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TABLE OF CONTENTS

AMA .................................................................................. 2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ................................................. 2
LITHIUM BATTERY HANDLING & USAGE ..................... 3
DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE ........................................ 3
 

Radio Equipment Recommendations ........................... 3

 

Battery, ESC & Motor Recommendations .................... 3

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED .................................... 3
 

Adhesives & Building Supplies ..................................... 3

 

Optional Supplies & Tools ............................................ 3

IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES ...................................... 4
ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS .............................. 4
KIT INSPECTION .............................................................. 4
KIT CONTENTS ................................................................ 4
WING INSTALLATION ...................................................... 5
HORIZONTAL TAIL  INSTALLATION ................................ 6
EDF FAN PREPARATION & INSTALLATION .................. 7
INSTALL THE RADIO GEAR ............................................ 8
LINK THE  CONTROLS ..................................................... 9
HATCH & VERTICAL TAIL INSTALLATION ................... 10
GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY ................................. 11
 

Check the Control Directions ..................................... 11

 

Set the Control Throws ............................................... 12

 

Balance the Model ..................................................... 12

PREFLIGHT .................................................................... 13
 Identify 

Your 

Model 

..................................................... 13

 

Charge the Batteries .................................................. 13

 Range 

Check 

............................................................. 13

AMA SAFETY CODE ...................................................... 13
CHECK LIST ................................................................... 14
FLYING ............................................................................ 14
 Launching 

................................................................... 14

 Flight 

.......................................................................... 14

 Landing 

...................................................................... 14

The Northrop F-20 Tigershark was a development of the F-5 
twin-engine light fi ghter jet aircraft. The project was initiated 
by a demand for exportable fi ghter jets to supply U.S. allies. 
Switching over to a single engine boosted the performance 
by 60%, but due to stiff competition and limited interest the 
project was cancelled after only 3 prototypes were made. 

Great Planes brings you this unique aircraft now in EDF 
form. AeroCell

 foam construction provides a lightweight and 

durable structure that will handle everyday use. Two AIM-9 
Sidewinder missiles and a display stand are included that will 
allow your F-20 EDF ARF to look as great sitting on the shelf 
as it does in the air. The recommended brushless motor will 
allow your F-20 EDF ARF to reach speeds up to 85 mph!

For the latest technical updates or manual corrections 
to the F-20 EDF ARF visit the Great Planes web site at
www.greatplanes.com. Open the “Airplanes” link, then 
select the F-20 EDF ARF. If there is new technical information 
or changes to this model a “tech notice” box will appear in 
the upper left corner of the page.

AMA

If you are not already a member of the AMA, please join! 
The AMA is the governing body of model aviation and 
membership provides liability insurance coverage, protects 
modelers’ rights and interests and is required to fl y at most 
R/C sites.

Academy of Model Aeronautics

5151 East Memorial Drive

Muncie, IN 47302-9252

Tele. (800) 435-9262

Fax (765) 741-0057

Or via the Internet at:

http://www.modelaircraft.org

IMPORTANT!!! Two of the most important things you can do 
to preserve the radio controlled aircraft hobby are to avoid 
fl ying near full-scale aircraft and avoid fl ying near or over 
groups of people.

PROTECT YOUR  MODEL, YOURSELF 

& OTHERS....FOLLOW THESE

 IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

1.  Your F-20 EDF ARF should not be considered a toy, but 

rather a sophisticated, working model that functions very 
much like a full-size airplane. Because of its performance 
capabilities, the F-20 EDF ARF, if not assembled and 
operated correctly, could possibly cause injury to yourself 
or spectators and damage to property.

2.  You must assemble the model according to the instructions

Do not alter or modify the model, as doing so may result in 
an unsafe or unfl yable model. In a few cases the instructions 
may differ slightly from the photos. In those instances the 
written instructions should be considered as correct.

3.  You must take time to build straight, true and strong.
4.  You must use an R/C radio system that is in good condition, 

and other components as specifi ed in this instruction 
manual. All components must be correctly installed so 
that the model operates correctly on the ground and in 
the air. You must check the operation of the model and all 
components before every fl ight.

5.  If you are not an experienced pilot or have not fl own this 

type of model before, we recommend that you get the 
assistance of an experienced pilot in your R/C club for 
your fi rst fl ights. If you’re not a member of a club, your 
local hobby shop has information about clubs in your area 
whose membership includes experienced pilots. 

We, as the kit manufacturer, provide you with a top quality, 
thoroughly tested kit and instructions, but ultimately the 
quality and fl yability of your fi nished model depends 
on how you build it; therefore, we cannot in any way 
guarantee the performance of your completed model, 
and no representations are expressed or implied as to the 
performance or safety of your completed model.

Remember: Take your time and follow the instructions to 
end up with a well-built model that is straight and true.

Summary of Contents for EP F-20 Tigershark ElectriFLy

Page 1: ...liability If the buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product the buyer is advised to return this kit immediately in new and unused condition to the place of purchase To make a warranty claim send the defective part or item to Hobby Services at the address below Hobby Services 3002 N Apollo Dr Suite 1 Champaign IL 61822 USA Include a letter stating your nam...

