E-flite Alpha 450 Sport ARF User Manual

™

Alpha

Assembly Manual

Sport 450 ARF

Specifications

Wingspan: 48.5 in (1230mm) Length: 40 in (1015mm) Wing Area: 395 sq in (25.5 sq dm) Weight w/o Battery: 23–24 oz (650–680 g) Weight w/Battery: 28–29 oz (790–820 g)

Table of Contents

Introduction

Product Registration

Introduction ........................................................... 2

Important Warranty Information .............................. 2

Using the Manual ................................................... 2

Product Registration................................................ 2

Contents of Kit/Parts Layout .................................... 2

Covering Colors ..................................................... 2

Recommended Radio Equipment ............................. 3

Optional Accessories .............................................. 3

Brushless Outrunner Setup ...................................... 3

Required Tools and Adhesives ................................. 3

Note on Lithium Polymer Batteries ........................... 3

Warning ................................................................ 3

Installing the Aileron Servos and Linkages ............... 4

Installing the Nose Gear ......................................... 7

Installing the Main Landing Gear ............................ 8

Installing the Motor and Speed Controller ................ 9

Installing the Rudder and Elevator Servos............... 11

Installing the Tail Surfaces ..................................... 14

Installing the Receiver ........................................... 16

Installing the Motor Battery ................................... 16

Centering the Rudder, Nose Gear and Elevator ...... 17

Attaching the Wing and Centering the Ailerons ..... 19

Checking the Control Movements .......................... 21

Checking the Control Throws ................................ 23

Installing the Propeller and Spinner ....................... 25

Center of Gravity ................................................. 27

Range Test Your Radio .......................................... 28

Flying Your Alpha 450 ......................................... 29

Age Requirements ................................................ 29

Safety Do’s and Don’ts for Pilots ............................ 29

Daily Flight Checks ............................................... 29

Glossary of Terms ................................................ 30

Warranty Information ........................................... 30

CE Compliance Information for the

European Union .............................................. 32

2009 Official Academy of

Model Aeronautics Safety Code ....................... 32

Building and Flying Notes ................................34–35

The Alpha Sport 450 ARF combines the mild manners of a high-wing trainer with all the fun of a sport aerobatic plane, making it the perfect companion for a few care-free hours at the local park or playground. Constructed from top-quality balsa and plywood, it comes out of the box covered in genuine UltraCote. And assembly takes just an evening or two thanks to convenient features like the bolt-on tail and preinstalled control horns.

Important Warranty Information

Please read our Warranty and Liability Limitations section on Page 30 before building this product. If you as the Purchaser or user are not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this Product, you are advised to return this Product immediately in new and unused condition to the place of purchase.

Using the Manual

This manual is divided into sections to help make assembly easier to understand, and to provide breaks between each major section. In addition, check boxes have been placed next to each step to keep track of its completion. Steps with a single circle () are performed once, while steps with two circles ( ) indicate that the step will require repeating, such as for a right or left wing panel, two servos, etc.

Remember to take your time and follow the directions.

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Contents of Kit/Parts Layout

EFL2826 Wing Set EFL2827 Fuselage EFL2828 Tail Set EFL2829 Wing Tube EFL2830 Main Gear EFL2831 Pushrod Set EFL2832 Fuselage Hatch EFL2833 Nose Gear EFL2834 Wheel Set EFL2835 Hardware Set

Covering Colors

HANU873 Deep Blue HANU870 White HANU866 True Red

2 E-flite Alpha Sport 450 ARF Assembly Manual

Recommended Radio Equipment

Brushless Outrunner Setup

Note on Lithium Polymer Batteries

You will need a minimum of a 4-channel transmitter, receiver and four servos. You can choose to purchase a complete radio system. If you are using an existing transmitter, just purchase the other required equipment separately. We recommend the crystalfree, interference-free Spektrum™ DX5e 2.4GHz DSM® 5-channel system. If using your own transmitter, we recommend the E-flite S75 Sub-Micro servos.

