background image

34

E-flite Pitts Model 12 15e ARF Assembly Manual

Preflight

Check Your Radio

Before going to the field, be sure that your batteries are fully 

charged per the instructions included with your radio. Charge 

both the transmitter and receiver pack 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.
Before each flying session, be sure to range check your radio. 

See your radio manual for the recommended range and 

instructions for your radio system. Each radio manufacturer 

specifies different procedures for their radio systems. Next, start 

the motor. With the model securely anchored, check the range 

again. The range test should not be significantly affected. If it is, 

don’t attempt to fly! Have your radio equipment checked out by 

the manufacturer.

Note

: Keep loose items that can get entangled in 

the propeller away from the prop. These include 

loose clothing, or other objects such as pencils and 

screwdrivers. Especially keep your hands away from the 

propeller.

Double-check that all controls (aileron, elevator, rudder and 

throttle) move in the correct direction.
Check the radio installation and make sure all the control 

surfaces are moving correctly (i.e. the correct direction and with 

the recommended throws). Test run the motor and make sure 

it transitions smoothly from off to full throttle and back. Also 

ensure the engine is installed according to the manufacturer’s 

instructions, and it will operate consistently.
Check all the control horns, servo horns, and clevises to make 

sure they are secure and in good condition. Replace any items 

that would be considered questionable. Failure of any of these 

components in flight would mean the loss of your aircraft.

Flying Your Pitts Model 12 15e ARF

Flying the Pitts Model 12 15e ARF is about as fun as it can get. 

A very light wing loading and extreme control throws make for 

some exciting 3D flying. Verify that your CG is at the correct 

location as per the manual and that you have your rates set 

up to your liking. Verify all control throws are in the correct 

direction and the motor spins in the correct direction as well.
Point the model into the wind and add some throttle trim until 

the motor begins to turn. This will be your flight idle. Now, 

apply power slowly. You will find the model will become 

airborne very quickly and at a low speed. This model excels 

at flying slow and easy as well as fast and extreme. Trim the 

model for level flight at half throttle. Only use full throttle for 

maneuvering.
You will find you can adjust the CG to your liking by moving the 

battery pack fore or aft on the fuselage. Also keep the battery 

on the fuselage mounted high (at least at wing centerline or 

above) to help in hovering maneuvers and harriers.
To land the Pitts Model 12 15e ARF, just reduce the throttle to 

idle and feed in up elevator until the model settles into a slightly 

nose-high attitude. Gently fly the model down to the landing 

spot with a final flair at touchdown. You will find the model will 

have a very short roll out. We hope you enjoy the Pitts Model 

12 15e ARF as much as we do.
Happy landings.

Summary of Contents for Pitts Model 12 15e ARF

Page 1: ...ecifications Wingspan 40 in 1015mm Length 39 in 990mm Wing Area 555 sq in 35 8 sq dm Weight w Battery 48 50 oz 1360 1420 g Weight w o Battery 43 45 oz 1220 1275 g Pitts Model 12 15e ARF Assembly Manua...

Page 2: ...in these areas This is something we cannot currently duplicate Next we have changed the trim scheme on the bottom of the wings This was done to ensure there was a contrast from the top to the bottom...

Page 3: ...t You will need a minimum 6 channel transmitter for proper mixing and dual rate capabilities crystals micro receiver and four micro servos You can choose to purchase a complete radio system that inclu...

Page 4: ...r 25 BL Outrunner 870Kv EFLA1060 60 Amp Pro Switch Mode BEC Brushless ESC THP42003S2PPL 4200mAh 3 Cell 11 1V Li Po APC12080E 12 x 8 Electric Prop EFLAEC303 EC3 Device Battery Connector Male Female EFL...

Page 5: ...warranty is limited to the original Purchaser Purchaser and is not transferable REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT AS PROVIDED UNDER THIS WARRANTY IS THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY OF THE PURCHASER This warranty covers onl...

Page 6: ...rs 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 enab...

Page 7: ...the following address Horizon Product Support 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign Illinois 61822 Please call 877 504 0233 with any questions or concerns regarding this product or warranty Safety Precaution...

Page 8: ...a tunnel allowing the thin CA to fully penetrate each hinge Note It is suggested to drill the CA tunnel in the top and bottom wings ailerons stabilizer elevator rudder and fuselage at this time as we...

Page 9: ...ile gluing the hinges The CA must be allowed to soak into each hinge naturally If not the bond between the hinge and surrounding wood could fail in flight Note Placing a 11 hobby knife blade between t...

Page 10: ...ssembly Manual 7 Install the aileron in the top wing at this time Follow the hinging procedure as described for the bottom wing 8 Use six CA hinges to attach the stabilizer to the elevator Again follo...

Page 11: ...minute epoxy Felt tipped pen 3mm ball driver Threadlock Medium CA Pliers Phillips screwdriver 0 1 1 Use a sharp hobby knife to remove the covering from the holes in the leading edge of the bottom win...

Page 12: ...Use the 3mm x 25mm machine screw to draw the 3mm blind nut in position under the wing support plate in the fuselage 6 Slide the dowels into the fuselage and use the 3mm x 25mm machine screw and 3mm wa...

