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Please read through this instruction booklet to THOROUGHLY familiarize yourself with the assembly and flight characteristics of this airplane
prior to assembly. Please inspect all parts carefully before starting assembly! If any parts are missing, broken or defective, or if you have any
questions about the assembly or flying of this airplane, please call us at (217) 398-8970 and we’ll be glad to help.
Hobbico
®
Inc. 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 Hobbico’s liability exceed the original cost of the
purchased kit. Further, Hobbico, Inc. reserves the right to change or modify this warranty without notice. In that Hobbico, Inc. 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. 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. To make a warranty claim send the defective part or item to Hobby
Services at the address below:
Include a letter stating your name, return shipping address, as much contact information as possible
(daytime telephone number, fax number, e-mail address), a detailed description of the problem and a
photocopy of the purchase receipt. Upon receipt of the package, the problem will be evaluated as quickly
as possible.
© 2010 Hobbico®, Inc. Printed in China HCAA2551 Mnl
ASSEMBLE ONLY WITH ADULT SUPERVISION
WARRANTY
Hobby Services
3002 N. Apollo Dr. Suite 1
Champaign IL 61822 USA
™
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PRECAUTIONS
Your micro Albatros 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 Micro Albatros, if not assembled and
operated correctly, could possibly cause injury to yourself
or spectators and damage to property.
1. Operate the plane according to the instructions.
DO NOT alter or modify the model. If you make any
modifi cations, you void your warranty.
2. Test the operation of the model before each fl ight to
insure that all equipment is operating properly and
that the model remains structurally sound.
3. Fly only indoors or on very calm days (with wind speeds
less than 5mph) and in large open areas free of trees,
people, buildings, or any other obstacles.
4. Although the Micro Albatros is designed to be
successfully fl own by the fi rst time pilot, you may
still benefi t from the assistance of an experienced
pilot for your fi rst fl ights. If you’re not a member of
an R/C club, your local hobby shop has information
about clubs in your area whose membership includes
experienced pilots. You can also contact the National
Academy of Aeronautics (AMA) which has over 2,500
chartered clubs across the country. Instructor training
programs and insured newcomer training are available
through any of these clubs. Contact the AMA at the
following address or toll-free phone number:
Academy of Model Aeronautics
5151 East Memorial Drive Ph. (800) 435-9262
Muncie, IN 47302-9252 Fx. (765) 741-0057
www.modelaircraft.org
The R/C model hobby becomes more and more enjoyable
as your experience grows. Your chances for success
and graduation to higher levels are very good if you take
your time and follow the fl ying instructions carefully
and completely. We hope you enjoy fl ying your Micro
Albatros plane.
GLOSSARY
● Lithium Polymer (LiPo) Battery: Rechargeable battery
which is used to power the airplane. LiPo batteries are
lighter and smaller than most other types of
rechargeable batteries.
● Transmitter (TX): This is the hand-held unit that sends
the signal to the control unit, or RX.
● Rudder: The fl ight control on the airplane that controls
turning direction. This will yaw the plane so that the
nose points in toward the direction of the turn and will
cause the wings to roll into the turn.
● Elevator: The fl ight control that controls pitch attitude.
By adding power and pitching up, you can make the
model climb or loop.
● Servo: The device on the model that moves the fl ight
controls.
INCLUDED ITEMS
Check the parts against those shown. If any parts are
damaged or missing, please call Hobby Services at:
(217) 398-8970.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions.
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference.
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
NOTE: THE MANUF ACTURER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY RADIO OR TV INTERFERENCE CAUSED BY UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICA TIONS
TO THIS EQUIPMENT. SUCH MODIFICATIONS COULD VOID THE USER’S AUTHORITY TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT.
FCC REQUIREMENT
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PREPARE the TRANSMITTER
AA AA
AAAA
❏
1. Remove the battery cover on the back of the
transmitter and insert four “AA” batteries. Make sure the
negative ends of the batteries are touching the springs.
