Setup Guide for Valiant

I want to start out by saying congratulations!

If your reading this you must be open to new Ideas. I`m going to try to give the best information I can on the New Comp -Arf models Valiant to help with the building, set up and trimming, of this one of a kind F3A Machine.

Please read this entire manual before you start building and flying the Valiant.

First let me say, Airplane Setup is very important, the setup will make or break your performance at any level of competition. With a properly designed and trimmed Model you will have a distinct advantage over the competition.

The construction, and radio installation of equipment is where it begins. The new computer radios can only do so much for you, what we want to do is set up an airplane so the radio is relied upon very little for corrective actions, and only used for molding the radio for the particular "feel" you are looking for with the Model

I`m going to give you information on how to set this airplane up to fly with my built in settings in just a few flights.
Comp Arf has strived very hard to be as Accurate as they can to give the modeler an airplane that strictly follows my force arrangements. I will show you how to fly and adjust the model through a series of maneuvers for the best results with very little to NO mix.

First some important information

The weight balance of the Valiant was designed to accommodate most motors with some adjustment off C/g being needed on others if you are flying Glow or Electric , the stabs are cut out for Mini servos, and these servo`s can be installed in the stab halves with little adjusting of C/g required to complete final balance in the radio installation Process.

If you intend to use a 2 Stroke, a YS 1.70, "NON CDI", or a YS 1.60 the airplane could end up tail heavy if you install the servo`s in the Stabs so, be carfull and thoughtful with your installation. You may need to run a push rod or Pull-Pull systems on the elevator and make some cover plates for the Stabilizer servo cut outs. This will make it easier to work the proper C/G. just be aware of the weight during the building process. Shulman Aviation makes a extension wire for rear servo setup in the stabs which will save you some weight in the rear of the airframe should you run the elevator servo`s in the Stabs.

The airplane is supplied with two center tank mounts to mount the Tank in, it is made to be used in range from the Tetra 16 Ounce to the 20 Ounce and should be installed centered on the C/g under the wing tube,so there are no trim changes during the Flights. If you are running a standard YS1.6 or 1.7 I would recommend a 16 to 20 ounce tank. If you choose to run a YS Ignition Motor you can get by with only a 12 Ounce tank for any pattern in use today. However, the tank cutouts are standard for the 20 Ounce Tetra Crank Tan, and they will need to be modified if you use a smaller tank. The center of gravity is on the Center of the wing tube so place the tank in this position for best results.

Engine cooling...

This is a big issue for YS Motors Especially the 1.7 Y.S.

You may have to dam your engine compartment with foam around the engine head (YS Engine Box foam works great for this Purpose) look at the photo`s in the manual.

Running a Y.S. 1.7, you will need to remove the center of the cut out in the front of the chin for best results on the hottest days for the best cooling.
Also you may choose not to add the side cut out like I recommend on the chin. If you choose not to use this cooling method make sure you cut a big enough cooling exit for good air flow.

Very Important Information on the center hinge wings and stabs. Comp Arf has manufactured a very nice and precise product, however, some precautions are required by you, the builder.

You must run very precise Quality servos in the wings if there is excessive slop around center along with engine vibration, you may encounter "FLUTTER" so chose your servo`s carefully. Do not disregard this step.

The same for the elevators, you must use very precise sevo`s for best results

Motor mounts...

I recommend the LR 85 Hyde mount for this airplane. I worked with Merle Hyde on the aplication and operation of this mount.
Tested all of his mounts on this airframe and found the LR 85 to be the best overall for My composite designs. The motor mount is important because of the center hinging. The better the mount the longer the hinges stay slop free.

Servo`s and Linkage...

I recommend for best results Futaba BLS Brushless servo`s or Equivalent. For Elevator Halves use the bls 651, for Ailerons use the bls 551. On Rudder use a 200 inch Ounce servo for the most consistent results.

For clevises on the glow models, I recommend the Tetra, Central Hobbies or MK BB clevises where possible for all surfaces and Central Hobbies Carbon/Titanium push rod systems. It is important to have as little linkage slop as possible for the best trimming, flying, and durability results.


Trimming the Valiant...

Start by putting the C/G on the tube and test fly. make sure the airplane is trimmed for hands off level flying pull to vertical flight and make sure it goes straight up. Then fly a left rudder knife edge. If the model goes to the Belly move the c/g forward a little at a time till it goes straight with no pitch. Repeat the same test on the right rudder knife edge and it should be the same.

If the motor thrust is aligned to the nose ring the airplane will go straight up with no need for further adjustment.

For the down lines you may need to mix 2-3 % down elevator to keep it from pulling to the canopy.

This design has no roll coupling or pitch coupling at knife edge. If you have these tendencies check surfaces to make sure they are perfectly straight at neutral.

Snap settings, for all snaps, positive or negative up line, or down line, set the throws on the ailerons to 23 degrees up and down.

Elevator, set up at 14 degrees and 18 degrees down.

Rudder, adjust the low rate rudder to 20 degrees and adjust it for landing the snap. If you continually overshoot the snap,"do not reduce the ailerons" Reduce the rudder throw a little at a time, till you can consistently land them or increase the rudder if you consistently under snap.

For 1.5 snaps, the only change that you will need is a increase in rudder throw by 10 degrees.(a mid rate rudder) again adjust the rudder if you can`t nail a exit (over rotate, reduce rudder) Visa Versa.

The rudder is very power full and the Valiant can do a knife edge loop easily on low rate rudder. However,the fin and rudder was designed for a perfect snapping balance and you will have best stall turn results on high rate in windy or calm conditions.

The counterbalances were utilized on this design for a soft feel around neutral, but it will also give you low speed power for low speed snaps, spins with very good control through the speed envelope. There is no change in the aileron feel no matter what speed you are flying the maneuvers.

Remember Quality zero`s produce Quality results!

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