Beechcraft Staggerwing 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. Meaning of Special Language The following terms are used throughout the product literature to indicate various levels of potential harm when operating this product: This is a sophisticated hobby product and NOT a toy.
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.....
Contents of Kit/Parts Layout Replacement Parts EFL612501 EFL612502 EFL612503 EFL612504 EFL612505 EFL612506 EFL612507 EFL612508 EFL612509 EFL612510 EFL612511 EFL612512 Fuselage Upper Wing Lower Wing Tail Set Cowling Canopy Hatch Landing Gear Set Spinner Plastic Mounts Interplane Struts Scale Details Pushrod Set Recommended Radio Equipment You will need a minimum 5-channel transmitter, receiver and four servos.
Before Starting Assembly Before beginning the assembly of your model, remove each part from its bag for inspection. Closely inspect the fuselage, wing panels, rudder and stabilizer for damage. If you find any damaged or missing parts, contact the place of purchase. Aileron Servo Installation Required Parts Top wing Transmitter Receiver Receiver battery 40mm pushrod with clevis (2) Servo with hardware Due to the molding process, foam may cover one of the mounting holes in the plastic aileron mount.
5. With the servo centered, adjust the length of the pushrod so the ailerons are centered as shown. Once set, slide the silicone tubing over the forks of the clevises to prevent them from opening in flight. Flap Servo Installation Required Parts Bottom wing Transmitter Receiver battery 3. Use a small drop of medium CA to glue the flap servo to the exposed spar in the wing. Don’t overglue the servo in case it requires removal in the future.
5. Check the position of the flaps for the MID-FLAP setting. It should match the throw listed in the back of the manual. Adjust this if necessary. 6. Check the position of the flaps for the DOWN setting. It should match the throw listed in the back of the manual. If not, adjust the end-point on the radio to match the throw listed for DOWN flap.
5. The hex collet can now be fitted into the mount. The collet will be exposed as shown. Make sure the wheel aligns with the mark made in step 1 on the mount. 2. Use a flat file to remove any flashing from the landing gear wire so it will slide into the hex landing gear collet. Always use threadlock on metal-to-metal fasteners to prevent them from vibrating loose. Align wheels to centerline of the fuselage so that they neither angle in nor out.
Retract Landing Gear Installation (Optional) 2. Use pliers to bend the pushrod included with the retracts so it measures 11/8-inch (28mm) in length. Use side cutters to trim the linkage so 1/4-inch (6mm) extends past the bend. 3. Insert the Z-bend in the servo horn. The retract servo is then installed in the wing with the output shaft oriented towards the leading edge as shown using a drop of medium CA. Don’t over-glue the servo in case it requires removal in the future.
7. Use a hobby knife with a #11 blade to trim a 11/2-inch (38mm) piece of red airline. Attach the air line to the retract fill valve. The fill valve is the longer valve of the two and has a brass nipple on the portion that will orient towards the inside of the wing. Do not confuse this valve with the quickdisconnect valve that is also included. 6. Use the radio system to set the throw necessary to actuate the retract valve.
10. Connect the t-fitting prepared in the previous step to the red air line of the retract valve, and to the air line from the retract fill valve. 12. Cut two 6-inch sections of of blue airline. Slide the air line through the hole in the wing, out to the location for the retract. Because of the molding process, the holes for the gear mount brackets may shift slightly.
Horizontal Stabilizer Installation 15. Repeat steps 12 through 14 to install the remaining retract. 2. Use two 3mm x 25mm shoulder machine screws to attach the wing to the fuselage. Make sure the aileron lead is inside the fuselage. 3. Place the stabilizer on the fuselage. Step back 8–10 feet (2–3 meters) and check that the stabilizer is aligned with the top wing as shown.
Use caution with the amount of CA used. It should be enough to ensure a good bond, but not enough to ooze out as cleanup is more delicate with this airplane as opposed to a balsa airplane. 4. Apply a thin layer of medium CA to the fuselage and stabilizer where they meet. Make sure to apply CA to all the contact points so the stabilizer is glued securely to the fuselage.
3. Cut three hinge slots in the rudder and fin as shown. The top and bottom hinges will be close to the top and bottom of the fin and rudder. Center the remaining hinge. 5. Use medium CA to glue the hinges in the rudder. Once the CA has fully cured, check that the hinges are secure by gently pulling on the rudder and fin.
1. Place the rudder and fin assembly in the opening on the top of the stabilizer. Step back 8–10 feet (2–3 meters) and check that the rudder and fin are aligned perpendicular to the centerline of the top wing. Use medium CA to glue the vertical fin to the stabilizer. Make sure to apply CA to all contacting surfaces and to allow the CA to fully cure before proceeding. Sight the alignment again to ensure that the fin does not shift.
7. Use a #0 Phillips screwdriver to secure the tail gear wire in the mount located at the bottom of the rudder. Support the opposite side of the fin to ensure that it does not break when tightening the screw. Elevator and Rudder Servo Installation Required Parts Fuselage Transmitter Receiver battery Servo with hardware (2) Receiver 315mm pushrod with clevis (2) 2. Place the elevator servo in the servo tray toward the left side of the fuselage as shown, routing the servo lead under the tray.
