Flyzone SKYFLY User manual

SPECIFICATIONS
Entire Contents © Copyright 2009 HCAA2511 Mnl
Wingspan: 47 in
[1195 mm]
Wing
Area: 390 sq in [25.2 dm2]
Weight: 27 oz
[770 g]
Wing
Loading: 10 oz/sq ft [31 g/dm2]
Length: 39 in
[990 mm]
Radio: 4-Channel
Tactic™TTX404
2.4GHz (included)
with receiver &
4 micro servos
READ THROUGH THIS MANUAL BEFORE STARTING CONSTRUCTION. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT
INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY AND USE OF THIS MODEL.
WARRANTY
Hobbico®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 damaged by use or
modification. In no case shall Hobbico’s liability exceed the
original cost of the purchased kit. Further, Hobbico reserves
the right to change or modify this warranty without notice.
In that Hobbico has no control over the final assembly or material
used for final assembly, no liability shall be assumed nor
accepted for any damage resulting from the use by the user of
the final user-assembled product. By the act of using the
user-assembled product, the user accepts all resulting liability.
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.
To make a warranty claim send the defective part or item to
Hobby Services at the address below:
Hobby Services
3002 N. Apollo Dr. Suite 1
Champaign IL 61822 USA
Include a letter stating your name, return shipping address, as
much contact information as possible (daytime telephone
number, fax number, e-mail address), a detailed description of the
problem and a photocopy of the purchase receipt. Upon receipt of
the package the problem will be evaluated as quickly as possible.
INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
™

2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
AMA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
OPTIONAL BATTERIES & CHARGERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
KIT CONTENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
KIT INSPECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
ASSEMBLETHE MODEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Assemble the Wings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Install the Tail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Hook up the Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Final Assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Balance the Model (C.G.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
PREFLIGHT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
IdentifyYour Model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Charge the Battery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Balance Propellers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
LITHIUM BATTERY HANDLING AND USAGE. . . . . . . .13
RADIO SYSTEM INSTRUCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
FLYINGYOUR SKYFLY MAX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Find a Suitable Flying Site. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Perform a Range Check. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
MonitorYour Flight Time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Take Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Flying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Some Things You Will Learn About R/C Flying . . . . .18
AFTER EACH FLIGHT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
REPAIRINGYOUR MODEL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the Flyzone SkyFly Max! This
instruction manual will help set you on your way to learn to fly.
You’ve probably already noticed that the SkyFly Max is a little
different from other trainers you’ve seen. It is, in fact, quite
different! Many trainers in this class have 3-channel control –
that is: Elevator, Rudder, and Throttle.Your new SkyFly Max
has a full 4-channel control system.You get Elevator, Rudder,
Throttle, and Ailerons, so your next steps can be into the
more advanced airplanes you dream of. We give you the
lightweight power of a brushless motor and a big capacity
LiPo battery you can use in your next airplane, along with
an innovative new Tactic 2.4GHz radio system.This has the
added convenience of a wireless trainer function. You can
even teach a friend to fly after you’ve learned! We’ve packed
the SkyFly Max with the features you’ll need to grow! We
believe that you’ll like your new trainer so much that you’ll
want to keep it around for years to come.
Although this is a trainer and is very resilient, you will need
to seek the help of an experienced R/C pilot.Visit your local
hobby shop or contact the AMA for a list of R/C flying fields
and clubs in your area. We highly recommend that you
purchase a secondTacticTTX404 2.4GHz transmitter or find
a flying buddy that has a Flyzone SkyFly Max
For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to
the Flyzone SkyFly Max visit the Hobbico®web site at www.
hobbico.com. Open the “Airplanes” link, and then select the
Flyzone SkyFly Max. 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.
AMA
WeurgeyoutojointheAMA(AcademyofModelAeronautics)
andalocalR/Cclub.TheAMA isthegoverningbodyofmodel
aviation and membership is required to fly at AMA clubs.
Though joining the AMA provides many benefits, one of the
primary reasons to join is liability protection.Coverage is not
limited to flying at contests or on the club field.It even applies
to flying at public demonstrations and air shows. Failure to
comply with the Safety Code (excerpts printed in the back of
the manual) may endanger insurance coverage.Additionally,
training programs and instructors are available at AMA club
sites to help you get started the right way. There are over
2,500 AMA chartered clubs across the country. Contact the
AMA at the address or toll-free phone number below.
Academy of Model Aeronautics
5151 East Memorial Drive
Muncie, IN 47302-9252
Tele. [phone]
Fax [phone]
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
flying near full-scale aircraft and avoid flying near or over
groups of people.
PROTECT YOUR MODEL, YOURSELF
& OTHERS… FOLLOW THESE
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1.Your SkyFly Max 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 SkyFly Max, if not assembled and operated correctly,
could possibly cause injury to you or spectators and damage
to property.
2.Youmustassemblethemodelaccordingtotheinstructions.
Do not alter or modify the model, as doing so may result in an
unsafe or unflyable 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. If you are not an experienced pilot or have not flown
this type of model before, we recommend that you get

3
the assistance of an experienced pilot in your R/C club for
your first flights. 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.
4.While this kit has been flight tested to exceed normal use,
if the plane will be used for extremely high stress flying, such
as racing, or if a motor larger than one in the recommended
range 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.
We, as the kit manufacturer, provide you with a top quality,
thoroughly tested kit and instructions, but ultimately the
quality and flyability of your finished model depends
on how you build it; therefore, we cannot in any way
guarantee the performance of your completed model,
and no representations are expressed or implied as to the
performance or safety of your completed model.
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED
In order to build your SkyFly Max, you will need to purchase
some regular (foam safe not required) CA and have a few
common household tools on hand. The following is a list of
required and optional supplies and tools you will need:
Required Items
❏1/2 oz. [15g] Thin Pro™CA (GPMR6001)
❏#1 Phillips Screw Driver
❏Scissors
❏Pliers, regular & needle-nose
❏Felt-Tipped Pen (TOPQ2510)
Optional Items
❏1/2 oz. [15g] Medium Pro CA+ (GPMR6007)
❏CA applicator tips (HCAR3780)
❏2 oz. [60g] Foam Safe CA Activator (GPMR6035)
❏CA debonder (GPMR6039)
❏Great Planes®Pro Thread locker (GPMR6060)
❏#1 Hobby knife (HCAR0105)
❏#11 blades (5-pack, HCAR0211)
❏Masking tape
❏Great Planes Stick-on lead weights (GPMQ4485)
OPTIONAL BATTERIES & CHARGERS
To enjoy more flights, you may want to order a few more
LiPo battery packs, a better charger and power supply.If you
already have some LiPo battery packs, you may be able to
use them in this airplane too.This model uses an 11.1V (3S)
LiPo battery pack. Because this model’s motor draws about
15 amps, you will need to use a battery pack with the proper
“C-rating.” We suggest using a battery no smaller than an
11.1V 1500mAh 15C LiPo and a battery no larger than an
11.1V 2200mAh 25C LiPo.
Replacement Battery
❏Hobbico Flyzone 11.1V (3S) 1800mAh LiPo
(HCAA3984)
Optional Batteries
❏Hobbico Flyzone 11.1V (3S) 1800mAh LiPo
(HCAA3840)
❏11.1V (3S) 1500mAh SuperTigre®LiPo (SUPP1040)
❏11.1V (3S) 1800mAh SuperTigre LiPo (SUPP1050)
The batteries listed below will work with this model but you
will also need to purchase the adapter listed.
❏Deans®Ultra Male to SuperTigre®ESC Adapter
(SUPM0040)
❏11.1V (3S) 1600mAh BP Series LiPo (GPMP0719)
❏11.1V (3S) 1800mAh Power Series LiPo (GPMP0515)
❏11.1V (3S) 2200mAh Power Series LiPo (GPMP0520)
ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS
Replacement parts for the Flyzone SkyFly Max are available
using the order numbers in the Replacement Parts List that
follows on page 4.The fastest, most economical service can
be provided by your hobby dealer or mail-order company.
To locate a hobby dealer, visit the Hobbico web site at www.
hobbico.com. Choose “Where to Buy” at the bottom of the
menu on the left side of the page. Follow the instructions
provided on the page to locate a U.S., Canadian or
International dealer.
Parts may also be ordered directly from Hobby Services by
calling [phone], or via facsimile at [phone],
but full retail prices and shipping and handling charges will
apply. Illinois and Nevada residents will also be charged
sales tax. If ordering via fax, include a Visa®or MasterCard®
number and expiration date for payment.
Mail parts orders Hobby Services
and payments by 3002 N Apollo Drive, Suite 1
personal check to: Champaign IL 61822
Be certain to specify the order number exactly as listed in
the Replacement Parts List. Payment by credit card or
personal check only;no C.O.D.
If additional assistance is required for any reason contact
Product Support by e-mail at [e-mail],
or by telephone at [phone].

Order No. Description
NOTE
Replacement Parts List
Full-size plans are not available.
You can download a copy of this
manual at www.greatplanes.com.
HCAA3984
HCAA3985
HCAA3986
HCAA3987
HCAA3988
HCAA3989
HCAA3990
HCAA3991
HCAA3992
HCAA3993
HCAA3994
HCAA3995
HCAA3996
GPMM3318
TACJ0403
TACL0624
Flyzone 1800mAh
11.1V Lipo Battery
Fuselage
Wing Set
Stabilizer and Boom Set
Vertical Fin
Canopy Hatch
Servo Hatch
Landing Gear w/ Wheels
Brushless Motor
8x4 Propeller
Electronic Speed Control
Replacement Servo
Rubber Band Set
3S LiPo Smart
Balancing Charger
TTX404 2.4Ghz 4
Channel Transmitter
TR624 2.4Ghz
6 Channel Receiver
4
KIT CONTENTS
Kit Contents
1. Tactic TTX404 2.4GHz
2. (4) AA-batteries
3. Fuselage assembly
factory-installed motor, battery hatch cover, servo hatch
cover, elevator-rudder servos/connectors, TR624 2.4GHz
receiver, aileronY-connector
4. Wing (L&R)
factory-installed ailerons, aileron servos, pushrods
5. Horizontal stabilizer & tail boom (stab)
factory-installed elevators and pushrods
6. Vertical stabilizer (fin)
factory-installed rudder
7. Main landing gear & wheels
8. Flyzone 1800mAh 11.1V LiPo battery
9. Battery charger w/AC connector, DC connector
10. Wing joiner
11. Propeller & prop adapter
12. (4) 8" [203mm] Rubber bands
13. 11-3/4" [300mm] Wing joining tape
Not Pictured
Prop installation tool
Elevator setup gauge
4" [102mm] Adhesive-backed hook & loop fastener material
1
6
2
4
9
10
11
12
13
8
7
3
5

5
KIT INSPECTION
Before starting to build, take an inventory of this kit to make
sure it is complete, and inspect the parts to make sure they
areofacceptablequality.If anypartsaremissingorarenotof
acceptable quality, or if you need assistance with assembly,
contact Product Support. When reporting defective or
missing parts, use the part names exactly as they are written
in the Kit Contents list.
Hobbico Product Support Ph: [phone], ext. 5
3002 N Apollo Drive, Suite 1 Fax: [phone]
Champaign, IL 61822
E-mail: [e-mail]
ASSEMBLE THE MODEL
IMPORTANT: DO NOT mount the propeller to the airplane
yet. The setup procedures will require you to turn on the
radio and motor system.A mounted propeller could cause
damage or injury if the throttle is accidentally bumped or
the servo reversing switch is actuated.
Assemble the Wings
❏ 1. Turn the right wing over so that the servo and linkage
are facing toward you. Insert the wood wing joiner into the
right wing so that the angled corners of the joiner face the
top of the wing. Note: You will not be able to fully insert the
joiner if you insert it upside down.
❏ 2. Slide the other wing onto the joiner until both
wings meet.
❏ 3. Turn the wing over. Peel the backing paper off of the
supplied 11-3/4" [300mm] piece of wing joining tape. Apply
the tape so that it secures the plastic center wing piece to
the right wing. Wrap the tape around the wing and trim off
any excess tape with scissors.
Install the Tail
WARNING: Do not remove the pieces of tape that hold in
the pushrods until you have connected the pushrods to the
elevator and the rudder (see step 5 below).Otherwise, the
pushrods may slip into the tail boom and will be difficult
to re-route.
❏ 1.On the horizontal tail and tail boom assembly, point the
tail boom away from you and the top of the horizontal tail
facing up so that you are looking at the control linkages as
shown.Attach the left pushrod clevis to the elevator control
horn by inserting the clevis pin into the inner hole of the
horn. Snap the clevis fingers together and slide the clevis
retainer into position over the fingers as shown. Check to
make sure that the connection is secure.

6
❏ 2. Fit the vertical tail tabs into the corresponding slots
on the top side of the horizontal tail. Push the vertical tail
in securely.
❏ 3. Run a thin bead of any thin CA adhesive
(GPMR6001) into the tab joints on both sides of the tail.
To speed up the cure of the CA, spray on a light mist of
CA activator (GPMR6035).
❏ 4.Attach the rudder clevis to the outer hole of the rudder
control horn. Snap the clevis fingers together and slide
the clevis retainer into position. Check to make sure the
connection is secure.
❏ 5.Removethetapefromtheelevatorandrudderpushrods.
NOTE: If you ever have to re-route the pushrods (such as
when replacing them), use CA debonder and a hobby knife
to remove the inner wood pushrod support.This part can be
discarded or reinstalled.
Hook Up the Controls
❏ 1.Temporarily fit the wing to the fuselage using two of the
supplied 8" [203mm] rubber bands.
❏ 2.Turn the model over and remove the servo hatch cover.
With the vertical tail pointing up toward the top of the wing,
slide the tail boom into the hole in the pod until the end of the
boom is flush with the rear wall of the servo compartment.

7
❏ 3. Turn the model back over and set it on a flat table
so that the wings are level. Take a few steps back and
visually check the alignment of the horizontal tail. Adjust
the horizontal tail until it is parallel with the wing. Small
adjustments can be made by gently tapping the horizontal
tail on the high side with your finger.
❏ 4. Being careful not to disturb the alignment, wick about
5-8 drops of regular thin CA into the tail boom to fuselage
pod joint. Carefully set the model aside and let the glue
dry. Note: If you ever need to debond the CA joints, please
purchase Great Planes CA debonder (GPMR6039).
❏ 5.Read the Radio System Instructions section on page
13 in this manual.Then, install the four supplied AA alkaline
batteries in the transmitter with the correct polarity.
❏ 6. Check to make sure that the servo direction switches
are configured as shown.
❏ 7. Set the throttle stick (left stick) to idle (all the way
down) and turn on the transmitter. The power indicator light
should be glowing a steady red.A flashing red light indicates
low voltage. If this is the case, replace the batteries before
connecting your flight battery pack.
❏ 8. Center the aileron, elevator, throttle, and rudder trims
on the transmitter by listening to the beeps. You will hear
a low, short beep each time you bump the trim. When you
hear one high, short beep you have reached the center.
Experiment running the trim to the extreme limits a few times
to familiarize yourself with where the center is at. When
you’re done, return all trims to their center position.
❏ 9.
IMPORTANT: For the following procedure the propeller
must not be mounted to the motor. If you have skipped
ahead and already mounted the propeller, remove
the propeller before proceeding. Otherwise, you may
inadvertently start the motor and the spinning propeller
could cause damage or injury.
When the glue has dried, remove the upper wing and
the battery hatch (canopy).
❏ 10. Steps 10 through 22 require you to power the
radio system. With the transmitter still on, plug the LiPo
battery into the speed control (ESC) connector. When the

8
connection is made you will hear two beeps coming from
the ESC. IMPORTANT: The beeping sound alerts you
that the system has power and the motor is “armed.” This
means whenever the throttle control stick is advanced, the
propeller will turn. So later, when the propeller is mounted
and you are ready to fly, keep clear of the propeller while
handling the model and do not inadvertently advance the
throttle stick. If you do, the propeller will turn and damage
or injury could be caused.
❏ 11.If you did not hear two beeps, you will need to perform
the binding operation to set up a link between the transmitter
(Tx) and receiver (Rx).Pull the receiver out of the plane and
follow the Radio System Instructions section on page 13
to bind the receiver.
❏ 12.Turn the model over.With the trims centered, remove
the retaining screw and remove the servo arm from the
elevator servo (the servo on the airplane’s left side).
❏ 13.Carefully unscrew the pushrod locking screw from the
screw-lock pushrod connector.Youdo not needtocompletely
remove the screw – loosen it until you can slide the pushrod
freely through the hole.Note: The screw threads are coated
with thread locking compound, so you will need to grip the
body of the screw-lock pushrod connector with a pair of
needle-nosed pliers.
❏ 14. Slide the connector with the servo arm onto the
elevator pushrod. Fit the servo arm to the splined servo
output shaft so that the arm is about 90° with relation to the
pushrod. Install the servo arm retaining screw. Note: If you
can’t get the arm to get close to 90° by just matching up the
splines, move the elevator trim up or down (up to 10 clicks)
until you are satisfied. Setting the servo arm at 90° to the
pushrod will give you equal control throw in both directions.

