Flyzone A6M2 Zero Instruction Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

™

SPECIFICATIONS

Wingspan:

Wing Area:

45 in [1145mm]

307 in

2

[19.8 dm2]

Wing Loading:

Length:

17-19 oz/f t
[52-58 g/dm2]

37 in [940mm]

2

Power

System:

1000kV 77g outrunner,
40A ESC,
3-45 2200 mAh battery

Weight:

2.25-2.5 lb [1020-1130 g]

Radio:

6-8 channel

WARRANTY

Flyzone® guarantees this kit to be free from defects in both

material and workmanship at the date of purchase. This warranty
does not cover any component parts damaged by use or
modification. In no case shall Flyzone’s liability exceed the
original cost of the purchased kit. Further, Flyzone reserves
the right to change or modify this warranty without notice.

In that Flyzone has no control over the final assembly or material
used for final assembly, no liability shall be assumed nor
accepted for any damage resulting from the use by the user of
the final user-assembled product. By the act of using the
user-assembled product, the user accepts all resulting liability.

READ THROUGH THIS MANUAL BEFORE STARTING CONSTRUCTION. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT

READ THROUGH THIS MANUAL BEFORE STARTING CONSTRUCTION. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT

INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY AND USE OF THIS MODEL.

INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY AND USE OF THIS MODEL.

If the buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associated
with the use of this product, the buyer is advised to return
this kit immediately in new and unused condition to the
place of purchase.

For warranty claims contact Hobbico Product Support:

Hobbico Product Support

3002 N. Apollo Drive Suite 1
Champaign IL 61822 USA

Telephone: [phone] ext. 6
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

© 2014 Flyzone,® a Hobbico company.

®

Champaign, Illinois
[phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

FLZA4320 / FLZA4 322

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

RTF Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Rx-R Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

ASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Install the Tail Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Set Up the Radio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Set Up the Flaps and Aileron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Mount the Releasable Bomb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Final Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the Flyzone Zero. Not only is the
Zero popular because of its history and attractive outlines,

the Zero also happens to be one of those ideal scale subjects.

Its large wing and tail area, long tail moment and landing gear

placement make it a great fl yer. And even though this Zero
is relatively small at about 15% scale, all the good fl ying
attributes still translate down to this Flyzone model, making
it an easy, enjoyable fl yer!

For the latest technical

updates or manual

corrections scan the
QR code, or visit the
Flyzone web site at
www.flyzoneplanes.

com. Click the airplane

icon at the top of the

page, then select the

Zero when the airplane

page opens. A “Tech

Notice” box indicates

corrected or updated

technical information.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

RTF Edition

Other than ordinary hobby tools, nothing else is required to

complete the RTF edition of the Zero, but some pilots may

choose to upgrade the included Smart charger to a more

advanced charger for reduced charge times, and switch from

the included 3S battery to a 4S battery for increased fl ight

performance. Refer to the charger recommendation and list of

batteries under the list of items required for the Rx-R edition.

Rx-R Edition

Radio System

To operate all eight functions of the Flyzone Zero (ailerons,

elevator, throttle, rudder, retracts, fl aps, releasable bomb,

lights) a minimum 7 channels is required. The lighting

Check/Set the Control Throws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Mount the Propeller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Install the Antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Check the C.G. (Center of Gravity) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Set a Flight Timer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

FLYING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Motor Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Academy of Model Aeronautics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

REPLACEMENT PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

harness may be connected to an additional, 8th channel,
or connected in-line to any other channel with a Y-harness
(FUTM4130). The Futaba 7C 7-channel 2.4GHz FASST
airplane radio (FUTK7004) is suitable and capable of
operating all the functions.

LiPo Battery

The Flyzone Zero may be fl own wi th either a 3 S or 4S 2200mAh

30C battery. On 3S the Zero fl ies enjoyably and scale-like,
but a 4S battery will increase speed and vertical performance.
Following are the batteries recommended:

❍ 3S 11.1V 2200 mAh 30 C LiPo (GPMP0861)

❍ 4S 14.8V 2200 mAh 30C LiPo (GPMP0862)

For additional batteries more adhesive-back hook-&-loop

Velcro is also required:

❍ Great Planes Velcro Hook & Loop 1 x 6" (GPMQ4480)

LiPo Charger

The Smart Charger included with the RTF is a safe way to

charge your L iPo batter y, but it ’s ver y basic and wi ll take abo ut
two hours to charge a normally depleted 2200 mAh battery. A
suitable upgrade over the Smart Charger (or a recommended
charger for the Rx-R version) is the DuraTrax Onyx 235 AC/

DC Advance Peak Charger (DTXP4235). The 235 features

110V AC or 12V DC input power, adjustable charge rate (to

charge the recommended 2200 mAh batteries in as little as

30 minutes) and an LCD digital display screen (so you can

see how much capacity it took to charge the battery – handy
for calculating optimum fl ight time).

Y-Harness

A minimum 7-channel transmitter is required to independently

operate all the functions of the Flyzone Zero. To operate
both the fl aps and the releasable bomb with the included

TTX-600 6-channel transmitter, the fl ap and bomb release

servo must be connected with a Y-harness (FUTM4130 - not
included). To release the bomb, the fl aps will have to be
partially extended with the fl ap dial. Another option would
be to disconnect either of the two servos from the receiver
making that function inoperable.

2

ASSEMBLY

Halfway

Joiner
Collar

Torque rod

Install the Tail Assembly

use a 1.5mm hex driver with a drop of threadlocker on the
set screws to lock the assembly into position. If necessary,
adjust the tail gear wire in the joiner collar so the tail wheel

will be centered with the torque rod.

2. Install the vertical stabilizer while keying the torque rod

❏

into the channel in the bottom of the rudder.

1. Install the horizontal stabilizer followe d by t he torque

❏

rod and tail gear assembly– be certain the torque rod and

th e tail gear wire meet in the middle of the joiner collar, then

3. Fasten the horizontal and vertical stabilizer to the fuselage

❏

with the M3 x 60 mm screw – a No. 1 Phillips screwdriver fi ts

best and will properly key into the head of the screw, making
it easier to detect when the screw is getting tight. Use care
not to overtighten the screw – turn until you feel resistance,
then go one additional turn. Tug on the vertical stabilizer to
make certain it is secure.

3

Set Up the Radio

CAUTION: Do not install the propeller until
instructed to do so.

Perform steps 1– 4 if assembling the RTF edition with the

included Tactic TTX600 transmitter. If assembling the Rx-R

with a different radio, connect the servos to the receiver and

a battery so you can power up the system and set the servo

reversing switches so the controls respond correctly.

4. Fit the pushrods into the middle holes of the elevator

❏

and rudder control horns, then install a 90 degree pushrod

keeper over the end of each pushrod. (Later, the pushrods

may require adjustment in the screw-lock connectors on the

servos.)

5. Before moving onto the wing, it would be a good idea

❏

to remove the cowl and make a quick inspection of the motor

mount area. Make certain the ESC and motor are securely

fastened. Reinstall the cowl.

1. C onfi rm that all four servo reversing switches in the front

❏

of the transmitter are set to reverse. Install batteries in the
transmitter. Turn on the power and make certain the electronic
trims for the surfaces (aileron, elevator, rudder) are centered.

2. Connect a battery to the ESC so you can operate the

❏

throttle. With the system on, advance the throttle just enough
to make the motor turn, then turn OFF the transmitter and
make sure the motor stops turning to confi rm that the fail­safe system is operating properly in the event of signal loss

(or if you ever accidentally turn off the transmitter before

disconnecting the battery).

Note: To start the motor, advance the throttle stick all the

way forward, listen to the beeps (counting the number of LiPo

cells – four beeps = 4S, three beeps = 3S), and then lower
the throttle stick. The motor will now turn.

3. If the motor doesn’t stop when you turn off the transmitter,

❏

the receiver may need to be relinked to the transmitter to

reset the failsafe. Unhook the receiver from the hook & loop

patch in the fuselage. Turn on the transmitter and move the
throttle stick and throttle trim all the way down. Relink the

receiver and transmitter by using a small screw driver to

push and hold the “Link” button in the receiver until the LED
in the receiver blinks twice. Release the button and the LED
should remain illuminated indicating that the Tx and Rx are
once again linked.

4. Repeat step 2 to confi rm that the failsafe is now

❏

working properly.

4

Set Up the Flaps and Ailerons

Please disregard the missing bomb release servo in the
upcoming images. The decision to include the servo was
a last minute decision.

The ailerons and fl aps are factory connected, but may

require a little fi ne tuning:

4. Use the fl ap dial to extend the fl aps to make sure they

❏

extend evenly. If necessary, adjust the pushrods again to

make sure the fl aps extend together. Note that the servo
may be able to push the fl aps farther down than they can
mechanically travel, so be certain not to turn the dial too far.

1. Place the wing and fuselage close together so you can

❏

connect the wing servos to the receiver while it’s connected

to the ESC in the fuselage.

2. Connect the aileron servo wire to channel 1 in the

❏

receiver, the retract servo wire to channel 5 and the fl ap servo

to channel 6. (If assembling the RTF edition that comes with

th e receiver installed, it may be easier to unhook the re ceiver

from the hook & loop and take it out of the fuselage.)

5. While working on the fl aps, turn the wing over and make

❏

certain the screws in the screw-lock connectors on the fl ap
horns are tight and secure.

3. Turn the fl ap dial on the transmitter to retract the fl aps.

❏

If necessary, adjust the fl ap pushrods in the screw-lock

connectors on the fl ap servo so both fl aps are fully retracted,

but the servo is not over-driving the fl aps trying to pull them

up any farther than they can mechanically travel. Shorten or

lengthen the fl ap pushrods in the connectors as necessary

and retighten the screws.

6. Still with the system powered up, also make sure the

❏

ailerons are centered and if necessary, adjust the pushrods
in the screw-locks on the aileron horns to center the ailerons.

7. With the wing servos still connected to the receiver and

❏

the system powered up, extend and retract the landing gear
to make sure everything aligns and is operating correctly.
Make any adjustments necessary.

5

8. If you haven’t yet done so, replace the receiver back

❏

into the fuselage. (If assembling the Rx-R edition, mount the

receiver in the fuselage with the included double-sided hook
& loop material.)

Mount the Releasable Bomb

1. Mount the bomb mount with two M3 x 20 screws and

❏

the wire hook facing aft, while simultaneously inserting the

top of the wire release hook into the outer hole of the bomb

release servo arm (as shown in the image to the right).

2. Connect the servo to an available channel in your receiver

❏

and use this channel to release the bomb.

Note: To release the bomb remotely, a 7-channel transmitter

and receiver will be required. Or, the fl ap servo may be

disconnected from the receiver, making a vacant channel

available for the bomb release – of course, then the fl aps will

be disabled. Or, the fl ap and bomb servos may be connected
with a Y-harness (not included).

3. Disconnect the wing servo wires from the receiver, mount

❏

the receiver in the fuselage, and then fasten the wing to the
fuselage with the M4 screw—it will be a little easier to install
and tighten the wing bolt without the bomb in the way, but if
the bomb is mechanically locked into place it’s easy enough
to access the wing bolt down between the fi ns of the bomb.

6

Final Assembly

1. Attach the rougher, hook side of the included hook &

❏

lo op materia l to t he fus elage fl oor where shown for the battery.

Check /Set the Control Throws

1. Use a small box or similar to raise the fuselage so the

❏

horizontal stabilizer will be level or near level.

2. Measure and if necessary, use the programming in your

❏

transmitter or adjust the throws mechanically to achieve the
throws specifi e d in the followi ng char t. If a ssembling t he RTF

edition of the Flyzone Zero, the linkages are factory-connected

and the transmitter has no servo travel adjustments, so as
long as the throws are within 1/16" [1 – 2 mm] of the specifi ed
throws this will be acceptable.

2. Attach the softer, loop side of the included hook & loop

❏

to the battery.

3. Connect the aileron, retract, fl ap and bomb release (if

❏

used) servo wires to the receiver. Connect the lighting harness

to an available channel in the receiver – in the TR624 receiver

included, the vacant channel labeled “BAT” may be used.

4. Connect the lighting wire in the wing and the lighting

❏

wire in the fuselage to the lighting harness.

5. All the controls should now be connected to the receiver.

❏

Power up the radio (still without the propeller mounted!) so
you can operate the controls. Same as was done for the
fl aps and ailerons on the wing, make certain the rudder and

elevator are centered, adjust the pushrods in the screw-lock

connectors if needed, and then make sure the screws in the

screw-lock connectors on the servo arms are tight and secure.

NOTE: The control throws are measured at the widest part of

each surface – at the root ends of the elevators and ailerons

and at the bottom of the rudder.

These are the recommended control surface throws:

LOW RATE HIGH RATE

DownUp Up Down

AILERON

ELEVATOR

RUDDER

FLAPS

1/4"

[6mm]

9°

3/8"

[10mm]

12°

1/2"

[13mm]

10°

1/2 Flap

3/8" [10mm] 15°

1/4"

[6mm]

9°

DownUp Up Down

3/8"

[10mm]

12°

RightLeft RightLeft

1/2"

[13mm]

10°

3/8"

[10mm]

14°

1/2"

[13mm]

15°

3/4"

[19mm]

15°

Full Flap

7/8" [ 22 mm] 35°

3/8"

[10mm]

14°

1/2"

[13mm]

15°

3/4"

[19mm]

15°

7

Mount the Propeller

Forward panel lines

2-3/4" [ 70mm] back from the leading

edge at the fuselage +/- 1/2" [13 mm]

Recommended starting C.G. location

We’ve found it unnecessary to balance the included 10 x 6

3-blade propeller, but detail-minded pilots who demand the

most performance may balance the propeller on a precision

balancer such as the Top Flite Power Point Propeller Balancer
(TOPQ5700). In any case, if you ever detect unusual noise

or vibration from the prop or motor, land the plane and fi nd

the source of the problem.

Install the Antenna

1. Install the prop/spinner assembly onto the motor shaft.

❏

Then, tighten with a 10mm or 3/8" wrench (or a crescent

wrench).

2. Install the spinner cone and secure with the M3 spinner

❏

screw.

Fit the removable antenna into place through the opening in

the back of the canopy – it may be a good idea to remove the
antenna during transport to avoid damage.

Check the C.G. (Center of Gravity)

The model must be in ready-to-fl y condition with everything

installed including the propeller. But it doesn’t matter whether
the Zero is balanced with the gear up or down or with the
bomb attached or not as any minute shift in C.G. has been
accounted for in the specifi ed range.

8

1. Install the battery and canopy. Balance the model upside-

❏

down and support the wing on both sides of the fuselage at the

starting, recommended C.G. location which is 2-3/4" [70mm]

back from the leading edge of the wing – conveniently, this

location is also at the forward panel line which you can feel
with your fi ngertips when supporting the model.

Set a Flight Timer

It’s better to limit your fl ying time with a timer set to a pre-

calculated time instead of waiting for the LVC (low voltage
cutoff) in your ESC to kick in or until you notice a decrease in

fl ight performance. By then, it may be too late to make more

than one landing attempt.

