HobbyZone Firebird Scout User manual

HBZ4615
605482 14022 2
HobbyZone®products are distributed exclusively by
Horizon Hobby, Inc.
4105 Fieldstone Road
Champaign, IL 61822
www.horizonhobby.com
©2004 Horizon Hobby, Inc.
7047
Instruction Manual
™
7047_HBZ(FBS.manual).qxd 10/5/04 9:30 AM Page 36

Welcome
to the World of
Crash damage is not covered
under the warranty.
Be sure to read the warranty on
page 27 and "Warnings and
Safety" on page 24 before you
proceed to Step 1.
Congratulations on your purchase of the HobbyZone®Firebird
Scout™—a radio-controlled airplane that allows you to have success
as a complete beginner. The Firebird Scout will also allow you to
expand to more advanced maneuvers as your flying abilities improve.
Before your first flight, read these instructions thoroughly. Also, make
certain to watch the included VCD. These will both help familiarize
you with the basics of flight as well as offer some pointers to ensure
success in your first flights.
The HobbyZone Firebird Scout is equipped with revolutionary soft-
ware: 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 Scout one of the easiest planes to fly.
Once you’re more experienced, you can enter Expert
Mode, which allows 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 Scout™, as well
as learn a few things along the way.
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4
Step 2
5
Step 1
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. Your transmitter comes with the 9V battery
pre-installed.
2. To test, switch on the transmitter. The LED
should glow brightly.
Your Firebird Scout™includes landing gear. Simply slide
the landing gear into the allotted slot in the fuselage.
Once this is done, you are ready to attach the wing.
Needed for Step 1
9V (1 pre-installed)
Transmitter Wing Attachment
Rubber Bands (x4)
Needed for Step 2
Landing Gear Installation
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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 “Warnings and Safety” on page 24.
1. The charger supplied with the Firebird Scout™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.
Motor Test and Battery Discharge
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.
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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. 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 is centered, adjust the control lines so
they are level (see page 10).
View from Rear
Moves Up
Moves Up
View from Rear
7047_HBZ(FBS.manual).qxd 10/5/04 9:30 AM Page 8

• If corrections are needed,repeat steps 1 and 2 from
above.
• 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.
• 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
Choosing a Flying Field
• A large, open grass field is required to fly. The
Firebird Scout™ flies approximately 15–20 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 Scout 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.
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.
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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 transmitter
controls at the same time, the other person
watches to be sure the airplane’s motor and tail
controls operate smoothly.
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.
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 Scout™—you’ll be glad you did. For begin-
ners, flying in too much wind is by far the #1 reason for
crashes and/or lost planes.
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Step 11
15
Step 10
14
Taking Off
1. Your Firebird Scout™will need to be hand-launched.
On first flights, have a second person (adult
recommended) launch your Firebird Scout 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 rib-
bon is blowing.
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, and it may
crash. If you see the Firebird Scout™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 1500 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.
Flying
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Step 12
17
Flying continued
Step 11
16
Turning
Hold the right stick in the direction you want the model
to turn.
Trimming
The model should fly straight with the control stick at
neutral. See page 20 for information regarding tail
adjustments.
Throttle Adjustment
1. Climb to an altitude of 50 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 Scout™a bit more
area for turns.
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A. If the Firebird Scout™keeps turning to the left with
the stick at neutral:
1. Flex the outer right tail trim tab down about 1/16”
and flex the left tail trim tab up 1/16”.
2. Test fly.
3. Repeat until you achieve the desired result.
Note: Always make these adjustments after powering
up the plane and transmitter, but before arming the
motor.
Step 14
19
Landing
Step 13
18
When you notice that your Firebird Scout™no longer
climbs well under full power (normally after approxi-
mately 8–10 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 Scout will glide in for a landing.
You can land on smooth concrete or similar surface
since your Firebird Scout is equipped with landing gear.
If you choose to fly without the landing gear attached, it
is best to land on grass in order to prevent any dam-
age.
Note: If you have the landing gear attached, it is rec-
ommended to land on a smooth surface such as
asphalt. However, if you are flying over primarily grass,
you can easily remove the included landing gear and
glide in for a landing on the grass.
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 flying, try
adding a small “blip” of power just before touchdown.
With some practice, you’ll be able to land it right on tar-
get.
Reduce power at 10 feet
Making Adjustments—Plane Turns to the Left or Right
B. If the Firebird Scout keeps turning to the right with
the stick at neutral:
1. Flex the outer left tail trim tab down about 1/16”
and flex the right tail trim tab up 1/16”.
2. Test fly.
3. Repeat until you achieve the desired result.
Important: If there is a bend (even a small one) in the tail or wing or a tear near the flap areas, it is impossible to
have correct flight control. Replace the damaged part immediately!
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