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

5952

hobbyzonesports.com

Instruction Manual

5952_HBZ Firebird IIST Manual 8/8/03 4:26 PM Page 36

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

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. 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

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 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

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

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. 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

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

Step 6

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

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 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

Step 9

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

Flying continued

Step 11

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

Landing

Step 12

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

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