TRANSMITTER CAUTIONS
● Do not use rechargeable (NiCd) batteries.
● Do not mix old and new batteries.
● Do not mix alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc) or
rechargeable (NiCd) batteries.
❏
2. Open the charge lead door on the side of the
transmitter and extend the charge lead as shown.
❏
3. Close the door with the charge lead exiting from
the notch in the door. Ensure that the charge lead is not
pinched or severed when the door is reinstalled.
CHARGING the PLANE’S
LiPo BATTERY
IMPORTANT!
NEVER LEAVE A CHARGING BATTERY UNATTENDED!
WARNING!! Failure to follow all instructions could
cause permanent damage to the battery and its
surroundings, and cause bodily harm!
● ONLY use the Micro Albatros transmitter to charge
the LiPo battery.
● ALWAYS charge in a fi reproof location.
● NEVER allow battery temperature to exceed 150°F
[65°C].
● NEVER disassemble or modify pack wiring in any
way or puncture cells.
● NEVER place on combustible materials or leave
unattended during charge or discharge.
● ALWAYS KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
❏
1. With the power switch on the transmitter set to
“OFF”, connect the battery to the charge lead on the side
of the transmitter.
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❏
2. With the power switch in the “OFF” position and
the battery connected to the charge lead, the left LED will
illuminate yellow.
❏
3. When the charging process has been completed,
the LED will go out. Disconnect the battery.
❏
4. After each fl ight, remove the battery pack from the
airplane and allow it to cool completely before recharging.
❏
5. Do not leave the battery connected to the Micro
Albatros for an extended period of time. This can cause
permanent damage to the battery.
BATTERY CHARGING PRECAUTIONS
❏
1. Always remove the battery from your Micro
Albatros before charging.
❏
2. Do not leave a charging battery unattended!
Unplug the battery if it gets warm, even if the left LED
has not gone out.
❏
3. Do not use a different charger to charge the Micro
Albatros fl ying battery.
WARNING: Misuse or malfunction may overheat the
battery and charger, resulting in personal injury or
damage to surroundings.
BATTERY RECYCLING
ATTENTION: The product you have purchased is
powered by a rechargeable battery. At the end of the
battery’s useful life, under various state and local laws,
it may be illegal to dispose of this battery into the
municipal waste system. Check with your local solid
waste offi cials for details in your area for recycling
options or proper disposal.
WARNING: This product contains a chemical known
to the State of California to cause cancer.
PREPARE for FLIGHT
❏
1. Be sure your transmitter has fresh “AA” batteries
installed. Turn on the transmitter by moving the switch
to the right.
❏
2. Move the throttle stick all the way down to the idle
position. Lay the transmitter face-up on a fl at surface within
reach so that you don’t accidentally bump the throttle.
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❏
3. Connect the battery to the airplane and press it into
the battery compartment. The hook and loop material will
hold it in place during fl ight. NOTE: Always stay clear of
the propeller when the battery is plugged into the airplane!
❏
1. When the right control stick is moved down, the
elevator should move up.
❏
2. When the right control stick is moved to the right,
the rudder should move to the right.
❏
3. With the left control stick in the down position, the
propeller should not be rotating. To test the operation of
the motor, be sure to have a fi rm grasp of the airplane with
your hands clear of the rotational arc of the propeller. Be
sure to point the nose of the airplane away from people
or obstructions. Note: When the LiPo battery is fi rst
plugged into the Micro Albatros, the propeller will not
rotate until the left control stick is fi rst moved all the
way down to the “idle” or “off” position. Once this is
done, the motor is considered “armed” and will rotate
if the left control stick is moved up.
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REVERSING THE CONTROL DIRECTIONS
If any of the control surfaces need to be reversed, please
use the following procedure.
❏
1. Unplug the LiPo battery from the airplane. This will
prevent unwanted rotation of the propeller.
❏
2. If the elevator does not move in the correct direction,
you can reverse its movement by pressing and holding the
RIGHT TRIM or LEFT TRIM button below the left control
stick and simultaneously pressing the UP TRIM or DOWN
TRIM button next to the right control stick.
❏
3. If the rudder does not move in the correct direction,
you can reverse its movement by pressing and holding the
RIGHT TRIM or LEFT TRIM button below the left control
stick and simultaneously pressing the RIGHT TRIM or
LEFT TRIM button below the right control stick.
ADJUSTING THE CONTROL TRIM
❏
1. Before making your fi rst fl ight, use the trim buttons
for the right control stick to center the elevator and the
rudder. Adjust the trim as necessary using the trim buttons
until the elevator is in line with the horizontal stabilizer and
the rudder is inline with the vertical fi n as shown. Make
sure that you have at least three additional “clicks” of
trim in either direction from center. Note: The transmitter
will make four quick beeps to indicate the end of the trim
range you are trying to adjust. DO NOT attempt to fl y your
model with any trim set to an extreme limit.
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❏
2. If additional trim is required or you will not have at
least three clicks of additional trim in one direction, the
bends in the pushrods can be adjusted to “mechanically”
change the trim of the control surfaces. Using a set of
needle-nose or fl at pliers, increase both bend angles
equally to lengthen the pushrod or decrease both bend
angles to shorten the pushrod.
CHOOSE A GOOD FLYING SITE
The Micro Albatros can fl y indoors or outdoors. Space,
obstructions, and wind speed are primary considerations
when choosing a fl ying site for your micro fl yer. At least
until you get used to fl ying this model, choose a site that
will offer the lowest wind speed, the greatest space, and
the lowest number of obstructions. Don’t fl y around groups
of people, especially children.
FLYING INDOORS
Although the Micro Albatros is easy to fly in any
gymnasium, you should choose an indoor location that
is free from obstacles. Indoor tracks or fi eld houses may
have retractable basketball nets that can be moved out of
the way. Plan your fl ight path and fl y a simple “racetrack”
pattern until you get used to fl ying indoors with this or any
other indoor micro fl yer. Consider the placement of any
gym equipment, nets, vertical beams, or roofi ng beams.
Also consider that most indoor gyms have ventilation
systems. Do not fl y near ventilation inlets or exhaust
ducts. Always obtain the permission of the building owner
or manager before fl ying indoors and respect any safety
rules they have established.
FLYING OUTDOORS
Early mornings or late evenings are great times to fl y
your Micro Albatros outside when the wind is very calm.
Wind speeds that gust to no more than 5mph [8km/h] are
best. Choose a spot that is suffi ciently far from trees, tall
vegetation, power lines, phone lines, or other structures.
Open grass fi elds are best, but if your back yard is free
from trees or other obstructions you can comfortably fl y
from your patio.
FLYING the MICRO ALBATROS
Your transmitter controls the altitude, direction and speed
of the airplane. Pulling back on the right stick will control
the pitch attitude of the model by moving the elevator up.
This causes the tail to drop and the nose to point up. When
there is enough airspeed, this will make the model gain
altitude or climb. Pushing the right stick to the right or
left will cause the tail to push out laterally and will cause
the wings to roll in the direction of the stick movement.
Pushing the right stick to the right, for instance, will cause
the model to roll right (the right wing drops as the left
wing rises). The left control stick controls the throttle.
Pushing the stick forward will increase motor speed, while
pulling the stick down will stop the motor.
When you are fl ying, you will notice that turning an airplane
is not like turning a car or boat. When the airplane is in
a turn, you do not hold the same amount of right stick
to hold the desired right bank angle. Holding the right
stick to the right will continue the roll and this will cause
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you to roll inverted. To hold a right turn, you will initiate
the turn with right rudder and then gradually feed out
the right stick command until you are holding very little
right rudder to hold a constant bank angle. While in the
turn, part of the lifting force is going to pull the airplane
in the direction of the turn and part is holding the airplane
up. More lift is needed to maintain altitude, so more up
elevator will be needed while in the turn. Consequently,
when rolling out of a turn with opposite rudder you will
need to decrease the amount of up elevator that you hold
so the airplane does not climb.
