E-flite Apprentice 15e PNP User Manual
Apprentice™ 15e PNP
Assembly Manual
Specifications
Wingspan: 58 in (1475mm)
Length: 37 in (940mm)
Wing Area: 525 sq in (33.7 sq dm)
Weight w/o Battery: 32–35 oz (910–1000 g)
Weight w/Battery: 40–45 oz (1135–1275 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
Required Radio Equipment ...................................... 3
Battery .................................................................. 3
Charger ................................................................ 3
Required Tools and Adhesives ................................. 3
Optional Accessories .............................................. 3
Note on Lithium Polymer Batteries ........................... 3
Charging the Flight Battery ..................................... 3
AR500 Receiver Installation .................................... 3
AR6200 Receiver Installation .................................. 4
Tail Installation ....................................................... 4
Landing Gear Installation ........................................ 6
Wing Installation .................................................... 6
Battery Installation .................................................. 9
Removing the Propeller ......................................... 10
Control Functions ................................................. 12
Centering the Control Surfaces and
Checking Control Direction .............................. 12
Reversing Direction of Flight Controls ..................... 17
Center of Gravity ................................................. 17
Range Test Your Radio .......................................... 18
Setting the Control Throws .................................... 18
Installing the Propeller .......................................... 20
Flying Your Apprentice ......................................... 22
Safety Precautions ................................................ 22
Safety Do’s and Don’ts for Pilots ............................ 22
Warranty Information ........................................... 22
CE Compliance Information for the
European Union .............................................. 24
2009 Official Academy of
Model Aeronautics Safety Code ....................... 24
Declaration of Conformity ..................................... 26
E-flite’s Apprentice™ 15e Plug-N-Play™ is a 15-size
high-wing club trainer that comes with nearly
everything you need to go from purchase to the flying
field. No building required—just charge and install
your battery, mount the wing and tail surfaces and
fly by utilizing your own transmitter and receiver.
The Apprentice is made from durable, lightweight
Z-Foam™, making it tough enough to handle the
punishment of early training mishaps without getting
bent out of shape. When using the recommended
E-flite® 11.1V 3200mAh battery, you can expect
extended flight times of 15 minutes or more.
The Apprentice is the perfect training aircraft thanks
to its gentle flight characteristics. Once the pilot has
learned the basics of flight, the Apprentice is capable
of performing loops, rolls, inverted flying and other
aerobatic maneuvers. It’s also equipped with tricycle
landing gear for better ground handling.
Learn to fly the basics and beyond with E-flite’s
Apprentice PNP.
Important Warranty Information
Please read our Warranty and Liability Limitations
section on Page 22 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.
Register your product online at:
www.e-fliterc.com/register/
Contents of Kit/Parts Layout
EFL2726 Wing Set
EFL2727 Fuselage
EFL2728 Tail Set
EFL2729 Cowl
EFL2730 Pushrod Set
EFL2731 Nose Gear
EFL2732 Main Landing Gear
EFL2733 Spinner
EFL2734 Motor Mount
EFL2735 5mm Prop Adapter
EFLA1030 30-Amp Pro Switch-mode
BEC Brushless ESC
EFLM7215 BL15 Outrunner, 840Kv motor
EFLP11080E 11 x 8 Electric Propeller
EFLR7140 13-gram Sub-Micro Servo
(used on elevator and ailerons)
EFLR7150 37-gram Standard Servo
(used on rudder)
Remember to take your time and follow the directions.
The Spektrum trademark is used with permission
of Bachmann Industries, Inc.
2 E-flite Apprentice PNP Assembly Manual
Required Radio Equipment
Clear Tape
Required Tools and Adhesives
AR500 Receiver Installation
The Apprentice PNP requires a 4-channel transmitter
and full-range receiver. Users of Spektrum’s DX5e
2.4GHz radio system will need an AR500 5-channel
receiver (SPMAR500).