Typical, average battery consumption with the Flyzone Zero

is approximately 220 mAh/minute on 3S and approximately

320 mAh/minute on 4S. But your fl ying style, battery condition

and weather conditions may cause these fi gures to vary, so until

you know for sure, start by setting your timer conservatively

to 6 or 4 minutes respectively. If your transmitter has a timer
built in, link the timer to your throttle stick so only motor run
time is counted. Fly until the timer sounds and land. Note
the time on your transmitter and charge the battery. If your
charger has a digital readout (indicating how much capacity
it took to recharge which indicates how much capacity was
used during the fl ight), divide the capacity that went back
into your battery by the fl ight time to calculate your average
battery consumption for that fl ight. Divide 80% of your
battery capacity by that consumption rate to determine your
new, target fl ight time.

2. If necessary, reposition the battery to get the model

❏

to balance. Once the correct battery location has been

determined you could mark the location on the inside of the

fuselage so you will know where to install it every time.

Th e full C.G. r ange is 2 - 1/4 in [ 57 mm] – 3-1/4 in [ 83 mm ] back

from the leading edge of the wing at the fuselage. You may

shift the C.G. within the specifi ed range to change the fl ying

characteristics to suit your taste – balanced farther back the

Zero will become more maneuverable and less stable, but also

fl oat longer on landing. Balanced nearer the front of the C.G.

range the Zero will be more stable (less aerobatic), but also

better suited to fl ying at higher speeds or windier conditions.

Balancing the model outside the range could make the Zero

diffi cult to fl y, possibly causing a crash. So always fl y your

Zero within the specifi ed range.

Example:

Suppose you are using a 2200 mAh battery and after you

landed, the motor run time on the timer was four minutes,

fi fteen seconds (that’s 4.25 minutes in tenths). And say it

took 1290 mAh to recharge your battery.

Divide 1290 mAh by 4.25 minutes to calculate an average

battery consumption rate of about 300 mAh per minute.

Your limit capacity to use from a 2200 mAh battery is 1760 mAh

(2200 mAh x 0.8), so 1760 mAh divided by 300 mAh/minute =

5.8 minutes (approximately 5 minutes, 45 seconds).

Maybe on your second fl ight set your timer to 5 minutes and

repeat the procedure to continue to log data for calculating

average target fl ight times.

The more data you log and the more calculations you do,

the more accurate your calculated fl ight times will be – so

you never have an unplanned dead-stick landing or over

discharge your batteries.

9

Here’s a worksheet you can use for recording fl ight times and recharge capacity to calculate target fl ight times (as well as

average, in-fl ight current which is also useful data). The second row contains formulas for the calculations for that row. Row
#1 is already fi lled out with fi gures from the example:

A

FORMULAS

Flight Time

(.10ths )

BCDEFG

B / A D x .8 E / C B/1000 / (A /60)

Recharge

Capacity

mAh/minute

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

10

Additionally, or if you don’t have a charger with a digital readout

to fi nd out how much capacity you used during a fl ight, use a

LiPo cell checker to check individual cell voltage after each
fl ight. The resting, non-loaded, individual cell voltage after a
fl ight should be no less than 3.7 V/cell.

Battery

Capacity

start working. Otherwise, the Zero occasionally exhibits the
tendenc y to n ose down slightly duri ng initial rollout. But once
up to speed you can keep in the main wheels on the ground
for a beautiful, scale-like rollout as long as you please!

There’s nothing particular to note about the Zero once

airborne – on 3S it fl ies quite “scale-like,” and on 4S the Zero
is signifi cantly faster with increased vertical performance.

Again alluding to the Zero’s scale-like fl ight tendencies, it

does land a little better if you fl y it in with a little throttle–

especially if landing with fl aps. Same as most warbirds, the

Zero is somewhat of a draggy airframe and bleeds off speed

a little faster than your typical sport plane. Just leave a few
clicks of throttle in, wait for it to slow and you’ll see it fl airs or

two-points beautifully.

You’ll fi nd that fl aps aren’t necessary if landing in breezy

conditions. But if the weather is calm the fl aps will slow the

Zero even more!