Page 13: ...when you tighten the screws down 8 Attach the struts to the bottom wing using four 2mm x 10mm machine screws four 2mm washers and four 2mm nuts 9 Position the top wing The tabs at the cabane struts c...

Page 14: ...n CA Hobby knife Ruler Felt tipped pen 1 Use a hobby knife to remove the covering for the horizontal stabilizer from the fuselage 2 Slide the stabilizer in the slot Center the stabilizer as shown in t...

Page 15: ...bby knife with a new blade to trim the covering inside the line drawn in the previous step Note Use care not to cut into the underlying wood of the stabilizer This could significantly reduce the stren...

Page 16: ...rill Drill bit 5 64 inch 2mm 30 minute epoxy Thin CA Pliers Ruler T pins Phillips screwdriver 0 Side cutters Ruler 1 Place the fin in position Trace the outline of the fuselage onto both sides of the...

Page 17: ...to drill a hole into the rudder 7 8 inch 22mm up from the bottom of the rudder 4 Use a hobby knife to cut a groove from the hole to the bottom of the rudder This will recess the tail gear wire when it...

Page 18: ...ating the rudder Landing Gear Installation Required Parts Fuselage Landing gear Wheel pant 2 3 x 10mm machine screw 3 3mm washer 5 3mm nut 2 2mm x 6mm sheet metal screw 2 3mm wheel collar w setscrew 2...

Page 19: ...knife to trim the filler block to clear the heads of the three screws holding the landing gear to the fuselage 4 Use 6 minute epoxy to glue the filler block in position on the fuselage 5 Slide a 3mm...

Page 20: ...sher to attach the wheel wheel pant to the landing gear Use threadlock on the nut to prevent it from vibrating loose 8 With the fuselage resting on its wheels check that the wheel pants will clear the...

Page 21: ...ls and Adhesives Drill Drill bit 1 16 inch 1 5mm Hobby knife Servo 4 Felt tipped pen Pliers Pin drill Phillips screwdriver 0 Side cutters Thin CA 30 minute epoxy Drill bit 5 64 inch 2mm 9 inch 228mm s...

Page 22: ...ark the location for the control horn screws through the control horn 4 Use a pin drill with a 5 64 inch 2mm drill bit to drill the holes for the control horn screw 5 Place a few drops of thin CA into...

Page 23: ...icular to the servo center line Mark the pushrod with a felt tipped pen where it crosses the outside hole on the servo arm 8 Bend the pushrod wire 90 degrees at the mark made in the previous step Secu...

Page 24: ...f your receiver Plug the two extensions for the aileron servos into the receiver at this time as well 11 Remove the servo cover from the bottom of the bottom wing Use a hobby knife to remove the cover...

Page 25: ...d cover then drill the locations for the servo screws using a 1 16 inch 1 5mm drill bit and drill 15 Install a long servo arm on the servo after centering it using the radio system Secure the servo us...

Page 26: ...ers of the servo cover and into the supports Use four 2mm x 6mm sheet metal screws to secure the servo cover to the wing 19 Use a 3 3 4 inch 95mm pushrod wire clevis and pushrod rod wire clip to assem...

Page 27: ...iver 0 1 Hex wrench 3 32 inch 6 minute epoxy Threadlock 1 Attach the X mount to the motor using the hardware provided with the motor Use threadlock on the screws to prevent them from vibrating loose 2...

Page 28: ...ake sure your ESC brake is programmed to Off Also be sure to use an ESC with the proper low voltage cutoff and it is set correctly for the batteries you are using 7 Turn on the radio system and plug t...

Page 29: ...If it is necessary to enlarge the hole in the propeller make sure to check the balance of the propeller afterwards 8 Use a hobby knife and rotary tool to remove the area in the center of the dummy ra...

Page 30: ...the bottom of the fuselage Make sure not to glue the intake to the cowl Note Your intake scoop will differ slightly from the one pictured above It will be black in color as well not white as depicted...

Page 31: ...until the glue fully cures Optional Accessories Note The tail surface flying wires are included for you to add if you desire They are not required for everyday flight or even 3D flight 1 Attach the fl...

Page 32: ...trol during other high alpha manevers Control Throws Use a ruler to adjust the throw of the elevator ailerons and rudder Adjust the position of the pushrod at the control horn to achieve the following...

Page 33: ...t attempt to fly Have your radio equipment checked out by the manufacturer 2 Double check that all controls aileron elevator rudder and throttle move in the correct direction 3 Be sure that your tran...

Page 34: ...to the manufacturer s instructions and it will operate consistently Check all the control horns servo horns and clevises to make sure they are secure and in good condition Replace any items that woul...

Page 35: ...be established in front of which all flying takes place with the other side for spectators Only personnel involved with flying the aircraft are allowed at or in front of the flight line Intentional f...

Page 36: ...10491 2007 Horizon Hobby Inc 4105 Fieldstone Road Champaign Illinois 61822 877 504 0233 horizonhobby com E fliteRC com...

Reviews: