Flyzone Calypso User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Wingspan: 73 in [1855 mm]

2

Wing Area: 526 in

Wing Loading: 7.9− 8.5 oz /ft

[33.9 dm2]

2

[24 − 26 g /dm2]

WARRANTY

Hobbico 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 reserves
the right to change or modify this warranty without notice.

In that Hobbico 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

Weight: 29− 31 oz [820 −880 g]

Length: 47 in [1195 mm]

Radio: 4 – 5-channel

SPECIFICATIONS

Motor: 28 u 30 1300 kV outrunner,

18 A ESC,
9 u 5 folding propeller

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:

Hobby Services

3002 N. Apollo Dr. Suite 1

Champaign IL 61822 USA

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.

READ THROUGH THIS MANUAL BEFORE STARTING CONSTRUCTION. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT

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

Entire Contents © 2012 Hobbico,® Inc. All rights reserved.

™

Champaign, Illinois [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

FLZA3000 Mnl

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

AMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Optional LiPo Battery Charger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

KIT INSPECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

KIT CONTENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

ASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Install the Receiver (Rx-R Only). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Hook Up the Elevator and Rudder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Optional Flaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Install the Wings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the Flyzone Calypso. The Calypso

is one of those models that everyone must have because
it is stable, gentle and durable enough for beginners, yet
maneuverable enough for intermediate and experienced
pilots who might want to temporarily set their more advanced
models aside and enjoy some easy, care-free fl ying. And who
doesn’t embrace the challenge of cruising the sky looking for
thermals? The recommended 1300 mAh battery is enough

“juice” to propel the Calypso to fi ve, approximately one-minute

climbs which can provide up to 30 minutes of air time even in

“dead” air when no lift is present (but we’ve routinely fl own the

Calypso with 1500 mAh – 2100 mAh batteries). Of course, if
you can fi nd lifting air your fl ying time will be virtually unlimited!

We also urge you to consider installing the two additional

servos for the optional fl aps. With the fl aps partially extended

you can just about “park” the Calypso in the sky even when

there is no lift. And with full fl aps and a gentle breeze you
can land the Calypso on the ground as light as a feather. The

fl ap servos are also confi gured to be connected to a single

channel via a Y-harness, eliminating the requirement for a
computer radio.

NOTE: This instruction manual applies to RTF, Rx-R™ and

Tx-R™ versions of the Calypso.

For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to the
Calypso, visit the Hobbico web site at www.hobbico.com. Open

the “Airplanes” link, then select the Calypso ARF. If there is
new technical information or changes to this model a “tech
notice” box will appear in the upper left corner of the page.

AMA

If you are not already a member of the AMA (Academy of

Model Aeronautics), 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:

FINAL FLIGHT PREPARATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Balance the Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Check the Control Throws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Calibrate the Throttle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Normal Startup Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Charge the LiPo Battery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Range Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

AMA SAFETY CODE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Radio Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

FLYING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

ESC TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

MAKING REPAIRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

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

IMPORTANT!!! Two of the most important things you can
do to preserve the radio controlled aircraft hobby are to avoid
fl ying near full-scale aircraft and avoid fl ying near or over
groups of people.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

PROTECT YOUR MODEL, YOURSELF

& OTHERS... FOLLOW THESE

IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

1. Your Calypso 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 Calypso, if not assembled and operated correctly, could
possibly cause injury to yourself or spectators and damage
to property.

2. You must assemble the Calypso 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 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 ight.

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.

2

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.

Remember: Take your time and follow the instructions to
end up with a well-built model that is straight and true.

REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION

Other than a Phillips screw driver nothing extraordinary is

required to assemble your Calypso. Below is a chart with
order numbers indicating the rest of the equipment required
to get your particular version of the Calypso in the air. Boxes
checked with an “✘” indicate that the item is required.

Note: If you plan to fl y your Calypso with the optional fl aps a
minimum 5-channel radio system will be required.

RTF Tx-R Rx-R No. Equipment

TACJ2600

✘

TACJ2000

TACJ2600

✘

HCAA6310

✘

DTXP4235

Optional

Optional Optional Optional

Optional Optional Optional 1800mAh battery

✘

✘

SUPM0070

FLZA1603
FLZA6008
FUTM4130

HCAM2000

HCAA6430

Tactic TX600 6 Ch Tx

–or–

Any 4–5 Ch Tx and

AnyLink 2.4GHz

adapter*

Any 4–5 Ch Tx & Rx

3S (11.1V) 1300mAh

15C battery

with ST connector

LiPo battery charger

Charge lead for

SuperTigre® connector

(2) Flap servos

(1) Flap linkage set

(1) Y-harness

for flap servos

(2) 6" [150mm]

Servo wire extensions

Optional LiPo Battery Charger

The RTF and Tx-R versions of the Calypso include a Great

Planes 3S LiPo balancing Smart Charger. The Smart Charger
is a safe way to charge your LiPo battery, but it’s very basic and
just enough to get you started. The Smart Charger charges at
a rate of .8 Amps, so it will take approximately one-and-a-half
hours or more to charge your battery. Eventually, you’ll want
to get more batteries and an advanced charger to charge
faster and fl y more! If you’ve purchased the Rx-R that doesn’t
come with a charger, or if you would like to replace your

Smart Charger with a more advanced charger, the Duratrax®

Onyx™ 235 AC/DC Advanced Peak Charger (DTXP4235) is
highly recommended and perfect for 3S batteries used with
the Calypso. Same as the Smart Charger the Onyx 235 may
be powered either by an external DC power source (such as
a 12 battery), or a 110V AC outlet, but the Onyx also has an
adjustable charge rate to charge your batteries in as little as a
half-hour or less (depending on the condition of your batteries
and the manufacturer’s specifi ed charge rate). The Onyx can
also be used to charge larger batteries and different kinds of
batteries so it is a charger you can grow into. The 235 also
has an LCD digital display screen, so you can see how much
capacity it took to charge the battery (handy for learning the
condition of your batteries and calculating optimum fl ight time).