Target Capacity
to Use in Flight

Recommended

Flight Time

Avg. In-Flight

Current

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

FLYING

The Zero doesn’t exhibit any negative fl ight tendencies, but

here are a couple of tips that will help you present your Zero

better out at the fl ying fi eld.

Choose a suitable takeoff and landing surface of short grass

or a smooth surface.

On the 4S battery the Zero is aerobatic and speedy, but it

still likes to be treated like a scale model. During the initial

few feet of the takeoff roll use up elevator to hold the tail

on the ground until it gains a little speed and the surfaces

Protect Your Model, Yourself & Others…

Follow These Important Safety Precautions

1. Your Zero should not be considered a toy, but rather a
sophisticated, working model that functions very much like a
full-size airplane. Because of its performance capabilities, the

Zero, if not assembled and operated correctly, could possibly

cause injury to yourself or spe c tato rs and damag e to property.

2. You must assemble the Zero according to the instructions.

Do not alter or modify the model, as doing so may result in an

unsafe or unfl yable model. In a few cases the instructions may

10

differ slightly from the photos. In those instances the written
instructions should be considered as correct.

3. You must use an R/C radio system that is in good condition.

All components must be correctly installed so that the model

operates correctly on the ground and in the air. You must
check the operation of the model and all components before
every fl i g h t .

4. If you are not an experienced pilot or have not fl own this type
of model before, we recommend that you get the assistance
of an experienced pilot in your R/C club for your fi rst fl ights.

If you’re not a member of a club, your local hobby shop has

information about clubs in your area whose membership
includes experienced pilots.

5. While this kit has been fl ight tested to exceed normal
use, if the plane will be used for extremely high stress fl ying,
such as racing, or if a motor or battery larger than ones in
the recommended range is used, the modeler is responsible
for taking steps to reinforce the high stress points and /or
substituting hardware more suitable for the increased stress.

We, as the kit manufacturer, provide you with a top quality,
thoroughly tested kit and instructions, but ultimately the
quality and fl yability of your fi nished model depends
on how you build it; therefore, we cannot in any way
guarantee the performance of your completed model, and
no representations are expressed or implied as to the
performance or safety of your completed model.

REPLACEMENT PARTS

Replacement parts may be purchased from your local hobby

dealer or on-line. For assistance with defective or missing
parts or purchasing replacement parts contact Hobbico

Product Support at the contact information on the front

cover of this manual.

Parts List

FLZA6600 FUSELAGE SELECT ZERO

FLZA6601 WING SELECT SCALE ZERO

FLZA6602 TAIL SET SELECT ZERO

FLZA6603 RETRACTS SELECT ZERO

FLZA6604 CANOPY/HATCH ZERO

FLZA6605 ANTENNA SELECT ZERO

FLZA6606 SPINNER SELECT ZERO

FLZA6607 BOMB SELECT SCALE ZERO

FLZA6608 LANDING GEAR COVER SET ZERO

FLZA6609 MOTOR MOUNT SELECT SCALE ZERO

FLZA6610 COWL SELECT SCALE ZERO

FLZA6611 BOMB DROP MECHANISM ZERO

FLZA6612 ESC 40A ZERO SELECT

Motor Safety Precautions

Failure to follow these safety precautions may result
in severe injury to yourself and others.

● Wear safety glasses whenever running motors.

● Keep your fac e and b ody as well as all spectators away

from the plane of rotation of the turning propeller.

● Keep loose clothing and objects such as pencils or
screwdrivers that may fall out of shirt or jacket pockets
away from the prop.

Academy of Model Aeronautics

If you are not already a member of the AMA, please join! The
AMA is the governing body of model aviation and membership

provides liability insurance coverage, protects modelers’ rights
and interests and is required to fl y at most R/C sites.

Academy of Model Aeronautics

5151 East Memorial Drive
Muncie, IN 47302-9252

Tele. [phone]

Fax [phone]

Or via the Internet at: http://www.modelaircraft.org

11

®

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