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INTRODUCTION

The original Top Flite Contender kit was introduced over 

forty years ago. By popular demand, thirteen years ago 
the Contender kit was re-introduced following today’s 
high quality kit standards. With the advancements in 
electric powered planes, we now bring you the new 
Electric Powered Mini Contender EP ARF. With the 
traditional looks of the original Contender and the quiet, 
clean power of electrics, we think you will be impressed 
with the performance of the Mini Contender EP ARF.

For the latest technical updates or manual corrections 
to the Mini Contender EP ARF visit the Top Flite web 
site at www.top-fl ite.com. Open the “Airplanes” link, 
then select the Mini Contender EP 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.

INTRODUCTION

  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2

 

Academy of Model Aeronautics . . . . . . . . . . . .  2

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2

DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3

 Power 

Recommendations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3

 Radio 

Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3

 Charger 

Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

. . . . . . . . . . . . .  3

 

Adhesives and Building Supplies . . . . . . . . . . .  3

 Covering 

Tools  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3

 

Optional Supplies and Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3

IMPORTANT BUILDING NOTES

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3

MODEL INSPECTION

  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4

ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS

  . . . . . . . . . .  4

CONTENTS

  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4

ASSEMBLE THE WING

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5

 

Mount the Aileron Servos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5

 

Install the Main Landing Gear  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6

ASSEMBLE THE  FUSELAGE

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6

 

Install the Stabilizer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6

 

Install the Servos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7

 

Install the Nose Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8

 

Install the Motor and ESC  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8

 

Install the Cowl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9

 

Apply the Decals  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10

GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY

  . . . . . . . . . . .  10

 

Balance the Model Laterally. . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10

 

Check the Control Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10

 

Set the Control Throws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10

 

Balance the Model (C.G.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11

CHECK LIST

  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12

PREFLIGHT

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

 Identify 

Your 

Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13

 

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

 

Ground Check and Range Check  . . . . . . . . .  13

MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

  . . . . . . . . . . .  13

AMA SAFETY CODE

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

 General  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
 Radio 

Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14

FLYING

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

 Takeoff  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
 Flight  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
 Landing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACADEMY OF MODEL AERONAUTICS

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

Ph. (800) 435-9262
Fx (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.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

PROTECT YOUR  MODEL, YOURSELF  AND 

OTHERS... FOLLOW THESE IMPORTANT 

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

 1.  Your Mini Contender EP 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 Mini Contender EP 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, a correctly sized motor, 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.

 6.  While this model has been fl ight tested to exceed 

normal use, if the plane will be used for extremely 
high stress fl ying, such as racing, or if a motor larger 
than one that is recommended is used, the modeler 
is responsible for taking steps to reinforce the high 
stress points and/or substituting hardware more 
suitable for the increased stress.

Summary of Contents for Mini Contender Ep

Page 1: ...r accepts all resulting 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 con...

Page 2: ...rights and interests and is required to fly at most R C sites Academy of Model Aeronautics 5151 East Memorial Drive Muncie IN 47302 9252 Ph 800 435 9262 Fx 765 741 0057 Or via the Internet at http www...

Page 3: ...f Adhesives and Building Supplies that are required to finish the Mini Contender EP ARF 1 2 oz 15g Thin Pro CA GPMR6001 Pro 6 minute epoxy GPMR6045 Threadlocker thread locking cement GPMR6060 Mixing s...

Page 4: ...d separately but is only available with the wing kit Replacement parts are not available from Product Support but can be purchased from hobby shops or mail order Internet order firms Hardware items sc...

Page 5: ...ion to one of the aileron servos Secure the extension to the servo lead with a piece of heat shrink or electrical tape not included 2 Carefully pull the string from the aileron servo opening and tie i...

Page 6: ...heet metal screws 2 Install a 1 8 3mm wheel collar and 4 40 x 1 8 3mm machine screw followed by a 1 7 16 35mm foam wheel and a second wheel collar and machine screw Apply a drop of threadlocker on the...

Page 7: ...bilizer and apply four drops of thin CA to the top and bottom of each CA hinge INSTALL THE SERVOS 1 Connect a 6 152mm servo extension to the rudder and elevator servos Use heat shrink or electrical ta...

Page 8: ...the nose gear block Insert the nose gear pushrod in the nylon nose gear steering arm and then slide the nose gear through the steering arm Secure the steering arm with a 3 x 6mm socket head cap screw...

Page 9: ...tray and trim the battery strap to fit 5 Route the servo wires to the ESC receiver compartment Plug the servos into the receiver and place the receiver in the compartment 6 Place the compartment cover...

Page 10: ...f the fuse under the TE of the fin Do this several times 2 If one wing always drops when you lift the model it means that side is heavy Balance the airplane by adding weight to the other wing tip An a...

Page 11: ...way If your radio does not have dual rates we recommend setting the throws at the high rate settings NOTE The throws are measured at the widest part of the elevators rudder and ailerons These are the...

Page 12: ...t can be permanently attached Do not rely upon the adhesive on the back of the lead weight to permanently hold it in place Over time vibration may cause the weight to fall off Instead permanently atta...

Page 13: ...d correct the problem first Look for loose servo connections or broken wires corroded wires on old servo connectors poor solder joints in your battery pack or a defective cell or a damaged receiver cr...

Page 14: ...excessive speeds TAKEOFF Before you get ready to takeoff see how the model handles on the ground by doing a few practice runs at low speeds on the runway If necessary adjust the nose wheel so the mod...

Page 15: ...mple if you re going to do a loop check your altitude mind the wind direction anticipating rudder corrections that will be required to maintain heading remember to throttle back at the top and make ce...

Page 16: ......

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