HobbyZone FireBird User manual

Instruction Manu
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Welcome to the
HobbyZone™
world of fun!
Hey, nice move!You just snagged the
world’s neatest radio control aircraft—
the Firebird from HobbyZone. Our
mission at HZ is to make sure you have
a great experience with your ‘Bird—
to have safe fun and learn a few things
along the way.
You’re going to be surprised how
easy it is to fly a radio control airplane.
There’s one catch, though.You gotta’
read and FOLLOWTHE DIRECTIONS.
Try it our way first —then you can get
creative!
Ready to get started? So are we.
Let’s go!
WHOA, THERE.
READ THIS!
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STEP 1. Charge Aircraft Battery
• Attach the connector—push until
you feel a“click.” Plug charger into
a 110V AC wall outlet.
• Charge battery for 2 hours.
DO NOT OVERCHARGE.
• See “Warnings and Safety”
on page 24.
OPTIONAL ACCESSORY
The FireBird Fast Field Charger charges your
FireBird’s aircraft battery in just 20-30 minutes
from a car’s cigarette lighter. Please contact
your retailer for availability.
Stock no. HBZ1020 Suggested Retail $17.95 3

STEP 2. Wing Assembly
Wing Brace (x2)
Wing Screw (x4)
Needed for STEP 2
•Lay wing flat on table, place book on center
section to hold it flat.
•Position wing tip 2" above table top by
placing transmitter under wingtip.
•Remove sticky tape backing from wing
brace and attach as shown.
•Insert wing screws and fasten very tightly
until screw stops.
•Repeat with other wing brace
•It is VERY IMPORTANT to secure wing
braces so both wing tips are the same
2" height.
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2"

STEP 3. Wing Brace Tape
Brace tape (x4) - located on decal sheet
as shown, labeled #1
Needed for STEP 3 •MAKE SURE wing tip is positioned at
2" height.
•Add wing brace tape (4 yellow rectangles
located on decal sheet) directly over
wing brace. Press firmly.
•Repeat with other wing brace.
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1
4
4
7
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9
3
3
8
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8
5
2
2
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6
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6
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5
7
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5
2"

STEP 4. Wing Cap
•Locate wing center marked by molded “dots.”
•Determine front of wing.
•Locate front of wing cap (see above).
•Remove sticky tape backing from wing cap.
•Align wing cap evenly over the wing
center. Be sure it’s centered.
Press firmly.
FRONT EDGE Wing cap, full-size side view. Note
that front edge has more “curve.”
IMPORTANT: Make sure the front of the center
cap is over the front of the wing.The angled edge is
the front.
FRONT
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Wing
Center
Wing
Cap

STEP 5. Propeller
Propeller
Needed for STEP 5
•Push prop firmly into place
on motor shaft.
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STEP 6. Hatch Cover Fastener
•Remove thumbscrew installed in front
top of fuselage
•Install thumbscrew in canopy hole as
shown in order to secure canopy.
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STEP 7. Wing Mounting
Needed for STEP 7
IMPORTANT
•Center wing on fuselage EXACTLY.
•Secure wing in place with at least
4 rubberbands (1 per side and
2 crossing) or poor flying will result.
Rubber bands (x4)
Remember: straight edge is rear!
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STEP 8. Decals
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2
Decal Sheet - the numbers on this page
refer to the corresponding number on
the decal sheet.
Needed for STEP 8
1
1
4
4
7
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9
3
3
8
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8
5
2
2
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6
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6
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5
7
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Fuselage (repeat on both sides)
NOTE: Decals wrap around to underside of fuselage.
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9
3
4
3
Main Wing
6
5
Tail
5
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STEP 9. Transmitter
“AA”Alkaline Batteries (x8 - not included)
Needed for STEP 9
•Remove transmitter back cover by
pushing down with thumbs as arrows
show.
•Install batteries. Use fresh 1.5V “AA”
alkalines only.
•WATCH POLARITY. Replace cover.
•To test, switch on transmitter—LED
should glow brightly.
•Replace batteries when
you hear low battery alarm
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STEP 10. Tail Control Test
•Switch on transmitter–check LED.
•Install battery in fuselage and plug it in.
•View Firebird from rear.
•Move the right stick side to side.The tail flaps
should move as shown on the following page.
•If each flap is not exactly level with the rest
of the tail surface, turn to page 23 to make
adjustments before and after flying.
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.
NOTE: The small lever under the tail stick is
called a trim lever and is used to adjust the
“neutral”point of your control stick. It’s very
important that this lever is centered when
performing the control test.
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Moves Up
Moves Up 13

