (1) 1/8 x 24” nylon guide tubing (1) Snap nut wheel (1) Pushrod connector (1) 1/8”...
  • Page 19: Fuel Tank Installation

    (1) 20” fuel tubing (1) 6” length of fuel tubing (1) foam latex sheet(Not Included) CAUTION! The white neprene stopper and the fuel tubing provided with this kit are FOR GLOW FUEL ONLY; DO NOT USE THESE PARTS FOR GASO- LINE.
  • Page 20 BEND TUBING TO TOP OF BUMP IN TANK TANK VENT OUTLET FOAM PAD TIGHTEN SCREW UNTIL KLUNK STOPPER COMPRESSES Place the foam pad into the front of the fuse- AGAINST TANK lage underneath the fuel tank. Again place the stopper assembly into the Put the fuel tubing onto the fuel tank bass fuel tank.
  • Page 21: Cowl Installation

    COWL INSTALLATION 1. Collect the following items: (1) Fiberglass cowl (4) #4 x 3/8 sheet metal screws (4) #4 washers (1) 4 x 12” clear plastic Note: The engine shown is a YS 91 using a Slimline muffler (pitts style). The engine that you use may be different.
  • Page 22: Receiver And Battery Installation

    1-3/8" 2-1/2" If your radio has a switch cover, remove both the screw and the cover from the top of the Place the cowl on to the fuselage and install switch. the spinner and prop. Using the screw just removed, as well as a Keeping the cowl 1/16”...
  • Page 23: Window Installation

    compartment in front of the servos. Remem- ber to keep the antenna and the Y-harness outside of the compartment so that the aileron servo wire can be easily plugged into the receiver. Take the 3/16 x 1/2 x 7-3/4 balsa stick and glue over top of the receiver and battery to hold them in place.
  • Page 24 LOCKING NUT SET SCREW AXLE LANDING GEAR 5/32 WHEEL COLLAR When satisfied with the fit of all the compo- Insert the threaded part of the axle through nents, mount the wheelpants, wheels and both sides of the landing gear and tighten the remaining (outside) wheel collars onto the locking nut on each axle.
  • Page 25: Finishing Touches

    FINISHING TOUCHES TAIL BRACING WIRE INSTALLATION Collect the following items: (4).063 x 8-1/2” wire with eyelets (4) .063 x 10-7/8” wire with eyelets (2) #4 x 3/8” sheet metal screw (6) 4-40 x 1/2” pan head screw (6) 4-40 locking nut Turn the fuselage right side up and insert the 10-7/8”...
  • Page 26: Propeller And Spinner Installation

    PROPELLER AND SPINNER INSTALLATION The propeller size must be matched to the engine. For example, a .35 may use a 9" diameter prop while a .45 can use a 10" prop. Follow the engine manufacturer’s recommendation for correct propeller sizes or speak to a knowledgeable dealer.
  • Page 27 FLYING YOUR DECATHLON ARF SETTING CONTROL SURFACE TRAVELS PRE-FLIGHT ACTIVITIES SETTINGS Prior to going to the flying field, with radio batteries fully charged, turn on both receiver (Rx) and trans Gentle Aerobatic mitter (Tx) and actuate all controls many times until AILERON: 3/8”...
  • Page 28 better than most planes. For the best landings, THE LOOP. This is a good first stunt. The model approach the runway at high idle and go to low idle starts flying straight and level into the wind, then about one foot above the ground, flaring to a 3-point pulls up into a smooth, round loop.

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