If you own a Spektrum radio, just add a DSM2 receiver and four E-flite S75 Sub-Micro servos. We show the installation of the AR500 receiver in the manual.

Complete Radio System

SPM5500 DX5e 5-Channel Full Range

w/o Servos

Or Purchase Separately

SPMAR500 AR500 5-Channel Receiver

And

EFLRS75 Sub-Micro S75 Servo (4) EFLREX3L 3-inch Extension,

Lightweight (2)

EFLRYH3 3-inch Y-Harness, Lightweight

™

Optional Accessories

EFLA110 Power Meter EFLC3005 Celectra™ 1- to 3-Cell

Li-Po Charger

EFLC505 Intelligent 1- to 5-Cell

Balancing Charger EFLSP175 13/4-inch Aluminum Spinner APC10070E 10x7 Electric Prop

EFLM1400 Park 450 Brushless Outrunner

Motor, 890Kv EFLP1070 10x7 Slow Flyer Propeller EFLA1025 25-Amp Lite Pro Switch-Mode

BEC Brushless EFLB18003S 1800mAh 3S 11.1V 20C Li-Po,

13AWG EC3

THP21003SPL2 2100mAh 3S 11.1V 20C Li-Po,

16AWG

Required Tools and Adhesives

Tools & Equipment

Ruler (EFLA264) Hobby knife (#11 blade) Nut driver: 5.5mm Pliers Pin drill Scissors String/dental floss Phillips Screwdriver: #0, #1, #2 (EFLA257 and EFLA258) Hex Wrench or Ball Driver: 5/64-inch Drill bit: 1/16-inch (1.5mm)

Adhesives

Thin CA Threadlock Clear tape

Optional Tools and Adhesives

Paper towel Epoxy mixing cup Epoxy mixing stick Epoxy brush Rubbing alcohol 6-minute Epoxy (HAN8000) Propeller reamer Drill Low tack tape Drill bit: 3/8-inch (9.5mm) Adjustable wrench or 10mm open-end wrench

Lithium Polymer batteries are significantly more volatile than alkaline or Ni-Cd/ Ni-MH batteries used in RC applications. All manufacturer’s instructions and warnings must be followed closely. Mishandling of Li-Po batteries can result in fire. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when disposing of Lithium Polymer batteries.

Warning

An RC aircraft is not a toy! If misused, it can cause serious bodily harm and damage to property. Fly only in open areas, preferably at AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) approved flying sites, following all instructions included with your radio.

Keep loose items that can get entangled in the propeller away from the prop, including loose clothing, or other objects such as pencils and screwdrivers. Especially keep your hands away from the propeller.

During the course of building your model, we suggest

that you use a soft base for the building surface.

Such things as a foam stand, large piece of bedding

foam or a thick bath towel will work well and help

protect the model from damage during assembly.

The Spektrum trademark is used with permission

of Bachmann Industries, Inc.

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Installing the Aileron Servos and Linkages

Required Parts

Radio system Wing panel (right and left) Servo with hardware (2) 41/2-inch aileron pushrod (2) 3-inch (76mm) servo extension (2) Micro pushrod connector (2) Micro pushrod connector backplate (2) 2mm x 4mm machine screw (2)

Required Tools and Adhesives

Pliers Dental floss or string Pin drill Drill bit: 1/16-inch (1.5mm) Thin CA Phillips screwdriver: #0, #1 Threadlock

 1. Use a #0 Phillips screwdriver to remove the

servo horn from the servo. Connect a 3-inch (76mm) servo extension to the lead from the servo. Use string or dental floss to secure the extension to the servo lead so it will not unplug while inside the wing. Make sure not to lose the screw from the servo as it will be used at the end of this section.

 2. Use pliers to carefully pull the string out of the

wing through the hole for the aileron servo. Use care not to detach the string from the end of the wing where it is taped.

 3. Use a knot to tie the string to the end of the

servo extension that will plug into the Y-harness.

 4. Use the string to carefully pull the extension and

servo lead through the wing as shown. The end of the extension will eventually come out of the same hole the string was inserted in.