Caution: If you have another Flyzone micro model that
uses the FZT-324 transmitter, you should label each of
your transmitters to avoid confusion. Each model has
its own trim settings and servo reverse settings. It is a
good idea to always check that the controls operate in
the correct direction before each fl ight.
❏
1. Make sure the LiPo battery pack is fully charged
and that the transmitter has fresh “AA” batteries installed.
❏
2. Perform a range check on your radio system before
each fl ight. Switch on the transmitter and then connect
the battery to the plane. Have a helper hold the airplane.
CAUTION: Keep clear of the propeller. Walk 50’ [15m]
away from the airplane, holding the transmitter with the
antenna pointing up. Move the right control stick, and
have your helper check the control surfaces for proper
response. Move the throttle stick up to check the motor.
If you still have control of the airplane, it is safe to fl y.
If you do not have control of the plane, make sure the
batteries in the transmitter are fresh and the battery in
the plane is charged.
❏
3. With the throttle stick in the full up position, hand
launch the Micro Albatros into the wind (or if inside,
launch in a direction that will provide you with the largest
available space to make your fi rst turn), at a slight upward
angle. NOTE: For the fi rst couple of fl ights, we recommend
having a helper hand launch the airplane.
❏
4. After you have climbed to a reasonable altitude,
throttle back to 1/2 to 3/4 throttle.
❏
5. Don’t let the airplane get too far away from you.
The farther away it is, the harder it is to see what the
airplane is doing.
❏
6. When learning to fl y, it is best to keep the airplane
high enough so that if you make a mistake, you have
enough altitude to correct the mistake.
❏
7. Take note of the amount of up/down or right/left
control that is necessary to keep the plane fl ying straight
and level. When you land, apply one click of control trim
and then test fl y the model again. Repeat this until the
model fl ies straight and level “hands-off.”
❏
8. Practice throttling back the motor to an idle speed or
completely off. Try to maintaining altitude with the elevator
as long as possible. Speed will drop off gradually and the
wing will stop fl ying – this is called a stall. The airplane
will naturally pitch down the nose to recover. Releasing
back pressure on the right control stick will help the
wing regain fl ying speed. Knowing what to do in a stall is
important when you lose power or when you are landing.
❏
9. When you have become comfortable with the fl ight
characteristics of the Micro Albatros, it can takeoff from the
ground. A smooth surface is required for the wheels to roll.
LANDING the MICRO ALBATROS
It’s a known fact among fellow R/C pilots that your airplane
will land. It is up to you as to where and how it lands.
❏
1. For your fi rst couple of fl ights we recommend that
you attempt to land before the motor stops. When the
battery voltage becomes low during fl ight, the motor will
stop rotating to protect the battery from being discharged
to an unsafe voltage. Flight speed will begin to decrease
before this occurs and you will notice that it will take
more throttle to maintain altitude and climb. The Micro
Albatros will fl y for about 8-10 minutes during normal
indoor fl ying and about 5 minutes during outdoor fl ying,
so using a timer can be helpful.
❏
2. During your fi rst fl ight, while at a high altitude, turn
the motor off by moving the left control stick all the way
down and note how the Micro Albatros reacts. Pitching
the nose up with up elevator will slow your descent and
control your forward speed and glide slope. Add a little
power to slow your descent rate.
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❏
3. To land the Micro Albatros, fl y downwind (or the
direction opposite your landing direction), past the landing
area. Gently turn into the wind (or onto your fi nal approach)
and gradually reduce the throttle so that the airplane
starts to slow into a smooth descent. Adjust the throttle
to maintain the glideslope.
❏
4. Just before touchdown, at about 6 inches [15cm]
above the ground, move the throttle control stick all the
way down and apply some up elevator (right control stick
down) to land the Micro Albatros safely on the landing
gear and tail skid.