9
❏ 15. Tighten the pushrod locking screw so that it just
contacts the pushrod. Back it off about 1/8th of a turn
so that you can move the pushrod in the connector with
some friction.
❏ 16. Place the centering mark of the elevator setup
gauge directly over the elevator hinge line. Use the tool to
set the elevator to 3° of up-elevator, with the elevator servo
at neutral.
❏ 17. With the elevator in position, tighten the elevator
servo’s pushrod locking screw securely. Check the elevator
position with the elevator setup gauge to make sure that it
didn’t slip when you tightened the locking screw.
❏ 18.Remove the servo arm from the rudder servo.Loosen
the pushrod locking screw and fit it to the rudder pushrod.
Install the rudder servo arm as close to 90° to the pushrod
as you can.Install the servo arm retaining screw.
❏ 19. Use a straight edge to set the rudder throw to zero
degrees of travel.Tighten the rudder pushrod locking screw
and check the rudder again to see that it is still centered.
❏ 20. Plug the two aileron servo leads into theY-connector
so that the orange wire on the servo lead is aligned with the
orange wire on theY-connector.

10
❏ 21. At this point, you will need to center the servos and
adjust the aileron pushrods. Set the wing down flat on the
table with the bottom side up.With the radio still on, check to
see that the servo arms are parallel with each other. If they
are not, adjust the aileron trim on your transmitter until they
are parallel like the second photo.
❏ ❏ 22. Loosen the aileron pushrod locking screws. Use
a straight edge to set each aileron to zero travel (centered).
With the aileron set, tighten the pushrod locking screw.
Check to see that the aileron stayed centered and that the
linkage is secure.
❏ 23. Unplug the LiPo battery and turn off your transmitter.
Final Assembly
❏ 1.Tuck the wires into the fuselage and fit the wing.Install
the wing using the four supplied 8" [203mm] rubber bands.
Cross one pair as shown. Make sure that the wing is sitting
correctly and that the servo wires are not caught between
the wing saddle and the wing.
❏ 2. Snap the landing gear in place and fit the servo hatch.

11
❏ 3. Separate the hook side from the loop side of the 4"
[102mm]long pieceofadhesive-backedhook&loopfastener
material. Stick the loop side (fuzzy side) to the side of your
battery that is opposite the leads. Stick the hook side to the
floor of the battery compartment.
❏ 4.Refer to the following illustration to check for the correct
control direction.
FULL
THROTTLE
RUDDER MOVES
RIGHT, NOSE
WHEEL TURNS
RIGHT
ELEVATOR
MOVES DOWN
RIGHT AILERON
MOVES UP
LEFT AILERON
MOVES DOWN
4-CHANNEL RADIO SET UP
(STANDARD MODE 2)
❏ 5. Turn on your transmitter and plug in the LiPo battery.
Use the transmitter to move the elevator, aileron and rudder.
Test to see that all of the controls respond smoothly and in
thecorrect direction.If a controlmoves the wrong way, switch
the servo reversing switch in the front of the transmitter and
check the movement again. Warning: DO NOT switch the
throttle reversing switch while the model is powered.
❏ 6. Set the battery in the battery compartment, but do not
connect it. Fit the canopy. You will need all these in place
when you balance the model.
❏ 7. Install the propeller to the motor shaft. Use the prop
installation tool to tighten the spinner nut.

12
Balance the Model (C.G.)
The C.G. (Center of Gravity) is the location on the wings,
measured back from the leading edge on both sides of
the fuselage, where the model balances.In addition to the
controlsurfacethrows,the C.G.hasa GREAT effecton the
way the model flies.If the C.G.is too far aft (tail heavy), the
model will be too responsive and difficult to control. If the
C.G. is too far forward (nose-heavy), the model will be too
stable and not responsive enough. Follow the instructions
to make sure the model is balanced properly and the C.G.
is in the correct location.
❏ 1.Turn the model over and mark the balance point on the
bottom of each wing using a fine felt-tipped pen.Make a line
on each wing that is 2-5/8" [67mm] back from the leading
edge of the wing at the wing root (where the wing meets the
fuselage).This is where you will balance your model.
❏ 2. With all parts in place including battery pack (do not
plug it in), propeller, and canopy, lift up the model by placing
your finger tips on the marks you just made or use a Great
Planes C.G. Machine™as shown here. The model should
remain level. If the tail drops, nose weight must be added.
If the nose drops, tail weight must be added. Note: While
this model is essentially designed to balance out of the box,
there can be variations from model to model so don’t skip
this step. If you decide to use a different battery pack, you
will also need to add weight.
If you need to add weight to balance your model, please
purchase Great Planes Segmented Lead Weights
(GPMQ4485).
PREFLIGHT
Identify Your Model
No matter if you fly at an AMA sanctioned R/C club site or
if you fly somewhere on your own, you should always have
your name, address, telephone number and AMA number on
or inside your model.It is required at all AMA R/C club flying
sites and AMA sanctioned flying events and simply a “good
idea” even if flying somewhere else. Write this information
on a strip of masking tape and place it on the inside of the
battery hatch (or simply write the information directly on the
battery hatch).
Charge the Battery
Be certain to refer to the instructions that accompany the
charger to properly and safely charge the battery that goes
in the model and powers the motor and controls.
When discharging the battery, DO NOT attempt to fully
discharge the battery pack by repeatedly running the motor
to the ESC’s low voltage cutoff. This will drastically shorten
the life of your Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries and could
cause the individual cells to become imbalanced.
Balance Propellers
The propeller supplied with this model should be balanced.If
you need to replace it, follow these procedures to balance a
new prop or if you experience more vibration than usual.
Carefully balance your propeller and spare propellers before
youfly.Anunbalancedpropcanbethesingle mostsignificant
cause of vibration that can damage your model. Not only

13
will motor mounting screws and bolts loosen, possibly with
disastrous effect, but vibration may also damage your radio
receiver and radio gear.
We use a Top Flite®Precision Magnetic Prop Balancer
(TOPQ5700) in the workshop and keep a Great Planes
Fingertip Prop Balancer (GPMQ5000) in our flight box.
When you reinstall the propeller, make sure that the curved
face of the prop faces the front of the airplane.This is also
the side of the propeller that has number markings near
the hub.
Fromtimetotime,checkthemotortomakesurethatvibration
has not loosened it on the mount. Tighten the motor mount
set screw if it has loosened.
MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Failure to follow these safety precautions may result
in severe injury to yourself and others.
Get help from an experienced pilot when learning to operate
electric motors.
Use safety glasses when operating electric motors.
Do not operate the motor in an area of loose gravel or sand;
the propeller may throw such material in your face or eyes.
Keep your face and body, as well as all spectators, away
from the plane of rotation of the propeller as you operate
the motor.
Keep these items away from the prop: loose clothing, shirt
sleeves, sweat shirt strings, ties, scarves, long hair or loose
objects such as pencils or screwdrivers that may fall out of
shirt or jacket pockets into the prop.
The motor will arm when the throttle is at idle and the battery
is plugged in. There is no further arming sequence for this
model.Use extreme caution when working around an armed
power system.
LITHIUM BATTERY HANDLING
AND USAGE
WARNING!! Read the entire instruction sheet included with
the battery. Failure to follow all instructions could cause
permanent damage to the battery and its surroundings, and
cause bodily harm!
•ONLY use a LiPo approved charger.
•NEVER charge in excess of 4.20V per cell.
•ONLY charge through the “charge” lead using a
cell balancing charger. NEVER charge through the
“discharge” lead only.
•NEVER charge at currents greater than 1C.
•ALWAYS set charger’s output volts to match battery
volts.
•ALWAYS charge in a fireproof location.
•NEVER trickle charge.
•NEVER allow battery temperature to exceed 150° F
(65° C).
•NEVER disassemble or modify pack wiring in any
way or puncture cells.
•NEVER discharge below 3.0V per cell.
•NEVER place on combustible materials or leave
unattended during charge or discharge.
•ALWAYS KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
•Always use a balance charger designed to charge
LiPo batteries for charging the LiPo flight battery.
•Never leave the LiPo battery unattended while
charging. If the battery becomes hot, discontinue
charging.
RADIO SYSTEM INSTRUCTIONS
POWER SWITCH, LED,
& LOW BATTERY ALARM
The red power LED should light when the power switch is
moved upwards to the “ON” position. The Tx should have
adequate power for flight when the LED is on constantly.
Anytime the LED begins to flash, accompanied by the
sounding of an audible tone, the Tx battery voltage has
dropped too low and operation of the model should NOT
be attempted!
WARNING! Never operate an R/C model
with weak Tx batteries! Reduced operational
range and/or possible loss of control of the
aircraft could result. Replace weak alkaline
batteries, or re-charge NiCd or NiMH batteries
before attempting a flight!

14
If during a flight the Tx LED starts to flash, accompanied
by the sounding of audible tones, it’s a warning that the
Tx batteries have become weak and the aircraft should be
landed as soon as possible!
CHARGE JACK
WARNING!! Do NOT attempt to recharge
alkaline batteries! The charge jack should
ONLY be used if rechargeable cells are used
in the transmitter.
The TTX404 includes a built-in charge jack for convenient
recharging of NiCd or NiMH batteries, and is compatible
with charge leads designed for Futaba®brand transmitters.
This jack is NOT compatible with charge leads for Hitec®,
Airtronics®, JR®or Spektrum®radios. The dimensions for
compatible charge plugs are as shown in the picture below.
To use the charge jack with optional rechargeable batteries,
first remove the sticker that covers the charge jack on the
side of the Tx – making sure not to allow any object to be
inserted inside the jack itself. Next, insert the cells inside
the Tx’s battery compartment noting proper polarity. Make
sure the transmitter’s power switch is in the OFF position.
Connect a compatible charge lead to the jack and follow the
instructions included with the charger for charging of NiCd or
NiMH batteries that are rated at 4.8V.
Tactic’s optional TACP1000 rechargeable battery and wall
charger kit includes four “AA” size rechargeable NiMH cells
and 110V AC wall charger, which is compatible with this Tx
and can be found at local retailers. Make sure to follow the
instructions included with the charge kit.
WARNING!! It’s not recommended to charge
batteries at greater than 1 amp through this
charge jack. Fast charging of NiCd and NiMH
batteries should ONLY be done with chargers
that are specifically designed to include the
peak-detection function which can automatically stop charge
when full charge is detected. Misuse, improper charging, or
over-charging of rechargeable cells can result in damage to
the cells that could include cell rupture, explosion, or fire!!
TRAINER FUNCTION
The TTX404 Tx includes a built-in wireless trainer function –
no trainer cable required! This trainer system connects a
teacher’s Tactic Tx to a student’s Tactic Tx by wireless
connection.Tactic’swirelesstrainerfunctionisnotcompatible
with trainer systems in any other brand radios.
IMPORTANT! Before attempting to fly the
airplane, it’s very important to make sure all
reversing switches and trim lever adjustments
on the student’s Tx match the settings on the
teacher’s Tx! Otherwise, the airplane could
suddenly veer off in an unwanted manner when the teacher’s
trainer switch is pressed. Proper alignment of the student
and teacher’s Tx settings should ensure that no unexpected
movements occur when the trainer switch is pressed. This
is especially true of the throttle control!
1.The Tx that was used to setup the controls on the
aircraft must be used by the TEACHER.
2.The student mustusea separateTacticTx with wireless
trainer function.
3. Place the teacher and student’s transmitters within 1
meter of each other, and make sure the throttle stick for
each Tx is set to idle.
4.Turn ON the power switch for the Tx being held by the
student.
5. Pull and hold the trainer switch on the teacher’sTx, and
then turn the ON teacher’s Tx power switch.
6.TheLEDontheteacher’sTxwillflash3timestoindicate
it has become bound with the student’s Tx.
7.The teacher can then release his trainer switch.
8. Once both transmitters are bound together, power can
be applied to the receiver to prepare for flight.
When the training session has ended, with the model on the
ground and all power is removed from the model, simply turn
the power switch to the teacher and student’s transmitters to

