well the fedex guys dropped off my avistar and everything that goes with it. I can't express how excited I am! Unfortunately I have to work today until 630 before i can go home and get to work with organization and familiarization. the real construction will begin tomorrow afte i visit home depot for sandpaper, epoxy brushes, etc.

You knew i was going to ask this so here it is... does anyone have any tips or advice for building the ARF version of the avistar? any trouble spots or confusing areas in the instructions?

Thanks so much guys!

(sorry no pics yet.. maybe later this evening)

So are you looking to solo or just another fun flyer?

Oh boy, Oh Boy, OH BOY!

is there a difference?

SC so happy for you . The assembly of this ARF is as per the instructions, no biggies to mess with. Best of luck with your maiden and with your flying from that point on.

yay! Good luck ScienceisCool. Make sure you pick up clear wax paper to put on top of your plans because if you dont the wood will stick to the plan paper and your screwed! oh yea.. the CA glue burns like heck if you get it on ur fingers lol!! and the epoxy smells so u want some open windows. and read carefully cause if you screw up.. you dont have extra peices so try ur best not to screw up! and ummmm your going to need the basic screw driver type tools and you will need an xacto knife things like that.

CA burns? What kind did you buy? I get it on my fingers all the time and it has never burned. No, I'm not not careless, it's just something that happens if you use it a lot. Definitely keep it out of the eyes. Actually, I recommend safety glasses when using it. I use ZAP thick and thin. Did you get any debonder?
Enjoy your new goodies.

Bruce

1. Take a deep breath and relax.
2. Smile (it makes you feel better)
3. Read the instructions.
4. Read the instructions again.
5. Read the instructions again, this time doing an inventory of the parts supplied.
6. Gather supplies as required by the manual and any other items you have in mind for mods and/or upgrades.
7. During the assembly process, be sure to trial fit everything before you glue. If unsure about a step, ask questions either here on RCU or call the manufacturer. Most likely you will find the answers here satisfactory.
8. Enjoy every minute of your build and learn the in's and outs of your new plane.
9. Take your time. Getting in a hurry can and will cause you great misery. Once finished you will have something to enjoy for a long, long time.
10. Take lots and lots of pics and be sure to post them so we can see how your doing. We love seeing new planes take shape.
11. Finally, on a more personal note, good luck. Your in for a real treat.

Not sure what kind i was using, I threw it away... Everytime It touched my hand it BURNED like hell.. I felt like it was penetrating through my hand.

thanks guys so much for the advice and encouragement! when i begin the building process i'll start a new "building" thread and post pics at each step or so. this is my first plane and i'm so excited i feel like i'm 5 years old with a new toy!

bruce... no, i didn't get debonder.. should i?

Airstrike- Try the ZAP brand, I have always liked it. Hope that wasn't the brand you tried. Also possible you might be allergic to one of the chemicals in it. Also, when the CA is "kicking" do not have your face or eyes directly above it. The fumes are very powerful. There are some milder one on market but I have not tried them and can not vouch for their quality. I assume they are probably OK though.

Science- Debonder is handy if you glue your fingers together or to the plane or just plain spill the stuff somewhere. Also, if you put a part in the wrong place you can release and relocate it. As another suggested, dry fit everything at least once before gluing in place. Read the ENTIRE manual and understand it before taking the cap off of the first bottle of glue and then use the kind of glue they recommend. If you don't have what they want, stop and go get it. Do it right or don't do it. You are building a flying weapon if not careful. But have fun too, not trying to scare you.

By the way, I lived in South Houston from 1976 til 1986.

Bruce[;

I burn myself all the time when using kicker. Always manage to have a little CA on my hand when I use kicker and end up doing a little dance. Its horrible because you're burning and can't do anything about it!

DamonTX-
I use kicker as little as possible as it terminates the penetration into the wood (if I remember what I read in the past correctly) and it also make sanding harder. One of CA's best characteristics is the way it penetrates, seems a shame to stop it early. Yes, I realize that sometimes you need to. I think your strongest joint comes when you don't kick the CA though. Just fished a KAOS kit wing and haven't touched the kicker yet. But I dunno, even with kicker I never felt a burn, maybe a little warm. What brand do you use?

Bruce[

If you're burning yourself with the CA (and kicker) you're either allergic or using too much.

I guess if you have quite a bit of CA on your fingers and then hit it with kicker you will get a burning sensation, because CA gets pretty hot when it goes off ("kicks" or sets), and "kicker" causes this to happen instantaneously.

I seldom use kicker, but mainly use thin CA which sets in about 5 seconds, and yes it does stop the penetration into the wood when it kicks.

Rather than buy a tiny bottle of debonder, pick up a quart of acetone at Lowes or Home Depot. Does the same thing and costs about 1/100th the price. Definitely good to have around, in case you glue yourself to the plane though. []
Dennis-

Be careful with acetone. It will eat a lot of plastics and can ruin canopies and stuff. In a bind you can use your wifes nail polish remover(don't tell her). They do make polish remover w/o acetone(I use it to take paint overspray off my glasses lenses) but I don't know if it will debond. I'm heading home now, time for me to build and get ready for weekend. time for you to CAREFULLY work on your new toys. Charge your batteries if you haven't already done so.

Bye,
Bruce

know how you feel soloed just before christmas with a nexstar just got in tiger 2 luckily instructor says he'll help me build the plane can't wait to get started