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!