Note: For use with the Onyx 235 LiPo batteries that come with
SuperTigre connectors (such as the Flyzone batteries included
or recommended) require a banana plugs-to-SuperTigre charge
lead (SUPM0070) and batteries that come with a Deans® Ultra
Plug® connector require a Charge Lead with banana plugs/
Deans® Ultra Plug® male charge lead (GPMM3148).

KIT INSPECTION

Before assembly, take an inventory of this kit to make sure
it is complete, and inspect the parts to make sure they are
of acceptable quality. If any parts are missing or are not of
acceptable quality, or if you need assistance with assembly,
contact Product Support. When reporting defective or missing
parts, use the part names exactly as they are written in the
Kit Contents list.

Hobbico Product Support Ph: [phone] ext. 5
3002 N Apollo Drive Suite 1 Fax: [phone]
Champaign, IL 61822

E-mail: [e-mail]

ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS

Replacement parts for the Flyzone Calypso ARF are available
using the order numbers in the Replacement Parts List that
follows. The fastest, most economical service can be provided
by your hobby dealer or mail-order company.

Optional Optional Optional 2100mAh battery

Transmitter must be compatible with AnyLink adapter. Visit tx-ready.com to see

*

AnyLink compatibility chart or contact Product Support at the contact
information on this page.

HCAA6387

To locate a hobby dealer, visit the Hobbico web site at www.

hobbico.com. Choose “Where to Buy” at the bottom of the menu
on the left side of the page. Follow the instructions provided
on the page to locate a U.S., Canadian or International dealer.

3

Parts may also be ordered directly from Hobby Services by

calling [phone], or via facsimile at [phone], but
full retail prices and shipping and handling charges will apply.

Illinois and Nevada residents will also be charged sales tax. If

ordering via fax, include a Visa® or MasterCard® number and
expiration date for payment.

Mail parts orders Hobby Services
and payments by 3002 N Apollo Drive, Suite 1
personal check to: Champaign IL 61822

Be certain to specify the order number exactly as listed in the
Replacement Parts List. Payment by credit card or personal
check only; no C.O.D.

If additional assistance is required for any reason contact
Product Support by e-mail at [e-mail],

or by telephone at [phone].

REPLACEMENT PARTS LIST

Order No. Description

FLZA6000

FLZA6001

FLZA6002

FLZA6003

FLZA6004

FLZA6005

FLZA6006

FLZA6007

FLZA6008

FLZA6009

FLZA6010

FLZA6011

FLZA6012

FLZA6013

FLZA6014

TACJ2404

TACL0624

Wing Set

Horizontal Stabilizer

Vertical Stabilizer

Fuselage Set

Canopy

Wing Tube

Spinner, Folding Propeller

9x5 Propeller Blade Set (2)

Flap Linkage Set

Wing Screws

Tail Screw

18A ESC

C28-30 1300kV Brushless Motor

Micro Servo

1300mAh 3S LiPo Battery

Tactic TTX404 4-ch. Tx

Tactic TR624 6-chc Rx

CONTENTS

1

2

2

7

6

5

4

3

Contents

1. Fuselage, Canopy (w/ESC, motor, propeller, servos, spinner)

2. Wings (w/aileron servo)

3. Horizontal Stabilizer (Stab)

4. Vertical Stabilizer (Fin)

4

4

5. Wing Tube

6. Y-Connector (for aileron)

7. Tail Screw

ASSEMBLY

(White/Orange)

Receiver

+ (Red)

− (Black/Brown)

Install the Receiver (Rx-R Only)

1. Cut strips from the included, adhesive-backed hook-

❏

and-loop material. Stick one to the back of your receiver and
the other inside the fuselage as shown—the softer, “loop”
side goes on the receiver and the rougher, “hook” side goes
in the fuselage.

3. Mount the receiver to the Velcro® strip in the fuselage.

❏

Hook Up the Elevator and Rudder

Rx-R, Tx-R, and RTF

2. Connect the servos and the Y-harness to the receiver

❏

as shown.

Channel 1 (aileron) – dual Y-harness
Channel 2 (elevator) – elevator servo
Channel 3 (throttle) – electronic speed control (ESC)
Channel 4 (rudder) – rudder servo

1. Flex the elevator up and down and the rudder back and

❏

forth several times to break them in.

2. Fit the vertical stabilizer (fi n) into the horizontal stabilizer

❏

(stab).

5

3. Join the stab/fi n assembly to the fuselage, keying the

ON

Centered

Down

❏

rudder into the hinge.

4. Tighten the assembly to the fuselage with the included

❏

bolt and a Phillips screwdriver.

6. Disconnect any one of the three motor wires so the motor

❏

will not turn inadvertently.

7. If your receiver is not already “bound” or linked to the

❏

transmitter, follow the instructions that came with your radio
system to bind the two together so the receiver will receive
signals from the transmitter.

8. Attach the softer, “loop” side of the included hook-and-

❏

loop strip to the battery.

5. If necessary, install batteries in your transmitter. Turn on

❏

the transmitter, center the trims and move the throttle stick
all the way down.

9. Connect the battery to the ESC.

❏

6