DA-50 Installation Guide 1

**NOTICE**
This is only a recommended installation procedure for one type of engine. Different types and
brands of engines may require different procedures. This is just a guide to how we install the
Desert Aircraft DA-50 Gasoline Engine with 3D Hobby Shop 50cc Airframe.
NOTE: DLE-55 engine installation is nearly identical.
--3D Hobby Shop--

4x-Mounting Bolt
Holes

Fuel Line Hole

Throttle Pushrod
Slot

Temporarily install your factory supplied DA-50 installation template.

Line up the thrust line on the motor box with the lines on the mounting template.
Trace inside areas indicated above.
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Note: The correct distance between the firewall mounting surface and the prop mounting surface on
the front of the engine is 6 ¾” inches.

Remove the template and drill 4x mounting bolt holes (13/64 Drill Bit) and using a rotary tool cut fuel
line hole and throttle pushrod slot.

It may be necessary to remove and rotate the carburetor 180º as seen in above picture.
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Install the standoffs included with your DA-50. As seen in the above picture it’s good practice to install wide area
(fender) washers on the back side of the firewall for added strength.

If your wide area washers interfere with any of the firewall attaching screws, the builder can remove some of the
washer material in order to provide clearance from the firewall attach screws. (Overlapping of the aluminum
angle bracket is acceptable)

Using threadlocker on ALL

mounting hardware, attach your
motor to the standoffs and
firewall.

Loctite all mounting fasteners!

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Throttle and Choke:

You have several options for mounting your throttle servo. We have provided a location in the
bottom of the engine-mounting box behind the firewall. This hole is cut for a full-size servo.

We have also included two servo mounting boxes for full-size servos. These can be used to
place throttle and choke servos anywhere you need within the engine mounting box.

Use good epoxy glue to attach these servo mounting boxes to the airframe.

Note that if you use the throttle servo location in the bottom of the engine box, you can use
one of the servo boxes as a heat shield to protect the throttle servo from the exhaust header.

Manual Choke Installation

We recommend the use of a manual choke linkage as this option reduces weight and overall
complexity of the choke linkage installation. If you elect to use a servo actuated choke, hardware is
included in your kit for this option.

Your kit includes two threaded pushrods and matching ball links intended for use as choke and
throttle pushrods.
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Thread a ball link onto a pushrod and attach to choke arm using appropriate hardware.

Using a total of three zip-ties:

-Secure the first vertically between motor standoffs and around the choke rod.
-Secure two more zip ties horizontally to gently trap the choke rod.
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Bend the choke rod to form a handle that can be accessed just inside the fwd cowling vent.

Throttle Pushrod and Servo Installation

IMPORTANT:
Be sure EZ-connector moves
freely without binding. Apply
a small drop of medium or
thick CA glue to the nut. This
step is necessary to prevent
EZ-connector from working
loose during operation.

Start by installing your preferred throttle servo arm and thread ball link to throttle pushrod. Install one of the
included “EZ-Connectors” to the servo arm as pictured above. Note: A DUBRO brand (or similar) solder-on link
or rod end can be used in place of EZ-Connector if preferred.
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Builders Tip:
Removing the servo mount
screws and applying a small
drop of thin CA to all screw
holes will assist to prevent
screws from working loose due
to vibration.

Install the throttle servo in the lower motor box position as pictured.

Install your throttle pushrod as pictured above.

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Secure EZ-connector set screw using blue loctite. Remove excess pushrod as required.

Ignition Unit Installation

Secure your ignition unit as pictured adding a foam-rubber base pad to isolate unit from vibration.
Secure related wiring.
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Fuel Tank Installation

We recommend using a two line fuel system in your Slick. However hardware is included for both two and three
line fuel systems. Locate the items pictured below.

Assemble the fuel tank hardware as shown. Builders Tip: Use small zip-ties as hose clamps to secure
fuel tubing to the metal tubing as well as the clunk.
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Insert fuel tank stopper and firmly torque center screw.

Verify clunk will settle at the back of the fuel tank without binding.

Place a piece of foam below fuel tank to protect from vibration. Insert two of the included long zip-ties as pictured
above. Note: Locating the fuel tank as close to the wing tube as possible will reduce the effects of CG shift as
fuel burns.
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Gently secure zip-ties around fuel tank. (Do not tighten all the way at this point)

Install the fuel vent line as pictured above again using small zip-ties to secure fuel line to the vent tube.
Run the vent line in a loop as pictured to prevent fuel loss during aerobatic maneuvers.
Firmly secure large zip-ties at this time.
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Vent line should exit aircraft in a convenient location forward of the fuel tank.
You can see we used a rubber grommet to prevent the fuel tubing from being cut by the exit hole.
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Fuel Dot

Fuel-T

Route the fuel line to the engine.

You can use either a Du-Bro gasoline filler valve or a fuel line T-connector and fuel dot.

The fuel line can be run through the front of the firewall and to the carburetor.
 Exhaust Systems 14

We will detail the installation of both the optional Canister and Pitts style exhaust systems.
The stock (included with your DA-50) muffler can also be used.

The Slick is designed to work with the MTW TD-75K short canister muffler and MTW 1” (25mm) drop flex header.
Both are available from Desert Aircraft.

Remove the covering from the canister bays and cover plates as pictured above.
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Slide the canister mounts loosely into position as shown, followed by the canister.

Slide the canister mounts firmly into position as shown. Tack in place using CA glue followed by epoxy
to permanently mount them.
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Builders Tip: Installing a
servo box (included) over
the throttle servo will help
protect it from the high
exhaust temperatures.

Install the header as shown with the Teflon coupler and clamps.

Using the pre-cut holes in the cover plates as a guide, drill 1/16” pilot holes.
Install (8x black) canister cover screws.
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Many suitable pitts style mufflers are available from JTEC, Slimline and others.
Install the muffler of your choice with the two mounting bolts.

Note: For cowling cut and installation information, please refer to the 89” Slick
Assembly/Airframe Manual.

3D Hobby Shop wishes you the very best with your new 89” AJ SLICK!

FLY LOW!