E-flite L-4 User Manual
Piper L-4 Grasshopper ARF
Assembly Manual
Specifications
Wingspan: 38.2 in (970mm)
Length: 23.7 in (600mm)
Wing Area: 210 sq in (13.5 sq dm)
Weight w/o Battery: 8.00–8.70 oz (227–247 g)
Weight w/Battery: 9.00–9.70 oz (255–275 g)
Table of Contents
Introduction
Product Registration
Introduction ........................................................... 2
Important Warranty Information .............................. 2
Using the Manual ................................................... 2
Age Requirements .................................................. 2
Product Registration................................................ 2
Contents of Kit/Parts Layout .................................... 2
UltraCote 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
Covering Warning ................................................. 3
Landing Gear Installation ........................................ 4
Servo Installation .................................................... 4
Receiver and Speed Control Installation ................... 5
Linkage Installation ................................................. 7
Motor and Cowling Installation for
use with Prop Saver........................................... 9
Motor and Cowling Installation for
use with Prop Adapter ..................................... 11
Battery Installation ................................................ 13
Front Windscreen Installation ................................ 13
Aileron Servo Installation ...................................... 14
Wing Attachment, Struts and
Top Windscreen Installation ............................. 17
Control Throws..................................................... 18
Center of Gravity ................................................. 19
Range Test Your Radio .......................................... 19
Flying Your L-4 Grasshopper ................................. 20
Safety Do’s and Don’ts for Pilots ............................ 20
Daily Flight Checks ............................................... 20
Warranty Information ........................................... 20
CE Compliance Information for
the European Union ........................................ 22
2009 Official Academy of
Model Aeronautics Safety Code ....................... 22
Combining the compact size of a classic balsa freeflight model with full 4-channel control, the Piper L-4
Grasshopper 250 is an exciting alternative to the usual
park flyer experience. Its exceptionally low parts count
and time saving features like the magnetically-secured
plug-in wings make assembly about as easy as it gets
for an ARF.
In the air, its docile flight characteristics and gorgeous
scale appearance will reward you with one of the most
enjoyable park flying experiences available. Plus, it’s
small enough and slow enough to fly in a large indoor
venue whenever the park isn’t an option.
Important Warranty Information
Please read our Warranty and Liability Limitations
section on Page 20 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.
Age Requirements
Age Recommendation: 14 years or over. This is not
a toy. This product is not intended for use by children
without direct adult supervision.
Register your product online at:
www.e-fliterc.com/register/
Contents of Kit/Parts Layout
EFL5026 Fuselage
EFL5027 Wing Panels L&R
EFL5028 Tail Set
EFL5029 Landing Gear
EFL5030 Cowling
EFL5031 Main Wheel Set
EFL5032 Windshields
EFL5033 Hardware
EFL5034 Pushrods
EFL5035 Main Struts
UltraCote® Covering Colors
HANU874 Black
HANU0811 ParkLite™ Olive Drab
HANU0816 ParkLite™ Gray
HANU870 White
2 E-flite Piper L-4 Grasshopper ARF Assembly Manual
Recommended Radio Equipment
Optional Accessories
Warning
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™ DX6i 2.4GHz DSM®
6-channel system. If using your own transmitter, we
recommend using four 6.0-Gram Super Sub-Micro
servos from Spektrum.
If you own a Spektrum radio, just add an AR6300
™
DSM2
servos. The SPMAR6300F flight pack works perfectly
for this application. We show the installation of the
AR6300 receiver in the manual.
Transmitter
Receiver and Servos
Servos only
Receiver only
Also required
receiver and four 6.0-Gram Super Sub-Micro
SPMR6600 DX6i 6-Channel Full Range
w/o Servos or Receiver
SPMAR6300F AR6300 DSM2 Nanolite
6-Channel Receiver FlightPack
SPMDSP60J 6.0-Gram Super Sub-Micro
Digital Programmable Servo
JST (4)
SPMAR6300 AR6300 DSM2 Nanolite
6-Channel Receiver, Air
SPMYHJST3UL 3-inch Y-Harness JST Ultra
Lightweight
SPMEXJST3UL 3-inch JST Extension Ultra
Lightweight
OR
SPMEXJST6UL 6-inch Y-Harness JST Ultra
Lightweight (2)(Optional for
computer radios)
The Spektrum trademark is used with permission
of Bachmann Industries, Inc.
