background image

25

E-flite Leader 480 ARF Assembly Manual

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. Face the model with the transmitter in your 

normal flying position. Be sure the throttle is in the 

full down position and plug the flight battery into 

the speed control.

  3. As you move the controls, watch to be sure the 

airplane’s motor and controls operate smoothly. 

You should have total control of the model at 30 

paces (90 feet).

  4. If control issues exist, call the appropriate 

Horizon Product Support office (see page 43) or 

go to 

horizonhobby.com

 to find a local Spektrum 

distributor in your country for service if using a 

Spektrum radio system.

Flying your Model

The Leader 480 is an extremely well mannered low-

wing park flyer with the heart of a pattern plane.

Its ground handling characteristics are very forgiving 

due to the tricycle landing gear arrangement. Set the 

throttle trim such that the propeller is spinning over at 

a very low RPM. Taxi out to the runway and line up 

with the centerline and check to ensure that the controls 

are moving in the correct directions and that your rate 

switches are set to their proper positions. Smoothly 

advance the throttle and hold slight back pressure on 

the elevator. Use very small rudder corrections to keep 

the airplane tracking straight down the runway, and 

the Leader should gently break ground after a short 

takeoff roll and settle into a moderate climb angle. 

Once at altitude, set cruise power to between ½ to 

¾ throttle and trim for straight and level flight. After 

trimming and making a few passes, try some slow 

flight. Point the nose into the wind and reduce power 

and feed up elevator to maintain level flight. The 

airplane will slow down to a crawl and break straight 

ahead.

Now for the fun part. With the light weight of the 

airframe, and the power of the Park 480 motor, the 

Leader 480 is a very capable aerobatic performer. 

Due to the force arrangement and the generous tail 

moment, the Leader tracks incredible lines. Big loops, 

slow axial rolls, snap rolls, inverted flight, spins, stall 

turns, and more are well within this agile flyer’s realm 

of capability. Use your imagination to create your own 

aerobatic sequence for endless fun.

When the time comes bring this bird back to earth, fly 

parallel to the runway downwind and slowly reduce 

power. Begin to bleed off airspeed and descend. Once 

lined up with the runway, use the elevator to control 

airspeed and power to control rate of descent and 

establish a stable glidepath to the approach end of the 

runway. Once you are a few feet above the runway, 

begin to shallow your descent rate and reduce power 

completely. Once you settle into ground effect, it will 

settle onto the runway in a slightly nose-high attitude. 

If the nose is kept high during the roll out, speed will 

bleed off much quicker. Just as with the takeoff, use 

small rudder corrections to keep the airplane tracking 

straight down the runway.

Congratulations, you have just flown your Leader 480! 

We wish you many more happy flights with this model. 

Now grab a battery and do it again!

Happy Landings!

Summary of Contents for Leader 480 ARF

Page 1: ...Leader 480 ARF Assembly Manual...

Page 2: ...r to operate correctly and avoid damage or serious injury Warnings Read and follow all instructions and safety precautions before use Improper use can result in fire serious injury and damage to prope...

Page 3: ...are allowed Important Information Regarding Warranty Information Please read our Warranty and Liability Limitations section before building this product If you as the Purchaser or user are not prepare...

Page 4: ...with 12 inch Wire and Jacks 16AWG EFLSP175 13 4 inch Aluminum Spinner with 4mm and 5mm Collets EFLA156 1 9 Civilian Pilot Blue with Glasses Required Tools and Adhesives Tools Equipment Box wrench 10m...

Page 5: ...hinge and surrounding wood 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...

Page 6: ...sembled wing panel left and right Nylon control horn 2 6 inch 152mm servo extension 2 Micro screw lock connector 2 1mm x 180mm pushrod 2 Required Tools and Adhesives Side cutter Phillips screwdriver 0...

Page 7: ...screw into each of the holes to cut threads in the surrounding wood Remove the screw before moving to the next step 8 Apply 2 3 drops of thin CA in each of the holes to harden the surrounding wood Thi...

