Flex Cessna 170 User manual
DESIGNED BY:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
The Cessna 170 and the Aura 8: the perfect combinaon!
The Cessna 170 is the evoluon and accumulaon of many years of
experience in the aerodynamic and electronic stabilizaon world. A perfectly
tuned airframe design, combined with today's most advanced control system
gives an unmatched ying experience.
Pilots will feel smooth, precise aircracontrol without any interference to
pilot inputs. The aircrawill y as if it were much larger, turbulent air will be
less noceable, rotaons will stop more precisely and landing will be easier
to execute. Flex Innovaons has tuned and matched both to their best
potenal, however, the Aura 8 programming capability allows total freedom
to the pilot to adjust (including seng ight modes that can turn it o). USB
rmware update capability allows you to enjoy and benet from the latest
features and advancements.
For the latest updates, features, addendums and more, before assembly,
please visit:
hp://wiki.exinnovaons.com/wiki/Cessna170
Low wing loading oers superb stability at slow speed.
Custom-tuned Aura 8 gyro stabilizaon system provides
the ulmate in stability and control
Powerful 60-sized motor provides the punch for
demanding tasks
High-precision digital servos with full metal gears
Light weight EPO foam is s and tough
Hollow carbon and plywood-reinforced wing is s and
lightweight
Custom-designed control horns to maximize control
geometry and performance
Bush wheels to handle rough terrain and enhance the
scale appearance
Introducon
Box Contents
Specicaons
Compleon Items
Baery Charging Guidelines
Special Language Denions
Important Informaon Regarding Warranty
Safety Warnings and Precauons
Low Voltage Cuto
Rudder Installaon
Tailwheel Installaon
Main Landing Gear Installaon
Propeller and Spinner Installaon
Horizontal Stabilizer Installaon
Main Wing Installaon
Night Cessna LED Connecons
Transmier Setup
Aura 8 AFCS
Receiver Installaon/Servo Connecons
Transmier Control Direcon Test
AFCS Sensor Direcon Test
Baery Installaon
Center of Gravity
Flying Your Cessna 170
Learning Use Flaps
Advanced "3D" Cessna/Aura Setup
Airframe Repairs
Replacing Servos
Servicing the Power System
AircraTroubleshoong Guide
Replacement Parts List
Oponal Parts List
Limited Warranty
AMA Safety Code
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
5
6
7
8, 9
10
11
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1
BOX CONTENTS
COMPLETION ITEMS
Potenza 60L 540 Kv Brushless
Outrunner Motor (FPZM1060L)
HobbyWing SkyWalker 80A ESC
with 5V/8A External BEC
(FTVHWBQ8012EB)
Potenza DS33 and DS19 Digital
Servos (FPZDS33 & FPZDS19)
Aura 8 Advanced Flight Control
System (FPZAURA08ZZC17)
16 x 6 Electric SR Propeller
(FPMP1606E)
3300-5000mAh 6S 22.2V 40C+ LiPo
3300-5000mAh 5S 18.5V 30C+ LiPo
3300-5000mAh 4S 14.8V 30C+ LiPo
(FPZB40006S40), (FPZB50006S40)
(FPZB40005S40)
(FPZB50004S40)
Hot Aeroba�cs:
Sport Aeroba�cs:
Sport/Scale:
6-Channel Computer Transmier
DSM2/DSMX Remote Receivers (x2)/
SRXL/S.Bus Futaba/Graupner HOTT
JR XBus/JeUDI
6+ Channel RX (any brand)
NEEDED TO
COMPLETE
NEEDED TO
COMPLETE
NEEDED TO
COMPLETE
INCLUDED!
INSTALLED!
INSTALLED!
INSTALLED!
INSTALLED!
SPECIFICATIONS
86.7 in. (2204mm)
60.1 in. (1544mm)
Standard: 8.66lb (3.93kg)
Night: 9.63 lb (4.37kg)
RTF with 6S 4000mAh baery installed
RTF with 6S 4000mAh baery (motor) &
3S 2200mAh (Night LEDs) baery installed
1,094 sq. in.
(70.6 sq. dm.)
