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Kit features.
• Ready-made—minimal assembly & finishing required.
• Ready-covered covering.
• Photo-illustrated step-by-step Assembly Manual.
Made in Vietnam.
Specifications
Wing Span ------------------------------- 42.7 in --------------------- 108.5cm.
Wing Area ------------------------------- 376.7 sq in ------------ 24.3 sq dm.
Weight --------------------------------- 2.4 - 2.9 Ibs------------ 1100 - 1300g.
Length ------------------------------------ 38.8 in ----------------------- 98.6cm.
Need to Complete
Speed Control: 45A - 50A amp.
Recommended Battery 3-cell 2200mAh to 3200mAh Li-Po.
Radio : 4 channel with 5 digital servos (medium size)
ASSEMBL Y MANUAL
MS: X12 A - B
ALMOST READY TO FLY
“Graphics and specfications may change without notice”.
2
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EDGE 540. Instruction Manual.
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INTRODUCTION.
Thank you for choosing the EDGE 540 ARTF by SEAGULL EP. The EDGE 540 was designed
with the intermediate/advanced sport flyer in mind. It is a semi scale airplane which is easy to fly
and quick to assemble. The airframe is conventionally built using balsa, plywood to make it stronger
than the average ARTF , yet the design allows the aeroplane to be kept light. You will find that most
of the work has been done for you already.Flying the EDGE 540is simply a joy.
This instruction manual is designed to help you build a great flying aeroplane. Please read this
manual thoroughly before starting assembly of your EDGE 540. Use the parts listing below to identify
all parts.
WARNING.
Please be aware that this aeroplane is not a toy and if assembled or used incorrectly it is
capable of causing injury to people or property. WHEN YOU FLY THIS AEROPLANE YOU
ASSUME ALL RISK & RESPONSIBILITY.
If you are inexperienced with basic R/C flight we strongly recommend you contact your R/C
supplier and join your local R/C Model Flying Club. R/C Model Flying Clubs offer a variety of training
procedures designed to help the new pilot on his way to successful R/C flight. They will also be able
to advise on any insurance and safety regulations that may apply.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED.
EP Motor.
Radio :4 channel with 5 digital servos
(medium size).
Speed control: 45A to 50A
Battery: Power battery 3 cells
2200 mAh - 3200mAh
EP MOTOR.
Speed control: 45 to 50amp.
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NOTE: To avoid scratching your new aero-
plane we suggest that you cover your
workbench with an old towel. Keep a
couple of jars or bowls handy to hold
the small parts after you open the
bags.
Please trial fit all parts. Make sure you
have the correct parts and that they
fit and are aligned properly before
gluing! This will ensure proper assembly as the EDGE 540 is made
from natural materials and minor adjustments may have to be made.
The paint and plastic parts used in
this kit are fuel proof. However, they
are not tolerant of many harsh chemicals including the following: paint
thinner, cyano-acrylate glue accelerator, cyanoacrylate glue de-bonder
and acetone. Do not let these chemicals come in contact with the colours
on the covering and the plastic parts.
TOOLS & SUPPLIES NEEDED.
Thick cyanoacrylate glue.
30 minute epoxy.
5 minute epoxy.
Hand or electric drill.
Assorted drill bits.
Modelling knife.
Straight edge ruler.
2mm ball driver.
Phillips head screwdriver.
220 grit sandpaper.
90° square or builder’s triangle.
Wire cutters.
Masking tape & T-pins.
Thread-lock.
Paper towels.
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EDGE 540. Instruction Manual.
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1) Carefully remove the aileron from one
of the wing panels. Note the position of the
hinges.
2) Remove each hinge from the wing panel
and aileron and place a T-pin in the center of
each hinge. Slide each hinge into the wing
panel until the T-pin is snug against the wing
panel. This will help ensure an equal amount
of hinge is on either side of the hinge line when
the aileron is mounted to the aileron.
HINGING THE AILERONS.
Work the aileron up and down several
times to “work in” the hinges and check
for proper movement.
3) Slide the wing panel on the aileron until
there is only a slight gap. The hinge is now
centered on the wing panel and aileron.
Remove the T-pins and snug the aileron
against the wing panel. A gap of 1/64” or less
should be maintained between the wing panel
and aileron.