11. Motor Test
•Make sure the throttle “offset”
switch is in down (off) position.
•Turn on the transmitter.
•Push the start button on the side
of the plane and move the
transmitter’s left stick up.The prop
should spin at high speed.
•When finished with motor test,
be sure to disconnect the battery
first, then turn off transmitter.
WARNING: KEEP EVERYTHING CLEAR OF THE PROPELLER
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NOTE: Make sure
throttle offset switch is in
the down (off) position

1,000 Feet
12. Choose a Field
•A LARGE open, tall-grass field is best.
Your Firebird flies approx. 20 mph, so it
covers ground fast.The bigger the field,
the better!
VERY IMPORTANT: DO NOT fly over or
near people, buildings, 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 safe. Crash damage is NOT
covered by the warranty.
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STEP 13. Choose a Day
You want to fly! If you wait until the
day is right, you will have a successful
flight. No wind is best.
•Attach the included red flag to the
end of your transmitter antenna.
•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 flag hangs at 45°
or more, it’s too windy.
DO NOT FLY.
SUCCESS TIP: In our tests, new pilots
attempting to fly in wind more than 5 mph had
lots more trouble than those who flew in no
wind. Be smart, follow this tip and protect
your Firebird— you’ll be glad you did.
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STEP 14. Range Test
100 paces
•One person holds the transmitter; the other
person walks 100 paces away with the airplane.
•Turn on transmitter.
•Plug in airplane battery and close hatch cover.
•Push start button on side of fuselage.
•Extendtransmitter antenna completely.
•As the first person moves the transmitter
controls, the other watches to be sure the
airplane’s controls operate smoothly.*
•Adjust the throttle trim lever (located to the right
of the throttle stick) to the point where the motor
stops with the throttle stick positioned at neutral.
* If model does not range test
correctly, DO NOT FLY. Send
the unit back to the Horizon
Service Center (see page 27).
You will need two people to do the
range test—one to hold the transmitter
and one to hold the airplane.
WATCH OUT! The person holding
the airplane should hold it in such a way
that the propeller does not come in
contact with any part of their body.
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Use the throttle trim
switch to adjust the
neutral point of the
throttle stick.

STEP 15. Launch
•MAKE SURE wing is centered EXACTLY
on fuselage
•While holding transmitter in one hand, push
throttle stick to FULL on (up) and hold on
with thumb.
•Take a couple of steps and launch model
DIRECTLY INTOTHEWIND. KEEPWINGS
LEVEL. Use medium force. Do not throw it up
or down.Throw it level. Think of it as a spear
that you are throwing 20 feet away.
IMPORTANT
Before launching, you’ll need to determine
the wind direction by dropping some grass
and watching which direction it falls.
WATCH OUT! Keep spinning
propeller away from your hair, head
and hands or injury may occur.
WIND
IMPORTANT
On first flights, have a second person (adult recommended) launch the
Firebird while the pilot controls with the transmitter. Adult assistance is
always recommended with pilots 12 years of age or younger.
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STEP 16. Flying •After launching, model will gently climb.
Keep throttle full on. Begin turn at 50 ft
altitude. Keep upwind so wind will not
take it too far away.
TURNING –Hold the right stick in the direction
you want the model to turn.
TRIMMING –If the model always turns one
direction or the other, first follow adjustments
on p.23, then use the trim control lever below
the stick to correct (see below).
The model should fly
straight with the stick
at neutral.
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IMPORTANT Don’t hold the right
stick full-over for more than a couple
of seconds. This can cause the model
to spiral dive and crash.

STEP 17. Throttle Adjustment
•Climb to an altitude of 100 feet or more with
full throttle
•To achieve a level “cruising”altitude, reduce
power by moving the throttle stick down a
small amount (to approx. 85–90% of full on).
•To reduce altitude, reduce throttle.
•To increase altitude, increase throttle.
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Approx. 85–90%
Throttle
Full
Throttle
Reduced
Throttle
Full
Throttle
WATCH OUT! If you’re flying with the
motor off or at low speed, allow your
Firebird more area for turns.