Top Flite Mini Contender Ep, Instruction Manual

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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.