Page 8: ...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 Rudder and Elev...

Page 9: ...eadlock on metal to metal fasteners to prevent them from vibrating loose 6 Prepare the rudder and elevator servo horns by enlarging the outermost hole in a long single sided elevator or long double si...

Page 10: ...e tube will protrude from the fuselage by 1 32 inch 1mm use thin CA to glue the tube in the fuselage at the positions shown 2 Insert the Z bend of the pushrod wire into the nose gear steering arm as s...

Page 11: ...wire Use side cutters to trim the excess pushrod wire 1 4 inch 6mm past the connector as shown When trimming the airplane to track straight on the ground the adjustment is made in the linkage for the...

Page 12: ...cap screws four 3mm washers and four 3mm lock washers Use a 2 5mm hex wrench to tighten the screws Make sure to use threadlock on these screws as well to prevent them from vibrating loose 3 Place the...

Page 13: ...ssembly can be placed on the motor shaft 2 Slide the cowling on the fuselage Place a piece of 3 32 inch 2 5mm thick two sided tape not included between the cowling and spinner backplate to set the spa...

Page 14: ...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...

Page 15: ...w before moving to the next step Prepare all four mounting holes at this time 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 screw...

Page 16: ...ead cap screw 4 3mm washer 4 Required Tools and Adhesives Hex wrench 2 5mm 1 Slide the aluminum wing tube into the socket in the wing panel The tube will slide in easily so do not force it in any fart...

Page 17: ...r poor alignment resulting in poor flight performance 2 Measure the distance from each stabilizer tip to the fuselage centerline to make sure the stabilizer is centered on the fuselage A A A A 3 Stand...

Page 18: ...sing a paper towel and rubbing alcohol Do not use CA accelerator when gluing the stabilizer to the fuselage The CA must be allowed to soak into the fuselage and stabilizer for the best bond between th...

Page 19: ...in to correct its alignment Align 90 degrees Do not use CA accelerator when gluing the fin to the fuselage The CA must be allowed to soak into the fuselage and fin for the best bond between the two su...

Page 20: ...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 6 Once the CA has cured gently pull on the control surface...

Page 21: ...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...

Page 22: ...opy Pilot optional Balsa stiffener 2 Required Tools and Adhesives Felt tipped pen Ruler Razor saw Medium CA Sanding block Medium grit sandpaper Hobby knife with 11 blade 1 Use a felt tipped pen to mar...

Page 23: ...this manual 2 The recommended Center of Gravity CG location for your model is 33 8 to 33 4 inches 85 to 95mm back from the leading edge of the wing as shown with the battery pack installed Mark the lo...

Page 24: ...atch your preferred style of flying Travel Adjust and Sub Trims are not listed and should be adjusted according to each individual model and preference Always install the control horns 90 degrees to t...

Page 25: ...corrections to keep the airplane tracking straight down the runway and the Leader should gently break ground after a short takeoff roll and settle into a moderate climb angle Once at altitude set crui...

Page 26: ...S NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION EXPRESS OR IMPLIED ABOUT NON INFRINGEMENT MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF THE PRODUCT THE PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THEY ALONE HAVE DETERMINED...

Page 27: ...rranty conditions have been met your Product will be repaired or replaced free of charge Repair or replacement decisions are at the sole discretion of Horizon Non Warranty Repairs Should your repair n...

Page 28: ...compliance with the AMA turbine regulations AMA Document 510 A 3 Model aircraft will not be flown in AMA sanctioned events air shows or model demonstrations unless a The aircraft control system and p...

Page 29: ...uding the safety thong where applicable must have an inspection and pull test prior to flying 2 The pull test will be in accordance with the current Competition Regulations for the applicable model ai...

Page 30: ...30 E flite Leader 480 ARF Assembly Manual Building and Flying Notes...

Page 31: ...31 E flite Leader 480 ARF Assembly Manual Building and Flying Notes...

Page 32: ...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 ser...

Reviews: