Flyzone FLZA4022 User Manual

INSTRUCTION
MANUAL
SPECIFICATIONS
Wingspan:
Wing
Area:
Weight:
Wing
Loading:
59.5 in [1510mm]
2
430 in [27.7 dm2]
3–3.25 lb [1360 –1470 g]
16–17 oz/ft [49– 52 g/dm2]
2
Length:
Radio:
Motor:
38.5 in [980mm]
5-channel radio system
40mm dia. 850kV outrunner, 40A ESC, 12x6 propeller
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.
If the buyer is not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product, the buyer is advised to return
READ THROUGH THIS MANUAL BEFORE STARTING CONSTRUCTION. IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT
INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS CONCERNING THE ASSEMBLY AND USE OF THIS MODEL.
© 2012 Hobbico®, Inc. All rights reserved. FLZA4020 FLZA4022 Mnl
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.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Academy of Model Aeronautics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Transmitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
LiPo Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Charger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
KIT INSPECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
ASSEMBLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Mount the Landing Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Mount the Floats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the Flyzone 1/10th-scale de Havilland
DHC-2 Beaver RTF/Tx-R. For anybody who enjoys fl ying fl oat planes or who aspires to do so for the fi rst time, the Flyzone Beaver is the perfect choice because it maneuvers and fl ies off the water so well—you virtually can’t mess up a takeoff or landing unless you try! Of course, the Beaver is almost just as much at home on dry land as it is in the water. And with the fl aps extended you can set your Beaver down on water or on land as light as a feather.
Mount the Horizontal and Vertical Stabilizer . . . . . . . . 6
Install the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Hook Up the Rudder and Elevator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Mount the Wings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Hook Up the Flaps and Ailerons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
FINAL FLIGHT PREPARATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Check the Control Throws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Check the C.G.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
MOTOR / ESC OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
FLYING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
REPAIRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
PROTECT YOUR MODEL, YOURSELF AND OTHERS... FOLLOW THESE IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1. Your de Havilland Beaver 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 Beaver, if not assembled and operated correctly, could possibly cause injury to yourself or spectators and damage to property.
For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to the Beaver, visit the Flyzone site at www.fl yzoneplanes.com. Open the “Airplanes” link, then select the Beaver 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.
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. (800) 435-9262
Fax (765) 741-0057
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.
2. You must assemble the Beaver 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. 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.
2
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.
REQUIRED FOR COMPLETION
Other than a #1 and #2 Phillips screwdriver and a few drops of non-permanent threadlocker (GPMR6060), no adhesives or anything extraordinary is required to assemble the Beaver.
The RTF is fully equipped with a complete radio control
system, LiPo battery and charger, so no other accessories are required, but the following items are required to complete the Tx-R edition:
Transmitter
The Tx-R includes the Tactic™ TR624 6-Channel 2.4GHz
receiver, so you’ll need either a Tactic TX600 6-channel 2.4GHz transmitter, or any other 5-channel (or more) transmitter compatible with the Tactic AnyLink™ 2.4GHz radio adapter*. Using the AnyLink allows any compatible transmitter to work with the Tactic receiver.
TX600 6-channel transmitter (TACJ2600)
AnyLink radio adapter* (TACJ2000)
*In addition to the AnyLink radio adapter, some AnyLink-
compatible transmitters may also require additional adapter cables. Visit Tx-Ready.com to see the AnyLink compatibility chart or contact Product Support at the contact information on this page.
LiPo Battery
The RTF edition of the Beaver includes a Flyzone 3S (11.1V) 1800mAh 20C LiPo battery and the same is recommended for
the Tx-R, but a 2100mAh battery is also an option for slightly longer fl ight times (more about fl ying time on page 15).
Flyzone 3S (11.1V) 1800mAh 20C LiPo battery
(HCAA6430)
Flyzone 3S (11.1V) 2100mAh 20C LiPo battery
(HCAA6387)
replaced with a Deans Ultra Plug® male connector which will require soldering (but is a simple task for those so equipped).
Charger
The RTF comes equipped with a Great Planes 3S LiPo
balancing Smart Charger, but the Tx-R requires a charger to be purchased separately. 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 at least one-and-a-half hours or more to
charge your battery. For those who have the RTF and wish to upgrade their charger, or those with the Tx-R who must purchase a charger anyway, the Duratrax® Onyx™ 235 AC/ DC Advanced Peak Charger (DTXP4235) is recommended.
The Onyx is perfect for 3S batteries used with the Beaver
and may be powered either by an external DC power source (such as a 12V battery), or a 110V AC outlet. 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 charge larger batteries and batteries other than LiPos, so it is a versatile charger you can grow into. Finally, the 235 features an LCD digital display screen, so you can see how much capacity it took to recharge the battery (required for monitoring the condition of your batteries and calculating how long you can fl y).
NOTE: For use with the Onyx 235, LiPo batteries that come with a SuperTigre connector (such as the Flyzone batteries recommended) require a banana plugs-to-SuperTiger 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 Contents list.
Flyzone Product Support Ph: (217) 398-8970 ext. 5 3002 N Apollo Drive Suite 1 Fax: (217) 398-7721 Champaign, IL 61822
E-mail: airsupport@fl yzoneplanes.com
ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS
Spare batteries may also be purchased and charged at home ahead of time, eliminating the wait between fl ights for batteries to charge at the fi eld.
NOTE: The Flyzone batteries suggested are equipped with a SuperTigre® battery connector that fi t the connector on the ESC. If using a different LiPo battery that has a Deans® connector, a SuperTigre-to-Deans adapter (SUPM0040) will be required, or the battery connector on the ESC may be
Replacement parts for the Flyzone de Havilland Beaver RTF/
Tx-R 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.
To locate a hobby dealer, visit the Flyzone web site at www.
fl yzoneplanes.com. Click on the Storefront icon at the top of the page to load the Flyzone Dealer Locator. 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 (217) 398-0007, or via facsimile at (217) 398-7721, 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 productsupport@fl yzoneplanes. com, or by telephone at (217) 398-8970.
REPLACEMENT PARTS LIST
ORDER NO. DESCRIPTION
FLZA6265 FLZA6266 FLZA6267 FLZA6268 FLZA6269 FLZA6270 FLZA6271 FLZA6272 FLZA6273 FLZA6274 FLZA6275 FLZA6276
Fuselage Set Wing Set Horizontal Stab Vertical Fin Main Landing Gear Tail Wheel Set Cowl 12x6 Propeller Spinner Prop Adapter Float Set Float Brackets
ORDER NO. DESCRIPTION
FLZA6277 FLZA6278 FLZA6279 FLZA6280 FLZA6281 FLZA6282 FLZA6283 FLZA6284 FLZA6285 FLZA6024 TACJ2600 TACL0624 GPMM3318
Water Rudders Wing Clips Hatch Set 41-19-850 Motor 40 Amp ESC Main Wheels Servo Wing Strut Set Decal Sheet Flyzone LiPo Battery 3S 11.1V 1800mAh 20C Tactic TTX600 6Ch SLT 2.4GHz Radio System No Servos Tactic TR624 6-Channel SLT 2.4GHz Receiver Great Planes AC/DC 3S LiPo Balancing Smart Charger
CONTENTS
1
9
10
1.
Fuselage
2.
Left Wing
3.
Right Wing
4.
Main Landing Gear
2
8
11
3
7
4
12
6
75
5.
Float Brackets
6.
Wing Struts
7.
Vertical Stabilizer
8.
Hardware
4
9.
Propeller/Spinner Assembly
10.
Top Hatch
11.
Horizontal Stabilizer
12.
Floats
ASSEMBLY
NOTE: This instruction manual applies to both the RTF and Tx-R editions of the de Havilland Beaver. If assembling the RTF edition, simply skip steps that do not apply.
Mount the Landing Gear
Mount the Floats
1. Use a #2 Phillips screwdriver to fasten both main landing
gears to the fuselage with three M3x16 screws in each side.
2. Mount the tail gear with two M2.5x8 screws, then fasten
the pushrod wires as shown. Make sure the tail wheel is perpendicular with the steering arm.
