HobbyZone Firebird II st User manual

HBZ5515
605482 16027 5
HobbyZone®products are distributed exclusively by
Horizon Hobby, Inc.
4105 Fieldstone Road
Champaign, IL 61822
©2003 Horizon Hobby, Inc.
5952
hobbyzonesports.com
Instruction Manual
5952_HBZ Firebird IIST Manual 8/8/03 4:26 PM Page 36

W
elcome
to the World of
Crash damage is not covered
under the warranty.
Be sure to read the warranty
on page 28 and "Warnings and
Safety" on page 25 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.
Our mission at HobbyZone®is to make sure you have success
and safe fun with the Firebird IIST™and learn a few things
along the way.
Congratulations on your purchase of the Firebird IIST™—a
radio-controlled airplane that allows you to have success as
a complete beginner, as well as expand to more advanced
maneuvers as you improve in your flying abilities.
The Firebird IIST is equipped with revolutionary software:
Smart-Trak™. When Smart-Trak is in Standard Mode, it auto-
matically recognizes mistakes beginners often make (such as
over-control) and compensates for them, while also increasing
control during gliding with the motor off to maintain positive
control. This software makes the Firebird IIST one of the
easiest planes to fly.
™
5952_HBZ Firebird IIST Manual 8/8/03 4:26 PM Page 2

Step 2
5
Step 1
4
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
wing's trailing edge over the fuselage center.
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.
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).
Needed for Step 1
"AA" Heavy-Duty Batteries
(x8 - included)
Transmitter Wing Attachment
Rubber Bands (x4)
Needed for Step 2
5952_HBZ Firebird IIST Manual 8/8/03 4:27 PM Page 4

Important: Charge the battery shortly before
flying. While charging, place the battery on a
heat-resistant surface. Do not lay it on carpet
or upholstery while charging. 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.
Note: If the weather is cold, keep the battery
in a warm place until you are ready to fly.
A cold battery will have dramatically reduced
performance and the throttle will shut off early.
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 25.
1. The charger supplied with the Firebird IIST™
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 2.5 hours, the LED will turn off,
indicating 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 Discharge
5952_HBZ Firebird IIST Manual 8/8/03 4:27 PM Page 6

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. Do not arm the motor.
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 centered, adjust the control lines
so they are level (see page 10).
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
5952_HBZ Firebird IIST Manual 8/8/03 4:27 PM Page 8

3. While applying some tension to the control
line, adjust until the control surface is level
with the rest of the surface.
Note: Do not allow slack in the lines.
The lines should be just taut and the control
surfaces level with the rest of the tail.
Step 7
11
Step 6
10
Choose a Large, Open Grassy Field
•Alarge, open grass field is required. The
Firebird IIST™flies approximately 20 mph,
so it covers ground fast. The bigger the field,
the better!
•It is absolutely essential to have a minimum of
300 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 the Firebird IIST safe.
Crash damage is not covered by the warranty.
600 feet
Fly in this area
(upwind of pilot)
stand here
Checking and Adjusting the Tail Control Surfaces
Before making your first flight, confirm that the
two control surfaces are level with rest of tail. To
do this simply:
1. Turn on the transmitter. Leave the sticks
at neutral for a few seconds to allow the
calibration process to be completed. Ensure
that both trim levers are in the neutral position.
2. Plug the fully charged battery into the airplane.
If the tail control surfaces are level with the
rest of the tail, your task is complete.
If you notice that one of the tail control flaps (or
both) are not level with the rest of the tail, some
corrections are needed prior to flight.
1. Repeat steps 1 and 2 from above.
2. Use your fingers or a small flat screwdriver to
turn the slotted spool on the control horn of
the line that needs to be adjusted. Depending
on the direction the spool is turned, this will
lengthen or shorten the control line.
5952_HBZ Firebird IIST Manual 8/8/03 4:27 PM Page 10

Step 9
13
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 airplane.
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.
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.
Choose a Calm Day
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 25˚, it's too
windy for beginning pilots to fly.
SUCCESS TIP: Be smart! Follow this tip and
protect your Firebird IIST™—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.
5952_HBZ Firebird IIST Manual 8/8/03 4:27 PM Page 12

Step 10
15
Step 9
14
Hand Launch
1. Your Firebird IIST™will always be hand-launched.
On first flights, have a second person (adult
recommended) launch the Firebird IIST while
the pilot controls with the transmitter. Adult
assistance is always recommended for 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 (parallel) with the ground when
releasing. Think of it as a javelin that you are
throwing 20 feet away.
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.
Range Test continued
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.
5952_HBZ Firebird IIST Manual 8/8/03 4:27 PM Page 14

Step 11
17
Flying continued
Step 11
16
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.
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 IIST™
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 8 mph, or the wind may carry
it away. Turn off or reduce power if you are
climbing to high or losing ground in high
winds.
Important: Remember, the higher you fly, the
stronger the wind will be.
Important: If you hold the right stick over too
long, it may be possible to enter a spiral. If you
start to spiral, release the throttle stick and briefly
apply opposite steering with the right stick, then
let go of the controls until the plane recovers.
5952_HBZ Firebird IIST Manual 8/8/03 4:27 PM Page 16

Step 13
19
Landing
Step 12
18
When you notice that the Firebird IIST™no longer
climbs well under full power (normally after
approximately 12–16 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 IIST will glide in for a landing. It is
recommended to land on grass (if possible)
in order to prevent you from damaging the
Firebird IIST.
Auto Cut-Off Feature: When the motor battery
gets low enough, this feature will automatically
shut off the motor and save enough battery
power so you can steer to a safe landing. 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 fly-
ing, 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
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 IIST™a bit
more area for turns.
5952_HBZ Firebird IIST Manual 8/8/03 4:27 PM Page 18