Piper L-4 Grasshopper ARF Assembly Manual Specifications Wingspan: Length: Wing Area: Weight w/o Battery: Weight w/Battery: 38.2 in (970mm) 23.7 in (600mm) 210 sq in (13.5 sq dm) 8.00–8.70 oz (227–247 g) 9.00–9.
Table of Contents 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.......................................
Recommended Radio Equipment 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.
Landing Gear Installation Required Parts Fuselage assembly 2. Press the landing gear in the slots in the bottom of the fuselage. The landing gear should fit flush against the fuselage. Required Parts Landing gear Fuselage assembly Required Tools and Adhesives Medium CA Servo Installation 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.
Receiver and Speed Control Installation 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. 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.
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 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.
Linkage Installation 3. Slide a micro pushrod keeper over the end of the pushrod wire. Required Parts 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.
8. Use pliers to install the backplate on the 11. Use a ruler to make sure the rudder and fin are connector to secure the connector to the servo horn. in alignment with each other. 13. Repeat Steps 10 through 12 to install the elevator servo horn and secure the pushrod wire to the connector. 9. Repeat Steps 6 through 8 to prepare a second servo horn. Always use threadlock on metal-to-metal fasteners to prevent them from vibrating loose. 12.
Motor and Cowling Installation for use with Prop Saver Required Parts Fuselage assembly Motor with hardware Cowling Propeller 2mm x 16mm sheet metal screw (2) 1.5mm x 7mm sheet metal screw (4) Plywood motor mount spacer, 5mm (2) 2. Attach the motor mount to the firewall using the two 5mm plywood spacers and two 2mm x 16mm sheet metal screws. A #0 Phillips screwdriver will be required to tighten the two screws. Note that there are two different hole location/distances on the firewall.
6. Use hobby scissors to cut four pieces of cardstock that are 1/4-inch x 2-inch (6mm x 50mm). Use low-tack tape to attach them on the fuselage so they align with the cowl mounting tabs on the fuselage. 8. Install the propeller on the adapter. Follow the instructions provided with the motor to secure the propeller to the motor. 7. Slide the cowling in position, making sure the cardstock is on the outside of the cowling. Use low-tack tape to keep the cowl in position while drilling the holes.
Motor and Cowling Installation for use with Prop Adapter Required Parts 2. The motor shaft must be repositioned to accept the propeller adapter. Follow the instructions provided with the motor to reposition the motor shaft. Use care not to damage the motor. 4. Connect the leads from the motor to the speed control. Fuselage assembly Motor with hardware Cowling Propeller 2mm x 7mm sheet metal screw (2) 1.
6. Slide the propeller adapter on the motor and use a .050-inch hex wrench to tighten the setscrew that secures the adapter to the motor shaft. 7. Use hobby scissors to cut four pieces of cardstock that are 1/4-inch x 2-inch (6mm x 50mm). Use low-tack tape to attach them on the fuselage so they align with the cowl mounting tabs on the fuselage. 8. Slide the cowling in position, making sure the cardstock is on the outside of the cowling.
Battery Installation Required Parts Fuselage assembly Battery hatch Front Windscreen Installation 3. Fit the front windscreen to the fuselage. If the windscreen needs trimmed, use hobby scissors to do so. The outer edges of the windscreen under the root rib can be cut at this time for a better fit. 4. Use clear tape in small pieces at the top and on the sides to hold the windscreen in place.
Aileron Servo Installation 3. Use medium grit sandpaper to roughen the end of the servo mounting blocks that will fit against the aileron servo cover. Required Parts Fuselage assembly Flight battery Radio system Wing panel (right and left) Hardwood servo mounting block (4) Servo with hardware (2) Aileron pushrod wire, 23/8-inch (61mm) 1.
5. Use a hobby knife with a #11 blade to trim the servo mounting block to provide clearance for the aileron servo lead. 7. Use the screws provided with the servo and a #0 9. Insert a micro brass pushrod connector into the Phillips screwdriver to secure the servo to the servo hole made in the previous step. mounting blocks. 8. Use a #00 Phillips screwdriver to remove the servo horn from the aileron servo.
11. Turn the radio system on and check the operation of the aileron servo. Make sure the stick and trim for the aileron are centered. Use a #00 Phillips screwdriver and the screw that was removed from the servo to attach the servo horn perpendicular to the servo centerline as shown. 13. Carefully pull the string to pull the servo lead through the wing. 15. Insert the Z-bend on the 23/8-inch (61mm) aileron pushrod wire through the center hole of the aileron control horn.
Wing Attachment, Struts and Top Windscreen Installation Required Parts Assembled fuselage Carbon wing tube Wing strut (right and left) Top windscreen Assembled wing panel (right and left) 3. Continue sliding the wing into position, guiding the aileron servo lead in the fuselage. Now is a good time to plug the aileron leads into the Y-harness. The wing will fit tight against the fuselage and snap into position. It is held in position by a magnet and the wing struts.
Control Throws 6. Gently squeeze the strut inward so it can be installed in the fittings on the wing. 7. Make sure that the strut is installed in both fittings on the wing. 18 9. If you have not already done so, connect the aileron servo leads to the Y-harness from the receiver. Fit the top windscreen to the fuselage. Trim with hobby scissors as necessary to fit it to the fuselage. For a better fit you can trim the side edges off of the top windscreen.
Aileron Low Rate Up 3/8-inch Down 5/16-inch (10mm) (8mm) Exponential 0% 0% Aileron High Rate Up 1/2-inch Down 3/8-inch (12mm) (10mm) 10% 10% Elevator Low Rate Up 9/32-inch Down 9/32-inch (7mm) (7mm) 0% 0% Elevator High Rate Up 3/8-inch Down 3/8-inch (10mm) (10mm) 10% 10% Rudder Low Rate Left 1/2-inch Right 1/2-inch (12mm) (12mm) 5% 5% Rudder High Rate Left 13/16-inch (20mm) Right 13/16-inch (20mm) 15% 15% Measurements are taken at the inner or widest point on the control surface.
Flying Your L-4 Grasshopper Flying the Piper L-4 Grasshopper is a pleasure. With the lightweight construction and low wing loading takeoffs are easy as well as landings. Low level reconnaissance passes across the field are a breeze. The L-4 is not meant for aerobatics but the occasional loops or wing overs are not a problem. 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.
Damage Limits HORIZON SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSS OF PROFITS OR PRODUCTION OR COMMERCIAL LOSS IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE PRODUCT, WHETHER SUCH CLAIM IS BASED IN CONTRACT, WARRANTY, NEGLIGENCE, OR STRICT LIABILITY. Further, in no event shall the liability of Horizon exceed the individual price of the Product on which liability is asserted.
United Kingdom: Electronics and engines requiring inspection or repair should be shipped to the following address: Horizon Hobby UK Units 1-4 Ployters Rd Staple Tye Harlow, Essex CM18 7NS United Kingdom Please call +44 (0) 1279 641 097 or e-mail us at sales@horizonhobby.co.uk with any questions or concerns regarding this product or warranty.
8. 9. I will not operate model aircraft carrying pyrotechnic devices which explode burn, or propel a projectile of any kind. Exceptions include Free Flight fuses or devices that burn producing smoke and are securely attached to the model aircraft during flight. Rocket motors up to a G-series size may be used, provided they remain firmly attached to the model aircraft during flight.
© 2009 Horizon Hobby, Inc. 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign, Illinois 61822 USA (877) 504-0233 horizonhobby.com E-fliteRC.
