The GWS Pico Stick
Indoor / Outdoor Electric Fun
Learn more about it at E-Zone in the slow flight form (under discussion heading)
click pics to enlarge
There is a whole lotta fun in this box!
It takes a few hours to assemble it all but when was the last time you built and flew a kit in the same day?
I ordered the Pico pack with mine. It includes the lightest servos, speed controller, receiver, and battery pack. ( 270 mah 6 cell ). A Naro pack is available for a few dollars less but the servos are larger / heavier.
I cut the hinge line completely and taped the parts down to the work bench with an 1/8th inch gap between the surfaces. I then used clear packing tape for the hinges. Once one side is taped, flip the part over and tape the other side. This takes all the load off of the servos as it has full deflection with no binding.
The tape is varly noticable and also gives a more rigid area for the controls horns to mount to. I used a small amount of 5 minute epoxy on the control horns to make sure they stay attached. I also used 5 minute epoxy to glue the wing dowels to the wings instead of the glue supplied. I was in a hurry... the supplied glue is a good product as well if you have time for it to dry.
Here is my layout of the electronics. I kept the receiver and speed cotrol both up on the mounting plate. The mounting plate is attached using a piece of the supplied double sticky tape. This makes for easy removal in the future should you need to work on the fuse or mounts.
A few wraps of the wiring keeps it all up and out of the way. I placed the speed control in front of the receiver to keep it as cool as possible.
All charged up and ready to go! It weighs in at 7.5 oz with the supplied battery pack. 11 minute, 16 seconds is the longest flight on the pack so far.
A few tips that may help along the way
Some of this is review, but you may not have read my ramblings above............................ : )
Mount the receiver and speed control both on the mounting plate. Use only double sticky tape to mount everything. It will stay there nicely and is removable later.
Sand the wing dowels to fit the mounts properly, not tight, and not loose. They should just slide in with very little pressure. A little thin CA and accelerator will build up a dowel that is slightly too loose.
Don't glue the wing mounts or servo mounts to the fuse. If they fit loosely, instead, mark where the mount should be, slide the mount out of the way, then put a drop of medium CA on the fuse where the mark is follwed by a shot of accelerator. This will build the fuse up enough for the mounts to fit snuggly. These parts will need to be moved for balance and repairs in the future.
There are three supplied wing mounts, the lowest goes on the back.I then had the medium height on the front. After a number of flights I broke my rear wing mount. I did this all by myself : ) I was removing the wings for storage and got a bit over powered and snapped off the rear mount.
I then moved the front ( medium height ) to the rear and installed the highest mount on the front. The wing incidence didn't change, it only raised the wing a bit overall.
If you must mail order your aircraft don't forget to order a spare prop, spare battery connector ( to use on a spare pack you may build ), and a spare connector to the battery ( to use on your charger ) Each of these items will be about $1.50 extra per part.
Have the brand of FM transmitter and channel number ready if mail ordering. You will be buying a crystal to match the receiver at the same time.
Here is a tip from Dean Brinton out in Washington State. I will quote from his e-mail. (with permission)
" You have to look "really carefully" to see the slight cupping of the blades themselves that should be on the back side of each blade. Even installed backward, it developed enough power to fly, but not to maintain flight. It seemed to develop about 30% more power when installed right.
The hobby store owner in our area is the one who suggested I check ( the prop ) because he told me he had taken several calls from others who found they too, had installed the prop backwards. "
I spent a whole summer fighting a poor flying pusher prop airplane only to find that the prop was on backwards so the above tip really hits home. Thanks Dean!
Test fly only on a dead calm day!
Great Lakes Hobbies. I have been involved with a number of LiteStick orders from this store and all have been filled perfectly the first time. Give Bob a call at 1-440-256-9225 or click on the above highlight to visit their web site. Good service and good prices deserves mention.
LiteStick Forum Visit this site devoted to the LiteStick. I suspect that it will grow rapidly. Bookmark it and check back often.
LiteStick Page Here are pictures of singles or gaggles of LiteStick airplanes. Enjoy!
Litestik and More A page of information and links devoted to the rapidly accepted light weight aircraft of all time.
GWS Pico-Stick Home Page Here is your chance to read Chinese also!
Area modelers can now buy Pico Packs and related e-flight parts at
Dee and Mee Hobbies in Topeka, Ks. If you don't see it, just ask.
Dee and Mee Hobbies in Topeka, Ks. If you don't see it, just ask.
I have a zip file that contains more photos of contruction and linkage arrangement. I would be happy to send it to anyone requesting it.....just send me a note.