1. Connect the fl oats to each other with the horizontal struts
and four M2.5x20 machine-thread screws.
5
2. Use eight M2.5x8 screws to fasten the braces to the
fl oats, matching the labels printed or molded into the end of each brace to each mount location on each fl oat.
4. Connect a small rubber band to each fl oat and water
rudder as shown.
5. Fasten the wire hooks on the end of each rudder line
to the connectors in the steering arm. As best as you can, adjust the tension in the lines to center the water rudders—the rudders don’t have to be perfectly centered, because over time they may drift anyway, and the rudders are forgiving and overall water handling is easy.
3. Fasten the fl oat braces to the fuselage with one M3x16mm
screw and two M2.5x8mm screws in each side of the fuselage.
Mount the Horizontal
and Vertical Stabilizer
1. Fasten the vertical stabilizers to each end of the horizontal
stabilizer (stab) with M2x6 screws.
6
2. Connect the elevator pushrod to the bottom hole in the
elevator horn as shown.
3. Rotate the stab upward and key it into the fuselage.
4. Key the rudder torque rod down into the receptacle while
fi tting the vertical stabilizer (fi n) into the fuselage. Tightly press the assembly down into position.
7
5. Secure the stab and fi n with the M3x22 screw.
Centered
ON
Down
Install the Battery
2. Cut a 3" [76mm] strip from the softer, “loop” side and
attach it to the battery so the larger “discharge” wires will be on the right side as shown. (This will position the wires opposite the receiver for a better fi t.)
Hook Up the Rudder and Elevator
1. Turn on the transmitter, lower the throttle stick all the
way, center the trims and make sure the throttle channel in your transmitter is in the “reverse” position.
1. Cut two 1" [25mm] strips from the rougher, “hook” side
of the included adhesive-back hook-and-loop material. Apply the strips inside the fuselage where shown and press them down tightly so they adhere.
2. Connect the battery to the ESC. If all is working properly,
the ESC will send three, short, electrical pulses to the motor causing it to chime three times (“ 1- 2- 3”) followed by a longer,
8
single, lower tone beep (“BEEEP”) followed by a shorter, higher tone beep (“beep”). If the chimes and beeps do not sound in this manner refer to “MOTOR/ESC OPERATION” on page
15 to setup the transmitter and ESC correctly.
A magnetic screwdriver, or a small magnet stuck to a screw driver to make it magnetic, will be helpful for the next couple of steps.
5. Reinstall the screw, but do not tighten yet. With the
transmitter and receiver on, center the elevator and tighten the screw to lock the pushrod down.
3. Remove the screw from the connector on the elevator
servo arm.
6. Repeat the same procedure for the rudder, making
sure it is centered. Lock the pushrod down with the screw and threadlocker.
7. Disconnect the battery and turn off the transmitter.
Mount the Wings
4. Lightly wet the threads of the screw with threadlocker.
1. Fasten the wing clips to both sides of the fuselage with
four M3x10 screws.
9
3. Mount the left wing the same way.
4. Mount the top of each wing strut to the wing with a
M2.5x8 machine-thread screw.
2. Guide the wires from the right wing into the fuselage, then
slide the wing joiner tube and the fl ap pushrod wire through the corresponding holes. Also guide the fl ap pushrod wire into the screw-lock connector on the fl ap servo. Guide the joiner tube through the hole in the left side of the fuselage, then tightly “CLICK!” the wing onto the wing clips.
5. Mount the bottom of each strut to the fuselage over the
fl oat strut (or over the main landing gear) with a M3x16 screw.
10
Hook Up the Flaps and Ailerons
1. Connect the wing lighting wires and the aileron servo
wires to the lighting and fl ap wiring harnesses coming from the receiver.
2. Turn on the transmitter and install and connect the battery.
Then install and secure the hatch.
3. Move the dial or switch on your transmitter that controls
the fl aps to the “up” position, rotating the fl ap servo arm clockwise. Remove the screw in the fl ap servo arm, wet the threads with threadlocker, and then reinstall and tighten the screw so the fl aps will be in their fully retracted (“up”) position.
