KAVAN Savage Mini - Instruction manual

Introduction

Congratulation on your purchase of the high performance 3D aerobatic SAVAGE Mini model. You are about to start the assembly of a model manufactured from virtually unbreakable EPP (extruded polypropylene) foam powered by a mighty brushless motor and lightweight LiPo battery. Everybody who has already mastered flying a "full house" trainer - with aileron, elevator, rudder, and throttle control - will enjoy this bad boy.

Before you start

1. If you are not an experienced RC pilot, plan to have a fully competent pilot check your completed model and help you with your first flights. Even though we have tried to provide you with a thorough instruction manual, RC models are rather complicated and an experienced modeller can quickly check over your model to make sure your first flights are successful.
2. Please assemble your model exactly according to these instructions. Do not attempt to modify or change your model in any way as doing so may adversely change its flying characteristics.
3. Before you begin, please check the entire contents of this kit to make sure that no parts are missing or damaged. This will also help you to become familiar with each component of your plane. If you find that any of the parts are either missing or damaged, please contact your dealer immediately for replacement.
4. Trial fit each part before glueing it in place. Make sure you are using the correct part and that it fits well before assembling. No amount of glue can make up for a poorly fitting part.
5. The manual contains a drawing showing the default position of the Centre of Gravity (CG) and recommended control surface throws. Please note it is essential to keep the recommended CG position for the first flight otherwise the model could be unstable, hard to control or even unable to fly at all! Later you can fine-tune the CG position to suit your flying style and skills.

Note: Your dealer cannot accept kits for return if construction has begun.

Precautions

This RC model is not a toy. Use it with care and strictly following the instructions in this manual.

Assemble this model following strictly these instructions. DO NOT modify or alter the model. Failure to do so, the warranty will lapse automatically. Follow the instructions in order to obtain a safe and solid model at the end of the assembly.

Children under the age of 14 must operate the model under the supervision of an adult.

Assure that the model is in perfect conditions before every flight, taking care that all the equipment works correctly and that the model is undamaged in its structure.

Fly only in days with light breeze and in a safe place away from any obstacles.

Safety precautions and warnings

• An RC aeroplane is not a toy! If misused, it can cause serious bodily harm and damage to property. Fly only in a safe place following all instructions and recommendations in this manual. Beware of the propeller! Keep loose items that can get entangled in the propeller away from the spinning propeller, including loose clothing, or other objects such as pencils and screwdrivers. Ensure that your and other people’s hands and faces are kept away from the rotating propeller.
• As the user of this product, you are solely responsible for operating it in a manner that does not endanger yourself and others or result in damage to the product or the property of others. This model is controlled by a radio signal, that is subject to interference from many sources outside your control. This interference can cause momentary loss of control, so it is advisable to always keep a safe distance in all directions around your model, as this margin will help to avoid collisions or injury.
• Never operate your model with low transmitter batteries.
• Always operate your model in an open area away from power lines, cars, traffic, or people. Avoid operating your model in populated areas where injury or damage can occur.
• Carefully follow the directions and warnings for this and any optional support equipment (chargers, rechargeable batteries, etc.) which you use.
• Keep all chemicals, small parts and anything electrical out of the reach of children.
• Moisture causes damage to electronics. Avoid water exposure to all equipment not specifically designed and protected for this purpose.
• The model is mostly made of plastics – it is not fireproof. It may not be exposed to higher temperatures, otherwise severe distortion of the foam airframe or other damage may occur.

Specification

Wingspan	1000 mm
Length	1020 mm
All–up weight	ca 500 g

You will also need

• At least four channel RC set, a power unit with 3S LiPo flight pack and servos - refer to "Recommended power systems and servos".
• Regular modeller’s tools: modeller’s knife, screwdrivers, pliers, electric drill with drill bits (3.0 mm), No. 180–360 sandpaper, etc.
• Glue: medium and thin CA glue, accelerator for CA glue, hot melt glue.

Recommended power systems and servos

• Sunday 3D: For 3D aerobatic beginners and Sunday flyers.
• 3D: For everybody who likes it hot and 3D.

Note: 20–30A ESC with a good linear BEC should be OK if you are using analog servos. However, if you are using high torque & speed digital servos, you should go for an ESC featuring powerful switching SBEC.

	Sunday 3D	3D
Motor	KAVAN C2830–1300	KAVAN PRO 2830–1300
Propeller	APC 9×4.7"SF	APC 10×4.7"SF
ESC	KAVAN R–30B	KAVAN PRO–30SB
Battery	KAVAN LiPo 11.1V 1300mAh 40/80C	KAVAN LiPo 11.1V 1300mAh 40/80C
Servos	KAVAN GO–13MG, Hitec HS- -65MG, HS–70MG	KAVAN GO–1013MG, Hitec HS–5065MG, HS–5070MH

Assembly

Follow the illustrated, step-by-step building manual on pages 9–15 please.

