Extreme Flight Laser EXP User manual

LASER EXP
Electric ARF

1


2

Greetings and congratulations on your purchase of the Extreme Flight RC
Laser EXP ARF!
I am a huge fan of the Laser 200 and the late airshow legend Leo
Loudenslager. I always knew that at some point Extreme Flight would have
to produce a model of this iconic airframe. My goal was to honor the unique
heritage of Leo and his Laser while bringing the model up to date to match
the performance we have all come to expect from an Extreme Flight EXP
series aircraft.
One of the last modifications that Leo made to the Laser was to install a more
streamlined canopy. This canopy was installed on the Laser and flown by Leo
prior to his tragic death in a motorcycle accident. I much prefer the look of
this canopy to the original and decided to incorporate it into the Laser EXP
design. I was never a fan of the original cowling on the Laser. In my research
I found photos of the Laser Z230, Laser 300 and 2000 that had all started
incorporating much more streamlined and "sexy" cowlings. I decided to
incorporate a similar cowl into the Extreme Flight EXP version as well.
As such this model can't really be designated as any particular variant, so I
decided to simply call it the Laser EXP.
Like all of the EXPs, the Laser excels at both 3D and precision maneuvers. It
shares the long tail moment of the Extra and Edge which gives it great
stability in high speed precision maneuvers and it also features that famous
EXP elevator that allows for crazy pitch authority and great stability in high
alpha maneuvers. When the CG is properly set the Laser has minimal
coupling and is a very neutral aircraft.
The Laser EXP shares many of the attributes of the previous EXP airframes
along with some new features. The motor box construction has been changed
to the style of the 60 inch EXP aircraft as it has been proven in these
airframes to be rock solid and easier to assemble in production. Due to
customer feedback we have also changed the wing retention method to make
it much easier to attach the wings to the fuselage. The wings are also slightly
recessed into the fuselage sides which provides a much cleaner appearance
and insures the wings will appear flush with the fuselage sides.
If repairs become necessary, the Ultracote colors used on the Laser EXP are
as follows:
True Red-part number HANU866 (Oracover #023 Ferrari Red)

3

Tips for Success:
1. Before starting assembly, take a few minutes to read the entire instruction
manual to familiarize yourself with the assembly process.
2. Please take a few minutes and go over all the seams on the aircraft with a
covering iron on a medium heat setting.
3. Use a fresh bottle of thin CA with a fine glue tip when attaching the CA
hinges. This will ensure that the proper amount of CA wicks into the hinge
and surrounding balsa wood and creates a proper bond between the wood and
hinges. We are big fans of the Mercury line of adhesives as well as the glue
tips provided by them.
4. Apply a couple drops of CA to high stress areas such as anti-rotation pins,
landing gear mounts, servo trays and motor box joints .
5. All of the G10 control horns are the same with the exception of the elevator
horn. Its base has been shortened to fit the depth of the elevator.
6. When applying decals, first clean the area where the decal will be applied
with alcohol. Mist the area lightly with Windex before applying the decal
which will allow you to properly position it, then use a rubber squeegee to
push all of the liquid from under the decal. This will result in very few air
pockets trapped under the decal.
7. Take the time to properly balance and trim your aircraft and set up rates
and exponential values. Your flying experience will be greatly enhanced by
doing this.
Please note: The assembly of the Laser EXP is almost
identical to the assembly process of the previously
released Extra 300 EXP. Most photos will show the
Extra component assembly. Only assembly steps
which differ will show the Laser components.

4

Items needed for completion
-Masking tape
-Hobby knife with #11 blades
-Razor saw
-Thin and medium CA. We highly recommend Mercury M5T thin and M100XF medium
formulas as well as the Mercury glue tips.
-30 minute epoxy. The new Mercury adhesives Epoxies have worked very well for us.
-Blue Loctite.
-Silicon based glue (Zap-A-Dap-A-Goo, etc.)
-Electric drill with an assortment of small drill bits.
-Small flat head and Phillips head screw drivers.
-Standard and needle nose pliers.
-Metric balldriver or allen key set.
-4 sub micro metal geared servos. All flight testing was performed with Hitec HS-65MG
and HS-5065MG digital servos and we strongly recommend the use of either of these high
quality servos.
-Torque 2814T/820 Brushless Outrunner motor.
-Airboss Elite 45 Amp ESC.
-4S 2100-2700 mah LiPo battery.
-APC 12x6 E prop (NOT the slow fly version!).
-52mm Extreme Flight spinner.
-2 18"-24" extensions for the 2 rear servos and 2 6"-8" extensions to go between the
receiver and the aileron servo leads. We recommend the 28 or 32 AWG extensions to save
weight.
-Adhesive backed Velcro and Velcro strap for battery retention.

Let's begin!
1. Locate the 2 wing panels with ailerons as well as the 2 G10 aileron control
horns. Remove the ailerons from the wing and remove the covering over the
slot for the aileron horn on the bottom of the aileron with a sharp hobby
blade. Make sure you are doing this on the bottom of the aileron!
2. Scuff the portion of the control horn that will be glued into the aileron with
sandpaper.
5


3. Use a glue tip on your bottle of medium CA and apply glue to the slot as
well as to both sides of the control horn. Insert the control horn into the slot
and make sure it seats properly against the surface of the aileron.
6


4. Remove the covering from the aileron servo location and make sure the
hinges are centered in their slots.
5. Slide the aileron into position on the hinges and secure with several drops
of fresh thin CA. This process is much easier and more effective if a fine glue
tip is used. Make sure to deflect the surface as pictured while applying the
CA.
7