HINGING THE ELEVATOR.
Note:
5) Turn the wing p anel over and deflect the
aileron in the opposite direction from the
opposite side. Apply thin C/A glue to each
hinge, making sure that the C/A penetrates into
both the aileron and wing panel.
Glue the elevator hinges in place using the
same tectniques used to hinge the ailerons.
The control surfaces, including the
ailerons, elevators, and rudder, are
prehinged with hinges installed, but the
hinges are not glued in place. It is
imperative that you properly adhere the
hinges in place per the steps that follow
using a high-quality thin C/A glue.
Note:
Hinge.
T-pin.
T-pin.
4)Deflect the aileron and completely
saturate each hinge with thin C/A glue. The
ailerons front surface should lightly contact the
wing during this procedure. Ideally , when the
The hinge is constructed of a special
material that allows the C/A to wick or
penetrate and distribute throughout the
hinge, securely bonding it to the wood
structure of the wing panel and aileron.
hinges are glued in place, a 1/64” gap or less
will be maintained throughout the lengh of the
aileron to the wing panel hinge line.
Note:
C/A glue.
7) Repeat this process with the other wing
panel, securely hinging the aileron in place.
6) Using C/A remover/debonder and a
paper towel, remove any excess C/A glue that
may have accumulated on the wing or in the
aileron hinge area.
8) Af ter both ailerons are securely hinged,
firmly grasp the wing panel and aileron to
make sure the hinges are securely glued and
cannot be pulled out. Do this by carefully
applying medium pressure, trying to separate
the aileron from the wing panel. Use caution
not to crush the wing structure.
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HINGING THE RUDDER.
Glue the rudder hinges in place using the
same tectniques used to hinge the ailerons.
Assemble and mounting the wheel pants
as shown in the following pictures.
WHEEL AND WHEEL PANTS.
C/A glue.
C/A glue.
C/A glue.
C/A glue.
Using the hardware provided, mount the
main landing gear to the fuselage.
INST ALLING THE MAIN LANDING GEAR.
A drop of C/A glue on the wheel collar
screws will help keep them from coming lose
during operation.
Repeat the process for the other wheel.
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EDGE 540. Instruction Manual.
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2 X 12mm.
Because the size of servos differ, you
may need to adjust the size of the precut opening in the mount. The notch in the sides of
the mount allow the servo lead to pass through.
1) Install the rubber grommets and brass
eyelets onto the aileron servo.
2) Turn the wing p anel right side up. Using
a modeling knife, remove the covering at servo
tray .
AILERON SERVOS - LINKAGES.
Secure the servos with the screws provided with your radio system.
Attach the micro control connector to the
servo arms. Be sure to use the lock tie but it
could free rotation .
Wing bottom.
Aileron control horn.
5) Insert aileron control horn to the aileron.
Fuselage bottom.
Aileron servo.
Aileron servo
cotrol horn slot.
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Center line.
Right side.
Remove
covering.
Rudder servo.
Right side.
Elevator servo.
Repeat the procedure for orther wing
haft.
2) Install the rubber grommets and brass
collets onto the elevator servo. Test fit the
servo into the elevator servo mount.
3) Secure the servos with the screws provided with your radio system.
Because the size of servos differ, you
may need to adjust the size of the precut opening in the mount. The notch in the sides of the
mount allow the servo lead to pass through.
1) Locate and cut out the covering film
from the servo holes in both sides of fuselage.
FUSELAGE SERVO INSTALLATION.
HORIZONTAL STABILIZER.
2) Using a modeling knife, carefully remove
the covering at mounting slot of horizontal stabilizer ( both side of fuselage).
1) Using a ruler and a pen, locate the
centerline of the horizontal stabilizer , at the trailing edge, and place a mark. Use a triangle
and extend this mark, from back to front,
across the top of the stabilizer. Also extend
this mark down the back of the trailing edge of
the stabilizer.
3) Slide the stabilizer into place in the precut slot in the rear of the fuselage. The stabilizer should be pushed firmly against the front
of the slot.
4) With the stabilizer held firmly in place,
use a pen and draw lines onto the stabilizer
where it and the fuselage sides meet. Do this
on both the right and left sides and top and
bottom of the stabilizer.
