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Apprentice 15e RTF with DX5e Radio
User Manual
48 pgs3.39 Mb0
Table of contents
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E-flite Apprentice 15e RTF with DX5e Radio User Manual

Apprentice RTF
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

Introduction ......................................................................... 2
Using the Manual ................................................................ 2
Contents of Kit/Parts Layout ................................................. 3
Required Tools and Adhesives .............................................. 3
Optional Accessories ........................................................... 3
Note on Lithium Polymer Batteries ........................................ 3
Important Warranty Information ........................................... 3
Charging the Flight Battery .................................................. 4
Tail Installation ....................................................................6
Landing Gear Installation ..................................................... 9
Checking the Receiver ........................................................ 10
Wing Installation ............................................................... 11
Battery Installation ............................................................. 14
Installing the Transmitter Batteries .......................................16
Removing the Propeller ...................................................... 17
Control Functions............................................................... 19
Centering the Control Surfaces and
Checking Control Direction ...................................... 20
Center of Gravity .............................................................. 29
Range Test Your Radio ....................................................... 30
Flying Your Apprentice ...................................................... 31
Setting the Control Throws ................................................. 32
Installing the Propeller........................................................ 35
Warning ........................................................................... 37
Instructions for Disposal of WEEE by
Users in the European Union ................................... 37
Optional Items for Your Apprentice ..................................... 38
LiPo Battery Pack Information ............................................. 39
Warranty Information ........................................................ 41
Safety, Precautions, and Warnings ..................................... 43
2008 Official AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code ... 44
Building and Flying Notes .................................................. 45
The E-flite® Apprentice RTF is a 15-size high wing trainer, constructed of lightweight, durable Z-Foam ready-to-fly trainer comes with everything needed to go from purchase directly to the field. This includes the full-range Spektrum technology and AR500 full-range receiver which will provide you with years of flying. No building is required for this model. Simply charge and install the battery, mount the wing and tail, install the landing gear and go flying.
The Apprentice is powered with a 15-size brushless motor that provides excellent power and performance. This trainer has a flat­bottom wing that produces gentle flight characteristics. This trainer enables the pilot to learn how to fly through buddy-box training and progression to aerobatics, as the skills of the pilot allow. The Apprentice is capable of flying mild aerobatics including inverted flight, performing loops, and rolls. This model is equipped with tricycle landing gear allowing better ground handling over tail­dragger aircraft. This landing gear setup is durable and will also allow takeoffs and landings on maintained grass runways. This is a high-quality trainer with an excellent setup, taking the pilot from beginner to basic aerobatics all from this one-box purchase. Go from
™
technology DX5e radio with 2.4GHz interference-free
buy to fly with the Apprentice.
™
. The Apprentice

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.
The Spektrum trademark is used with
permission of Bachmann Industries, Inc.

Contents of Kit/Parts Layout

Required Tools and Adhesives

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 EFLB1040 3200mAh 3S 11.1v 15C Li-Po Battery EFLC3010 3 Amp 12V balancing Li-Po charger EFLM7215 BL15 outrunner, 840 kV motor EFLP11080E 11 x 8 Electric Propeller EFLR7130 12g sub micro servo (used on ailerons) EFLR7140 13g sub micro servo (used on elevator) EFLR7150 37g standard servo (used on rudder) SPM5500 DX5e Radio system SPMAR500 AR500 DSM2 Full-Range Receiver
Tools & Equipment
EFLA250 Parkflyer Tool Assortment, 5-piece
Or Purchase Separately
Phillips screwdriver: #1 Adjustable wrench Ruler

Optional Accessories

EFLA110 Power Meter EFLC3005 Celectra EFLC505 Intelligent 1- to 5-Cell Balancing Charger EFLB32003S 3200mAh 3S 11.1V 20C LiPo Battery EFLP11080E 11x8 Electric Prop SPM6805 Trainer Cord DYN4055 12-Volt, 10-Amp Power Supply
™
1- to 3-Cell LiPo Charger

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.

