Leader 480 ARF Assembly Manual
Notice All instructions, warranties and other collateral documents are subject to change at the sole discretion of Horizon Hobby, Inc. For up-to-date product literature, visit http://www.horizonhobby. com and click on the support tab for this product.
Table of Contents Notice....................................................................... 2 Meaning of Special Language.................................... 2 Warnings.................................................................. 2 Introduction............................................................... 3 Important Information Regarding Warranty Information........................................ 3 Specifications............................................................ 3 Using the Manual.....
Hardware/Accessory Sizes Wheel diameter 2-in (51mm) Wing bolts 3mm x 10mm socket head cap screw Recommended Radio Equipment You will need a minimum 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™ DX6 2.4GHz DSM® 6-channel system.
Hinging the Ailerons Required Parts Wing panel with aileron (left and right) Required Tools and Adhesives Thin CA T-pins Pin vise Drill bit: 1/16-inch (1.5mm) 2. Use a pin vise and 1/16-inch (1.5mm) drill bit to drill a hole in the center of each hinge slot in the aileron to create a tunnel for the CA to wick into. This will allow the CA to penetrate the hinge, creating a better bond between the hinge and surrounding wood. 4. Insert the hinges in the ailerons.
Aileron Servo Installation Do not use CA accelerator when gluing the hinges. The CA must be allowed to soak into the hinge for the best bond between the hinge and surrounding wood. 7. Once the CA has cured, gently pull on the control surface and wing to make sure the hinges are glued securely. If not, apply CA to those hinges that are not glued and recheck.
4. Connect a 6-inch (152mm) servo extension to the servo lead. Use string of dental floss to secure the leads so they do not accidentally disconnect inside the wing. Use a #0 Phillips screwdriver to remove the servo horn from the servo. 8. Apply 2–3 drops of thin CA in each of the holes to harden the surrounding wood. This will harden the threads so the screws do not easily strip the surrounding wood. 6. Use a T-pin to puncture the covering, locating the openings for the servo mounting screws.
Rudder and Elevator Servo Installation 10. Pass the Z-bend in the 1mm x 180mm pushrod through the outer hole of the aileron control horn. Use a small piece of low-tack tape to hold the aileron in position when installing the linkage. Remove the tape once the linkage has been installed. 12. Repeat steps 1 through 11 to install the remaining aileron servo and pushrod.
3. Apply 2–3 drops of thin CA in each of the holes to harden the surrounding wood. This will harden the threads so the screws do not easily strip the surrounding wood. Prepare all four mounting holes at this time. 4. Secure the elevator servo in the fuselage using the screws provided with the servo and a #1 Phillips screwdriver. The output shaft of the servo faces the rear of the fuselage when installed. Remove the servo horn from the servo using a #0 Phillips screwdriver.
Nose Gear Installation 2. Insert the Z-bend of the pushrod wire into the nose gear steering arm as shown. 3. Slide the pushrod wire through the tube and into the fuselage. Guide the wire through the connector on the rudder servo horn. The steering arm will fit in the bracket as shown. Required Parts Fuselage assembly Nose wheel steering arm 51mm foam wheel Pre-formed nose gear wire Transmitter Receiver Receiver battery 2.5mm wheel collar with setscrew (2) 1mm x 445mm pushrod with guide tube 4.
7. Use the radio system to center the rudder servo. Align the nose gear so the wheel is parallel to the fuselage centerline. Tighten the screw in the pushrod connector to secure the pushrod wire. Use side cutters to trim the excess pushrod wire 1/4-inch (6mm) past the connector as shown. Receiver Installation Required Parts Fuselage assembly Receiver 3-inch (76mm) servo extension Hook and loop tape (not included) Required Tools and Adhesives Scissors 1.