EFLA110 Power Meter
EFLC3005 Celectra™ 1- to 3-Cell
Li-Po Charger
EFLC505 Intelligent 1- to 5-Cell
Balancing Charger
Brushless Outrunner Setup
EFLM1130 Park 250 Brushless Outrunner
Motor, 2200Kv
GWSEP6050 6 x 5 Slow Flyer Propeller
EFLA1010 10-Amp Pro Brushless ESC
EFLB4302SJ 430mAh 2S 7.4V 20C Li-Po,
20AWG JST
Optional battery:
THP7302SJPL2 730mAh 2S 7.4V 20C
Pro Lite V2 Li-Po, JST
Required Tools and Adhesives
Tools & Equipment
Cardstock Clear tape
Hobby scissors Hobby knife (#11 blade)
Low-tack tape Medium grit sandpaper
Pencil Pin vise
Pliers Ruler (EFLA264)
Hex wrench: .050-inch
Phillips Screwdriver: #00, #0
Flat blade screwdriver: 1.5mm
Drill bit: 1/16-inch (1.5mm), 5/64-inch (2mm)
Adhesives
Medium CA
Threadlock
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
Li-Po batteries can result in fire. Always
follow the manufacturer’s instructions when
disposing of Lithium Polymer batteries.
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.
Covering Warning
The Piper L-4 Grasshopper is built very light to achieve
the best flight performance possible. When using an
iron or heat gun to shrink the covering or to tighten
up any wrinkles, it is very important that care is
taken not to warp any of the surfaces. It is possible to
induce warps into the surfaces during this procedure.
We suggest taking your time and care to make sure
that no warps are caused as this will affect the flight
performance of the airplane.
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.
This is not shown in the assembly photographs to
display the detail of the actual building of the model.
Your L-4 Grasshopper has been assembled using the
techniques that keep the weight as low as possible
for the best flight performance. Please handle the
airframe with care during assembly and during
transportation to keep from damaging it accidentally.
3E-flite Piper L-4 Grasshopper ARF Assembly Manual
Landing Gear Installation
Required Parts
Fuselage assembly Landing gear
Required Tools and Adhesives
Medium CA
2. Press the landing gear in the slots in the bottom
of the fuselage. The landing gear should fit flush
against the fuselage.
Servo Installation
Required Parts
Fuselage assembly Servo with hardware (2)
Required Tools and Adhesives
Phillips screwdriver: #00, #0
1. Locate the landing gear. The gear will fit in the
two slots on the bottom of the fuselage. Note that
the straight edge and the wheels will be to the front
of the aircraft.
Use care not to damage the fuselage
when installing the landing gear.
1. Use a #00 Phillips screwdriver to remove the
servo horns from the rudder and elevator servos.
Set the horns and screws aside for later.
3. The landing gear will fit snugly into the slot
in the fuselage. If you do not plan to remove the
landing gear at any time then we suggest that you
tack glue it in the slot with medium CA. If you do
not glue the landing gear in, you will need to check
it periodically to make sure that it does not become
loose over time.
2. Use the tab on the battery hatch to remove it
from the fuselage. Set the battery hatch aside in a
safe place for later.
4 E-flite Piper L-4 Grasshopper ARF Assembly Manual
4. Insert the second servo in the fuselage. Slide it to
the other side of the fuselage and align both servos
with the predrilled holes in the servo rails.
