F-16 ARF Assembly Manual Specifications Wingspan: Length: Wing Area: Weight w/o Battery: Weight w/Battery: 28.0 in (710mm) 35.5 in (900mm) 195 sq in (12.6 sq dm) 18–20 oz (510–567 g) 23.5–30.5 oz (667–865 g) LOCKHEED MARTIN, F-16, associated emblems and logos, and body designs of vehicles are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Lockheed Martin Corporation in the USA and/or other jurisdictions, used under license by Horizon Hobby, Inc.
Table of Contents Introduction......................................................................................................................... 2 Using the Manual................................................................................................................. 2 Product Registration............................................................................................................. 3 Contents of Kit/Parts Layout..................................................................
Product Registration Register your product online at: www.e-fliterc.com/register/ Contents of Kit/Parts Layout Replacement Parts EFL7077 EFL7078 EFL7079 EFL7080 EFL7081 EFL7082 EFL7083 Canopy/Hatch Stabilizer Set Exhaust Nozzle and Nose Cone Missiles and Launch Rails Landing Gear Set w/Hardware Gear Doors and Ventral Fins Pushrod Kit Recommended Radio Equipment You will need a minimum 4-channel transmitter, receiver, and four or five servos (if using nose gear steering).
Recommended High Power Ducted Fan Setup The high power setup listed requires a slightly modified radio and battery installation to achieve the correct CG location. All of the modifications and parts needed are covered in the manual. Note: The high power setup adds many benefits like: • Incredible vertical performance • Improved speed over the early OEM power system.
Ducted Fan Installation Required Parts Fuselage Motor wire (3) Ducted fan assembly Motor hatch Required Tools and Adhesives 6-minute epoxy Mixing cup Mixing stick Epoxy brush Low-tack tape Hobby knife with #11 blade At this time you will need to have chosen either the Sport or High-Powered Ducted Fan Setup. The installation of either Ducted Fan Assembly is identical, but later sections of the manual will be dedicated to either one setup or the other. m 1. Locate the fuselage assembly and motor hatch.
m 5. Remove the decal from the fan assembly. This will allow the epoxy to be applied directly to the housing in the next step. m 7. Insert the fan assembly into the fuselage, making sure to guide the wires into the notch in the fuselage. If not, the fan hatch will not fit correctly when it is time to install. Use low-tack tape to keep the fan held in position until the epoxy fully cures. Make sure the tape does not come in contact with the fuselage decals.
Wing and Stabilizer Installation Required Parts Fuselage Wing panel (right and left) Stabilizer (right and left) 2mm x 12mm self-tapping screw (4) Required Tools and Adhesives 6-minute epoxy Mixing cup Mixing stick Epoxy brush Paper towel Rubbing alcohol Sandpaper Phillips screwdriver: #1 Small hand file Tape should not be used to hold the hatch in position while the epoxy cures during this step as it will remove the decal.
m 4. Fit the remaining wing panel to the fuselage. Stand 6–9 feet (2–3 meters) from the front of the airframe. When viewed from the front, both panels should be flat (parallel) along the bottom to be properly aligned. Use sandpaper to lightly sand the plastic joiner to correct the alignment. Note: You can use a paper towel that has had rubbing alcohol applied to it to remove any excess epoxy from your airframe. Use care not to get the alcohol on the decals as it could damage them. m 3.
m 8. Use two 2mm x 12mm self-tapping screws and a #1 Phillips screwdriver to secure the stabilizer to the fuselage. Use care not to over-tighten the screws and cause damage to the fuselage or stabilizer. Elevator and Aileron Servo Installation Required Parts Servo (4) Assembled airframe Radio system Fuselage decal (right and left) Standard single-sided servo arm (4) 1. Use a hobby knife to trim the decal on the bottom of the wing to expose the pocket for the aileron servo.
2. Use your radio system to center the servos that will be used for the ailerons. Remove the stock servo horns from the servos using a #00 Phillips screwdriver and install the standard single-sided servo arm on the servos as shown. Make sure to prepare a right and left servo as shown. m 4. Remove the servo and scuff the surface of the servo where it contacts the wing using sandpaper. Clear any residue left from the sanding process using a paper towel and rubbing alcohol.
8. Connect a 9-inch (228mm) (Sport Ducted Fan) or 12-inch (305mm) (High-Power Ducted Fan) servo extension to the lead on the elevator servo. Tie a piece of string or dental floss around the connection to prevent the two from unplugging accidentally. Install an extension for both elevator servos at this time. 9. Connect a 3-inch (76mm) (Sport Ducted Fan) or 6-inch (152mm) (High-Power Ducted Fan) servo extension to the lead on the aileron servo.
