2
INTRODUCTION
The U-Can-Do SF has the impressive fl ight characteristics
of the original version with a refi ned design to speed up
assembly, a fresh appearance with a new trim scheme, and
now the provisions for a brushless setup. Like all of the latest
Great Planes ARFs, many of the tasks typically required to
be done during assembly have already been completed for
you at the factory including pre-hinged ailerons and rudder,
pre-glued canopy, and trimmed covering.
For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to
the Great Planes U-Can-Do SF ARF visit the Great Planes
web site at www.greatplanes.com. Open the “Airplanes” link,
then select the U-Can-Do SF 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
We urge you to join the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics)
and a local R/C club. The AMA is the governing body of model
aviation and membership is required to fl y at AMA clubs.
Though joining the AMA provides many benefi ts, one of the
primary reasons to join is liability protection. Coverage is not
limited to fl ying at contests or on the club fi eld. It even applies
to fl ying at public demonstrations and air shows. Failure to
comply with the Safety Code (excerpts printed in the back of
the manual) may endanger insurance coverage. Additionally,
training programs and instructors are available at AMA club
sites to help you get started the right way. There are over
2,500 AMA chartered clubs across the country. Contact the
AMA at the address or toll-free phone number below:
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 U-Can-Do SF 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 U-Can-Do SF, if not assembled and operated
correctly, could possibly cause injury to yourself or spectators
and damage to property.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Academy of Model Aeronautics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Radio Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Glow Engine Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Brushless Motor Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Required Hardware & Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Adhesives and Building Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Optional Supplies and Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Building Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
KIT INSPECTION
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
KIT CONTENTS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
PREPARATIONS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
INSTALL THE AILERON SERVOS,
PUSHRODS AND BELLY PAN
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
INSTALL THE TAIL SECTION
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
INSTALL THE MAIN LANDING GEAR
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
INSTALL THE POWER SYSTEM
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Brushless Motor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Glow Engine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
INSTALL THE RECEIVER,
BATTERY, AND SWITCH
. . . 20
FINISH THE MODEL
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Optional Side Force Generators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Apply the Decals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Check the Control Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Set the Control Throws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Proper Pushrod Hookup; Avoiding Flutter,
Maximizing Servo Output Torque . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Balance the Model (C.G.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Balance the Model Laterally. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
PREFLIGHT
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Identify Your Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Charge the Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Balance Propellers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Ground Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Range Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
ENGINE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
AMA SAFETY CODE
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Radio Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
CHECK LIST
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
FLYING
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Fuel Mixture Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Takeoff
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Flight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
3D Flying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30