SM 1/6th F-16 Chute System Instructions

The chute system is very simple to install and use. There are few components and require only one modification to the rear fin base to install.

Begin by taping along the seam where shown in the photo.

Make the first part of the cut with a dremel cut-off wheel or a diamond cutter wheel. Stop when you reach the radius at the bottom of the cut.

Make the final cut using a fine tooth razor saw.

This photo shows the proper angle to insert the rear fin base spreader plate.

Use your finger to pull the plate into position. There should be approx 3/32" gap between the face of the plate and the rear edge of the glass. See below finished photo below.

Run a bead of Aeropoxy around the spreader plate and rear inside edge of fuse fin base glass. Allow epoxy to fully cure before proceeding.

After epoxy has cured, using a 3/16" drill bit, drill a hole just to the left of the brass rudder pivot rod tube centered at the same height as the large hole in the spreader plate. This hole is for the eject cylinder airline to be feed forward thru the fin base. After drilling the airline hole, position the chute box in place onto the fin base  and tape in place. There are 2 sets of holes visible on the inside of the chute box when looking forward into the box. The inner set is to mount the chute eject piston, the out set is to mount the chute box to the spreader plate.

Making the drill bit extension:

Using a 1/16" drill bit and a scrap piece of 1/4" dowel, drill a hole into the end of the dowel using the 1/16" bit. Be sure to drill the hole centered in the end of the dowel and at least 1/2" deep. Be sure the hole is as straight as possible in the end of the dowel as well. Once the hole has been drilled, remove the bit from the drill and place it into the hole in the end of the dowel (cutting side out). Tape the bit in place using some electrical tape. Stretch the tape so that it firmly grips the bit. You can CA the bit in place if you like and it's an extra bit. Place the opposite end of the dowel into the drill and drill thru the two outer holes thru the spreader plate using the makeshift extension drill bit.

Install two flanged #2X5/8" screws to secure the chute box to the fin base. You may also glue the chute box to the fin base as there is nothing forward of the chute box that would ever require it's removal.

Attach on end of the black airline to the nipple fitting on the back of the eject cylinder. Working thru the large hole in the center of the chute box and spreader plate, feed the opposite end of the black airline thru the 3/16" hole on the left side of the brass pivot tube. Reach inside the fuse and pull the black airline forward as you position the eject cylinder mounting plate against the forward chute box mounting plate. Mount the eject cylinder with the "U" groove facing up using two #2X5/8 flanged screws. The eject cylinder requires only the one airline to eject the chute. When the button valve is off, the chute eject piston can be reset by hand.

Route the black airline forward and connect it to center nipple on the button valve. Connect the air bottle side of the system to the nipple on the button valve closest to the black button on the valve. The lower (bottom straight port) is not used for the chute system setup. Use a "T" fitting and fill valve (not supplied) between the air bottle and the push button valve for filling the air bottle. Mount the bottle and valve in a convenient location in the forward fuse. You do not need to fill the bottle beyond 100 psi to eject the chute. 70-80 psi is more than ample pressure.

There is an optional release unit (servo driven) that enables the pilot to release the chute from the aircraft after landing. Otherwise, simply make a block out of hard wood, screw a small eyelet into the rear end of the block and epoxy the block into the lower forward part of the chute box with the eyelet facing aft. The swivel supplied  with the chute will then attach to the block. The optional release unit is available separately on the SM F-16 store page. Click here for details.

Our Autochute II unit not only deploys the chute automatically for you upon landing, it can also be set to release the chute when the flaps are raised after landing.

Please give us a call if you need any further assistance with your SM F-16 chute system installation or operation.

208-233-4721 M-F  9-6 MST USA

or e-mail at: support@details4scale.com