Note: Use the radio system to center the aileron servo at this time.

4 E-flite Alpha Sport 450 ARF Assembly Manual

 5. Use pliers to carefully pull the end of the

extension through the large hole that is in the bottom of the wing. Do not damage the wiring in the process.

 6. Insert the aileron servo in the rectangular

opening in the wing for the aileron servo. Make sure the output shaft of the servo faces the training edge of the wing, which is where the aileron is hinged. Use a pin drill and 1/6-inch (1.5mm) drill bit to drill a hole through the tab on the servo and into the wing. Be careful not to drill through the top of the wing, damaging the covering.

 7. Remove the servo from the opening. Apply

2–3 drops of thin CA in each hole to harden the surrounding wood. This will toughen up the surrounding wood to provide a stronger surface for the servo mounting screws.

 8. Use the two screws included with the servo to

secure the servo to the wing. You will need to use a #1 Phillips screwdriver to tighten the screws. Remember the output of the servo will face the trailing edge of the wing when placed back in the rectangular opening for the servo in the wing.

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 9. Insert the prebent end of the 41/2-inch (114mm)

aileron pushrod in the middle hole of the aileron control horn. Carefully rotate the aileron pushrod wire so the middle part of the bend is centered on the control horn. The pushrod will face the servo as shown in the last photo of this group.

 10. Use a pin drill and 1/16-inch (1.5mm) drill bit

to enlarge the outer hole of the servo arm that was removed in Step 1.

 11. Insert the micro pushrod connector in the hole

drilled in the previous step. The connector will be on the top side of the servo horn.

 12. Slide a micro pushrod connector backplate on

the pushrod connector. Use pliers to fully seat the backplate in position. Be carefully not to damage the connector or servo arm by using too much pressure.

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 13. There is a small hole in the micro pushrod

connector that is slightly larger than the pushrod wire. Insert the aileron pushrod wire in this hole and slide the servo horn assembly on the aileron pushrod wire.

 14. Attach the servo arm to the aileron servo.

Make sure the horn is aligned parallel to the hinge line of the aileron, and that the servo horn is facing toward the wing tip. Use the screw removed in Step 1 and a #0 Phillips screwdriver to secure the servo horn to the aileron servo.

 15. Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver to install the 2mm

x 4mm machine screw that will be used to secure the aileron pushrod wire to the micro pushrod connector. The alignment of the servo and aileron will take place later in this manual.

Use threadlock on all metal-to-metal fasteners

to keep them from vibrating loose.

 16. Repeat Steps 1 through 15 to install the

remaining aileron servo and linkage.

Installing the Nose Gear

Required Parts

Fuselage assembly Nose gear assembly Nose gear steering arm 3mm x 4mm machine screw

Required Tools and Adhesives

Threadlock Phillips screwdriver: #2

 1. Slide the nose gear steering arm on the prebent

nose gear steering pushrod. The flat side of the nose gear steering arm will be facing away from the firewall.

7E-flite Alpha Sport 450 ARF Assembly Manual

 2. Rotate the nose gear steering arm to position

it on the center portion of the prebent nose gear steering pushrod. Slide the nose gear steering arm in the lower nose gear support. The nose gear steering pushrod will enter the arm from the bottom of the nose gear steering arm and exit the top. The support webbing on the arm will face to the bottom of the fuselage. The hole for the nose gear attachment screw will also face away from the ﬁrewall so the nose gear can be secured in the following steps.

 3. Slide the nose gear into the nose gear support

and into the nose gear steering arm. The spring on the nose gear assembly will face to the rear of the fuselage and the ﬂat area on the nose gear assembly will align with the hole in the nose gear steering arm.

 4. Use a 3mm x 4mm machine screw to secure

the nose gear assembly to the nose gear steering arm. A #2 Phillips screwdriver will be required to tighten the screw.