Motor and Speed Control Installation Required Parts Fuselage assembly Motor with hardware Speed control 3mm washer (4) 3mm lock washer (4) Two-sided tape (not included) 6-inch (152mm) servo extension 3mm x 30mm socket head cap screw (4) Aluminum motor standoff, 18mm (4) 2. Secure the motor to the firewall using the four 18mm aluminum motor standoffs, four 3mm x 30mm socket head cap screws, four 3mm washers and four 3mm lock washers. Use a 2.5mm hex wrench to tighten the screws.
Cowling and Spinner Installation 2. Slide the cowling on the fuselage. 4. Use low-tack tape to hold the cowling in position for the following step. Make sure the propeller can rotate without the backplate rubbing against the cowling. 5. Measure 3/16-inch (5mm) forward of the edge of the cowl, and in 3/16-inch (5mm) from the paint lines on the cowl. Use a pin vise with a 1/16-inch (1.5mm) drill bit to drill four holes through the cowling and fuselage side for the cowl mounting screws.
14 6. Remove the propeller and cowl from the fuselage. Enlarge the holes in the cowl using a pin vise and 5/64-inch (2mm) drill bit. 7. Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver to thread a #0 Phillips head wood screw into each of the holes to cut threads in the surrounding wood. Remove the screw before moving to the next step. Prepare all four mounting holes at this time. 8. Apply 2–3 drops of thin CA in each of the holes to harden the surrounding wood.
Main Landing Gear Installation Required Parts Wing panel assembly (left and right) Pre-bent main landing gear (2) #2 Phillips head wood screw (8) Nylon landing gear strap (4) 51mm foam wheel (2) 2.5mm wheel collar with setscrew (4) 2. Apply 2–3 drops of thin CA in each of the holes to harden the surrounding wood. This will harden the threads so the screws do not easily strip the surrounding wood. Prepare all four mounting holes at this time. 4. Insert the landing gear wire into the wing.
Wing Installation Always use threadlock on metal-to-metal fasteners to prevent them from vibrating loose. 6. Use two 2.5mm wheel collars to secure the 51mm foam wheel to the landing gear. The setscrews are tightened using a 1.5mm hex wrench. Required Parts Wing panel with aileron (left and right) Aluminum wing tube 3mm x 10mm socket head cap screw (4) 3mm washer (4) 3. Use two 3mm x 10mm socket head cap screws and two 3mm washers to secure the position of the wing. Use a 2.
Stabilizer Installation Required Parts Fuselage assembly Stabilizer 2. Measure the distance from each stabilizer tip to the fuselage centerline to make sure the stabilizer is centered on the fuselage. Required Tools and Adhesives Thin CA Felt-tipped pen Ruler Hobby knife with #11 blade 4. Measure the distance from each stabilizer tip to the outside corner of the aileron hinge line. These measurements must match as close as possible.
Vertical Fin Installation When cutting through the covering, use a new #11 blade and light pressure to avoid cutting into the underlying wood, which could weaken the underlying structure, causing it to fail in flight. We also recommend using a hot knife to melt through the covering to help reduce damaging the underlying wood. 6. Remove the stabilizer from the fuselage. Use a hobby knife and #11 blade to trim the covering inside the lines drawn in the previous step by 1/16inch (1.5mm).
When cutting through the covering, use a new #11 blade and light pressure to avoid cutting into the underlying wood, which could weaken the underlying structure, causing it to fail in flight. We also recommend using a hot knife to melt through the covering to help reduce damaging the underlying wood. 4. Place the fin back in the slot on the top of the fuselage. Use a square to make sure the fin is positioned 90-degrees to the stabilizer.
3. Insert the hinges in the rudder (or elevator). The T-pin will rest on the edge of the bevel of the control surface. 4. Slide the rudder (or elevator) into position. Make sure the tip of the control surface is aligned with the tip of the fixed surface. 5. Saturate each hinge with thin CA. Apply CA to both side of the hinge. Do not use CA accelerator when gluing the hinges. The CA must be allowed to soak into the hinge for the best bond between the hinge and surrounding wood. 7.
