HobbyZone Firebird Commander User manual

HobbyZone®products are distributed exclusively by
Horizon Hobby, Inc.
4105 Fieldstone Road
Champaign, IL 61822
©2003 Horizon Hobby, Inc.
5611
hobbyzonesports.com
605482 16024 4
HBZ2515
Instruction Manual
™
5611_5(fbcmdr manual) 3/12/03 2:16 AM Page 36

W
elcome
to the World of
Crash damage is not covered under the warranty. Be sure to read the warranty on page 30 and "Warnings and Safety" on page 27 before you proceed to Step 1.
Once you’re more experienced, you can enter Expert Mode, allowing you to have full control at all times for tighter turns and spirals, as well as other dramatic maneuvers. This extra maneuverability comes in handy when using the X-port. This HobbyZone exclusive port allows the attachment of exciting accessories, including the Sonic Combat Module (SCM) for air-to-air and air-to-ground fighting, and the Aerial Drop Module (ADM), which allows items such as parachutes and streamers to be dropped. Our mission at HobbyZone is to make sure you have success with the Firebird Commander-to have safe fun and learn a few things along the way.
Congratulations! You have the world's first radio control air- plane that can take you from a complete beginner, all the way to Air Combat—the Firebird Commander™ from HobbyZone. The Firebird Commander is equipped with revolutionary soft- ware: Smart-Trak™. When Smart-Trak is in Standard Mode, it automatically recognizes mistakes beginners make (such as over-control,) and compensates for them, while also in- creasing control during gliding with the motor off to maintain positive control. This software makes the Firebird Commander one of the easiest planes to fly.
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2. Secure the wing in place by attaching two
rubber bands across the middle and one on each side as shown. Locate the rubber bands on the peg hooks as close as possible to the fuselage sides.
3. Before each flight, make sure the front and
trailing edges of the wing are exactly centered on the fuselage.
Step 2
5
Step 1
4
Mounting the Landing Gear 1. Insert the landing gear into the slot on bottom of the fuselage. Note: When flying without X-port modules and landing on grass, it is not necessary to have the landing gear installed. Attaching the Wing 1. Center the wing on the fuselage by aligning
the center dot on the wing with the fuselage top seam and by centering the half circle on the wings trailing edge over the fuselage center.
1. Remove the transmitter back cover by pushing
down with thumbs, as indicated by the arrows.
2. Install the batteries. Use fresh 1.5V "AA"
batteries only.
3. Watch polarity. Replace the cover. 4. To test, switch on the transmitter. The LED
should glow brightly.
5. Replace the batteries when you hear the low-
battery alarm (beeping sound).
ON OFF
Needed for Step 1
"AA" Heavy-Duty Batteries (x8 - included)
Transmitter
Needed for Step 2
Rubber Bands (x4) Main Landing Gear
Wing and Landing Gear Attachment
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Important: Charge the battery shortly before flying. If you charge the battery 12–48 hours before flying, charge again for 30 minutes right before you fly. Stop charging immediately when the battery becomes warm, indicating it is fully charged.
Step 4
7
Charging the Aircraft Battery
Step 3
6
Note: Never charge a hot battery or a battery that is already charged. Always discharge before every charge. See Step 3 for instructions on discharging. See "Warnings and Safety" on page 27. 1. The charger supplied with the Firebird
Commander has a built-in timer. Plug the battery into the charger, and then plug the charger into the wall. The LED indicator should glow constantly. After about 3 hours, the LED will turn off. At this time, the battery is charged and ready to use.
2. To charge another battery, the charger must
first be unplugged from both the wall and the battery to reset the timer.
ON OFF
ON OFF
Adult Supervision Required
WARNING: Keep everything clear of the propeller and hold the plane securely. A moving propeller can cause severe injury. 1. Turn the transmitter on. 2. Install the battery in the fuselage slot and plug
in the connector.
3. Move the transmitter's left stick all the way
down and hold for one second. This will arm the motor.
4. Move the transmitter's left stick up. Since most
batteries come partially charged, the prop should spin at high speed. (If the motor does not run, proceed to charging the battery.)
5. In order to fully discharge the battery, run the
motor at high speed until it shuts off. If there is not enough charge in the battery to power the propeller, then proceed to Step 4.
6. When finished with the motor test, be sure to
disconnect the battery first then turn off the transmitter.
Motor Test and Battery Discharging
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Step 5
9
Tail Control Test continued
Step 5
8
Tail Control Test WATCH OUT! Be sure to keep everything clear of
the propeller before starting the control test, in the event that you accidentally turn on the motor. 1. Switch on the transmitter. Check the LED.
Do not touch the sticks for 2 seconds while the transmitter automatically calibrates the controls.
2. Install the battery in the fuselage slot and plug
in the connector.
3. Move the right stick side to side. The flaps
should move as on the following page. If each flap is not level with the rest of the tail surface when the right stick and trim lever are cen- tered, adjust the control lines so they are level (see page 20).
Note: The small levers under or beside the con- trol sticks are called trim levers and are used to adjust the "neutral" point of your control stick. It's very important that these levers are centered when switching on the transmitter and performing the control test.
View from Rear
Moves Up
Moves Up
View from Rear
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Step 7
11
Choose a Calm Day
Step 6
10
Choose a Large, Open Grassy Field
You want to fly! If you wait until the day is right, you will have a successful flight. On your first flights, do not fly if the wind is more than 5 mph! 1. Tie the included red flag to the end of your
transmitter antenna.