Receiver and
Speed Control Installation
Required Parts
Fuselage assembly Receiver
Adapter plug Y-harness
Hook and loop tape Speed control
Servo extension, 3-inch (76mm)
Required Tools and Adhesives
Hobby scissors
3. Place one of the servos in the fuselage. You will
notice a slot in the rear servo rail. This is clearance
for the servo wire. The output shaft will face to
the rear of the aircraft. Once the servo is set on
the rails slide it to one side of the fuselage. Do not
secure the servo until instructed to do so.
5. Use a #0 Phillips screwdriver and the screws
provided with the servos to secure them in the
fuselage.
1. Plug the 3-inch (76mm) extension into the
aileron port of the receiver and the Y-harness into
the extension. The adapter will be plugged into the
port for the throttle/speed control. It will also be
easier to bind the receiver to the transmitter now
before installing it in the fuselage.
2. Plug the rudder and elevator servos into their
respective ports of the receiver.
5E-flite Piper L-4 Grasshopper ARF Assembly Manual
3. Use hobby scissors to cut a piece of hook and
loop tape that is the same width as your receiver.
4. Apply the hook and loop tape to the bottom of
the receiver.
6. Use hobby scissors to cut another piece of hook
and loop tape to the size of your speed control.
Apply the hook and loop tape to the speed control
and place the speed control in the motor box as
shown.
7. Use hobby scissors to cut a piece of hook and
loop tape the size of the battery. Place the hook
part of the tape on the bottom of the motor box as
shown.
8. Connect the lead from the speed control to the
adapter plugged into the throttle channel of the
receiver. Tuck the leads neatly inside the fuselage
so it doesn’t interfere with the battery when it is
installed.
5. Insert the receiver into the fuselage. It will fit
above the motor box and battery tray as shown
in the photo. Route the Y-harness up through the
fuselage so that it can be accessed later.
6 E-flite Piper L-4 Grasshopper ARF Assembly Manual
Linkage Installation
Required Parts
Fuselage assembly Micro pushrod keeper (2)
Radio system Flight battery
2mm x 4mm machine screw (2)
Micro brass pushrod connector with backplate (2)
Rudder pushrod wire, 17-inch (432mm)
Elevator pushrod wire, 163/4-inch (425mm)
Required Tools and Adhesives
Threadlock Pin vise
Pliers Ruler
Phillips screwdriver: #00, #0
Drill bit: 5/64-inch (2mm)
3. Slide a micro pushrod keeper over the end of
the pushrod wire.
5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 to install and secure
the 163/4-inch (425mm) elevator pushrod wire to
the outer hole of the elevator control horn.
1. Slide the 17-inch (432mm) rudder pushrod into
the tube inside the fuselage.
2. Insert the bend in the pushrod wire through the
outer hole of the rudder control horn.
4. Use a small pair of pliers to snap the micro
pushrod keeper onto the pushrod wire.
6. Use a pin vise and 5/64-inch (2mm) drill bit to
enlarge the hole on the servo horn that is 7/16inch (11mm) from the center of the servo horn.
7. Insert a micro brass pushrod connector into the
hole made in the previous step.
7E-flite Piper L-4 Grasshopper ARF Assembly Manual
8. Use pliers to install the backplate on the
connector to secure the connector to the servo horn.
9. Repeat Steps 6 through 8 to prepare a second
servo horn.
11. Use a ruler to make sure the rudder and fin are
in alignment with each other.
Always use threadlock on metal-to-metal fasteners
to prevent them from vibrating loose.
12. Use a #00 Phillips screwdriver to install the
2mm x 4mm machine screw to secure the pushrod
wire to the brass connector.
13. Repeat Steps 10 through 12 to install the
elevator servo horn and secure the pushrod wire to
the connector.
10. Turn the radio system on and check the
operation of the rudder and elevator servos. Make
sure the sticks and trims for the rudder and elevator
are centered. Slide the brass connector on the
pushrod wire for the rudder. Secure the servo horn
on the rudder servo so it is perpendicular to the
rudder servo.
8 E-flite Piper L-4 Grasshopper ARF Assembly Manual
Remember to unplug the motor battery and
turn off the radio system before proceeding.
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