Left side.
Elevator servo.
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EDGE 540. Instruction Manual.
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Hinge slot.
Remove covering.
7) When you are sure that everything is
aligned correctly , apply C/A glue to the top and
bottom of the stabilizer mounting area and to
the stabilizer mounting platform sides.
5) Remove the stabilizer. Using the lines
you just drew as a guide, carefully remove the
covering from between them using a modeling knife.
When cutting through the covering to
remove it, cut with only enough pressure to
only cut through the covering itself. Cutting
into the balsa structure may weaken it.
6) Using a modeling knife, carefully remove the covering that overlaps the stabilizer
mounting platform sides in the fuselage. Remove the covering from both the top and the
bottom of the platform sides.
Pen.
COVERED WOOD FILLER PIECE
INSTALLATION.
1) Using a modeling knife, remove the
covering from over the precut hinge slot cut
into the lower rear portion of the fuselage. This
slot accepts the lower rudder hinge.
VERTICAL STABILIZER INSTALLATION.
2) Slide the vertical stabilizer into the slot
in the top of the fuselage. The rear edge of
the stabilizer should be flush with the rear edge
of the fuselage and the lower rudder hinge
should engage the precut hinge slot in the
lower fuselage. The bottom edge of the stabilizer should also be firmly pushed against the
top of the horizontal stabilizer .
Hinge.
Remove covering.
Covered wood
filler piece.
Glued epoxy.
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3) While holding the vertical stabilizer
firmly in place, use a pen and draw a line on
each side of the vertical stabilizer where it
meets the top of the fuselage.
Set the stabilizer in place and realign. Double
check all of your measurements once more before the epoxy cures. Hold the stabilizer in place
with T-pins or masking tape and remove any
excess epoxy using a paper towel and rubbing
alcohol. Allow the epoxy to fully cure before
proceeding.
6) When you are sure that everything is
aligned correctly , mix up a generous amount of
30 Minute Epoxy . Apply a thin layer to the mounting slot in the top of the fuselage and to the sides
and bottom of the vertical stabilizer mounting
area. Apply epoxy to the bottom and top edges
of the filler block and to the lower hinge also.
4) Remove the stabilizer. Using a mod-
eling knife, remove the covering from below
the lines you drew.
5) Slide the vertical stabilizer back in
place. Using a triangle, check to ensure that
the vertical stabilizer is aligned 90º to the horizontal stabilizer.
When cutting through the covering to re-
move it, cut with only enough pressure to
only cut through the covering itself. Cutting
into the balsa structure may weaken it.
90º
Vertical
Stabilizer.
Horizontal
Stabilizer.
Remove
covering.
Control horn install as same as method of
aileron wing. See pictures below.
CONTROL HORN INSTALLATION.
C/A glue.
Pen.
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EDGE 540. Instruction Manual.
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C/A glue.
Elevator control horn.
Pushrod install as same as method of
pushrod wing. See pictures below.
PUSHROD INSTALLATION.
MOUNTING THE TAIL SKID.
See pictures below:
ATTACHMENT WING-FUSELAGE.
Attach the aluminium tube into fuselage.
C/A glue.
Rudder control horn.
Elevator control horn.
Rudder
servo.
Elevator servo.
Pushrod.
C/A glue.
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Remove the covering.
Battery.
Tie wrap.
INSTALLING THE BATTERY-RECEIVER.
See pictures below:
INSTALLING ELECTRIC MOTOR.
There are 2 mouting box for your option.It is
depended your motor size.
Receiver.
Tie wrap.
Battery.
Insert blind nut.
4.5 mm.
C/A glue.
Motor.
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EDGE 540. Instruction Manual.
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COWLING INST ALLA TION.
1) Using a pen to mark the points following the instruction below.
2) Slide the fiberglass cowl over the engine and line up the back edge of the cowl with
the marks you made on the fuselage then trim
and cut.
3) While keeping the back edge of the
cowl flush with the marks, align the front of
the cowl with the crankshaft of the motor . The
front of the cowl should be positioned so the
crankshaft is in nearly the middle of the cowl
opening. Use the spinner backplate as a guide.