Page 2: ...s and is required to fly at most R C sites Academy of Model Aeronautics 5151 East Memorial Drive Muncie IN 47302 9252 Tele 800 435 9262 Fax 765 741 0057 Or via the Internet at http www modelaircraft org IMPORTANT Two of the most important things you can do to preserve the radio controlled aircraft hobby are to avoid flying near full scale aircraft and avoid flying near or over groups of people PRO...

Page 3: ... is the list of Adhesives and Building Supplies that are required to finish the F 20 EDF ARF Hobby knife EXLR9018 11 Blades HCAR0311 Pro 30 minute epoxy GPMR6047 1 oz 30g Medium Pro CA GPMR6008 1 oz 30g Medium Foam Safe CA GPMR6069 1 oz 30g Thick Pro CA GPMR6014 Pro Threadlocker thread locking cement GPMR6060 Numbered drill bits 55 57 Denatured alcohol Optional Supplies Tools Here is a list of opt...

Page 4: ...facsimile at 217 398 7721 but full retail prices and shipping and handling charges will apply Illinois and Nevada residents will also be charged sales tax If ordering via fax include a Visa or MasterCard number and expiration date for payment Mail parts orders and payments by personal check to Hobby Services 3002 N Apollo Drive Suite 1 Champaign IL 61822 Be certain to specify the order number exac...

Page 5: ...urfaces with denatured alcohol Using thick regular CA apply a continuous bead of glue into the spar slot in the bottom of the fuselage Center the carbon wing spar using the marks that you made and press it up into the slot completely Set the fuselage on a flat table and make sure that the wing spar is parallel with the table top This will ensure that you have inserted the spar correctly Use a cott...

Page 6: ...e wing Clean up any excess CA with a paper towel Set the model aside to let the CA cure or spray CA accelerator into the joint HORIZONTAL TAIL INSTALLATION 1 Test fit the horizontal tail to the bottom of the fuselage Slide the stab all the way forward Note The elevator joiner wire must clear the slot in the fuse 2 Apply thick or medium CA to the center section of the horizontal tail where it conta...

Page 7: ...re Note During installation you may notice that the fan rotor s flange makes contact with the inner duct cone This is normal and helps improve fan efficiency When you first run the motor on the plane the fan will seat itself in the foam If you feel that the fan is too tight against the inner duct cone you may trim the duct cone using a hobby knife before installation Trim a little at a time and ch...

Page 8: ...output shaft faces forward and the servo arm faces up toward the top of the model Clean the servo with denatured alcohol then glue into position as shown using thick or medium CA 4 Identify the left and right aileron servos and tie each servo lead guide string to its corresponding servo lead Pull each servo lead through the fuselage and glue each servo in position 5 Remove the guide strings from t...

Page 9: ... and receiver inside the fuselage in the locations shown You can stick the ESC to the left or the right side depending on the location of your battery s wires LINK THE CONTROLS 1 Use your radio system to verify that the servos are centered The aileron servos should be parallel with each other Use your radio s sub trim function to correct this Caution Do not arm the motor by moving the throttle Deb...

Page 10: ... a drop of thread locking compound to the screw threads and install the locking screw Set each aileron at neutral throw and tighten the locking screw 5 Peel the backing paper from the double sided tape applied to the left and right aileron servo covers Install the servo covers as shown HATCH VERTICAL TAIL INSTALLATION 1 Apply a bead of medium regular CA adhesive to the motor hatch at the base of w...

Page 11: ...om lateral braces next The top braces are smaller to allow the aileron servos and linkages to clear 4 Apply the pre cut decals using the box photos as a guide for placement Check the Control Directions 1 Turn on the transmitter and receiver and center the trims If necessary remove the servo arms from the servos and reposition them so they are centered Reinstall the screws that hold on the servo ar...

Page 12: ...7 5 Down Note Use high rate elevator for takeoffs and landings Balance the Model C G At this stage the model should be in ready to fly condition Place the battery in the battery tray but do not connect it 1 The C G is located 3 3 4 95mm back from the LE of the wing at the fuselage the seam where the wing panels have been joined to the fuselage Make a small mark at this location on the top side of ...

Page 13: ...ag on the back cover of this manual and place it on or inside your model Charge the Batteries Follow the battery charging instructions that came with your radio control system to charge the transmitter battery You should always charge your transmitter battery the night before you go flying and at other times as recommended by the radio manufacturer Charge your airplane s LiPo battery according to ...

Page 14: ... model in flight nor should any part of the model other than the landing gear intentionally touch the ground except while landing CHECK LIST During the last few moments of preparation your mind may be elsewhere anticipating the excitement of the first flight Because of this you may be more likely to overlook certain checks and procedures that should be performed before the model is flown To help a...

Page 15: ...light After the model has climbed to a safe altitude reduce the throttle slightly to slow the model yet maintain altitude The F 20 EDF ARF should fly well at about 1 2 throttle Adjust the elevator trim so the model flies level at the throttle setting you are using Adjust the aileron trim to level the wings It may take a few minutes to get the trims adjusted but this should be your first priority o...

Page 16: ...nd mini receiver 35A brushless ESC 14 8V 2200mAh LiPo battery LiPo charger ElectriFly VFO ARF Almost Ready to Fly Electric Sport 3D Aerobat GPMA1135 ALSO AVAILABLE FROM GREAT PLANES Satisfy the urge for jet looks and speed economically in a convenient size and with goes where you point it stability plus the potential for thrilling sport aerobatics Constructed of a fiberglass fuselage and MonoKote ...

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