2. Hold the transmitter flat so the antenna is
parallel to the ground and note how much the flag moves in the wind. If the flag hangs down, you're good to fly. If the angle between the antenna and the flag is less than 20˚, it's too windy for beginning pilots to fly.
•Alarge, open grass field is required. Your
Firebird Commander flies approximately 20 mph, so it covers ground fast. The bigger the field, the better!
•It is absolutely essential to have a minimum of
600 feet of clear space in all directions from the pilot. If you ignore this direction, you will regret it.
IMPORTANT: Do not fly over or near people, buildings, power lines, highways, train tracks, vehicles, trees, water, pavement, gravel, any hard surface or any object you don't want to crash into. Please take this warning seriously to keep people, property and your Firebird Commander safe. Crash damage is NOT covered by the warranty.
SUCCESS TIP: Be smart! Follow this tip and pro- tect your Firebird Commander—you'll be glad you did. For beginners, flying in too much wind is by far the #1 reason for crashes and/or lost planes.
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Step 8
13
Range Test continued
Step 8
12
Range Test You will need two people to do the range test: one to hold the transmitter and one to hold the airplane. 1. One person holds the transmitter; the other
person walks 100 paces away with the air plane.
2. Extend the transmitter antenna completely and
turn the transmitter on.
3. Plug in the airplane battery and close the hatch
cover.
4. Pull the throttle stick back to arm the motor. 5. As the first person moves both of the trans-
mitter controls at the same time, the other person watches to be sure the airplane's motor and tail controls operate smoothly.
6. If an X-port accessory is attached, test it by
pulling down on the left stick to check that it operates correctly.
WATCH OUT! The person holding the airplane should hold it so that the propeller does not come in contact with any part of their body.
If model does not range test correctly, do not fly. Call Horizon Hobby Product Support Staff toll- free at 1-877-504-0233 for directions on how to proceed.
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Step 9
15
Runway Takeoff
Step 9
14
Hand Launch Hand Launch 1. On first flights, have a second person
(adult recommended) launch the Firebird Commander™ while the pilot controls with the transmitter. Adult assistance is always recom mended with pilots 12 years of age or younger.
2. Make sure the battery is fully charged. 3. While holding transmitter in one hand, push
throttle stick to full on (up) with thumb.
4. Take a couple of steps and launch the model
directly into the wind. Keep the wings level. Use medium force. Do not throw it up or down. Point it level with the ground when releasing. Think of it as a javelin that you are throwing 20 feet away.
Runway Takeoff (Not recommended for inexperienced pilots) 1. Stand behind the Firebird Commander™
and point it directly into wind on smooth asphalt or concrete.
2. Apply full power and adjust the right control
stick as necessary to keep the Firebird Commander headed directly into the wind.
3. If the battery is fully charged, the Firebird
Commander should lift off the ground in approximately 35 feet.
WATCH OUT! Keep the spinning propeller away from your hair, head and hands or injury may occur. IMPORTANT: Before launching, determine the wind direction by watching which way the red transmitter ribbon is blowing.
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Step 10
17
Flying
Step 10
16
Flying Important: Be careful when holding the right stick full-over right or left for extended amounts of time. In some cases, this can cause the model to spiral dive, and if it does not have sufficient altitude, to crash. If you see the Firebird Commander™ beginning to enter a spiral, release the right stick.
1. After launching, the model will begin climbing.
Keep the throttle full on.
2. Make right and left adjustments of the right
control stick to keep it flying straight into the wind. Don't attempt a turn until model reaches 50 feet of altitude.
3. Control range is 2500 feet. Don't let the model
fly too far away. Keep upwind, especially if the wind is over 10 mph, or the wind may carry it away.
Turning Hold the right stick in the direction you want the model to turn. Trimming If the model always turns one direction, use the trim control lever below the control stick to cor- rect (see below). The model should fly straight with the control stick at neutral. See page 20 if additional adjustment is needed.
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Step 12
19
Landing
Step 11
18
Throttle Adjustment
Full Throttle Full Throttle
Approx. 50% Throttle
Reduced Throttle
1. Climb to an altitude of 100 feet or more with
full throttle.
2. To achieve a level "cruising" altitude, reduce
power by moving the throttle stick down to approximately 50% of full-on.
3. To reduce altitude, reduce throttle. 4. To increase altitude, increase throttle.
WATCH OUT! If you're flying with the motor off or at a low speed, allow the Firebird Commander a bit more area for turns.
When you notice that the Firebird Commander™ no longer climbs well under full power (normally after approximately 12 to 16 minutes), the battery is getting low, and it's time to land. Line the model up, heading directly into the wind toward the desired landing spot. At 10 feet of altitude, gradually reduce the throttle stick to turn off the motor. The Firebird Commander will glide in for a landing. Auto Cut-Off Feature: When your motor battery gets low enough, this feature will automatically shut off the motor and save enough battery to power the radio and tail control so you can land safely. If the motor cuts off, prepare to land immediately.
WARNING: Do not attempt to catch the airplane or injury may result. Also, be sure to turn motor off before you touch down or damage can occur to your wing and propeller. Remember to always land directly into the wind. Expert tip: As you get more experienced at flying, try adding a small "blip" of power just before touchdown. With some practice, you'll be able to land it right on target.
Reduce power at 10 feet
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