A water-based dark blue paint can be used to paint the exposed white foam that is shown on the wing where the servo lead runs through. mmm 1 4. Attach the clevis on the pushrod to the outer hole of the elevator control horn. Snap the clevis together so it is secure on the control horn. 16. Repeat Steps 13 and 14 to install the 2 7/8-inch (73mm) pushrod wire with clevis for the ailerons.
Landing Gear Installation Sport Ducted Fan Installation Required Parts 2mm nut Servo Radio system Assembled fuselage Long 3D servo horn Nose gear wire w/wheel Gear door (right and left Main landing gear w/wheels 2mm x 10mm machine screw Brass steering arm bushing 1/16-inch wheel collar w/screw Nose gear steering arm w/screw 2mm x 8mm self-tapping screw (4) Required Tools and Adhesives Side cutter Pin drill 6-minute epoxy Mixing cup Mixing stick Epoxy brush Paper towel Rubbing alcohol Threadlock Sandpaper Ho
5. Lift the canopy hatch from the top of the fuselage. The hatch is held in position using four small magnets and will take a light amount of force to remove. Note: Before installing the steering servo arm, it is suggested to read through the Radio Programming section of this manual found on Page 30. 6. Locate a long 3D servo arm and use side cutters to remove one of the arms from the horn as shown. 14 7.
11. Thread a 2mm nut onto the screw from underneath the servo arm. Tighten the screw and nut to secure the bushing and steering arm. Always use threadlock on metal-to-metal fasteners to prevent them from vibrating loose. 12. Remove the original servo arm from the servo using a #00 Phillips screwdriver. After centering the steering servo, install the long 3D arm prepared in the previous steps on the servo as shown. E-flite F-16 ARF Assembly Manual 13.
17. Slide the nose gear into the slot from the bottom of the fuselage. You will need to slide the gear wire through the 1/16-inch wheel collar before it continues its journey into the fuselage as shown in the following photos. 18. The nose gear will slide into the hole in the steering arm as its final destination. The screw at the steering arm will then be tightened so it is resting in the flat area as indicated back in Step 14. Use a #1 Phillips screwdriver to tighten the screw in the steering arm.
Landing Gear Installation High-Power Ducted Fan Installation Required Parts 2mm nut Servo Steering servo mounting block Assembled fuselage Long 3D servo horn Nose gear wire w/wheel Gear door (right and left Main landing gear w/wheels 2mm x 10mm machine screw Brass steering arm bushing 1/16-inch wheel collar w/screw Nose gear steering arm w/screw 2mm x 8mm self-tapping screw (4) Required Tools and Adhesives Side cutter Pin drill 6-minute epoxy Mixing cup Mixing stick Epoxy brush Paper towel Rubbing alcohol T
5. Lift the canopy hatch from the top of the fuselage. The hatch is held in position using four small magnets and will take a light amount of force to remove. 6. Locate a long 3D servo arm and use side cutters to remove one of the arms from the horn as shown. 7. Use a pin drill and 5/64-inch (2mm) drill bit to enlarge the outer hole on the servo arm. 6. Use 6-minute epoxy to glue the steering servo mounting block in the fuselage.
11. Thread a 2mm nut onto the screw from underneath the servo arm. Tighten the screw and nut to secure the bushing and steering arm. Always use threadlock on metal-to-metal fasteners to prevent them from vibrating loose. 13. Test fit the steering servo into the steering servo mounting block inside the fuselage. Note that the servo output faces to the rear of the aircraft. Remove the servo and scuff the surface of the servo that contacts the fuselage using sandpaper.
17. Use a hobby knife and #11 blade to remove the decal from the bottom of the fuselage to expose the slot for the nose gear wire. 18. Slide the nose gear into the slot from the bottom of the fuselage. You will need to slide the gear wire through the 1/16-inch wheel collar before it continues its journey into the fuselage as shown in the following photos. 19. The nose gear will slide into the hole in the steering arm as its final destination.
Speed Control and Receiver Installation Sport Ducted Fan Installation 2. Apply a small piece of hook and loop tape to the bottom of the speed control. Required Parts Speed control Receiver Assembled airframe Hook and loop tape ESC Location Note: Due to the current draw of the system and the location of the electronics, we recommend that throttle management is used during each flight.