15
theOFFposition. Thiswillterminatethewirelesslinkbetween
both transmitters. If additional training will be performed
again, return to step 1 above to re-establish the wireless link
between the teacher and student’s transmitters.
ELEVON MIXING FUNCTION
The TTX404 includes an elevon mixing function, which can
be turned on or off. “Elevon” control consists of a mixture
between the elevator and aileron channels, and is useful for
certain types of aircraft (such as a flying wing). To activate
or de-activate elevon mixing:
With the Tx power switch off, move the right stick to the top-
right or bottom-right corner. While holding the stick in this
position, turn the Tx power switch ON.
If the LED flashes once, accompanied by a single audible
tone, the elevon mixing function will now be OFF. To
change the setting, turn theTx power switch off and repeat
the process. When the LED flashes twice, accompanied
by a single audible tone, the elevon mixing function will
now be ON.
WARNING!! If activating the elevon function,
be sure to check that all controls move in the
proper direction for the model.
BIND THE RECEIVER
TO THE TRANSMITTER
For proper operation it’s necessary to “bind” the Tx and Rx
together electronically. This ensures sole communication
between the two, and prevents other transmitters from being
able to control the receiver.
1.Turn on the Tx.
2. Apply power to the Rx.
3. If the Rx LED flashes once and then stays on, the
Rx is already bound to the Tx and you can skip to
the next section. Otherwise, insert a small diameter
screwdriver through the hole marked “BIND” and press
the pushbutton until the Rx LED glows red and then
turns off after about one second.
4. Release the “BIND” button.
5. If the binding is successful, the Rx LED will flash once
and then remain ON.
6.Test for proper Tx / Rx functionality in the next section.
If the radio doesn’t appear to have become properly
binded, repeat steps 1-6 above.
SYSTEM CHECK & OPERATION
WARNING! During all pre-flight preparations
with the aircraft on the ground, make sure the
throttle stick remains at the minimum position
and do not stand the Tx upright on the ground. Carefully
lay the Tx on its back on the ground to prevent it from falling
over and possibly dislodging the throttle stick from the low
position which would create a safety hazard. Make sure all
devicesareproperlymountedinsidethemodel,andallwiring
connections are solid to prevent them from easily becoming
dislodged during normal flight. It’s best to check the system
with the propeller removed from the aircraft.
1. Once all connections are made, check the general
operation of the radio and all other components before
attempting a flight.
2. Move the Tx throttle stick to the minimum (idle)
position.
3.Turn on the Tx, and then the Rx.
4. Make sure all controls are operating in the proper
direction. If any servo is turning in the wrong direction,
change the position of the reversing switch for that
particular channel.
5.With both sticks at center position, move the trim levers
for the aileron, elevator, and rudder channels so each
respective control surface is perfectly aligned with the
main surface. For example: When the aileron trim lever
is in the center position, it’s best that the trailing edge of
the aileron is aligned with the trailing edge of the wing
itself (not above or below the wing’s trailing edge).
6. Make sure that movements of the throttle stick result
in an equal adjustment of the throttle in the model.
Depending on whether the airplane is electric or glow
powered:
a. Electric: confirm that when the throttle stick is at
maximumpositiontheelectronicspeedcontrolgives
the appropriate indications (LED and/or audible
indicators) for full forward flight. And, when the
throttle stick is at minimum position the electronic
speed control gives the appropriate indications for
“off” or no motor rotation.
b. Glow: confirm that when the throttle stick is at
maximum position the mechanical linkage to the
engine allows the engine to be at full throttle. And,
when the throttle stick is at minimum position and
the throttle trim lever is moved to minimum position,
the engine stops completely.
7. Perform a “range check”. The “range” is the safe
operating distance from the Tx to the Rx, and should
be as far as you can clearly see the model. With the
assistance of another person, place the aircraft on the
ground and walk 100 feet (30m) away from the model.
With the Tx pointed directly at the model, operate
the transmitter’s controls, and ensure the movement
of all surfaces is according to the movement of the
transmitter.
8. Anytime power is to be removed from the radio system,
it’s important to shut down power in the aircraft first.
Otherwise, the aircraft could become out of control and