Complete Radio System
SPM5500 DX5e 5-Channel Full Range
w/o Servos
Or Purchase Separately
SPMAR500 AR500 5-Channel Receiver
Or
SPMAR6200 AR6200 6-Channel Ultralite
Receiver
Battery
EFLB1040 11.1V 3200mAh 15C
3-Cell Li-Po, 13AWG w/EC3
Or
EFLB32003S 11.1V 3200mAh 20C
3-Cell Li-Po, 13AWG w/EC3
Or
THP33003SXV 11.1V 3300mAh 25C
3-Cell Extreme V2 Li-Po
Charger
EFLC505 1-5 Cell Li-Po Charger
w/Balancer
Or
THP610 610C 1-6 Cell Li-Po 0.25-10A
DC Charger w/Balancer
Optional
THP1205P AC-12V DC, 5A Power Supply
Tools & Equipment
EFLA250 Parkflyer Tool Assortment,
5-piece
Or Purchase Separately
Adjustable wrench Ruler
30-minute epoxy Mixing cup
Mixing sticks Epoxy brush
Paper towel Rubbing alcohol
Low-take tape
Phillips screwdriver: #1
Optional Accessories
EFLA110 Power Meter
EFLP11080E 11x8 Electric Prop
EFLA208 Foam CA 1oz/
Activator 2oz Pack
SPM6805 Trainer Cord
Note on Lithium Polymer Batteries
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 LiPo
batteries can result in fire. Always follow the
manufacturer’s instructions when disposing of
Lithium Polymer batteries.
Charging the Flight Battery
You will want to begin charging your battery so
it is ready once the model is complete. Follow the
instructions included with your charger and battery.
Required Parts
Fuselage assembly Hook and loop tape
AR500 receiver Clear tape
1. Attach a piece of hook and loop tape to the
back of the receiver. Insert the receiver into the
pre-formed pocket in the fuselage as shown.
Make sure to route and secure the antenna as
shown in the photos below. Once you have the
antenna routed correctly, secure it in place with
a piece of clear tape.
2. Plug the leads from the speed control, rudder
servo and elevator servo into the appropriate ports
of the receiver. Note the rudder servo is larger, and
the elevator servo is smaller.
3E-flite Apprentice PNP Assembly Manual
AR6200 Receiver Installation
Required Parts
Fuselage assembly Hook and loop tape
AR6200 Receiver with remote receiver
1. Attach a piece of hook and loop material to the
back of the main receiver. Insert the receiver into
the pre-formed pocket in the fuselage as shown.
2. Attach a piece of hook and loop material to
the back of the remote receiver. Mount the remote
receiver on the left side of the fuselage (as viewed
if sitting in the aircraft) as shown. The antennas
should be vertical on the remote receiver as shown
in the photo.
3. Plug the leads from the speed control, rudder
servo and elevator servo into the appropriate ports
of the receiver. Note the rudder servo is larger, and
the elevator servo is smaller.
Tail Installation
Required Parts
Fuselage assembly Stabilizer/Elevator
Fin/Rudder
2.5mm x 12mm sheet metal screw (2)
Required Tools
Phillips screwdriver: #1
1. Position the stabilizer on the fuselage. Align the
holes in the stabilizer with the holes in the rear of
the fuselage. The decals on the stabilizer will face
toward the top of the fuselage.
4 E-flite Apprentice PNP Assembly Manual
2. Slide the pins on the bottom of the fin through
the holes of the stabilizer and into those in the
fuselage. You will need to move the pushrods out
of the way to each side to drop the fin all the way
down. Make sure to seat the fin completely down
on the horizontal stab. You might need to push the
fin down with some slight pressure to fully seat it.
3. Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver to install the two
2.5mm x 12mm sheet metal screws that secure the
tail assembly to the fuselage. Tighten the screws
until they stop. Do not overtighten as you may
crack the plastic.
4. Connect the elevator pushrod clevis to the
elevator control horn in the hole that is farthest
away from the elevator. Make sure to slide the
silicone retainer onto the clevis to keep the clevis
from popping off of the control horn.
For new pilots, we recommend installing the
clevis for both the elevator and rudder pushrods
in the outermost hole on the control horn.
