GREAT PLANES ESCAPADE MX 30cc, Instruction Manual

2

INTRODUCTION

Continuing with the success of the Escapade line, Great 
Planes  brings  you  the  Escapade  MX  30cc  ARF.  This  is  a 

great fi rst gas powered model. The plane is as easy to fl y 
as a .60 size sport plane. The optional fl aps allow you to 
add the fl aps later if you desire. We believe you will be very 
pleased with the ease of assembly and fl ight performance 
of the Escapade MX 30cc ARF. 

For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to 
the Escapade MX 30cc ARF visit the Great Planes web site 
at 

www.greatplanes.com

. Open the “Airplanes” link, then 

select the Escapade MX 30cc ARF. If there is new technical 
information or changes to this model a “tech notice” box will 
appear in the upper left corner of the page.

Academy of Model Aeronautics: 

If you are not already a 

member of the AMA, please join! The AMA is the governing 
body  of  model  aviation  and  membership  provides  liability 
insurance coverage, protects modelers’ rights and interests 
and is required to fl y at most R/C sites.

Academy of Model Aeronautics

5151 East Memorial Drive
Muncie, IN 47302-9252

Tele. (800) 435-9262

Fax (765) 741-0057

Or via the Internet at: http://www.modelaircraft.org

IMPORTANT!!!

Two of the most important things you can 

do to preserve the radio controlled aircraft hobby are to avoid 
fl ying near full-scale aircraft and avoid fl ying near or over 
groups of people.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Protect Your Model, Yourself & Others…

Follow These Important Safety Precautions 

 1.   Your Escapade MX 30cc ARF should not be considered 

a toy, but rather a sophisticated, working model that 
functions very much like a full-size airplane. Because of 
its performance capabilities, the Escapade MX 30cc ARF, if 
not assembled and operated correctly, could possibly cause 
injury to yourself or spectators and damage to property.

 2.   You must assemble the model

 according to the 

instructions

. Do not alter or modify the model, as doing 

so may result in an unsafe or unfl yable model. In a few 
cases the instructions may differ slightly from the photos. 
In those instances the written instructions should be 
considered as correct.

 3.   You must take time to 

build straight

, 

true and strong

.

 4.   You must use an R/C radio system that is in good condition, 

a correctly sized engine, and other components as 
specifi ed in this instruction manual. All components must 
be correctly installed so that the model operates correctly 
on the ground and in the air. You must check the operation 
of the model and all components before 

every

 fl ight.

 5.    If you are not an experienced pilot or have not fl own this 

type of model before, we recommend that you get the 
assistance of an experienced pilot in your R/C club for 
your fi rst fl ights. If you’re not a member of a club, your 
local hobby shop has information about clubs in your area 
whose membership includes experienced pilots. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE

  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Engine Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Motor Recommendations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Radio Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Required Hardware and Accessories  . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Adhesives and Building Supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Optional Supplies and Tools  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES

  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

MODEL INSPECTION

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

CONTENTS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS

  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

PREPARATIONS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

ASSEMBLE THE WINGS

  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Aileron Servo Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Flap Servo Installation (Optional)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ASSEMBLE THE FUSELAGE

  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Install the Tail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Install the Main Landing Gear  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Install the Rudder and Elevator Servos . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 Motor 

Installation 

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Engine Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Assemble the Fuel Tank  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Install the Fuel Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Install the Cowl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Apply the Decals  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Check the Control Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Set the Control Throws  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Install the Propeller  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Balance the Model Laterally  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Balance the Model (C.G.)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

PREFLIGHT

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Identify Your Model  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Charge the Batteries  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Ground Check and Range Check  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

AMA SAFETY CODE (excerpts)

  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

General  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Radio Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

CHECK LIST

  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

FLYING

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Fuel Mixture Adjustments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Takeoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Flight  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Landing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38