RC set installation and preflight check

• Referring to the instruction manual of your radio carefully hook up the onboard electronics. Correct linkage length - refer to assembly steps 24, 50 and 60 please.
• Once everything has been correctly connected, turn on your transmitter and plug in the flight pack. Check the neutral positions and throws of all control surfaces. If you needed to make the control surface throws smaller, simply move the pushrod closer to the centre on the servo arm or move it far from the control surface on the control horn. And vice versa.

Recommended throws	Low rate		High rate
	Rate	Expo	Rate	Expo
Ailerons	± 30°	45 %	± 44° or more	40 %
Elevator	± 30°	45 %	± 50–60°	45 %
Rudder	± 35°	50 %	± 47°	50 %

• The "Low rate" recommended control surface throws are suitable for a less skilled pilot and classic pattern aerobatics. The "High rate" setting is for 3D aerobatics and skilled pilots.
• Check the direction of rotation of the propeller. If it was incorrect, simply swap two of the tree wires between the ESC and motor or program the ESC (refer to the ESC manual).
• Attach the flight pack to the side of the bottom part of the fuselage using a strip of hook-and-loop tape to get the correct position of the centre of gravity (CG) 230 mm, refer to Fig. 63. You can fine tune the CG position later in order to suit your flying style.
• Fully charge your flight pack and transmitter batteries, check the proper function of your radio and perform the range check of your radio according to its instruction manual. The range has to be almost the same with the motor off and at full throttle (no more than 10 % decrease is acceptable). DO NOT try to fly unless the range check is 100% successful.

Flying

The test flying and fine-tuning is pretty much straightforward. There will be no surprise for a medium-advanced pilot that is supposed to fly this model.

Parts list

If in doubts, the manual step No. will help you identify the part.

Part	Qty	Material	Dimensions	Step No.
Instruction manual	1	paper	A4	-
Fuselage - vertical part	1	EPP	-	28
Fuselage - horizontal part	1	EPP	-	1
Wing - left + right	1+1	EPP	-	2
Canopy	1	EPP	-	28
Fin and rudder	1	EPP	-	56
Horizontal stabilizer + elevator	1	EPP	-	9
Wheel pant	2+2	EPP	-	41
Side force generator	2	EPP	-	61
Main undercarriage	1	carbon	-	32

Carbon parts bundle	Qty	Material	Dimensions	Step No.
Wing spar	2	carbon	Ø 1.5×1000 mm	6
Fuselage reinforcement	4	carbon	3×0.5×1000 mm	12
Horizontal tailplane reinforcement	2	carbon	3×0.5×250 mm	9, 10
Horizontal tailplane reinforcement	1	carbon	3×1×250 mm	9
Elevator + rudder push rod	1	carbon	Ø 1.0×1000 mm	46, 50, 60

Small accessories bag	Qty	Material	Dimensions	Step No.
Firewall	1	plywood	3 mm	53
Wing joiner	1	plywood	1 mm	7
Aileron push rod	2	-	Ø 1.8×110 mm	23
Aileron, elevator, rudder horns	1 set	plastic	-	21, 45, 57
Tailskid	1	plastic	-	-
Undercarriage plate	1	plastic	-	15
Wheel	2	plastic	Ø 40 mm	36
Wheel pant holder	2	plastic	M3×16 mm socket screw	36
Wheel axle	2	steel	M3	36
M3 nut	4	steel	M3×25 mm socket screw	36
M3 washer	4	steel	-	36
Undercarriage bolt	4	steel	-	35
Undercarriage bolt holder	2	plastic	-	31
Undercarriage bracket	2	plastic	-	32
Clevis	7	plastic	-	23, 46, 59
Clevis pin	7	brass	-	23, 46, 59
M2 ball link	1	plastic/brass	-	51

Part	Qty	Material	Dimensions	Step No.
M2/1 threaded coupler	2	brass	-	48, 51
M2/2 threaded coupler	2	brass	-	23
Clevis spacer	2	plastic	Ø 2 mm	46
Push rod guide	10	plastic	-	43
Aileron servo arm	2	plastic	-	16
Motor mount screw	4	steel	Ø 2.9×6 mm	62

Guarantee

The KAVAN Europe s.r.o. products are covered by a guarantee that fulfils currently valid legal requirements in your country. If you wish to make a claim under a guarantee, please contact the retailer from whom you first purchased the equipment. The guarantee does not cover faults caused in the following ways: crashes, improper use, incorrect connection, reversed polarity, maintenance work carried out late, incorrectly or not at all, or by unauthorised personnel, use of other than genuine KAVAN Europe s.r.o. accessories, modifications or repairs which were not carried out by KAVAN Europe s.r.o. or an authorised KAVAN Europe s.r.o., accidental or deliberate damage, defects caused by normal wear and tear, operation outside the Specification, or in conjunction with equipment made by other manufacturers. Please be sure to read the appropriate information sheets in the product documentation!

If you have any questions about the VIBE and its operation, please contact the technical and service staff at KAVAN Europe s.r.o. by e-mail (info@kavanrc.com for general technical information, service@kavanrc.com for service) or by phone (+420 466 260 133 for general technical information, +420 463 358 700 for service), during working hours 8:00 AM–4:00 PM CET, Monday to Friday).