E-FLITE Tensor 4D User manual

Assembly Manual
Tensor 4D

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Table of Contents
Introduction ..................................................... 2
Specifications .................................................. 2
Warning ......................................................... 3
Additional Required Equipment ......................... 3
Additional Tools and Adhesives ......................... 3
Contents of Kit/Parts Layout .............................. 4
Required Items ................................................ 5
Other E-flite™ Accessories ................................ 5
Before Starting Assembly .................................. 5
Using the Manual ............................................ 5
Warranty Information ....................................... 6
Fuselage Assembly ........................................... 7
Radio Installation ........................................... 11
Wing Installation ........................................... 18
Carbon Rod Installation .................................. 21
Aileron Servo Installation ................................ 26
Installing the Electronics .................................. 32
Landing Gear Installation ................................ 35
Final Assembly .............................................. 37
Control Throws .............................................. 38
Center of Gravity ........................................... 39
General Set-up Tips for 3D Flight .................... 39
Trimming and Flying the Tensor 4D .................. 41
Basic Guide for Learning to Fly 3D Maneuvers . 43
2004 Official AMA
National Model Aircraft Safety Code ............... 46
Introduction
A true breakthrough in electric flight, the Tensor 4D
lightweight design takes extreme 3D aerobatics to a
new level. The Tensor is designed by Aerodynamicist
George Hicks, a top-level Unlimited Aerobatic ace.
The Tensor features unique side force generators for
maximum yaw authority and knife–edge flight, light
wing loading, carbon fiber wing and tail support
for reinforcement and added strength, and precision
laser cut pre-painted flat foam construction.
Specifications
Wingspan: 27 in (685 mm)
Length: 30 in (760 mm)
Wing Area: 393 sq in (25 sq dm)
Weight w/o Battery: 8 oz (230 g)
Weight w/Battery: 9.5 oz (270 g)

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Additional Tools and Adhesives
Tools
Square
Hobby knife
Ruler
T-pin
Razor saw
Drill bit: 1/16", 1/8"
Drill
Small Phillips screwdriver
Motor/Gearbox
E-flite™ Park 370 Outrunner, 1080KV
Propeller: 10x4.7
Adhesives
Foam-safe CA
Servo tape
Thin CA
Warning
An RC aircraft is not a toy! If misused, it can cause
serious bodily harm and damage to property. Fly
only in open areas, preferably at AMA (Academy of
Model Aeronautics) approved flying sites, following
all instructions included with your radio.
Additional Required Equipment
Recommended JR® Systems
Servos: JR 241 Sub-micro servo (3)
Receiver: JR R610M 6-channel micro FM Rx or R610UL
Radio: JR 4-channel system
Battery and Speed Control Requirements
Li-Po Battery: 7.4V 860 2-Cell
Speed Control: 10 amp brushless

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Contents of Kit/Parts Layout
Large Replacement Parts:
EFL2101 Wing Set w/Struts
EFL2102 Vertical Fuselage w/Rudder
EFL2103 Horizontal Fuselage
EFL2104 Tail Assembly
EFL2105 Wheel Pants
EFL2106 Firewall Mount w/Hardware
EFL2110 Landing Gear
Small Replacement Parts:
EFL2108 Carbon Fiber Wing Supports
EFL2109 Pushrods and Control Rods
EFL2107 Nylon String (120")
EFLA200 Micro Control Horns
EFLA201 Micro Pushrod Keepers
EFLA202 Micro Control Connectors
EFLA221 Foam Park Wheels, 1.5"
EFLA2086 Hook and Loop Tape

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Required Items
EFLP1047 10x4.7 Slow Flyer Propeller (2)
JRP4487 Quattro UL, R610UL, 2-S241
JRPS241 S241 Sub-micro Servo
EFLB1000 7.4v 860mAh 2-cell Li-Po, JST
THP13602SJ 7.4v 860mAh 2-cell Li-Po, JST
EFLM1200 Park 370 Outrunner, 1080KV
CSEPHX10L Phoenix 10-Amp Brushless ESC
Other E-flite™ Accessories
EFLM1205 Park 370 Outrunner, 1360KV
EFLC3005 Celectra™ 1- to 3-cell
Li-Po Charger
EFLM110 Power Meter
EFLA208 Foam CA 1 oz/
Activator 2 oz pack
Before Starting Assembly
Before beginning the assembly of your Tensor 4D,
remove each part from its bag for inspection. Closely
inspect the fuselage, wing panels, rudder and
stabilizer for damage. If you find any damaged or
missing parts, contact the place of purchase.
Using the Manual
This manual is divided into sections to help make
assembly easier to understand, and to provide
breaks between each major section.
Remember to take your time and follow
the directions.

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Please note that once assembly of the model has
been started, you must contact Horizon Hobby, Inc.
directly regarding any warranty question. Please
do not contact your local hobby shop regarding
warranty issues, even if that is where you purchased
it. This will enable Horizon to better answer your
questions and service you in the event that you may
need any assistance.
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.
Horizon Hobby, Inc.
4105 Fieldstone Road
Champaign, Illinois 61822
[phone]
www.horizonhobby.com
Warranty Information
Horizon Hobby, Inc. guarantees this kit to be free
from defects in both material and workmanship at the
date of purchase. This warranty does not cover any
component parts damage by use or modification. In
no case shall Horizon Hobby’s liability exceed the
original cost of the purchased kit. Further, Horizon
Hobby reserves the right to change or modify this
warranty without notice.
In that Horizon Hobby has no control over the final
assembly or material used for the final assembly,
no liability shall be assumed nor accepted for any
damage resulting from the use of the final assembled
product. By the act of using the assembled product,
the user accepts all resulting liability.