4. 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. NOTICE: Do not use a CA accelerator during the assembly of your model. A CA accelerator will damage the finish of your model and can damage the foam as well. Even foam-safe accelerators will damage the finish of your model. Allow the CA to cure without the use of an accelerant. 5.
Motor and Speed Control Installation Required Parts Fuselage assembly Motor with hardware Hook and loop tape Propeller Spinner assembly Electronic speed control (ESC) 3mm x 8mm machine screw (4) 3mm x 20mm machine screw (2) 3. Pass the leads for the speed control through the upper hole in the fuselage and into the motor compartment as shown. Matching the colors between the ESC and motor when they are connected results in the correct motor direction if using all E-flite components. 5.
7. If the cowl does not fit snugly on the fuselage, two-sided tape has been provided. Place the tape on the fuselage then install the cowl. This will keep the cowl secure on the fuselage. 9. Assemble the propeller adapter, spinner backplate and propeller as shown. Note that the propeller is on the back side of the spinner backplate. Make sure the propeller is centered in the openings so the spinner does not rub against the propeller blades, possibly causing them to fail. 11.
Receiver and Motor Battery Installation Required Parts Fuselage assembly Receiver Motor battery Two-sided tape Hook and loop tape (not included) 6-inch (152mm) servo extension 20 Retract Air Tank Installation (Optional) Required Parts Fuselage assembly Air line Air tank Quick disconnect Required Tools and Adhesives Hobby knife with #11 blade Silicone adhesive 1. Route the 6-inch (152mm) servo extension from the top of the fuselage through to the battery compartment of the fuselage. 3.
2. Install the air tank in the fuselage. Use a very small amount of silicone adhesive to keep the air tank from moving in the fuselage. Don’t over-glue the air tank in case it requires removal in the future. Final Assembly Required Parts Fuselage assembly Top and bottom wing Antenna (2) Interplane strut (2) 3mm x 25mm shoulder machine screw (4) 2mm x 7mm self-tapping washer-head screw (4) 2. Position the bottom wing on the fuselage.
3. Check that the servo leads are inside the fuselage. Use two 3mm x 25mm shoulder machine screws and a #1 Phillips screwdriver to secure the bottom wing to the fuselage. 4. Replace the front windscreen cover on the fuselage, being careful not to contact the front seats in the fuselage. 5. Place the narrow end of the interplane struts in the grooves in the top of the bottom wing. The struts will angle rearward as shown.
Use care when handling the top wing after installing the antenna to prevent damage. If you have assembled your model for handlaunch, do not cut the gear doors. Attach the gear doors as supplied to the underside of the wing with either silicone adhesive or tape. 9. Use hobby scissors to trim the lower section from the gear doors as shown. Use sandpaper to clean the cut line. 10. Attach the gear doors to the landing gear struts. Position the doors as close to the wing as possible.
3. When balancing your model, support the plane upright at the marks made on the bottom of the lower 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 After the first flights, the CG position can be adjusted for your personal preference. 24 2. Check the movement of the elevator with the radio system.
Preflight Check Your Radio Before going to the field, be sure your batteries are fully charged per the instructions included with your radio. Charge the transmitter and motor battery for your airplane. Use the recommended charger supplied with your particular radio system, following the instructions provided with the radio. In most cases, the radio should be charged the night before going out flying.
To land the airplane, enter the pattern parallel with the runway and reduce power. Once the airplane has slowed down, add a notch of flaps, and if your airplane is equipped with the micro pneumatic retracts, don’t forget to extend your gear! Fly the airplane around and line up with the runway. When you’re over the runway threshold, chop the power and fly it down. Once you get in ground effect, begin to flare and you’ll find that the airplane will settle down nicely.
Limitation of Liability HORIZON SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSS OF PROFITS OR PRODUCTION OR COMMERCIAL LOSS IN ANY WAY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH CLAIM IS BASED IN CONTRACT, WARRANTY, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY, EVEN IF HORIZON HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. Further, in no event shall the liability of Horizon exceed the individual price of the Product on which liability is asserted.
United Kingdom Horizon Hobby Limited Units 1-4 Ployters Rd Staple Tye Harlow, Essex CM18 7NS United Kingdom sales@horizonhobby.co.uk +44 (0) 1279 641 097 Germany Horizon Technischer Service Hamburger Str. 10 25335 Elmshorn Germany service@horizonhobby.
3. A t all flying sites a safety line(s) must be established in front of which all flying takes place (AMA Document #706-Recommended Field Layout): (a) Only personnel associated with flying the model aircraft are allowed at or in front of the safety line. (b) At air shows or demonstrations, a straight safety line must be established. (c) An area away from the safety line must be maintained for spectators. (d) Intentional flying behind the safety line is prohibited. 4.
Building and Flying Notes 30 E-flite Beechcraft Staggerwing 480 ARF Assembly Manual
Building and Flying Notes E-flite Beechcraft 480 Staggerwing 480 ARF Assembly Manual 31
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