Hobbico FlyZone SkySailer User manual

ASSEMBLE ONLY WITH ADULT SUPERVISION
Please read through this instruction booklet to THOROUGHLY familiarize yourself with the assembly and
flight characteristics of this airplane before beginning to assemble the kit.
Please inspect all parts carefully before starting assembly! If any parts are missing, broken or defective, or if
you have any questions about the assembly or flying of this airplane, please call us at [phone] and we'll
be glad to help. WARRANTY
Hobbico, 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 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, 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 buyers are not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product, they are advised
to return this kit immediately in new and unused condition to the place of purchase.
C
COMPLETE R OMPLETE RTF TF AIRPLANE AIRPLANE
Requires 8 (AA) Alkaline
Batteries (not included)
Quiet Electric Flight
Radio-Controlled Model
Entire Contents © Copyright 2001 HCAZ3110 for HCAA2000 V1.0
™

Your Flyzone™Skysailer is not a toy, but rather a
sophisticated, working model that functions very much
like an actual powered hang glider. Because of its
realistic performance, the model, if not assembled and
operated correctly, could possibly cause injury to
yourself and spectators or damage property.
We highly recommend that you get experienced,
knowledgeable help with assembly and during your
first flights, to make your R/C modeling experience
totally enjoyable. You’ll learn faster and avoid risking
your model before you’re truly ready to solo.Your local
hobby shop has information about flying clubs in your
area whose membership includes qualified instructors.
You can also contact the national Academy of Model
Aeronautics (AMA), which has more than 2,500
chartered clubs across the country. Instructor training
programs and insured newcomer training are
available through any one of these clubs.
Contact the AMA at the address or toll-free phone
number below.
Academy of Model Aeronautics
5151 East Memorial Drive
Muncie, IN 47302
[phone]
Fax: [phone]
or via the internet at: http://www.modelaircraft.org
1. Assemble the Skysailer according to the instructions.
Do not alter or modify the model. If you make any
modifications, you will void your warranty.
2. Test the operation of the model before each flight
to insure that all equipment is operating properly,
and that the model remains structurally sound.
3. Fly only on calm days (with wind speeds less than
7mph) and in large open areas free of trees, people,
buildings or any other obstacles.
Remember: Take your time and follow the
instructions to end up with a well-built model that is
straight, durable and easy to fly.
The R/C model hobby becomes more and more
enjoyable as your experience grows.Your chances for
success and graduation to higher levels are very good
if you take your time and follow the assembly and
flying instructions carefully and completely. We hope
you enjoy flying your Flyzone Skysailer.
Electronic Speed Control with Auto Cut-off: This unit
controls the motor. Also, it monitors the battery voltage
and turns off the motor when the voltage gets low.That
way there will be enough battery power remaining to
operate the steering control for landing.
Motor: The motor rotates the prop to provide thrust.
NiMH Battery: Rechargeable batteries which are
used as power for the hang glider’s motor .
Sail: The wing part of the hang glider is called the sail.
Undercarriage: The battery and radio system are
installed in the undercarriage and hang under the sail.
Transmitter (TX): This is the hand-held unit that
sends the signal to the receiver. As you move the
sticks on the transmitter, the motor and sail will react
accordingly.
Check the parts against the list on the next page. If
any parts are damaged or missing, give us a call at:
[phone].
UNPACKING THE BOX
GLOSSARY
PRECAUTIONS
PROTECT YOUR MODEL, YOURSELF
AND OTHERS.
FOLLOW THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY
PRECAUTION
2

3
To operate the Skysailer the motor battery will need
to be charged.
Charging the motor battery is safe and easy when you
follow these instructions. Before charging, make sure
that all wires and connectors are in good shape and
properly insulated.
1. Plug the wall charger into a 110 volt A/C
wall outlet.
CHARGE THE MOTOR BATTERY
1
8
9
2
3
4
5
6
7
Part Name Qty.
❏1. Undercarriage 1
❏2. Sail 1
❏3. Forward landing gear 1
❏4. Aft landing gear 1
❏5. Propeller 2
Part Name Qty.
❏6. Screwdriver 1
❏7. 6.0 volt 300mAh motor battery 1
❏8. Wall charger 1
❏9. Transmitter 1
❏10. Extra wing spars (not pictured)