❏
5. When the transmitter battery power gets low (4.5V),
the transmitter will beep once every two seconds. When
this happens, it’s time to land your Micro Albatros. Replace
the transmitter batteries with fresh alkaline batteries.
CAUTION: If, during a rough landing, the propeller
on the Micro Albatros should become jammed and
cannot rotate with the throttle in the run position,
the battery and airplane electronics could become
damaged. Immediately lower the throttle to stop
the motor.
AFTER the FLIGHT
Disconnect and remove the battery from the airplane.
Then, switch the transmitter off. Allow the motor and
battery to cool before recharging. Check the airplane over
to make sure nothing has come loose or may be damaged.
Check the wing strut and landing gear attachment points
for security, and the elevator and rudder control horns.
BINDING the TRANSMITTER
to the MODEL
If the model does not respond to control inputs when you
power it up, the transmitter (Tx) may have lost
communication with the receiver (Rx). To bind the model
to a specifi c Tx, please follow these instructions.
❏
1. Move the throttle stick all the way down to the OFF
position. Turn on the transmitter.
❏
2. Hold the model and stay clear of the propeller.
Connect the LiPo battery to the model.
❏
3. Press and hold the center of the throttle trim rocker
button at the green dot labeled on the transmitter. You
will hear a series of beeps until you hear one long beep.
Release the button.
❏
4. Your model should now be bound to the transmitter.
Check the control directions
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REPAIRS
Spare parts are available to repair your Micro Albatros.
Please see the spare parts list earlier in this manual for
the parts available and the part numbers.
❏
1. If your model gets damaged, the best way to repair
it is by using foam-safe cyanoacrylate (CA) adhesive
(GPMR6069) and foam-safe CA accelerator (GPMR6035).
CA accelerator can speed up the cure of CA, but be careful
not to spray parts directly as they will cure too fast and
create heat that will melt the foam structure. A #11 hobby
knife (EXLR9018) and a pair of thin pliers (HCAR0625)
or hemostats are also nice to keep on hand when you go
fl ying. Clear household tape or hinge tape (DUBQ0916)
can be helpful when repairing the elevator or rudder
hinges. Lighter fl uid (naphtha) is a solvent that debonds
the adhesive used to stick the fuselage or other foam
parts together. Apply sparingly and use caution as this
is fl ammable. All of these supplies can be purchased at
your local hobby shop and hardware store.
❏
2. If you break the propeller, you can replace it easily.
Carefully remove the foam spinner cone from the propeller
using your hobby knife or a small fl at blade screwdriver.
Hold the propeller shaft fi rmly with a pair of small pliers.
Grasp the propeller hub and rotate the propeller while
holding the prop shaft stationary as you pull the propeller
off the shaft. Fit a new propeller with the curved face of the
propeller blade facing forward, pressing the prop all the
way onto the prop shaft. Using a few drops of foam-safe
CA on the inside of the spinner, attach the foam spinner
to the new prop.
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REPLACEMENT PARTS LIST
To order replacement parts for your Micro Albatros,
use the order numbers in the list below. Replacement
parts are available only as listed. Replacement parts
are not available from Product Support, but can be
purchased from hobby shops or mail order/Internet
order fi rms. If you need assistance locating a dealer to
purchase parts, contact:
Product Support
Phone: 217-398-0007
Fax: 217-398-7721
E-mail: productsupport@hobbico.com
Stock No. Description
HCAA6342 Wing Set
HCAA6343 Tail Set
HCAA6344 Wing Struts
HCAA6345 Fuselage
HCAA6346 Pushrod Set
HCAA6347 Landing Gear
HCAA6348 Propeller & Spinner
HCAA6349 Pilot & Dummy Engine Set
HCAA6350 Gearbox
HCAA6351 Machine Gun Set
HCAA6352 Control Horns
HCAA6353 Decals
HCAA6307 Motor
HCAA6309 130 mAh LiPo Battery
HCAL7600 2.4GHz Tx
HCAL7601 Micro Control Unit (Rx/ESC/Servos)
™
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