Complete
RTF Kit
Transmitter, Charger, and Batteries Included
Quick and Easy Assembly
Mating Power System
Superb Flying Performance
No Painting or Decals Needed
Spare Parts Available
Misses
None
E-flite
Apprentice 15e RTF
Looking
to learn to fly?
With
the assistance of a club instructor, the E-flite® Apprentice
15e RTF is the perfect trainer for learning the basics and beyond.
The Apprentice is a 15-size high-wing trainer that comes with
everything you need to go from buy to fly. This one-box purchase
includes the full range DX5e Spektrum radio with the 2.4GHz
interference-free technology, AR500 receiver, and a 3S 3200mAh
15C Li-Po battery and charger. There is no building required, just
charge and install the included battery, mount the wing and tail,
and fly.
The
Apprentice is powered with a 15-size brushless outrunner providing
excellent power and performance. This trainer has a flat-bottom
wing and produces gentle flight characteristics. The Apprentice
is made from durable, lightweight Z-Foam, making it great
for training and sport flying. Every beginner pilot experiences
their share of bumps and bruises, so the Apprentice's durable
build and easily repairable construction ensures more opportunities
for success. The Apprentice is the perfect training aircraft thanks
to its gentle flight characteristics. This model is equipped with
tricycle landing gear allowing better ground handling over tail-dragger
aircraft. This landing gear setup is durable and will also allow
takeoffs and landings on maintained grass runways. This is a high
quality trainer with an excellent setup, taking the pilot from
beginner to basic aerobatics all from this one-box purchase. Go
from buy to fly with the Apprentice.
Specifications:
Wingspan:58 in (1475mm)
Overall Length:37 in (940mm)
Wing Area:525 sq in (33.7 sq dm)
Flying Weight:40-45 oz (1135-1275 g)
Wing Loading:12 oz/sq ft
Motor Size:15-size brushless outrunner (installed)
Servos:Sub-micro servos (installed)
CG (center of gravity):3-1/4" (83mm) back from the leading
edge
Prop Size:11 x 8 electric (installed)
Speed Control :30A Brushless Pro SB Brushless ESC (EFLA1030)
(installed)
E-flite 30A Pro Switch-mode BEC Brushless ESC installed
All servos and electronics installed
Great flying time
RTF
Contents :
The
Apprentice comes well packed and secured in the box. Everything you
need to fly is included. The 44-page Assembly Manual is divided into
sections to help make assembly easier to understand. The 24-page Spektrum
Radio manual details the transmitter control functionality and explains
the 2.4GHz DSM2 Dualink Technology.
The
first step after removing the parts is to charge the flight battery.
The included Li-Po balancing charger connects to any 12v supply capable
of delivering at least 3 amps. First, set the charger switch to the
"3-cell" setting and turn the "Amps" knob to "3.0".
Next, plug the balance charge lead into the larger 4-pin port on the
bottom right of the charger and press the "Start/Stop" button.
Your
3-cell LiPo pack will automatically charge and balance all the cells.
In about 60 minutes, when the battery pack is fully charged, you will
hear a beep for 3 seconds and the green LED will stay on solid.
The
included AA cell batteries for the transmitter simply install in the
back after sliding off the battery cover. Note that the polarity of
the batteries must be correct during their installation.
Assembly:
The
tail assembly was as simple as inserting the vertical fin into
the horizontal stabilizer and into the fuselage. The whole tail
locks in place and is held with just two screws.
The
elevator clevis and rudder clevis were attached to the outer holes
on each control horn to minimize throw for beginner pilots. Rubber
keepers are slid over each clevis to safely keep it attached in
flight.
The
nose gear installed with a Phillips screwdriver by tightening
the screw onto the pre-cut flat spot of the wire. The rear mains
simply pressed in place.
The
Apprentice?s tricycle landing gear provides stable and predictable
ground handling.
Note
that the inside electronics are well laid out and there is a y-harness
adapter already installed to attach to the aileron servo leads
when the wing is mounted. Check that all the servo leads are properly
plugged into the Spektrum receiver and that each clevis properly
connects to a servo arm.
Horizon Wing Hold Down Bulletin
Due
to a recent consumer feedback concerning the plastic caps
coming off the wing hold down rods on the E-flite Apprentice,
we are asking that you perform a very simple precautionary
step to assure there is adequate adhesive on the caps.
To
assure there is adequate adhesive to hold the plastics on
the wing hold down rods, please apply some additional drops
of Thin CA to the inner edges of the plastic caps. This
will ensure the caps are secured to the hold down rods and
eliminate the possibility of failure.
I
pulled and twisted my plastic caps but saw no need for additional
glue. Note that the Apprentice is constructed of Z-Foam for a
light and durable airframe. It's easily repaired at the field
with CA glue or packing tape.
