I just purchased and put together a Hobbico Superstar 40. Everything seems to be in good shape, I balanced it, etc. but I have one nagging problem. The instructions recommend 1 inch of elevator movement from dead center. I have moved the connector to the bottom of the horn, but am only gett ing about 1/2 inch of movement. Everything else has the recommended movement length. Is the 1/2 inch enough to start with, or do I need the full 1 inch? Any advice on fixing this problem, if it is a problem.

Try moving the control rod out on the servo arm.

Try it with the travel it has now. Usually for learning extreme movement of the elevator is not necessary.

Thanks for the quick reply. I figured more is not better for starters. Thanks tempus and mjd3. Another question, how much runway is needed for a starter plane? I have seen people get ariborne in as little as 75 feet, and some as much as 200 feet? What size runways do most fields have?

The runway at my club is about 350 feet long but my plane needs about half the length to get airborne. It depends on the plane of course. An acrobatic plane like some I have seen at my club can lift in a short distance, maybe 1/5 of the runway length.

I just flew my SuperStar 40 for the first time last weekend. At full throttle, using an OS .46 FX, the plane took off in less than 20 feet. The run way at my field is a little bumpy, so I replaced the foam wheels that came with the ARF with larger diameter rubber wheels. A PT-40 with the foam wheels had some trouble getting into the air.

kyrcnewbie,

I just looked on the Tower Hobbies web sight and found the SuperStar 40 manual.

Here is what I found listed for control throws:

Elevator 1/2" up 1/2" down

Rudder 1" left 1" right

Ailerons 7/16" up 7/16" down


So your 1/2" each way is right on the nose.

Hope this helps,

Phil in MN

you might not need much room to take off, but don't forget that you have to land too!

Usually true, but....
kyrcnewbie,
You're asking about field size. Please tell me you aren't about to try flying this on your own. If you are, you may only need about six square feet to land. (You'll most likely be coming straight in!)