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Fuselage Assembly
Required Parts
Vertical fuselage Horizontal fuselage
Horizontal fuselage support (2) Elevator/stabilizer
Carbon elevator joiner brace
Required Tools and Adhesives
Foam-safe CA Square
 1. Carefully remove the horizontal fuselage
supports from the horizontal fuselage.
 2. Slide the horizontal fuselage partially into
position. The unpainted side will face the bottom
of the fuselage.

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 3. Use foam-safe CA to attach the carbon
stabilizer joiner brace to the bottom of
the elevator.
 4. Slide the elevator/stabilizer assembly
into position.

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 5. Slide the horizontal fuselage fully forward in the
fuselage. Center it in the main fuselage, making
sure the notch at the rear fits with the stabilizer.
Note: There are small notches along the center
of the horizontal fuselage to aid in alignment.
 6. Use foam-safe CA to glue the horizontal
fuselage to the vertical fuselage.
Note: Do not use accelerator unless you are
sure it will not harm the foam or paint on
your model.

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 7. Slide the stabilizer forward against the
horizontal fuselage. Use a square to check the
alignment to the fuselage.
 8. Use foam-safe CA to glue the stabilizer
into position.
 9. Use foam-safe CA to glue the horizontal
fuselage supports into position on the bottom of
the fuselage support.

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Radio Installation
Required Parts
Fuselage assembly
Micro control connector (2)
Control connector backplate (2)
2mm x 4mm screw (2)
Micro control horn (2)
Micro control horn backplate (2)
.065" x 16" carbon pushrod (2)
1/32" x 2" pushrod end (4)
Micro pushrod keeper (2)
String
Required Tools and Adhesives
Foam-safe CA Servo tape
Razor saw
 1. Plug in the aileron, elevator and rudder servos
to the receiver following the instructions from
your radio system. Turn on the radio and center
the trims on the transmitter. Install long servo
arms on the servos.

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 2. Attach the micro control horn to the elevator
using the micro control horn backplate. Place a
few drops of foam-safe CA on the backplate to
ensure its security.
Note: The control horns can be modified
to greatly increase surface throws. Remove the
back flange of the horn using scissors. Install
the horn by sliding the horn through the control
surface. Slide the backplate onto the horn and
use foam-safe CA to glue the backplate into
position.

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 3. Install the rudder control horn, making sure it is
on the opposite side of the elevator horn.
 4. Trim one of the servo arms from the elevator
servo. Cut a hole in the horizontal fuselage
support to fit your servo. The servo must rest
flush with the support. Use double-sided tape or
foam-safe CA to attach the servo to the fuselage
support. The arm faces the front of the fuselage,
and the aft edge of the servo aligns with the aft
edge of the fuselage spine support.

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 6. Prepare one of the .065" x 16" carbon
pushrods by attaching one of the 1/32" x 2"
pushrod ends using 10" of string and thin CA.
Make a 90-degree bend 1/4" from the end of
the pushrod end.
 5. Repeat Step 4 for the rudder servo.

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 7. Pass the bend in the pushrod through on of the
holes in the elevator control horn. Use the outer
hole for minimum throw and the inner hole for
maximum throw.
 8. Tape the elevator so it will remain centered.
Measure back 1/2" from the elevator servo arm
on the pushrod. Cut the pushrod at this location
using a razor saw.
 9. Attach another 1/32" x 2" pushrod end to
the pushrod.

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 11. Attach the L-bend to the control horn using a
micro pushrod keeper.
 10. Install a micro control connector and
connector backplate to the servo arm.

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 12. Slide the pushrod end through the micro
connector. Center the elevator and secure the
pushrod using a 2mm x 4mm screw.
 13. Repeat Steps 7 through 13 to assemble and
install the rudder pushrod.

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Wing Installation
Required Parts
Fuselage Assembly Lower wing
Side force generator (2)
Required Tools and Adhesives
Foam-safe CA Hobby knife
Square
 1. Test fit the lower wing to the fuselage. The lower
wing has the holes towards the leading edge for
the landing gear wires.
 2. Carefully check to make sure the lower wing
is square to the fuselage. Use foam-safe CA to
glue the lower wing to the fuselage.

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 3. Locate the side force generators. Use a sharp
hobby knife to remove the upper and lower
fences from the main section.
 4. Position the side force generator in the holes
closest to the trailing edge of the bottom wing.
Use a square and foam-safe CA to glue the side
force generator into position.
 5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for the remaining side
force generator.

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 6. Place the top wing onto a flat surface. Position
the side force generators and fuselage onto
the wing. Hold the wing flat while gluing the
fuselage and side force generators to the wing.
Note: It is recommended to use a square to
check the side force generator alignment to the
top wing.
Note: DO NOT glue the upper and lower
fences at this time.