9. Insert the control horn in the slit in the rudder (or elevator). Before gluing the backplate in position, trim the front edge of the backplate so it does not cause binding in extreme throws. Temporarily snap the backplate into position and mark the backplate along the bevel with a felt tipped pin. Remove the backplate and use side cutters to trim the backplate. Use sandpaper to sand the backplate to its to final shape before gluing it in position. 12.
Motor Battery Installation Required Parts Fuselage assembly Motor battery Hook and loop strap (not included) (2) Hook and loop tape (not included) 1. Secure the motor battery in the fuselage using two hook and loop straps (not included). We recommend using hook and loop tape between the battery and battery tray to keep the battery from sliding on the tray during flight. Make sure not to wrap the hook and loop strap around any wires or pushrods.
Center of Gravity Required Parts Assembled airframe Required Tools and Adhesives Felt-tipped pen Ruler Phillips screwdriver: #2 Balancing stand (optional) 3. When balancing your model, support the plane inverted at the marks made on the top of the wing with your fingers or a commercially available balancing stand. This is the correct balance point for your model. Make sure your model is assembled and ready for flight before balancing.
Control Throws 1. Turn on the transmitter and receiver of your model. Check the movement of the rudder using the transmitter. When the stick is moved right, the rudder should also move right. Reverse the direction of the servo at the transmitter if necessary. 2. Check the movement of the elevator with the radio system. Moving the elevator stick toward the bottom of the transmitter makes the airplane elevator move up. 3. Check the movement of the ailerons with the radio system.
Range Test Your Radio Before each flying session, and especially with a new model, it is important to perform a range check. It is helpful to have another person available to assist during the range check. If you are using a Spektrum transmitter, please refer to your transmitter’s manual for detailed instructions on the range check process. 1. With the model resting on the ground, stand 30 paces (approximately 90 feet) away from the model. 2.
Daily Flight Checks 1. Check the battery voltage of the transmitter battery. Do not fly below the manufacturer’s recommended voltage. To do so can crash your aircraft. Warranty and Repair Policy Warranty Period Exclusive Warranty- Horizon Hobby, Inc., (Horizon) warranties that the Products purchased (the “Product”) will be free from defects in materials and workmanship at the date of purchase by the Purchaser.
Warranty Services Questions, Assistance, and Repairs Your local hobby store and/or place of purchase cannot provide warranty support or repair. Once assembly, setup or use of the Product has been started, you must contact Horizon directly. This will enable Horizon to better answer your questions and service you in the event that you may need any assistance. For questions or assistance, please direct your email to productsupport@horizonhobby.com, or call 877.504.
Academy of Model Aeronautics National Model Aircraft Safety Code Effective January 1, 2011 A. GENERAL (i) Not operate model aircraft carrying pyrotechnic devices which explode or burn, or any device which propels a projectile or drops any object that creates a hazard to persons or property. Exceptions: • Free Flight fuses or devices that burn producing smoke and are securely attached to the model aircraft during flight.
C. FREE FLIGHT 1. M ust be at least 100 feet downwind of spectators and automobile parking when the model aircraft is launched. 2. L aunch area must be clear of all individuals except mechanics, officials, and other fliers. 3. A n effective device will be used to extinguish any fuse on the model aircraft after the fuse has completed its function. D. CONTROL LINE 1. T he complete control system (including the safety thong where applicable) must have an inspection and pull test prior to flying. 2.
Building and Flying Notes 30 E-flite Leader 480 ARF Assembly Manual
Building and Flying Notes E-flite Leader 480 ARF Assembly Manual 31
© 2011 Horizon Hobby, Inc. horizonhobby.com www.e-fliterc.com The Spektrum trademark is used with permission of Bachmann Industries, Inc. E-flite, DSM, DSM2 and DSMX are trademarks or registered trademarks of Horizon Hobby, Inc. All other trademarks, service marks and logos are the property of their respective owners.
