Fuselage Structure.

Set Up
Controls Fuselage Radio 1 Engine Undercarriage Wings Linkages Radio 2 Assembly Last Checks And Finally

The Tailplane and Elevator.

  1. Check for robustness of fixing.
    • The tailplane should be rigidly attached to the fuselage.

  2. Check alignment.
    • The tailplane should be square on to the fuselage and the tailfin, both from in front and from above.

  3. Check elevator. This is best checked with the elevator linkage disconnected.
    • The elevator hinges should be securely attached to both the tailplane and the elevator and preferably pinned. To find out how to pin hinges, see Fail Deadly.
    • The elevator should move freely over the expected required range of movement - typically 20° to 30° up and down.
    • The elevator halves, left and right, should move together.

  4. Check attachment of elevator control horn.
    • The control horn should be rigidly attached (with mounting screws fully tightened) to the elevator, preferably through a thin ply plate.

The Tailfin and Rudder.

  1. Check for robustness of fixing.
    • The tailfin should be rigidly attached to the fuselage (or, with some models, the tailplane.

  2. Check for alignment.
    • The tailfin should be square on to the fuselage and the tailplane, both from in front and from above.

  3. Check rudder. This is best checked with the rudder linkage disconnected.
    • The rudder hinges should be securely attached to both the tailfin and the rudder and preferably pinned. To find out how to pin hinges, see Fail Deadly.
    • The rudder should move freely over the expected required range of movement - typically 20° to 30° left and right.

  4. Check attachment of rudder control horn.
    • The control horn should be rigidly attached (with mounting screws fully tightened) to the rudder, preferably through a thin ply plate.

Set Up
Controls Fuselage Radio 1 Engine Undercarriage Wings Linkages Radio 2 Assembly Last Checks And Finally