BATTERY CHARGING GUIDELINES
The assembly of the Cessna 170 can be accomplished in
less than one hour. Prior to assembling the airplane, it is
advisable to charge your baery so that you are ready
to begin setup upon compleon of the assembly of your
model.
We recommend the use of an advanced LiPo balancing
charger, such as our Potenza C80 MulChemistry Touch
Screen AC/DC balancing charger for your baeries to
get the maximum performance and lifespan.
Our airplanes are designed around our Potenza LiPo
baeries, and we recommend the Potenza 4S 5000mAh
40C LiPo, the 5S 5000mAh 40C LiPo, and the 6S
4000mAh 40C LiPo in the Cessna 170 based on our
extensive tesng and development. These baeries
feature an EC5 connector, so no soldering is required for
use in your Cessna.
All are available at www.exinnovaons.com or at your
local retailer.
WARNING
FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY YOUR
BATTERY AND CHARGER MANUFACTURER. FAILURE
TO COMPLY CAN RESULT IN FIRE.
2
FPM317014
FPM317015
FPM317016
FPM317018
FPZB40006S40
FPZB50006S40
FPZB50006S60
FPZB50005S40
FPZB50004S40
FPZC80
FTVHWBQ2006
FPZA1010
Cessna 170: Float Set & Struts w/ LED Light
Cessna 170: Fixed Slat Set
Cessna 170: Snow Ski Set
Cessna 170: Key Chain Camera Mount
Potenza 6S 4000mAh 40C Li-Po Baery
Potenza 6S 5000mAh 40C Li-Po Baery
Potenza 6S 5000mAh 60C Li-Po Baery
Potenza 5S 5000mAh 40C Li-Po Baery
Potenza 4S 5000mAh 40C Li-Po Baery
C80 Mul-Chemistry Touch Screen AC/DC Charger
Hobbywing ESC Programming Card
Potenza Mul-Funcon Digital Baery Analyzer
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
Receiver
The following terms are used throughout the product literature to indicate various levels of potenal harm when operang this product:
SPECIAL LANGUAGE DEFINITIONS
ATTENTION
WARNING
AGES 14+
NOTICE:
CAUTION:
WARNING:
Procedures, which if not properly followed, create a possibility of physical property
damage AND a lile or no possibility of injury.
Procedures, which if not properly followed, create the probability of physical
property damage AND a possibility of serious injury.
Procedures, which if not properly followed, create the probability of property
damage, collateral damage, and serious injury OR create a high probability of
serious injury.
Read the ENTIRE instrucon manual to become familiar with the features of the product
before operang. Failure to assemble or operate the product correctly can result in damage
to the product, personal property, and cause serious or fatal injury.
All instrucons, warranes and other collateral documents are subject to change at the sole
discreon of Flex Innovaons, Inc. For up-to-date product literature, please visit our website
at www.exinnovaons.com and click on the Cessna 170 and Aura 8 product pages.
This product is not intended for use
by children under 14 years without
direct adult supervision.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING WARRANTY
SAFETY WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Please read our Warranty and Liability Limitaons secon before building this product. If you as the Purchaser or user are not prepared
to accept the liability associated with the use of this Product, you are advised to return this product immediately in new and unused
condion to the place of purchase.
LOW VOLTAGE CUTOFF
Protect yourself and others by following these basic safety guidelines.
1. This manual contains instrucons for safety, operaon and maintenance. It is essenal to read and follow all the instrucons and
warnings in the manual, prior to assembly, setup or use, in order to operate correctly and avoid damage or serious injury.
2. This model is not a toy, rather it is a sophiscated hobby product and must be operated with cauon and common sense. This product
requires some basic mechanical ability. Failure to operate this product in a safe and responsible manner could result in injury or damage
to the product or other property.
3. This model must be assembled according to these instrucons. Do not alter or modify the model outside of these instrucons
provided by Flex Innovaons, Inc. as doing so may render it unsafe and/or unyable. It is your responsibility to ensure the airworthiness
of the model.