2. Remove the battery pack from the box. Plug the
battery pack into the charger connector. Be careful -
the battery pack will plug in only one way.
3. Allow the battery to charge for 3 hours using the
wall charger. A completely discharged battery may
require a longer charge time.
4. IMPORTANT! NEVER LEAVE A CHARGING
BATTERY UNATTENDED.
5. During charging, feel the battery to see if it is
starting to warm up. A warmed up (but not hot)
battery pack is a sign that it is fully charged. Once the
pack is warm, disconnect it from the charger.
Depending on how much charge was already in the
pack, you may have to disconnect the battery early.
6. After each flight, remove the battery pack from the
Skysailer and allow it to cool completely
before recharging.
1. Never leave a charging battery unattended.
2 Never let the battery charge until it feels hot. A hot
battery is an overcharged battery. Only let the battery
get warm to the touch.
3. If you ever use a different battery charger, charge
this battery pack only at a maximum charge rate of ½
amp. A higher charge rate will charge the battery
pack too quickly and heat up the wires.
4. A properly cared for battery pack will last a long
time. If the battery pack is continually overcharged or
charged at too high of a rate, the life of the battery
pack will be shortened.
ATTENTION: The product you have purchased is
powered by a rechargeable battery. At the end of its
useful life, under various state and local laws, it may
be illegal to dispose of this battery into the municipal
waste system. Check with your local solid waste
officials for details in your area for recycling options
or proper disposal.
This product contains a chemical known to the State
of California to cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm.
The transmitter that controls your airplane requires
power, in the form of eight “AA” batteries. To install
the batteries, remove the battery hatch on the front of
the transmitter and install the batteries following the
diagram inside the battery compartment. Switch on
the transmitter and check the LED’s on the front of the
transmitter. If both the red and green lights are on, it
is safe to fly. If only the red light is on, you need to
install fresh batteries.
While the battery hatch is removed, check that the
two servo reversing switches are set to REV.
INSTALL THE TRANSMITTER BATTERIES
BATTERY RECYCLING
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR
CHARGING BATTERIES
4

Turn the hang glider upside-down. Slide the forward
and aft landing gear into the slots in the bottom of the
undercarriage. If the landing gear feels loose, gently
spread the U section of the landing gear wire apart
slightly and reinstall it.
❏1. Remove the sail retaining strap and set it aside.
When transporting the Skysailer, fold the sail back
and retain it with the strap.
❏2. Carefully open one side of the sail and rotate the
“cross spar” out. Attach the end of the cross spar to
the outer sail spar. Repeat the process for the other
side.
❏3. Carefully rotate and lock the sail guard 90
degrees to the centerline of the sail.
❏1. Hold the Skysailer upside down. Push the battery
hatch cover latch toward the rear of the undercarriage to
unlock it and then lift it out.
❏2. Gently pull the battery plug outside the
undercarriage. Check that the power switch, on the
bottom of the undercarriage is in the “off” position.
❏3. Connect the motor battery to the battery plug in
the undercarriage. It will only plug in one way.
INSTALL THE MOTOR BATTERY
SAIL PREPARATION
INSTALL THE LANDING GEAR
5

Carefully insert the connectors into the hole at the
bottom aft part of the battery compartment. Insert the
motor battery in the battery compartment with the
single cell toward the front.
❏4. Replace the battery hatch cover, making sure it
locks in place securely.
❏1. The left stick on the transmitter (throttle stick)
controls the motor. The right stick controls the
left/right direction. The small lever at the right of the
throttle stick and below the right stick are the trims.
The trims are used to make small adjustments to the
throttle and direction without moving the sticks.
❏2. Center both trims on the transmitter and switch
it on. Caution: Always switch the transmitter on first
and off last.
❏3. Have an assistant hold the Skysailer upside-down
in one hand and switch it on with the other. The reason
it should be held upside-down is so that the sail does
not touch the propeller. Make sure that both hands are
clear of the propeller in case it should start rotating. If
the motor does start, adjust the trim lever next to the
throttle one click at a time until the motor stops. Add
another click of trim to be safe.
❏4. Move the throttle stick up or away from you.The
motor should start to run. The farther the stick is
moved, the faster the motor will run.
❏4. Have your assistant hold the Skysailer so that
you are facing the aft end (the propeller). Move the
right stick to the left. The sail should tip to the left.
Moving the right stick to the right, the sail should tip
to the right.
Once the controls are set, switch off the transmitter
and then the Skysailer. If the transmitter is switched
off first, the motor and controls could operate on
their own and damage the Skysailer or cause injury.
ADJUST THE TRANSMITTER
6