Installing the Main Landing Gear

Required Parts

Fuselage assembly Main landing gear #4 steel washer (2) 4-40 x 3/8-inch socket head bolt (2)

Required Tools and Adhesives

Hex wrench or ball driver: 3/32-inch Threadlock

 1. Position the main landing gear on the bottom

of the fuselage as shown. The main gear has a straight side and an angled side. The angled side goes forward and the straight side aft. Slide a #4 steel washer on the two 4-40 x 3/8-inch socket head bolts. The bolts goes through the landing gear and in the blind nut installed inside the fuselage. The landing gear is secured using two bolts and washers. Tighten the bolts using a 3/32-inch hex wrench or ball driver.

Use threadlock on all metal-to-metal fasteners

to keep them from vibrating loose.

Use threadlock on all metal-to-metal fasteners

to keep them from vibrating loose.

8 E-flite Alpha Sport 450 ARF Assembly Manual

Installing the Motor and

Speed Controller

Required Parts

Fuselage assembly Motor with hardware #4 steel washer (5) Motor standoff (4) Hook and loop material Electronic speed control (ESC) 4-40 x 11/2-inch socket head bolt (4)

Required Tools and Adhesives

String Scissors Threadlock Phillips screwdriver: #1 Hex wrench or ball driver: 3/32-inch

 1. Attach the X-mount to the motor using the

hardware provided with the motor. Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver to tighten the screws.

 2. Slide a 4-40 x 1

through the mount. Next, slide a motor standoff on the screw. The last is to slide a #4 steel washer on the screw. Prepare the motor using four bolts, standoffs and washers at this time.

/2-inch socket head bolt

 3. Use a 3/32-inch hex driver or ball wrench to

secure the motor to the ﬁrewall as shown.

Use threadlock on all metal-to-metal fasteners

to keep them from vibrating loose.

 4. Lift up at the rear of the battery hatch and slide

it to the rear of the fuselage to remove. Set the battery hatch aside.

Use threadlock on all metal-to-metal fasteners

to keep them from vibrating loose.

9E-flite Alpha Sport 450 ARF Assembly Manual

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR BRUSHLESS ESC

Make sure your ESC brake is programmed to Off. Also, be sure to use an ESC with the proper 9V cutoff when using 3-cell Li-Po packs.

 5. Use a knot to tie a 12-inch (300mm) length of

string around the motor leads of the speed control. On the opposite end of the string, use a knot to tie a #4 steel washer to the string. You will have to open a bag not associated to the motor installation to obtain the washer.

 6. Lower the string from the wing opening in the

fuselage for the radio compartment. The washer will weight the string so you can guide it through the hole in the ﬁrewall as shown.

 7. Lower the speed control into the fuselage

as shown. As you pull the string through the ﬁrewall you will need to guide the speed control into the fuselage.

 8. Eventually you will pull the motor leads from the

speed control through the ﬁrewall. Use care not to pull too hard and break the string.

 9. Connect the leads from the motor to the speed

control as shown.

If using all E-flite branded equipment in your power

system, the wires will connect to the corresponding

colors; red to red, blue to blue, black to black.

10 E-flite Alpha Sport 450 ARF Assembly Manual

 10. Carefully tuck the leads from the motor and

speed control back into the fuselage. This is done so the leads do not get entangled with the motor or propeller when ﬂying your model.

 11. Use scissors to cut a 1-inch (25mm) piece of

hook and loop material. Use care not to cut your ﬁngers while cutting the hook and loop material.

 12. Remove the backing from one of the pieces of

hook and loop material and apply the hook and loop to the bottom of the speed control.

 13. Remove the remaining backing from the hook

and loop material. Position the speed control in the fuselage as shown.

Installing the Rudder and

Elevator Servos

Required Parts

Fuselage assembly Servo with hardware (2) Radio system 2mm x 3mm machine screw (3) Micro pushrod connector (3) Micro pushrod connector backplate (3)

Required Tools and Adhesives

Pin drill Phillips screwdriver: #0, #1 Pliers Drill bit: 1/16-inch (1.5mm) Thin CA Hobby knife with #11 blade

 1. Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver to thread one of

the servo mounting screws into each of the four holes in the servo tray as shown. This will tap the wood so it can be hardened in the next step.

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