16
cause a safety hazard! Move the throttle stick and throttle
trim lever to minimum position to stop the glow engine
or shut down the ESC. Once the propeller has stopped
rotating, shut off the ON/OFF power switch in the model,
and disconnect the power battery from the ESC in electric
airplanes. Then turn off the power switch in the Tx.
FAILSAFE FUNCTION
This radio system includes a “failsafe” function which will
hold the aileron, elevator, and rudder channels at their last
recognized position if the Rx suddenly loses signal from the
Tx. The throttle channel will reduce to a low speed to allow
the model to slowly descend to the ground. When the Rx
regains signal it will automatically resume normal function.
It’s a good idea to test this function on the ground. With the
engine or electric motor unplugged, power the Tx and Rx
and make sure all controls work properly. Turn off power
to the Tx and observe if the airplane’s control surfaces
move to the failsafe settings mentioned above. Re-apply
power to the Tx and confirm that total control of all aircraft
surfaces is regained.
FCC STATEMENT
Thisdevicecomplies with part 15 ofthe FCC rules.Operation
is subject to the following two conditions.
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference.
(2) This device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
FCC Rf Radiated Exposure Statement: The equipment
complies with FCC Rf radiation exposure limits set forth
for an uncontrolled environment. This equipment should
be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20
centimeters between the radiator and your body.
NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE
FOR ANY RADIO OR TV INTERFERENCE CAUSED BY
UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS TO THIS EQUIPMENT.
SUCH MODIFICATIONS COULD VOID THE USER’S
AUTHORITY TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT.
FLYING YOUR SKYFLY MAX
While the SkyFly Max is considered a trainer and is very
easy and forgiving to fly, if you have never flown a model
aircraft before, it is strongly suggested that you learn to fly
withthe assistanceofanexperiencedR/C pilot.Thefollowing
guidelines will help guide your learning, but should not be
considered a replacement for 1-on-1 instruction.
This model includes a transmitter with a wireless trainer
function that makes training convenient, fun and risk-free.
To use the trainer system, you must first find (or purchase)
a second Tactic TTX404 2.4GHz radio transmitter. The
transmitter is available as a spare part (TACJ0403).
Find a Suitable Flying Site
Find a flying site clear of buildings, trees, power lines and
other obstructions. Until you know how much area will be
required and have mastered flying your SkyFly Max, a site
at least the size of two or three football fields should be
adequate - a flying field specifically intended for R/C planes
is best. Never fly near people - especially children who can
wander unpredictably.Consider the wind direction also when
selecting a field.You want to take off and land directly into
the wind if possible.
Perform a Range Check
As a precaution, an operational ground range test should be
performed before the first flight each time out. Performing a
range test is a good way to detect problems that could cause
loss of control such as low batteries, defective or damaged
radio components or radio interference.This usually requires
an assistant and should be done at the actual flying site you
will be using.
First turn on the transmitter. Check to see that the red light
is lit steady and is not blinking. If it is blinking, replace the
batteries in the transmitter with fresh batteries.Then, install
the fully charged battery into the fuselage and connect it.
Install the canopy (battery hatch).
Remember, use care not to “bump” the throttle stick.
Otherwise, the propeller will turn, possibly causing damage
or injury.
Have an assistant hold the model on the ground, holding it
from the front and making sure to stay clear of the propeller.
Begin walking away from the model, operating the controls
in a predictable pattern (for example: up/down elevator,
right/left aileron, right/left rudder). Perform these checks at
several throttle settings. Have your assistant alert you if the
controls fail to respond or if they move suddenly or erratically.
You should be able to maintain control up to a distance of
approximately 100' [30m].
If the controls respond erratically or if anything else seems
wrong, make certain all the servo wires are securely
connected to the receiver and that the transmitter batteries
are fresh. If you cannot find a mechanical problem with
the model, it is possible that there is radio interference
somewhere in the area. One option would be to try another
range check at an alternate flying site.
Monitor Your Flight Time
Monitor and limit your flight time using a timer such as the
one on your wrist watch.When the batteries are getting low,
full throttle performance begins to degrade before the ESC
completely cuts off motor power.This may be hard to notice

17
so we suggest that you set your timer for 8 minutes for your
first flight. If you experience the motor cutoff and the battery
voltage is still high enough, power can be briefly restored by
holding the throttle stick all the way down for a few seconds.
After you land, run the motor at about 80% throttle while
you measure the remaining run time. When you figure out
the run time, reset your timer on the conservative side of
this to allow you extra time in the event you have to abort
several landing attempts. With the battery supplied in this
model, you can easily get 10 minute flight times even at
high power settings.
Take Off
The goals of the model’s first flight should be to trim out the
airplane so that it flies straight and level “hands-off.” You
should also use the first flight to familiarize yourself with
the airplane’s flight and landing characteristics.You’ll want
to perform a few tests at a safe altitude to see how the
airplane reacts.
Takenote ofthewind direction.Modelairplanesandfull-scale
airplanes need to take off with the nose pointed into the wind.
This reduces the amount of ground it takes to lift off and the
wind helps hold the plane on the center-line of the runway.
Check to see that there are no obstructions or unusual wind
patterns caused by buildings or landscape in the area.
Until you have become comfortable with flying your
SkyFly Max, do not fly if the wind speed is greater than
10 mph [16 kilometers/hr].
Always verify the flight control direction to your inputs
from the transmitter before every flight. Be certain the
ailerons, elevator and rudder respond correctly and that
none of the controls have inadvertently become reversed.
This model has enough power to take off from paved
surfaces and short grass with a fully charged battery. You
can also remove the landing gear and hand-launch and
belly-land your SkyFly Max. If you choose to hand-launch
your model, have an assistant do it the first few times. Pay
special attention to where you hold the model – DO NOT
hold the carbon boom near the propeller! Grasp the fuselage
pod firmly about 4" [102mm] forward of the boom. Keep the
model overhead and keep clear of the propeller.Throttle up
to full power and pitch the model in an overhand fashion so
that the nose points slightly up as it is released.
When the model is airborne, climb straight out at a 15-20
degree angle until you are about 50 feet [15m] up. Start a
gentle turn and throttle back to about 80% throttle as you
level off.
Flying
Once you get the plane into the air and have climbed to a
comfortable altitude, the first thing you should concentrate
on is getting the model trimmed to fly straight and level
with the control sticks neutral or “hands-off.” Reduce power
to about 60-70%. Level the plane out and let the sticks
return to neutral. Focus on one axis at a time. The model
will probably pitch and roll, so concentrate on trimming out
the elevator. Feed in several clicks of elevator trim until the
model will not climb or descend.When you’re satisfied, turn
your attention to the roll axis and trim out the ailerons. Pay
attention to the wind and fly the airplane in both directions
to fine-tune the trim.To trim the rudder, fly the plane directly
away from you as you stand behind it watching to see if it
“yaws” in one direction. From a level attitude, advance the
throttle to full power and pitch the plane up. Watch to see
if it consistently falls off to one side when it loses speed.
Consider the wind again, and fly the plane in several
directions.Trim the rudder accordingly.
After you have your plane trimmed out, make a few left and
right turns both with power on and power off to get the feel
of the plane.This model can be flown at full throttle, but you
should get used to reducing throttle to about 60-70% for level
flying. The plane will settle into a more comfortable flying
mode and you will have an easier time learning from it.
When you’re at a comfortable altitude, cut the throttle
completely and try to maintain altitude by holding up elevator.
Eventually, you will be holding full up-elevator and you will
induce what is known as a “stall.” This is when airflow over
the wing breaks up and the wing loses lift drastically. By
nature, the wing will want to regain flying speed by dropping
the nose.If you release the elevator to neutral, the nose will
drop and the plane will pick up speed. As it picks up speed,
you’ll notice that it will pitch up and begin to level off on its
own. Every airplane reacts differently, but one of the first
things you’ll need to know about the plane you’re flying is
how it behaves in a stall so that you will know how to react to
it and avoid it.This will also help you land the plane.
Remember to keep the model high enough to give yourself
time to make corrections, but don’t let it get too far away.
Otherwise, it will be difficult to detect its attitude and which
way it is going.
Before you run out of battery power, try a few practice
landing approaches. Focus on lining the plane up with
your runway first. Then, try cutting the power and letting
the airplane establish a glide angle.This is called the “glide
slope.” Practice a few of these “climb and glides” to judge
how far out you will need to be when it’s time to land.