5. Connect the rudder pushrod clevis to the rudder
control horn in the hole that is farthest away from
the rudder. Make sure to slide the silicone retainer
onto the clevis to keep the clevis from popping off
of the control horn.
5E-flite Apprentice PNP Assembly Manual
Landing Gear Installation
Wing Installation
Required Parts
Fuselage assembly Nose gear w/wheel
Main gear w/wheels
Required Tools
Phillips screwdriver: #1
1. Locate the flat area on the nose gear. This area
will be where the screw will be positioned in the
following step.
2. You will need to back out the screw in the nose
wheel steering arm before sliding in the nose
gear wire. Slide the nose gear into the nose gear
bracket. Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver to tighten
the screw that secures the nose gear. Make sure the
screw is tightened against the flat area as indicated
in Step 1.
You may need to push the cowling out of
the way slightly to access the screw. The
cowl material is flexible enough to bend a
little during this step without damage.
3. Locate the main gear and press it into the slot in
the fuselage that is behind the battery compartment
on the bottom of the fuselage. You may need to flex
the landing gear wire inwards towards itself to get
it to fully seat inside the slot.
Required Parts
Wing panel (right and left)
Wing cover, front
Wing cover, rear Rubber band (8)
Fuselage assembly Transmitter
Motor battery
Required Tools
30-minute epoxy Mixing cup
Mixing sticks Epoxy brush
Paper towel Rubbing alcohol
Low-tack tape
You will need to bind your radio system before you
install the wing on the Apprentice in this section.
1. Align the carbon wing tube with the socket in
the opposite wing panel. Test fit the two panels
by sliding them together. They should fit tightly
together as shown.
6 E-flite Apprentice PNP Assembly Manual
2. Separate the wing panels. Mix 1/2-ounce
(15mL) of 30-minute epoxy and apply it to the root
of both the left and right wing panels.
3. Slide the wing panels back together. Use low-
tack tape to keep the panels held tightly together.
Wrapping a piece of tape around the leading and
trailing edge will keep the panels in alignment with
each other. Use a paper towel soaked with rubbing
alcohol to remove any excess epoxy before it cures.
Allow the epoxy to fully cure before proceeding to
the next step.
4. Locate the front and rear wing covers. The front
cover has a rounded edge, while the rear has a
squared edge.
You may want to practice the next steps before
removing the backing from the adhesive tape
on the wing covers. The adhesive will stick
as soon as it touches the wing surface.
5. Remove the backing from the adhesive tape on
the front wing cover.
7E-flite Apprentice PNP Assembly Manual
6. Make sure the two wing panels are pressed
tightly together with no gap between them. Position
the front wing cover in the notch at the front of the
wing. Press the cover down to secure its position on
the wing.
7. Repeat the previous step to install the rear
wing cover.
8. Install the included Y-harness by plugging it into
the “AILE” port of the receiver.
9. Connect the aileron pushrod clevis to the aileron
control horn in the hole that is farthest away from
the aileron. Make sure to slide the silicone retainer
onto the clevis to keep the clevis from popping off
of the control horn. Connect both the right and left
aileron linkages at this time.
10. Bind your radio system according to the
manufacturers instructions at this time.
11. Connect the wires from the aileron servos to
the Y-harness coming from the receiver.
8 E-flite Apprentice PNP Assembly Manual
12. Install the first two rubber bands. They should
cross as shown in the image below.
13. The next two rubber bands will go directly from
the front to the rear of the fuselage, over the wing.
14. Install the remaining rubber bands using Steps
9 and 10 as a guide. You will install two across (as
in step 9) and then two in line (as in step 10), and
then two across (as in step 9) and then two in line
(as in step 10), and so on until there are no more
rubber bands.
Battery Installation
Required Parts
Assembled airframe
3200 3S 11.1 V LiPo battery (charged)
1. Lay the model upside-down and turn the battery
hatch keeper 90 degrees to release the hatch.
2. Open the hatch from the rear of the fuselage as
shown. The front of the hatch is hinged so it will not
detach from the fuselage and get lost.
9E-flite Apprentice PNP Assembly Manual
Loading...