The sail on the Skysailer is angled up slightly. When the
motor turns the propeller, thrust is created and the
Skysailer will climb. When the motor is shut off, the
Skysailer will start to glide and descend gradually.
Moving the right stick to the right will tip the sail to
the right, causing the hang glider to turn to the right.
Moving the right stick to the left will tip the sail to the
left, causing the hang glider to turn to the left.
It is best to fly on calm days, at least for your first few
flights, when there’s little or no wind. Also, find an
area clear of trees, power lines and other structures.
A flying field for R/C planes is best. Don’t fly around
groups of people, especially children, or within 6
miles of existing R/C flying fields.
1. Find an open area free of buildings, trees, power
lines and people.
2. For your first few flights, fly only when the wind is
calm. After you are comfortable with the hang glider,
you can fly in winds that are no more than 10 miles
per hour. If flown in stronger winds, the hang glider
may be blown downwind and not have enough
power to get back to you.
3. Make sure the battery pack is fully charged and that
the transmitter has fresh “AA” batteries installed.
4. If others are flying in the same area, make sure
that they are not using the same channel radio system
you are. Inside the battery hatch of your transmitter
there is a crystal with a number on it (for example
CH. 16 72.110). This is the channel and frequency
you are using. If someone is on the same frequency,
DO NOT switch on your transmitter until they are
done flying.
5. Range check your radio before each flight. Switch
on the transmitter, plug the motor battery into the
Skysailer and then switch it on. Have a helper hold
the hang glider. With the antenna collapsed, walk 50
feet away from the Skysailer. Move both control
sticks, checking that the motor runs and turns off and
the sail tips following the control stick movement. If
you still have control over the Skysailer, it is safe to
extend the antenna and fly the hang glider. If you do
not have control of the Skysailer, make sure the
batteries in the transmitter are fresh and the battery in
the Skysailer is charged. Also, make sure the wire
antenna is extending out along the center of the sail.
6. Recheck that when the right stick is moved to the
right, the sail tips to the right. When the stick is
moved to the left, the sail must tip to the left.
If you have never flown an R/C airplane before, we
recommend that you get help from an experienced
R/C pilot. Most R/C clubs have training programs that
will help you learn to fly quickly. If you cannot find an
experienced pilot to help you learn, the following will
help you get your hang glider into the air.
1. Always make small control movements. The hang
glider is very stable. By making small control
movements, if you make the wrong control input,
you will have time to apply the correct movement.
2. Always take-off and land into the wing. This will
help slow the hang glider down and make it easier to
land.
3. When the Skysailer is coming toward you, moving
the right stick left still causes the plane to turn left,
but it appears to turn to your right. In short, you have
to reverse the way you control the right stick. A good
way to familiarize yourself with the controls when
the Skysailer is coming toward you, is to turn your
body so that you are facing the same direction the
hang glider is going, looking over your shoulder at it.
Now when you move the right stick left the Skysailer
will go to your left.
4. If you get confused while flying, release the sticks
and the Skysailer will straighten out if it has enough
altitude. This will allow you to regain control.
FLYING THE SKYSAILER
PREPARE FOR TAKEOFF
CHOOSE A GOOD FLYING SITE
HOW DOESTHE SKYSAILER WORK
7

1. First, turn your transmitter power switch “ON.”
Install the motor battery in the Skysailer and switch it
on.
❏2. Hold the Skysailer, by the undercarriage, above
your head. Hold the transmitter in the other hand
with your thumb on the throttle stick.
3. Move the throttle stick to full power, take a few
steps into the wind and release the Skysailer letting it
fly out of your hand. DO NOT THROW IT!
4.The Skysailer will leave your hand and climb away.
Allow the Skysailer to fly out straight at full throttle
until it reaches an altitude of 75’ to 100’. Then,
reduce the throttle to 75%. The Skysailer will stop
climbing and fly level.
5. Now try to turn left by moving the right stick to the
left a small amount and releasing it. Notice what the
Skysailer does. By holding the stick to the left a small
amount, the Skysailer will start to turn to the left. After
releasing the stick the Skysailer will continue to turn to
the left.To stop the turn, move the right stick to the right
until the Skysailer levels off.
6. In the turn the Skysailer will lose some altitude. You
will need to add some power in the turn to maintain
altitude. Try left and right turns, flying in a figure eight
until you are comfortable with the controls.
It’s a known fact among fellow R/C pilots that your
airplane will land. It is up to you as to where and
how it lands.
1. During your first flight, while at a high altitude,
point the Skysailer into the wind and reduce the
power. Notice how it descends. Apply power and try
it again.
2. To land the Skysailer, fly downwind, past the
landing area, a few hundred feet. Gently turn into the
wind and turn the motors off. The Skysailer will start
to come down. Apply power so that the Skysailer
descends gradually and lands gently.
3. The Skysailer uses an auto cut-off system to power
the motor, steering servo and receiver from the motor
battery. When the voltage of the motor battery drops
to a preset voltage, the auto cut-off system stops the
motor while providing enough power to the steering
servo and receiver to land.
If the motor stops during flight, don’t panic. Gently
turn the Skysailer into the wind and land.
Switch off the Skysailer and then the transmitter.
Unplug the battery from the Skysailer and remove it
from the undercarriage. Allow the motor battery to
cool before recharging. Check the Skysailer over to
make sure nothing has come loose.
--------------------------
Replacement parts for your Skysailer
HCAA3425.........SAIL W/ SPARS.....................$ 24.99
HCAA3427.........BODY...................................$ 9.99
HCAA3429.........NIMH BATTERY ...................$ 24.99
HCAA3431.........PLASTIC PINS (4)
HCAA3433.........CROSS SPARS (2)
HCAA3435.........BATTERY COVER (2)
HCAA3437.........DECAL SHEET
HCAG1050.........MOTOR
HCAM7040 ........SPEED CONTROL
HCAP0121..........AC WALL CHARGER
HCAQ3315.........PROPELLER (2)
HCAQ3317.........LANDING GEAR SET
AFTER THE FLIGHT
IT'S NOW TIME TO LANDFIRST FLIGHT