Knowledge Base

1. VMA-T210X Twin Otter 09-15 ARF - Additional Information

In general "Additional" Information is:

In addition to that found in other documentation related to this product,
Often reflects feedback &/or questions from users of the product.

Subject to the Conditions of Use, please review the attachments and related articles listed below.

1.1. VMA-T210X Twin Otter 09-15 ARF - Aileron Control Rod Length

Question: The aileron control rods that run from the servo to the aileron control horn on my VMAR Twin Otter appear to be slightly too long. What should I do?

Answer: The Twin Otter wing has been produced in several different configurations depending on the market area. Early production runs shipped to Europe and the UK used a one piece wing. Later production runs and all shipments to North America used a two piece wing. The aileron control rod length is adjustable to fit the wing that you have.

For each aileron:

1) Ensure that your servo is mounted correctly and that the servo arm can rotate freely the way you have installed it. Center the servo arm so that it lies parallel to the wing trailing edge.

3) Install the control horns on the ailerons. Tape the ailerons into a neutral position as explained in the manual.

4) If you find that the aileron control rods are too long, use a ruler to measure how much shorter you need to make the rod.

From one end of the rod, unscrew the clevis and threaded stud.
Use a pair of scissors or snips to cut the plastic rod to the shorter length you required.
Thread the stud and clevis back onto the plastic rod.
Tug test to ensure you have a secure coupling.

5) If in any doubt about the security of the coupling, unthread the clevis and wick thin CA into the coupling between the stud and the plastic tube. Do not get CA into the clevis threads.

1.2. VMA-T210X Twin Otter 09-15 ARF - Extra Hardware Items

Question: I have completed the assembly of my VMAR Twin Otter and I have a few extra hardware items such as horns, screws and wing bolts. What are these for?

Answer: We usually include a few extra horns and wing bolts with all VMAR ARF's. You may also find a spare clevis and a couple of small screws depending on the model. These are free and intended to help you out if you drop or misplace one of these small items. If you have followed all of the assembly steps, completed your model, tested that your radio and control surfaces all move correctly, tug tested everything twice, just put any of extra hardware pieces in one of the bags and set it aside as spares just in case you need them later on. Don't throw anything out, you just never know when that screw, horn or nut may be needed!

1.3. VMA-T210X Twin Otter 09-15 ARF - Pilots - What sizes fit?

Question: Can pilots be installed in the VMAR Twin Otter? If so what are the dimensions that I should keep in mind when selecting pilots?

Answer: Yes pilots (2) can be installed in the VMAR Twin Otter. The factory seats and shoulder harnesses are installed and the seats have a flexible back that facilitates installation of after market pilots working from inside the main radio bay of the fuselage. Here are some approximate dimensions for reference purposes when selecting pilots.

Top of head to seat cushion = 3" max
Back of seat to back of knee = 2-1/2" max
Back of seat to front of knee = 3-1/8" max
Seat cushion to bottom of feet = 2-1/4" max
Width of hips and shoulders = 2" max

1.4. VMA-T210X Twin Otter 09-15 ARF - Glow Power - Tips

Question: Can I use glow engines to power my VMAR Twin Offer? If so what sizes are recommended? Any tips you can suggest on what I need to plan for?

Answer: Yes the VMAR Twin Otter can be powered with glow engines. We suggest glow engines be at least .09 cu. in. each as a minimum. Maximum engine size should be limited to .15 cu. in. each. Please note that setting up and operating multiple glow engines is not for novices. It requires considerable expertise with modeling, glow engines and RC flying to be able to successfully equip and fly the Twin Otter with glow engines.

Tips on use of glow power:

1) We recommend two stroke engines for this model. Four stroke engines tend to be bigger and heavier and they may cause structural failure of the standard wood engine mounting pylons.

2) You will need to plan your fuel tanks and engine mounting system with careful consideration for physical space particularly if you wish to try to install the engines so that you can utilize the scale like engine shrouds and nacelles.