6. Use the screws provided by the servo manufacturer to secure the aileron
servo in the designated location. 1 screw installed in the center hole at each
end of the servo is adequate to secure the servo. Make sure the output shaft is
positioned toward the trailing edge of the wing.
7. Locate the 2 threaded pushrods that are the same size and 4 micro ball
links along with 4 2mm screws, nuts and washers. Thread the ball links onto
each end of the pushrods and secure to the servo arm and control horn with
the 2 mm hardware as shown in the picture. Use the longest arm provided
with your servo.
Repeat this process for the other wing half.
8


8. Locate the carbon fiber main landing gear, 2 axles, 2 washers, 2 locking
nuts, 2 wheels, 2 wheel collars and the 2 wheel pants from the hardware
package. Place the threaded portion of the axle through the hole in the
carbon gear, slide a washer over the threaded portion and screw the lock nut
onto the axle, but do not tighten completely. Place the wheel onto the axle and
secure with a wheel collar. There is a slot pre-cut in the wheel pant to allow
it to fit over the axle. Before installing the wheel pant place a drop of silicon
based glue onto the wheel pant just above the pre-cut slot. This will prevent
the wheel pant from rotating, but allow it to move in the case of a mishap
which may help to prevent damage. Slide the wheel pant into position over
the axle and tighten the nut on the axle, taking care to make sure the wheel
pant is positioned properly. Repeat this process for the remaining wheel pant.
Again this is probably better explained in the following series of pictures.
9


10


9. Locate the fuselage, 2-3mm socket head cap bolts and 2 washers. Secure
the landing gear to the fuselage by inserting a 3mm screw into a washer,
through the carbon fiber gear and into the pre-installed blind nut in the
fuselage. Make sure to use a drop of blue Loctite on each screw to prevent
them from backing out.
10. Locate the horizontal stabilizer/elevator assembly and slide the elevator
off of the hinges. Use a razor saw to remove portion of the rudder post
located behind the elevator slot.
11


11. Insert the stabilizer into its slot and the carbon fiber wing tube into the
plastic sleeve. Use a ruler to insure that the stabilizer is centered in its slot
and compare the stabilizer to the wing tube to make sure it is properly
aligned. Sand or shim the slot if necessary to ensure proper alignment.
Secure the stabilizer with CA.
12. Remove the covering over the right slot on the bottom of the elevator
where the elevator control horn will be installed. The elevator horn is the one
with the shortest shank that is glued into the surface. Scuff the portion of the
control horn that will insert into the elevator with sandpaper. Secure the
control horn with medium CA.
12


13. Slide the elevator onto the hinges in the stabilizer and secure with thin
CA. Again a fresh bottle of CA and a fine glue tip work best here.
14. Remove the covering over the slot in the lower right side of the rudder
where the rudder control horn will be installed. Scuff the portion of the
control horn that will glue into the surface and secure the rudder control horn
with medium CA.
13


15. Using the same process as with the ailerons and elevator, slide the rudder
onto the hinges and secure to the vertical stabilizer with thin CA.
16. Locate the carbon fiber tailwheel assembly in the hardware package.
Secure the tailwheel bracket to the bottom rear of the fuselage with the
provided wood screws. Make sure the pivot point of the assembly is over the
hinge line of the rudder for best results.
14


17. Secure the tiller using the provided screw, but do not over tighten as the
tiller should be able to move on the screw as the rudder is deflected.
18. Place the tailwheel wire in the proper position, aligned with the rudder
and lock into place with the 2 set screws.
19. Use the hardware provided with the servos to install the rudder and
elevator servos in their respective location in the rear of the aircraft. From
the pilot's perspective the rudder servo mounts on the right side of the
fuselage and the elevator servo mounts on the left side. The elevator servo
should have the output shaft toward the rear of the aircraft while the rudder
servo output shaft should be toward the front of the aircraft.
15


20. The rudder and elevator servo linkages assemble and are installed just
like the aileron linkage. For maximum elevator travel we have included a
G10 control horn which is bolted to the stock control horn provided with the
servo. We have found it easiest to tack glue the G10 arm to the nylon arm and
then using the holes in the nylon arm as a guide, drill through the composite
arm. Secure the arm with the provided screws and bolts. The remaining
portion of the linkage installation is the same as the other control surfaces.
16


21. Next lets prepare the Torque 2814/820 for mounting. First install the
retaining collar onto the motor shaft and secure with the set screw. Make
sure to use blue Loctite on all motor bolts!
17


22. Slide the black radial mount over the shaft and collar and retain using the
4 tapered Phillips head screws.
23. Install the prop adapter onto the front of the motor using the 4 slotted
head screws.
18


24. Mount the motor using the supplied 3mm black socket head cap bolts
which are threaded into the blind nuts which are pre-installed in the motor
mount plate. Be sure to put a drop of blue Loctite onto each bolt to prevent
them from backing out. Be sure to add some CA to all motor box joints.
25. For quick, easy and accurate mounting of the cowl we recommend the
following method. Tear 4 short pieces of masking tape from a roll. Place each
piece of tape on the side of the fuselage so that each piece corresponds with
one of the 4 cowl mounting tabs. Use a fine tipped marker to mark the
location of the center of each mounting tab. Roll the tape back and slide the
cowl into position. Install an Extreme Flight 52mm spinner onto the motor
shaft for reference and once satisfied with the cowl position roll the tape back
into place and secure the cowl. Use a 1/16" drill bit to drill a hole at the
location of the dot on each piece of tape. Remove the tape and secure the cowl
with 4 of the included small wood screws that have large heads. Very simple!
19


20