4. Inspect and check operaon of the model and all its components before every ight.
5. If you are not an experienced pilot or have not own a high-performance model before, it is recommended that you seek assistance
from an experienced pilot in your R/C club for your rst ights. If you're not a member of a club, the Academy of Model Aeronaucs
(AMA) has informaon about clubs in your area whose membership includes experienced pilots.
6. Keep the propeller area clear from such items as loose clothing, jewelry, long hair, or tools as they can become entangled. Keep your
hands and body parts away from the propeller as injury can occur.
7. Never y in visible moisture, or submerge the airplane or any of its electronic components in water. Permanent damage to electronic
components may occur, or corrosion of components may lead to intermient failures.
LiPo baeries have a nominal (rated) voltage of 3.7V per cell, and fully charged, reach 4.2V per cell. Baeries are designed to be
discharged below the nominal voltage, however, if they are discharged below 3.0V per cell, damage will occur and the pack will lose
capacity. For best long term baery life, set a mer and land aer a me that leaves approximately 15% of the baery's capacity
remaining.
Low voltage cutois a feature that is built into the Hobby Wing SkyWalker 80A ESC that is designed to protect the connected baery
from being discharged too far and causing permanent damage to the cells. Circuitry within the ESC will automacally detect when the
input voltage from the baery pack reaches below 3.15V per cell (average) and will remove power to the motor, but sll deliver power
to the servos so that a safe landing may be made. If the motor begins to lose power rapidly during ight, the LVC has sensed that the
total voltage of the pack has dropped blow 3.15V per cell average, and the airplane should be landed immediately.
3
RUDDER INSTALLATION
Required Tools and Fasteners: Medium CA
2mm Hex Driver
4
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Connect the rudder clevis to the innermost hole in the control horn. Slide the clear tubing over the clevis to secure it in place.
Aer assembly is complete, and your receiver is bound and transmier properly set up, center the rudder by turning the clevis
in or out as needed. Use the rudder counter balance and xed poron of the vercal n for reference. Do NOT use trim or sub-
trim.
The rudder comes pre-hinged to a small secon of vercal n. Test t the rudder and n secon onto the fuselage. Remove it from the
fuselage once t is conrmed.
Lay the fuselage on its side, and using medium CA (foam-safe is not required), apply an adequate amount to the fuselage. Press the rudder and
vercal n secon into the fuselage, being sure to wipe away any excess CA.
Secure the lower plasc support in place by threading an M3x10 hex head self-tapping screw through the boom of the plasc part in the
fuselage. Do not fully ghten, as you can cause the rudder to bind. A small amount of play is needed here.
Allow me for the CA to dry, and once dry, check for proper rudder movement. Be sure the rudder moves freely with lile to no binding.
Press the tailwheel wire into the plate on the boom of the rudder. Lay the tailwheel plate over the wire, and secure it in place with two
M3x10 hex head self-tapping screws.
5.
3 - M3x10 Hex Head Self-Tapping Screw
MAIN LANDING GEAR INSTALLATION
Required Tools and Fasteners:
#1 Phillips Screwdriver
1.5mm Hex Driver
Slide an M5 spacer over the landing gear wire.
Slide a main wheel over the landing gear wire, followed by a lock collar. Add a drop of blue thread lock to the set screw, and secure it in place.
Repeat for the other wheel.
4 - M3x10 Hex Head Self-Tapping Screws
2 - M5 Lock Collars, with Set Screws
2 - M5 Spacer
Push the landing gear wire into the boom of the fuselage. Orientaon of the wire landing gear does not maer, however, the plasc wire
covers are direconal. You should have more material AFT of the landing gear wire. Insert the plasc landing gear keeper aer the landing gear,
nong orientaon. The plasc part will sit ush in one orientaon, but in the wrong direcon, may not sit ush.
Secure the plasc landing gear plate into the fuselage using 4 M3x10 self-tapping hex head screws. Do not overghten.
1.
2.
1.
2.
