Der mini Falke Hand Launch Glider 710mm - Instruction manual

Introduction

The hand launch glider (HLG) Der Mini FALKE (Mini Falcon) has been designed with beginners looking for their very first model in mind. You will need some basic modeller's tools, glues and dopes – you will find these handy with any of your future projects as well. Please make yourself familiar with the building plans and this manual BEFORE you actually start the assembly.

Before you start

Glue: You can use solvent based modeller's glue (UHU® Hart etc.), medium cyano (KAV9952 KAVAN Medium CA etc.) or water-resistant white glue (KAV9960 KAVAN White Glue etc.).

Dope: KAVAN Classic line Protective Dope (KAV9988) and Thinner (KAV9990) are highly recommended.

Tools and accessories: You will need a perfectly flat building board (at least 150×700 mm), builder's triangle, sanding blocks/sponges with 180–200 and 360–400 grit sandpaper, model hobby pins (KAV0355 modeller's pins), soft flat (1/4"–3/8") brush, thin clear plastic film to protect the building plan/building board (a large PE bag cut open will work).

Precautions

The model you build and fly is not a toy! Although it may seem light and slow in flight, it is capable of causing injury or other damage if mistreated. It is up to you whether you build the model properly, fly properly and continue to fly in accordance with common practice and rules (and common sense). If you are just getting started with aircraft models, ask for advice from your model shop or an experienced modeller at your local modelling club to find a good instructor.

Before construction: Build the model exactly as instructed. Do not change or modify the model. If you do, you risk that the model may be unsafe or unable to fly. Take the time to build everything firmly and reliably. Use appropriate tools, accessories and other equipment that is in top condition. Correctly install all parts of the model and check the model before the first and every subsequent flight.

Note: We, as a kit manufacturer, can guarantee you a premium quality kit with detailed instructions, but flight characteristics and performance depend entirely on how you complete the model. Since we have no control over how you complete and operate the model, we cannot (and cannot be assumed) assume any responsibility for any damage caused or related to the operation of your completed model.

Specification

Wingspan	710 mm
Length	505 mm
All-up weight	70 g

Assembly

Wing

1. Carefully sand the entire surface of the wing halves no. 1 and no. 2.
2. Glue together the wing assembly jig following the picture in the centre of the building plan.
3. Glue the wing halves together on a flat building board protected with a sheet of thin plastic film preventing the wing from sticking to the board. Pin down one of the wing halves. Then attach the other one supported by the wing assembly jig. Let the glue cure thoroughly.
4. Carefully sand the entire surface of the wing panels, no. 3. Glue them one by one to the wing centre section using the wing assembly jig.
5. Once the glue has cured, carefully sand the entire surface of the wing. Glue the wing reinforcement plate no. 4 in place.
6. Apply a light coat of thinned protective dope to the entire wing. When dry, lightly sand all doped surfaces with the fine sandpaper. Repeat twice more. Sand lightly once every coat has dried.

Fuselage and tail

1. Carefully sand the entire surface of the fuselage sides no. 5 and no. 7. Glue them to the fuselage no. 6.
2. Carefully sand the entire surface of the tail boom longerons no. 10 and glue them to the fuselage.
3. Glue the fin parts no. 12 and no. 13 together on a flat building board protected with a sheet of thin plastic film. Once the glue has set, round the leading and trailing edge of the fin.
4. Glue the fin between the tail boom longerons no.10.
5. Sand to fit if necessary and then glue the no. 11 brace between the tail boom longerons no. 10.
6. Glue the wing seat supports no. 8 to the fuselage.
7. Drill out the hole for the no. 9 wing dowel using 3 mm drill bit. Insert the dowel in place.
8. Cut off the rudder from the fin no. 12. The dashed lines on the building plan mark the position of rudder wire hinges. Stick the modelling pin into the front edge of the rudder. Enlarge the hole slightly by twirling the pin carefully. Make the other holes for the wire hinges in the rudder and fin. Cut two 8 mm pieces of the supplied wire and glue them half-way into the holes in the fin. Once the glue has set, glue the rudder onto the protruding wires.
9. Carefully sand the entire surface of the horizontal tailplane no. 14.
10. Prepare and install the elevator hinges and elevator in the same manner as you did with the rudder.
11. Bevel lightly the sides of tabs on the top of the fin no. 13 in order to fit the corresponding notches in the horizontal tailplane no. 14.
12. Glue the horizontal tailplane on the top of the fin. Use the wing assembly jig to be sure it was square to the fin.
13. Apply a light coat of thinned protective dope to the entire fuselage and tail. When dry, lightly sand all doped surfaces with the fine sandpaper. Repeat twice more. Sand lightly once every coat has dried.

Flying

1. Apply the supplied stickers.
2. Tie the wing to the fuselage using the supplied rubber band.
3. Pour the ballast into the nose of your model in order to achieve the correct Centre of gravity (CG) position. Support the wing of the model with your fingertips in the point marked "" on the fuselage plan. The fuselage should be level - if the nose pitches up, add more ballast into the nose. If the tails pitch up, remove the ballast.
4. Choose a nice, calm day for the first flight of your Der Mini FALKE. The flying field should be a flat, grassy site. Free of power lines or other obstacles. The model must be launched into the wind every time. Throw grass into the air to observe the wind direction. Hold your model with the wings and fuselage level. Launch your model with a gentle push straight with the nose pointing slightly down. Do not throw your model with nose up, or at a greater angle than 10 degrees down. The model must have a certain minimum speed from the very start to stay airborne. It is not enough to just place your model in the air. It is better to land in tall grass in order to prevent any damage to your model during initial trimming.

If everything is OK (correct wing and tailplane alignment, correct CG position), Der Mini FALKE will fly with the wings level in a nice glide with its nose pointing slightly down. If the model glides straight down to the earth a few paces in front of you, bend the elevator slightly up. On the other hand, if the model climbs up and then stalls, you will need to bend the elevator slightly down. If your model turns left, bend the rudder slightly right and vice versa. Repeat the test until you achieve a smooth long glide.
Once trimmed out you can try your first hi-start with your Der Mini FALKE using 15 m towline (a fishing line) or a bungee (3–5 m of 3×2 mm rubber thread and 5–10 m of thin fishing line). Tie a key ring to one end (bowline knot is the best) and a flag (a piece of red cloth) 20–30 cm from the end. The flag makes the towline visible in the air as well as on the ground. Find a suitable spool to keep the towline on.