E-flite Ascent EP Park Glider ARF User Manual

Instruction Manual

• Almost-Ready-to-Fly

• Speed 400 motor w/folding propeller included

• Lightweight fiberglass fuse w/bolt-on wing

Specifications

Wingspan............................................................ 54 in (1384 mm)

Length .............................................................. 323⁄8 in (822 mm)

Wing Area .................................................... 331 sq in (21.4 dm2)

Flying Weight .................................................... 19.5 oz (552.8 g)

Radio ........................................ 3-channel w/2 sub-micro servos

Battery ................................................ 7- or 8-cell 500–800mAh

Electronic Speed Control .......................................... 15–20 amps

™

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Radio Equipment Required. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Additional Required Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Required Tools and Adhesives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Kit Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Section 1. Mounting the Wing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Section 2. Installing the Horizontal and Vertical Tail Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Section 3. Installing the Elevator and Rudder Servos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Section 4. Installing the Elevator and Rudder Control Horns and Linkages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Section 5. Installing the Speed Control and Receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Section 6. Balancing and Control Throw Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Section 7. Preflight Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Section 8. Glide Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Section 9. Thermal Soaring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Section 10. In-Flight Adjustments for Performance and Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Pitch Attitude Minimum Sink Speed Maximum Lift/Drag (L/D) Speed Best Penetration Speed

AMA Safety Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Table of Contents

Thank you for purchasing the Ascent electric park glider. E-flite’s Ascent offers the modeler an ARF (almost-ready-to-fly) electric park glider that is pre-built to a high level of craftsmanship. It is unique in that it comes with the electric motor and folding propeller installed, complete with preassembled wiring harness, saving a significant amount of construction time.

The precovered and trimmed Ascent is a high-quality speed 400-power park glider that can be flight ready in just a few evenings. The world of electric-powered park gliders is extremely challenging and rewarding. It is your skill and knowledge of the surrounding atmosphere, combined with the design capabilities

of your model, that will result in your ability to defy the laws of gravity and produce flights of unbelievable distance and duration.

With the electric motor, you can climb 300–500 feet (thermal hunting altitude) several times, resulting in flight times of up to an hour or more as you soar from thermal to thermal. We have included sections on "Thermal Soaring" and "Flight Trimming for Performance and Conditions" to help you achieve the most enjoyment from your Ascent. We believe you will have many enjoyable hours of challenging and rewarding flight. Happy thermal hunting!

An R/C aircraft is not a toy! If misused, it can cause serious bodily harm and damage to property. Fly only in open areas, preferably AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) approved flying sites, following all instructions included with your radio. Always assume the electric motor can come on at any time so use extreme caution.

Before beginning assembly of your Ascent, we strongly suggest that you read through this instruction manual so you can become familiar with the parts and the assembly sequence. Assemble the kit according to the sequence provided in the instruction manual. Do not attempt to modify or change the kit design as doing so could adversely change the models flying characteristics.

Seek Assistance

If you are new to R/C we suggest you find an experienced pilot to check out your aircraft and help you with the first few flights.

This will help prevent damage to your model and will speed up the learning process making your R/C experience all the more enjoyable. You can contact local R/C clubs or your dealer to obtain the names of experienced R/C pilots who would be willing to help you with your first few flights.

Although this is an ARF (Almost-Ready-to-Fly) kit, it does have some construction features that can be challenging to the less experienced modeler. If you encounter difficulty in any construction sequence, please feel free to contact one of our technicians— we stand ready to provide any assistance we can concerning the construction of your E-flite Ascent ARF. Contact us at:

Horizon Hobby, Inc. 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign, IL 61822 (217) 355-9511 www.horizonhobby.com

Introduction

Warning

• 3-channel radio system

• 7- or 8-cell battery pack

• Micro Receiver (JRPR610)

• Sub-Micro Servos (2) (JRPS241)

• 20-Amp Mini ESC w/Brake (EFLA105)

Recommended JR System

J-Line™Quattro Lite System (JRPF404) (Quattro transmitter, JR R610M Receiver and 2 each JR 241 Sub-Micro Servos)

AirPac™Micro (JRPF640) (JR R610M receiver and 2 each JR 241 sub-micro servos)

7- or 8-cell Ni-Cd battery pack 500–800mAh Battery charger

Radio Equipment Required

Additional Required Equipment

JRPF404

Hobby knife Phillips screwdriver Hex Driver: 3/32" Drill Drill Bit: 1/16" Sandpaper (medium) Felt-tipped pen/pencil Ruler Double-sided foam tape or Velcro

Masking tape

Folding Propeller, 7 x 3 (EFL1079) Fuselage with Tail Boom (EFL1077) Wing Joiner Tube Hardware Main Wing Set (EFL1076—includes item C) Tail Set (EFL1080)

Required Tools and Adhesives (not included in the kit)

Kit Contents

Parts Needed

Ascent fuselage Right and left wing panel Aluminum wing tube Wing dowels (2) 4-40 x 1/2" hex screws (2) 4-40 washers (2)

Tools and Adhesives Needed

Hobby knife Hex Driver: 3/32" 6-minute epoxy Rubbing alcohol Paper towels Felt-tipped pen/pencil

Step 1. Locate the right and left wing panels and the two 1" wing dowels. Test fit the dowels into the predrilled holes in the leading edge of each wing.

Step 2. Insert the dowels until there is 1/4" extending past the leading edge of the wing. Mark the dowel where it enters the leading edge. Remove the dowels from the wing.

Step 3. Using approximately 1/2 ounce of 6-minute epoxy, glue the dowels into the leading edge of the wing. Be sure to get plenty of epoxy into the hole in the leading edge. Use the marks made in the previous step to reposition the wing dowels. Wipe away any excess epoxy using rubbing alcohol and paper towels. Allow the epoxy to cure before moving on to Step 4.

Step 4. Locate the aluminum wing tube and slide it into the hole in the wing root of one wing panel as shown. The tube should slide in approximately half of its length.

Section 1: Mounting the Wing

Step 5. Slide the other wing panel onto the wing tube, joining the wing halves.

Note: The wing of the Ascent™is not glued together. The wing panels separate to allow for ease of transportation.

Step 6. To mount the wing to the fuselage, slide the wing dowels into the predrilled holes in the forward portion of the wing saddle just behind the canopy.

Step 7. Secure the wing to the fuselage with the 4-40 x 1/2" wing mounting hex screws and 4-40 washers provided. Use a 3/32" hex driver to tighten the wing screws.

Note: Remove the wing for now. You will need to reinstall it during the alignment of the horizontal stabilizer.

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