5
2mm Hex Driver
1.5mm Hex Driver
PROP ADAPTER, PROPELLER AND SPINNER INSTALLATION
6
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Required Tools and Fasteners: 3 - M3x9 Hex Head Machine Screws
1 - M3x30 Phillips Head Machine Screw
1 - Prop Washer
1 - Propeller Nut
2.5mm Hex Driver
#1 Phillips Screwdriver
Adjustable Wrench
Blue Thread Lock
Locate the bolt-on prop adapter for the motor. Apply blue thread lock to each of the three M3x9 hex head machine screws, and secure the prop
adapter to the motor. Make sure that the propeller adapter seats fully against the motor face, and is concentric with the motor sha.
Install the spinner backplate onto the motor sha. Ensure that it is fully seated.
Install the propeller with the convex surface facing forward. The propeller size numbers are printed on the front face of the prop and should
orient forward.
Slide the prop washer on the shawith the widest face a, and ghten the prop nut.
Install the spinner cone, and ghten the M3x30 Phillips Head screw using a #1 Phillips screwdriver. Do not apply blue thread lock and do not
over ghten.
Note: It is important to check the rear motor shacollar and set screw for thread lock before rst ights. If no thread lock is found, remove the
set screw, add blue thread lock, and re-secure. It is always a good idea to check all hardware connecons every few ights to ensure they stay
ght.
Note: Do not complete transmier, receiver and/or Aura setup with the propeller installed.
HORIZONTAL STABILIZER INSTALLATION
Required Tools and Fasteners: Clear Tape (4 Strips)
Insert the horizontal stabilizer tube into one of the horizontal stabilizer halves.
Slide the tube through the hole in the fuselage, being sure to orient the control horn towards the boom of the airplane. Do not
force it into place.
Slide the other stabilizer half onto the tube, being sure to index the elevator joiner tabs into one another. Do not force it into
place.
Apply 4 pieces of clear tape to the joint between the stabilizer and the plasc mounts. Be sure to apply tape to both the top and
boom sides of the stabilizer.
Aach the clevis to the elevator control horn in the innermost hole. Slide the clear tubing over the clevis to secure it in place.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
7
MAIN WING INSTALLATION
Required Tools and Fasteners: 2.5mm Hex Driver
Insert the main wing tube into one of the main wing halves.
Slide the tube through the hole in the fuselage. Make any necessary servo or light connec�ons (reference Night LED Connec�ons page if you
have purchased the Night Cessna). Note that the aileron and flap extensions are marked accordingly. Slide the wing fully into the plas�c
mounts, while taking special care to prevent any wires from being pinched when installing the panel.
Slide the other wing half onto the tube, and make any connec�ons as completed in the previous step. Fully seat the wing into the plas�c
mounts in the fuselage. Do not force it into place.
Secure each wing panel to the fuselage using 2 M3x25 hex head machine screws. Don't over �ghten.
1.
2.
3.
4.
8
4 - M3x25 Hex Head Machine Screws
4 - 6mm Strut Retaining Pins
4 - Strut Retaining Pin Keepers
MAIN WING INSTALLATION (CONTINUED)
9
Note which wing strut goes to each wing panel, and which end goes to the wing and to the fuselage The struts are labeled R and
L at one end of the strut. Also note that there are two dierent strut retaining pins; one that is shorter (A) and one that is longer
with a "D" shaped head (B). Pin A goes to the fuselage side, and Pin B goes to the wing side of the strut.
Insert a strut retaining pin through the end of the strut AND the mount in the wing. Slide a retaining pin keeper through the hole
in the retaining pin to secure it in place.
Repeat step 6, but for the plasc mount in the boom of the fuselage. The strut goes ABOVE the mount in the fuselage. Note
that for faster eld assembly, it is recommended to leave the strut aached to the wing panel, and only remove it from the
fuselage. The strut will lay at on the wing for storage.
Conrm the linkage locaons in the servo arm and control horn for both aps and ailerons, referencing the images below. Adjust
as necessary. Note that the ap servo will NOT be centered when the ap is in the up posion. This is proper, and intenonal in
5.
6.
7.
8.
FLAP AILERON
MAIN WING CONTROL LINKAGE SETUP
1.
2.
A - Fuselage Side B - Wing Side
Note: Aileron Differen�al has been tuned with Aura
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