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INTRODUCTION

Thank you for choosing the Wattage Thermalaire EP ARF and welcome to the exciting world of electric

powered gliders!  Whether you have built and flown other electric airplanes in the past, or if this is your first, you
will appreciate the high quality, ease of assembly and excellent flight characteristics of the Thermalaire EP ARF.

The Thermalaire EP ARF is a 1.8 meter electric powered glider utilizing all balsa and light-ply built up

construction techniques.  The polyhedral wing design is uses a flat bottom that stays incredibly stable through-
out the entire flight envelope and also produces good lift.  The center wing panel is built using true D-Tube
construction with balsa sheeting and shear webbing for great strength.  The outer tip panels are built light to
keep the overall weight to a minimum.  The fuselage is built using balsa and light-ply and the empennage is built
using lightweight balsa.  This adds up to an airplane that is light, climbs out with authority and also thermals
very well.

When you open the box, you will notice that you won't have much left to do or to purchase to finish your

new airplane.  Included is a direct drive motor with the folding propeller assembly and motor wiring preinstalled.
The airframe is completely built and covered by master craftsmen, who take their time to ensure that every part
is straight and properly glued.  But what really sets the Wattage Thermalaire EP apart from other electric gliders
in its price range is the amount of assembly that has been done for you.  The Thermalaire EP does not require
any glue to assemble.  The wing is held together using steel pins, then is bolted to the fuselage.  The horizontal
and vertical stabilizers bolt in place and the control horns are already installed for you.  Even the motor, folding
propeller assembly and canopy have been preinstalled for you.

We hope you enjoy your new Wattage Thermalaire EP ARF as much as we have enjoyed designing and

building it for you.  If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.  We have also
included a product survey in the back of this manual.  Please take the time to fill it out and send it to us.  We
would enjoy hearing any comments or suggestions you may have.

This instruction manual is designed to guide you through the entire final assembly process of your new
Wattage Thermalaire EP ARF in the least amount of time possible.  Along the way you'll learn how to
properly assemble your new airplane and also learn many tips that will help you in the future.  We have
listed some of our recommendations below.  Please read through them before going any further.

Please read through each step before starting

assembly.  You should find the layout very com-
plete and simple.  Our goal is to guide you through
assembly without any of the headaches and hassles
you might expect.

There are check boxes next to each step.  After

you complete a step, check off the box.  This will
help you keep from losing your place.

Cover your work table with brown paper or a

soft cloth, both to protect the table and to protect
the individual parts.

Keep a couple of small bowls or jars handy to

put the small parts in after you open the accessory
bags.

We have included a glossary of terms begin-

ning on page # 23 .  Check it out if you come across
a term that is unfamiliar to you.

We're all excited to get a new airplane in the

air, but take your time.  This will ensure you build
a straight, strong and great flying airplane.

If you come across this symbol 

,  it means

that this is an important point or an assembly hint.

If you should find a part missing or damaged, or have any questions about assembly, please contact us at the
address below:

Wattage Customer Care

18480 Bandilier Circle

Fountain Valley, CA  92728

Phone: (714) 963-0329          Fax: (714) 964-6236           E-mail: [email protected]

Summary of Contents for Wattage Thermalaire EP

Page 1: ...bly or material used for final assembly no liability shall be assumed for any damage resulting from the use by the user of the final user assembled product By the act of using the final user assembled...

Page 2: ...25 Notes 25 Product Evaluation Sheet 27 Safety Warning 2 Introduction 3 Our Recommendations 4 Additional Items Required 5 Tools and Supplies Required 5 Kit Contents 6 Full Size Hardware Drawings 7 Mot...

Page 3: ...r assembly and canopy have been preinstalled for you We hope you enjoy your new Wattage Thermalaire EP ARF as much as we have enjoyed designing and building it for you If you have any questions or com...

Page 4: ...e motor on and off This switch does not offer any proportional speed only off or full power The Thermalaire EP ARF will require a minimum 3 channel radio control system that includes two stan dard ser...

Page 5: ...romax Black Widow Charger 350360 TOOLS AND SUPPLIES REQUIRED Pacer Thread Lock 339162 1 Phillips Head Screwdriver 2 Phillips Head Screwdriver Small Flat Blade Screwdriver Large Flat Blade Screwdriver...

