HobbyZone Firebird Commander User manual

HobbyZone®products are distributed exclusively by

Horizon Hobby, Inc.

4105 Fieldstone Road

Champaign, IL 61822

5611

hobbyzonesports.com

605482 16024 4

HBZ2515

Instruction Manual

™

5611_5(fbcmdr manual) 3/12/03 2:16 AM Page 36

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.

5611_5(fbcmdr manual) 3/12/03 2:16 AM Page 2

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

Step 1

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

5611_5(fbcmdr manual) 3/12/03 2:16 AM Page 4

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

Charging the Aircraft Battery

Step 3

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

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

5611_5(fbcmdr manual) 3/12/03 2:16 AM Page 6

Step 5

Tail Control Test continued

Step 5

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

View from Rear

5611_5(fbcmdr manual) 3/12/03 2:16 AM Page 8

Step 7

Choose a Calm Day

Step 6

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.

5611_5(fbcmdr manual) 3/12/03 2:16 AM Page 10

Step 8

Range Test continued

Step 8

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.

5611_5(fbcmdr manual) 3/12/03 2:16 AM Page 12

Step 9

Runway Takeoff

Step 9

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.

5611_5(fbcmdr manual) 3/12/03 2:16 AM Page 14

Step 10

Flying

Step 10

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.

5611_5(fbcmdr manual) 3/12/03 2:16 AM Page 16

Step 12

Landing

Step 11

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

5611_5(fbcmdr manual) 3/12/03 2:16 AM Page 18

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