Aerobeez 89" Yak 55 Step by Step Build Guide - Part 1

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Hi GSN Pilots and Builders! Welcome to our hands on Step by Step Aerobeez 30% YAK-55 build blog! This is a Pro build by our team pilot Santiago Perez. As always having experience with putting an ARF together is good, but with our guide even an inexperienced builder should be able to put this kit together in about 10-12 hours. Look for "Pro Tip's" that are unique tricks and tips called out by Santiago Perez and our notes that will help walk you through this build like a seasoned pro.

These steps are the personal preference of Santiago Perez. You may choose to build using the same steps however the build order can be organized differently depending on your own preference.

So, without further ado, lets get started building!

Step 1: Have the servos you are using for this aircraft ready and pre-centered prior to installing onto the control surfaces. Keep in mind the servos for the elevators are installed inside the horizontal stabilizers. Once your servos are centered, install the servos into the horizontal stabilizers. You may need to trim the servo arm slot. Note: (depending on your servos of choice and how much elevator authority you would like to achieve, this may vary.)

 

Step 2: Use a rotary tool or sandpaper to "score" the surface of the fiberglass control surface horns. This will provide the best and strongest adhesion between the fiberglass control surface horn and the control surface. At this time, you can apply this step to all of the control surface horns.

Pro Tip: Use some household rubbing alcohol and clean the fiberglass dust from each horn for best glue results.

 

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Step 3: First locate the control surface horn slots and remove the 2 slot covering. Next insert medium thickness CA into the slots. Note: For this build, Santiago prefers to use medium thickness CA, you may choose otherwise if you have a different personal preference. You do not have to fill the slot with CA. Apply enough CA to coat both of the slots.

Step 4: Apply medium CA to the fiberglass control surface horns. Once the horns are CA coated well, insert the horn into the elevator with a fast pressing motion. If you insert too slow utilizing CA, the horn may adhere at a wrong position. Epoxy is also a glue of choice.

Pro Tip: Always test fit the horns into the control surfaces prior to applying glue. Have the control surface horn ball end tight. This will provide the best glue angle. Note: Do Not Use thin CA! Glue of choice is Epoxy. If you choose to use CA, use Medium or Thick CA ONLY for this step.

Step 5: Now that the control horn is mounted, apply Thin CA to all 4 sides of the surface horn gap. This will spread an even and strong layer of CA into the slot giving the highest strength for the surface to surface horn slot.

Step 6: Install the ball pushrod ends to the elevator pushrods. You can tentatively adjust the length close to a level control surface. Fine adjustments can be made with the pushrod installed.

 

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Step 7: Install the pushrod to the control surface and servo arm. Pro Tip: Although the screw nuts are nylon self locking nuts, Santiago will still use a drop of Blue Thread Lock on the nut. This will insure a solid screw to nut strength.

Step 8: Adjust your pushrod length for a level control surface to arm geometry.

 

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Step 9: Elevators complete with perfect geometry and ready for install later to the fuselage.

Step 10: Using a sharp hobby knife, locate and cut the area for the aileron servos.

Pro Tip: There are different methods for the removing or cutting the aileron slot covering. Santiago uses an "X" slice. With this method, you will not need to remove the covering. When the aileron servo is inserted into the servo bay, the covering will press inside the area. This will prevent the covering from pealing during flight. No covering iron is needed with this method, however it can be used if you wish to press the covering down.

Step 11: Install your aileron servos.

Step 12: Remove the covering from the aileron slots for the control surface horns.

 

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Step 13: Apply Medium CA to the surface horn slots and the fiberglass control surface horns. Once the control surface horn is coated well, press the horn quickly into the aileron.

Step 14: Use Thin CA and fill the area next to the control surface horns. Same steps as the elevator install.

Step 15: Install and adjust the aileron pushrod.

Step 16: Locate the components for the main landing gear. Install the wheel axles to the carbon fiber landing gear.

Pro Tip: Use Blue Thread Lock on the nylon wheel axle nuts for more tightening strength.