Page 6: ...part number listed next to a particular part necessary for that step If you have any questions as to what that part might be refer back to this section 1 Fuselage w Motor and Propeller Assembly 1 Cen...

Page 7: ...ews to remove the motor 3 Using a small flat blade screwdriver remove the machine screw that holds the spinner cone in place Remove the spinner cone and set it aside 4 Using an adjustable wrench remov...

Page 8: ...nds This will keep the motor secure enough for the break in procedure See photo 1 below 9 Turn on the transmitter and plug the flight battery into the speed control If the motor turns on immediately u...

Page 9: ...for storage or transport 1 Using a ruler locate the two predrilled holes in each end of the center wing panel and remove the covering from over them using a modeling knife One hole is located 1 5 16...

Page 10: ...e a modeling knife to cut through the tape You can then easily pull the panels apart When you get to the field you can simply push the wing panels back to gether and use a strip of tape make sure you...

Page 11: ...w the two predrilled holes in the stabilizer mounting platform 4 Using a modeling knife remove the cover ing from over the elevator and rudder pushrod exit slots in the fuselage sides One slot is loca...

Page 12: ...sen the two hex nuts and carefully slide a thin shim un der the low side of the stabilizer Retighten the hex nuts and check the alignment once more Repeat this procedure until you are satisfied that t...

Page 13: ...ose attention to the positions of the servo output shafts They should both face the back of the fuselage See photo 15 below Photo 15 10 11 Make sure that when you install the two servos that they are...

Page 14: ...izer and the elevator to hold the elevator centered 10 With the elevator servo horn centered use a 2 phillips screwdriver and tighten the machine screw in the adjustable servo connector 11 Using a 1 p...

Page 15: ...iver Turn on the radio system Photo 18 The Thread Lock will secure the nut in place and prevent it from loosening during flight INSTALLING THE SERVO HORN 22 Check to make sure the rudder control stick...

Page 16: ...5 64 Drill Bit 12 Straight Edge Ruler Pen or Pencil INSTALLING THE RECEIVER 1 Using a modeling knife cut a piece of Velcro 1 3 4 long Remove the protective backing from one side and firmly adhere the...

Page 17: ...rward section of the wing saddle and are visible from inside the fuselage 14 Slide the arming switch into place and thread the hex nut onto it Lightly tighten the nut using an adjustable wrench to sec...

Page 18: ...it in place Tear off two short pieces of masking tape and place them on the bottom of the wing 2 1 2 back from the leading edge at the fuselage sides 3 Place your fingers on the masking tape and caref...

Page 19: ...or life It is highly recommended PREFLIGHT CHECK 3 Cycle the motor battery three times When NiCad batteries are new they need to be used 2 3 times before they will produce their top voltage and durati...

Page 20: ...ny clubs there are that help beginners ABC S OF FLYING Once at the field even before removing your air plane from the car introduce yourself to some of the other pilots Find out what safety procedures...

Page 21: ...and forefingers at the center of gravity loca tion Hold the airplane at about shoulder level apply full power and solidly toss the airplane straight ahead and level Do not throw it hard or up at an a...

Page 22: ...rplane is flying very slowly A stall normally results in the nose dropping rapidly If a stall does occur allow the nose to drop which will increase the airspeed then apply up elevator to level the air...

Page 23: ...aging river Often a pilot hits some lift starts circling then goes up and up and stays right in the same spot circling Then he starts coming down and doesn t understand why On a calm day once you hit...

Page 24: ...the wing or fuselage Motor Controller Usually called an electronic speed control ESC the motor controller controls the speed of the motor Motor controllers can also be simple on and off switches Peak...

Page 25: ...turn the prop adaptor a couple of times to distribute the oil MOTOR MAINTENANCE 5 Remove any excess motor spray and oil us ing a paper towel Reinstall the motor and connect the motor leads to the ESC...

Page 26: ...26...

Page 27: ...maged q Wrong Size q Missing q Wrong Shape If you checked any of the boxes above did you contact our Customer Service Department to resolve the problem q Yes q No 7 Was any of the assembly difficult f...

Page 28: ...Hobby Distributors Attn Wattage Customer Care 18480 Bandilier Circle Fountain Valley CA 92728 8610 Post Office will not deliver without proper postage ___________________________ ____________________...

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