The
wing halves slid together by pressing the carbon tube into the
socket of the opposite side. After removing the backing from the
adhesive tape, a set of custom front and rear wing covers were
pressed into place. As with the previous linkages, the aileron
clevis was attached to the outer hole of the control horn and
secured with the supplied rubber keeper. On my Apprentice, I used
the hole next to the outer one for slightly increased aileron
throw.
The
aileron servo leads were plugged into the Y-harness and the now
single-piece wing assembly was held in place with 8 supplied rubber
bands. Note that the aileron control rods came pre-connected.
The
bottom side battery hatch provides quick and easy access to install
the included 3-cell 3200mAh Li-Po battery. A built in hook and
loop strap holds the battery securely in place during flight.
Ready-To-Fly:
After
connecting the battery pack, I turned on the transmitter and tested
all the controls. Remember that with Spektrum radio systems, it
doesn't matter if the transmitter is turned on first or last.
All
the control surfaces went in the proper direction without any
changes to the transmitter. Even the high/low rate switch worked
fine. I did, however, adjust the aileron and elevator clevises
a few turns so that the control surfaces were perfectly aligned
when the transmitter trims were centered electronically.
It
was amazing just how quickly my Apprentice was ready to fly! I
was off to the park for photos and a video.
Test
Flying
The
Apprentice offered no surprises at the park as it flew perfectly.
I could even take off from grass that was a bit long for the smaller
15-size wheels. I had plenty of power when needed and the flight
time was a full 15 minutes as advertised. The Apprentice could
loop, roll, and slow down to fly within a smaller soccer-sized
field.
Landing
the Apprentice was as easy as it gets. I simply turned the throttle
off and let it glide into the landing, feeding a small amount
of elevator when needed. I took off from grass, pavement, and
even hand-launched the Apprentice. The radio system was range
tested as we flew the Apprentice very high up in the sky. I have
not found any issues with the Apprentice and the Spektrum DX5e
radio system performed flawlessly.
Summary
The
E-flite Apprentice 15e is a gentle-flying high-wing trainer that
includes everything you need to get started. It is truly a Ready-To-Fly
(RTF) package that includes the full range DX5e Spektrum
radio with the 2.4GHz interference-free technology, AR500 receiver,
and a 3-cell (3s) 3200mAh 15C Li-Po battery and charger. There
is no building required, just charge and install the included
battery, mount the wing and tail, and fly.
The
Apprentice is made from durable Z-Foam which not only makes
it tough enough to handle everyday flying but can easily and quickly
be repaired with CA and kicker (accelerator).
All
the electronics are installed including the Spektrum DX5e
5-channel radio system and brushless motor. It was amazing just
how quickly my Apprentice was ready to fly!
The
Apprentice has plenty of power to loop and roll, yet can slow
down to fly within a smaller soccer-sized field. It can take-off
from grass, pavement, or even be hand-launched. First time pilots
should seek the aid of another pilot with at least intermediate
flying skills. With the help of an excellent 44-page Assembly
Manual, anyone can get the Apprentice ready to fly!
Manufacturer
and Distributor
E-flite Models
Distributed Exclusively in the U.S.A. by:
Horizon Hobby, Inc
4105 Fieldstone Road
Champaign, IL 61822
Ph: (800) 338-4639
Toll Free: (800) 338-4639
Fax: (217) 352-6799
Website: www.horizonhobby.com
Distributed
Exclusively in the U.S.A. by:
Horizon Hobby, Inc
4105 Fieldstone Road
Champaign, IL 61822
Ph: (800) 338-4639
Toll Free: (800) 338-4639
Fax: (217) 352-6799
Website: www.horizonhobby.com
ZAP Glues On-line at Frank Tiano Enterprises
Pacer Z-42 Thread Locker
5-minute Z-poxy
Pacer POLY ZAP(tm)
Great Review I got this as my first plane 5 weeks ago flown it 4-5 times because crashed afu but great as a teach yourself to fly plane if you have a sim as well
I enjoyed flying the plane. You did not have to clean it up after flying like nitro planes so it was a good plane to get a quick flight in for the day. The only problem I can see is that the first engine started to grind and then the armature separated from the backing plate. When to order a new engine and was out of stock until December. Bought a plug and play model so I could be flying again and not have to wait three months for parts. That engine was a disappointment too after two flights it started to grind and separated from the backing plate. Decided not to buy anymore 15 out-runner E-Flite engines. Good plane to lean on but with engine problems it might be better to buy a different brand.
awesome review, I just bought this plane. I looked up Canandaigua Sky Chiefs (i live in canandaigua) and your page came up. That's awesome to know there is such an enthusiast in the area, i'm just starting up
yes it is a nice flyer but we had a clevis break and then found out that it is a non standard clevis on the push rods. it appears to get a clevis you have to get clevis and pushrod from Eflite..
The comments, observations and conclusions made in this review are solely with respect to the particular item the editor reviewed and may not apply generally to similar products by the manufacturer. We cannot be responsible for any manufacturer defects in workmanship or other deficiencies in products like the one featured in the review.
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