Important Warranty Information

Please read our Warranty and Liability Limitations section on Page – 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.
3E-flite Apprentice Assembly Manual

Charging the Flight Battery

Your Apprentice can be ready to fly in as little time as it takes to charge the flight battery. Since this takes approximately 60 minutes, let's get the battery charging right away so it's on charge while you're assembling your new Apprentice. That way you can start flying as soon as possible.
Required Parts
Charger 3200 3S 11.1V LiPo battery Power supply or 12-volt battery (not included)
Note: The battery charger can be connected to a power supply or 12-volt battery. For the pictures in this manual we will show the use of a power supply.
1. Connect the charger to a 12-volt battery or 12-volt
power supply. Connect the red lead to the positive (+) terminal of the power supply or battery. Connect the black lead to the negative (-) terminal of the power supply or 12-volt battery. Once your charger has been correctly powered up, there will be an approximate 3-second delay and then you will hear an audible “beep” and the green (ready) LED will flash.
2. Select the proper number of cells that you will be
charging. Your Apprentice includes a 3-cell flight pack, so set the charger to 3 cells.
4. Locate the balance charge lead on the battery pack.
The charge lead of a 3-cell LiPo battery will plug into the larger 4-pin port on the bottom right of the charger. A 2-cell pack will need to plug into the 3-pin port on bottom left of the charger. Once the battery is properly plugged into the correct port, it will beep 3 times if it is a 3-cell, and twice if it is a 2-cell pack. Once this is done, you are ready to proceed to charge the battery pack.
3. Set the charge rate for your battery to 3 amps.
Warning: Selecting a charge rate higher than 1x battery capacity may cause a fire. If the battery capacity is 3000mAh, then set your charger no higher than 3 amps.
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5. Push the start button to begin the charging process.
Once this is done, the charger will make an audible beep that matches the cell count, and then the red (charge) LED will begin to flash. Do not adjust the current once the charger has begun to charge.
Note: At times, the green LED may also flash during the charging process, indicating that the charger is balancing one or more of the cells at the same time it is charging the battery pack. When this is occurring, the red and green LEDs will both be flashing. It will not always be necessary for the cells to be balanced.
6. When the battery pack is fully charged, you will hear
an audible beep for about 3 seconds, and the green LED will be solid. Always unplug the battery from the charger immediately upon completion. Failure to do so could cause a fire.
Note: Lithium Polymer batteries, commonly known as LiPos, are not quite like other batteries.

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.
First, they do not develop any sort of memory characteristics due to partial use or partial charging. They can be used as little or as much as needed, then charged back up to capacity without any loss in performance.
Second, they do have one quirk that should be explained. If a LiPo battery is discharged to a voltage less than about 3.0V per cell (9.0 volts total for the battery in the Apprentice), then it will be permanently damaged and cannot be restored. The electronic speed control in the Apprentice is pre-set to a cutoff voltage that will not allow the battery to drain less than this amount.
2. Slide the pins on the bottom of the fin through the
holes of the stabilizer and into those in the fuselage. 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.
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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.
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.
Note: For new pilots, we recommend installing the clevis for both the elevator and rudder pushrods in the outer­most hole on the control horn.

Landing Gear 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.
Note: 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.
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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.

Checking the Receiver

Required Parts
Fuselage Assembly
1. Check that the servos and speed control are plugged
into the receiver properly. The speed control is plugged into the slot marked "THRO", the smaller servo in the slot marked "ELEV", the larger servo in "RUDD" and the connector that has the two leads for the ailerons into the slot marked "AILE."

Wing Installation

Required Parts
Wing panel (right and left) Wing cover, front Wing cover, rear Rubber band (8) Fuselage assembly
1. Align the carbon wing tube with the socket in the
opposite wing panel. Slide the two panels tightly together.
2. Locate the front and rear wing covers. The front cover
has a rounded edge, while the rear has a squared edge.
Hint: 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.
3. Remove the backing from the adhesive tape on the
front wing cover.
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4. 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.
5. Repeat the previous step to install the rear wing cover.
6. Install the included Y-harness by plugging it into the
Aile port of the receiver.
7. 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.
9. Install the first two rubber bands. They should cross as
shown in the image below.
10. The next two rubber bands will go directly from the
front to the rear of the fuselage, over the wing.
8. Connect the wires from the aileron servos to the
Y-harness coming from the receiver.
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11. Install the last four rubber bands using the 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. 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.
3. Slide the battery into the battery compartment. The
connector will face the back of the airplane.
4. Ensure the battery is slid all the way into the front of
the battery compartment. Use the hook and loop straps to secure the battery in the fuselage.
5. Close the hatch from the rear of the fuselage. Turn the
battery hatch keeper 90 degrees to secure the hatch.
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