Hold the cowl firmly in place using pieces of
masking tape.
4) Slide the cowl back over the motor.
The propeller should not touch any part
of the spinner cone. If it does, use a sharp
modeling knife and carefully trim away the
spinner cone where the propeller comes in
contact with it.
5) Secure the cowl with the screw provide with hardware.
PROPELLER INSTALLATION.
The propeller should not touch any part
of the fuselage side.
ATTACHMENT WING - FUSELAGE.
Bolt the wing to fuselage.
Speed control.
2 x 8mm.
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Insert two wing panels as pictures below.
1) We highly recommend setting up the
EDGD 540 using the control throws listed at
right. We have listed control throws for both
Low Rate (initial test flying/sport flying) and
High Rate (aerobatic flying).
CONTROL THROWS.
BALANCING.
1) It is critical that your airplane be balanced correctly . Improper balance will cause
your plane to lose control and crash. The cen-
ter of gravity is locate
7cm back from the lead-
ing edge of the wing, measured at wing tip.
2) If the nose of the plane falls, the plane
is nose heavy. To correct this first move the
battery pack further back in the fuselage. If
this is not possible or does not correct it, stick
small amounts of lead weight on the fuselage
sides under the horizontal stabilizer . If the tail
of the plane falls, the plane is tail heavy. To
correct this, move the battery and receiver forward orif this is not possible, stick weight onto
the firewall. When balanced correctly , the airplane should sit level or slightly nose down
when you lift it up with your fingers.
Wing bolt.
7 cm.
Wing brace.
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EDGE 540. Instruction Manual.
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3) When the elevator, rudder and aileron
control surfaces are centered, use a ruler and
check the amount of the control throw in each
surface. The control throws should be
measured at the widest point of each surface!
2) Turn on the radio system, and with the
trim tabs on the transmitter in neutral, center
the control surfaces by making adjustments
to the clevises or adjustable servo connectors.
The servo arms should be centered also.
4) By moving the position of the adjustable control horn out from the control surface,
you will decrease the amount of throw of that
control surface. Moving the adjustable control horn toward the control surface will increase the amount of throw.
FLIGHT PREPARATION.
A) Check the operation and direction of
the elevator, rudder, ailerons and throttle.
B) Plug in your radio system per the
manufacturer's instructions and turn everything on.
E)Check the throttle.
D) Check the rudder. Looking from behind the airplane, move the rudder stick to the
right. The rudder should move to the right. If it
does not, flip the servo reversing switch on
your transmitter to change the direction.
C) Check the elevator first. Pull back on
the elevator stick. The elevator halves should
move up. If it they do not, flip the servo reversing switch on your transmitter to change
the direction.
5) If your radio transmitter is equipped
with dual rate switches double check that they
are on the low rate setting for your first few
flights.
6) Check to ensure the control surfaces
are moving the proper amount for both low
and high rate settings.
7) Check the receiver antenna. It should
be fully extended and not coiled up inside the
fuselage.
PREFLIGHT CHECK.
1) Completely charge your transmitter
and receiver batteries before your first day of
flying.
2) Check every bolt and every glue joint
in the EDGE 540 to ensure that everything is
tight and well bonded.
3) Double check the balance of the airplane. Do this with the fuel tank empty.
4) Check the control surfaces. All should
move in the correct direction and not bind in
any way .
F)From behind the airplane, look at the
aileron on the right wing half. Move the aileron
stick to the right. The right aileron should move
up and the other aileron should move down. If
it does not, flip the servo reversing switch on
your transmitter to change the direction.
8) Properly balance the propeller. An out
of balance propeller will cause excessive vibration which could lead to engine and/or airframe failure.
We wish you many safe and enjoyable flights with your EDGE 540.
INITIAL FLYING/SPORT FLYING
Do not use the aerobatic settings for
initial test flying or sport flying.
AEROBATIC FLYING
Ailerons : 3/8” up 3/8” down
Elevator : 7/8” up 7/8” down
Rudder : 1-1/4” right 1-1/4” left
Ailerons : 3/16” up 3/16” down
Elevator : 3/8” up 3/8” down
Rudder : 3/4 right 3/4 left
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