I have a Top Flite Freshman Trainer that is now out of production. It was apparently manufactured before they started putting recommended control throws in the manuals/plans. Where should one start setting the control throws(high/low rates) when setting up this plane?

Personally (Unless I'm doing a Review of the plane) I never even pay attention to "Recommended" control throws, as I always seem to change them to my liking anyway.

Just use the "That Looks About Right" (TLAR) principle.

Fly it cautiously for the first flight, and then make any changes you feel necessary.

Can you get an expert to fly the first flight? If so, I'd just set the throws about 30 degrees, then ask the expert what he thinks. Most trainers need very little aileron throw (like 3/8" each way), and having too little is not too big a problem on the first flight. Trainers don't need much elevator either (1/2" each way is usually enough), but it can be hard to land the plane if there's not enough. The rudder is not important, as long as you can steer the plane on the runway. Forget about high/low rates on a trainer. If you're really nervous about it, most of the Great Planes manuals are on line, so you can find a similar plane, and see what they recommend. A trainer is pretty much a trainer.

Thanks guys! Thats what I thought. MikeinDC, this is not your average trainer. it is actually more like a Mid-Star or Easy Sport. I was going to print their recommendations off and try it as a starting point. I do have a buddy that has trimmed out a couple of planes for me before. I was going to let him trim this one out but I wanted to get a decent starting point so that it is flyable.

when your done with the plans for the freshman trainer i was wondering if you would sell the plans and the instruction manual



thanks for your time

Sorry I haven't replied. I have been out of town. This plane was built several years ago and I retrieved the plans from the attic and they are unusable. I was barely able to get the CG off of them. I am sorry.

I'd get someone who has a similar model (style/power/size) etc.. to look at it and recommend similar to what they use. I always add a little extra throw and then crank in some expo - just to have it there at the end if I need it. Then I can fine tune it after flying by adding/taking out throw or the same for expo.

thanks any ways ill just try to build it without plans and hope it comes out ok

A good rule of thumb for those models that don't have control throws is to start at about 25-30 degrees and see how the model flies. It wasn't too long ago that the kit manufacturers told you how to build the kit, but radio, engine, and pushrod installations were only suggestions. As MinnFlyer said, the "TLAR" system was pretty much used. If it was too much or too little, you adjusted the pushrod geometry at the servo or the control horn.

bax