Speed Control and Receiver Installation High-Powered Ducted Fan Installation 4. Plug the extensions from the ailerons and elevators into the proper ports of the receiver. Also plug the lead from the steering servo and speed control into their proper ports on the receiver as well. Required Parts Speed control Assembled airframe Receiver Hook and loop tape 3-inch (76mm) servo extension Receiver Location Required Tools Pin drill 22 5.
2. Apply a small piece of hook and loop tape to the bottom of the speed control. Note: Before plugging in the servos, it is suggested to read through the Radio Programming section of this manual beginning on Page 27. This section will guide you through setting up the necessary mixing required to operate the servos installed in your F-16. This mixing reduces the amount of complexity and extensions required, keeping the weight at its lowest for the best performance from your model. 3.
5. Use a small piece of hook and loop tape to mount the receiver in the front of the fuselage as shown. The receiver should be as close to the nose gear steering block as possible. Use a hobby knife to cut a small notch for the antenna to rest in.
4. Insert the vertical fin into the pocket on the top of Motor Battery Installation the fuselage. Stand 6–8 feet (3–4 meters) from the Sport Ducted Fan Installation rear of the airframe. Check that the angle between the wing panels and fin are equal. The position of Required Parts the fin can be moved to correct for any alignment Motor battery Assembled airframe issues. Once satisfied with the fit, remove the fin Hook and loop tape from the fuselage.
Motor Battery Installation High-Power Ducted Fan Installation Required Parts Motor battery Assembled airframe Hook and loop tape 1. Apply the hook and loop tape to the bottom of the battery. Use the softer fabric side of the hook and loop tape on the battery. 3. Place the battery into the battery compartment in the fuselage. The battery will be positioned in the compartment to achieve the correct Center of Gravity when you are using the recommended setup.
Removing Fan and Motor for Servicing or Replacement m 2. The missile rails on the wing have flat spots that will correspond to the flat areas on the missile. Required Tools and Adhesives 6-minute epoxy Mixing cup Mixing stick Epoxy brush Paper towel Rubbing alcohol Sandpaper Hobby knife w/#11 blade 2. Once you are sure that you have cut through the hatch joints, use a small amount of force to rock the hatch in a rolling motion side to side.
Radio Programming The programming listed is showing the base radio set up for the Spektrum DX6i radio. This programming will allow you to use the gear channel (channel #5) for the second elevator servo. This will eliminate the need for any servo reversers or Y-harnesses. It will also show you how to use a P-MIX to turn off the gear channel switch when using this channel for a control surface.
Aileron High Rate Up 1-inch Down 7/8-inch (25mm) (22mm) Aileron Low Rate Up 3/4-inch Down 5/8-inch (19mm) (16mm) Elevator High Rate Up 3/8-inch Down 3/8-inch (10mm) (10mm) Elevator Low Rate Up 1/4-inch Down 1/4-inch (7mm) (7mm) Note: Measurements are taken at the inner or widest point on the control surface.
Range Test Your Radio 1. Before each flying session, be sure to range check your radio. This is accomplished by turning on your transmitter with the antenna collapsed. Turn on the receiver in your airplane. With your airplane on the ground and the engine running, you should be able to walk 30 paces (approximately 100 feet) away from your airplane and still have complete control of all functions. If not, don’t attempt to fly! Have your radio equipment checked out by the manufacturer. 2.
Safety, Precautions and Warnings As the user of this product, you are solely responsible for operating it in a manner that does not endanger yourself and others or result in damage to the product or the property of others. Carefully follow the directions and warnings for this and any optional support equipment (chargers, rechargeable battery packs, etc.) that you use. This model is controlled by a radio signal that is subject to interference from many sources outside your control.
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 877.504.0233 toll free to speak to a service technician.
Instructions for Disposal of WEEE by Users in the European Union This product must not be disposed of with other waste. Instead, it is the user’s responsibility to dispose of their waste equipment by handing it over to a designated collection point for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment.
4. At all flying sites a line must be established, in front of which all flying takes place. Only personnel associated with flying the model aircraft are allowed at or in front of the line. In the case of airshows demonstrations straight line must be established. An area away from the line must be maintained for spectators. Intentional flying behind the line is prohibited. 10.
Building and Flying Notes: E-flite F-16 ARF Assembly Manual 35
© 2009 Horizon Hobby, Inc. 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign, Illinois 61822 USA (877) 504-0233 horizonhobby.com E-fliteRC.com Printed 06/09 13446.