18
Landing
To land, fly down-wind past the landing area. Reduce the
powerto about30% andlettheairplaneslowdownandbegin
to descend. Turn gently to line up with the runway. Reduce
the power more to establish a comfortable glide slope – this
is usually about a 30-40 degree descent angle. By holding a
little bit of power, you can make the glide slope shallow. By
cutting power completely, you can make it steeper.The glide
slope is a combination of power and pitch attitude.You’ll find
that the best pilots learn that throttle controls descent rate
and pitch controls speed during landing. You’ll learn how
to maintain this delicate balance to achieve soft and slow
landings.Try it out – shoot a landing approach using power
to descend and pitch (elevator) to tune the speed.Then, try
the opposite. Try controlling your descent angle solely on
pitch – you’ll quickly notice that you pick up too much speed
and the airplane will naturally want to pitch up.This will force
you to push down on the stick more and will make the model
gain more speed.You’ll hold the airplane off but it won’t want
to settle in.By this time, you’ve reacted by cutting the throttle.
Speed will drop off and the airplane will fall out of the sky as
you’ve run out of runway. Take these things to heart when
you’re learning to land.
Some Things You Will Learn
About R/C Flying
Flying radio control is quite a bit different from “sitting in the
pilot’s seat.”When the plane is flying away from you, moving
the aileron stick to the right will make the plane bank to your
right. However, when the model is flying toward you, moving
the aileron stick to the right will make the plane move to
your left. Of course, the plane is still responding the same
way, it’s just that your orientation has reversed.This must be
kept in mind while learning to fly and is also why having an
experienced R/C pilot training you is necessary.
Turning an airplane is accomplished by rolling the airplane
into a left or right banked attitude. The experience is quite
different from riding a bicycle or driving a car – to maintain the
turn you will not hold the stick left or right, but will return it to
nearly neutral. Holding the stick will make the airplane roll.
When you make a turn and the model is in a bank, lift is not
acting directly opposite to gravity. As a result, you will need
to pull up on the elevator to pitch the nose up and maintain
your altitude. You will need to hold up elevator while in the
turn and gradually release it when you roll out of the turn
back to straight & level flying.
Controls become more sensitive as you pick up speed.They
become more “mushy” and ineffective as you slow down.
When you are first learning, you don’t have to use the rudder.
Ruddercanhelpyoucoordinateyourturnswhenyoubecome
more advanced – you’ll be able to make tighter turns and
you’ll have an easier time maintaining altitude in a turn.This
is because you can get the nose pointed into the turn better.
Avoid making turns that make the model fly behind you – this
can be very difficult to track and you can lose control of the
model while you’re turning to watch the model. Plan your
maneuvers out so that you will always stay in the flying area.
Take the time to learn how the airplane stalls – that is how it
reacts when the wing stops flying. By being familiar with the
airplane’s stall characteristics, you will learn how to avoid
dangerous conditions that may cause your plane to crash or
become unrecoverable.
Practice landings while you have plenty of battery power left.
Don’t accept a landing that you have to continue fighting or
one that looks like you’re going to land too late and run out
of room.
Always have a flight plan and stick to it. Your goal may be
to practice landings, or precision flying or some maneuver.
Keep in mind that you have not mastered an airplane until
you can place it exactly where you want it at any given time
– you must be in control.
AFTER EACH FLIGHT
Disconnect the LiPo battery and remove it from the airplane.
Then, turn off the transmitter.Allow the battery to cool before
recharging,orallowthemotortocoolbeforeinstallinganother
battery for the next flight. Inspect the airplane to make sure
nothing has become loose or damaged. Take a look at the
control surfaces and make sure that the hinges have not
pulledoutorbecomedamaged.Checkthelinkagesandmake
sure that the pushrods are secure and that the clevises are
fastened and the retainers are still in place. Check for bent
pushrods or loose pushrod retaining screws.Check to make
sure that servo arm retaining screws are installed and that
no servo gears have become stripped. Check the condition
of the propeller and the motor for secure attachment.
REPAIRING YOUR MODEL
If your model becomes damaged, it can be repaired using
regular medium CA. If you need to separate the wings, use
clear packing tape to re-join the wing halves.Spare parts are
available – please see the parts list earlier in this manual for
more details of what is available and how to get new parts.
CA debonder (GPMR6039) is available if you ever need to
dissolve the CA adhesive you used to build this model.

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™