3) Do NOT glue the engine mounting pylons (factory assembled of wood) to the wing until you have test fitted the engine mounting pylons, engine mounts, engines, mufflers, fuel tanks, fuel tubing, throttle linkages, engine shrouds and nacelles.

4) Once you have test fitted all of the components related to the glow engines, use 30 Minute Epoxy to attach the engine pylons to the wing. Ensure they are aligned and fitted properly. Let the adhesive cure thoroughly before proceeding.

5) Use Pacer Finishing Resin and a brush to throughly seal any exposed wood, particularly that of the engine mounting pylons and the attachment area on the wing. Also the wing saddle area. The exhaust from glow engines contains lots of hot vapourized and liquid oil residue. Although most of this oil will be channeled out in the exhaust, some oil will inevitably get on the model itself and will be absorbed by any unsealed wood. Oil can weaken glue joints and the wood itself.

6) Glow engines tend to produce considerable vibration particularly in a twin configuration when the engines are not quite at the same RPM. Take particular care to balance your props and to run the engines at the same RPM when compared to each other throughout the range of throttle positions. Vibration can cause fuel feed problems, lean runs and engine cut off as well as structural failure, control surface flutter and/or separation and is very damaging to servos. It is very important to keep vibration to a minimum.

1.5. VMA-T210X Twin Otter 09-15 ARF - Steering Control Rod for Nose Gear

Question: Where is the steering control rod for the nose gear packed for shipping? What does it look like? I can't seem to locate it. Also, please provide any tips you may have for installing it.

Answer: The Twin Otter steering control rod for the nose gear is shipped in the fuselage main radio and forward bay. It is usually located near the left side. The rod is about 15.75 in. (654 mm) long. The inner rod is solid metal and the outer (shorter) rod is a semi transparent plastic tube. There is an EZ connector near the servo end of the metal rod and a Z-bend at the steering arm end of the metal rod.

Installation is described in the manual that came with the model and can be summarized as follows:

1) The Z-bend engages with the steering arm. The EZ connector attach's to the servo arm and the metal control rod.

2) Loosen the EZ connector set screw and remove the EZ connector from the metal rod.

3) Remove the steering arm from your servo.

4) Attach the EZ connector to the servo arm using the nut to fasten it.

5) Slide the EZ connector onto the metal steering control rod leaving the servo arm attached.

6) Attach the servo arm to the servo. Align the nose gear and steering servo in a neutral position for straight ahead motion. Secure the servo arm to the servo.

7) Tighten the EZ connector set screw to engage the steering control rod.

8) Leave about .5 in (12 mm) of extra rod protruding beyond (aft) of the EZ connector. Snip off any excess length.

1.6. VMA-T210X Twin Otter 09-15 ARF - Steering Direction sync with Rudder Direction

Question: I am using a Y-harness in my VMAR Twin Otter to enable control of the rudder and the nose gear steering using the rudder channel on my receiver. Will this automatically result in the steering direction on the ground using the nose gear being in sync (the same direction) as the rudder steering in the air?

Answer: It depends on your servo type and installation but in any event it's easy to sync the nose gear and rudder steering so that they are both moving in the correct direction even though you are controlling the two servos via a Y-harness from the rudder channel of your receiver.

1) First of all try it out. If the nose gear is moving in sync with the rudder you are good to go.

2) If they are not in sync please see your Assembly and Operations Manual. Look at pictures 12C and 12F and the picture in the Stage 12 introduction. Picture 12F shows the rudder control rod attached to the servo steering arm that is pointing up. To reverse the direction of the movement of the rudder move the rudder control rod to the opposite side of the rudder servo.

3) OR you can do the following: See pictures 20B, 20C, 21.1 and 21.2. These show the steering control arm connected via an EZ Connector attached to the left side of the steering servo arm. To reverse the direction of movement of the steering nose gear move the steering control rod and EZ Connector to the opposite side of the steering servo.