11
FINAL FLIGHT PREPARATION
FULL
THROTTLE
RUDDER
MOVES
RIGHT
ELEVATOR
MOVES DOWN
RIGHT AILERON MOVES UP
LEFT AILERON MOVES DOWN
4-Channel Radio Set Up (Standard Mode 2)
Check the Control Throws
Because the servos and pushrods are factory-installed
the control throws should already be correct, but because of the effect the control throws can have on a model, it’s always a good idea to check them anyway.
4. With the system still on, make sure the ailerons are
centered and aligned with the wing tips. If necessary, apply a few clicks of aileron trim to get the ailerons centered. If more than a few clicks of trim are required, or if you cannot get both ailerons neutralized, a small screwdriver may be used to pop off one or both fl ap servo covers to access the pushrods. Adjust the pushrods in the connectors to get the ailerons centered. When fi nished, replace the cover, press into position, and hold in place with tape or a dab of glue.
1. Confi rm that the controls are responding in the correct
direction according to control inputs from the transmitter. If necessary, use the servo reversing program in your transmitter to change the servo direction of any controls that are moving the wrong way.
2. If your de Havilland Beaver is confi gured with wheels,
use a small box or something similar to prop up the bottom of the fuselage under the tail so the wings and stab are level (or nearly level).
3. Measure and set the control throws according to the
measurements below. The throws are measured at the widest part (front-to-back) of each surface.
12
Recommended Control Surface Throws
More Control Throw
Pushrod
Farther Out
Pushrod
Farther In
Less Control Throw
64 mm 51mm
2-1/2"
2"
English Metric
INCHES
ELEVATOR
Up
7/16"
Down
7/16"
LOW RATEHIGH RATE
Up
5/16"
Down
5/16"
4. If any of the control throws require adjustment use the
programming in your transmitter to increase or decrease the throws accordingly. If the programming isn’t enough or if your radio doesn’t have adjustable throws, the pushrod connectors on the servo arms can be relocated in different holes inward or outward to increase or decrease the throw—moving the pushrods inward on the servo arms decreases the throw and moving the pushrods outward on the servo arms increases the throw.
AILERONS
RUDDER (R&L)
FLAP
Recommended Control Surface Throws
MILLIMETERS
ELEVATOR
11mmUp11mm
7/16"
Down
AILERONS
RUDDER (R&L)
FLAP
Recommended Control Surface Throws
DEGREES
ELEVATOR
Up
10 º
11mm
Down
10 º
3/8" 3/8"1/2" 1/2"
7/8" 7/8"1-1/4" 1-1/4"
LOW RATEHIGH RATE
Up
8mm
10 mm 10 mm13 mm 13 mm
22 mm 22 mm32mm 32mm
LOW RATEHIGH RATE
Up
Down
8mm
Down
Check the C.G.
Same as the control throws, the C.G. has a great effect on how every model fl ies, so do not skip this procedure. If the model is tail-heavy it may be too instable and respond too quickly to the controls. If the model is nose-heavy it may be too stable and not respond fast enough—in either case possibly causing a crash. Do not overlook this important procedure.
AILERONS
RUDDER (R&L)
FLAP
34º
14º 14º20 º 20 º
18º 18º26 º 26 º
13
1. Mark the forward and aft C.G. limits on both sides of
the bottom of the wing 2" and 2-1/2" [51mm and 64mm] back from the leading edge where shown—using narrow strips of tape will allow you to feel the marks when lifting the model with your fi ngertips to balance.
3. Install the battery, battery hatch and cabin hatch. At
this point the Beaver must be in ready-to-fl y condition with everything attached and installed including the fl oats or wheels and battery and propeller.
4. Lift the model by your fi ngers between the lines indicating
the balance range. As long as the Beaver sits level with your fi ngers on the forward or aft lines or anywhere between the lines it is properly balanced and ready to fl y. If you have to move your fi ngertips outside the lines the Beaver is out of balance and should not be fl own. If necessary, add squares of stick-on lead to the nose or tail to get the Beaver to balance within the specifi ed range.
2. Mount the propeller and spinner.
MOTOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Failure to follow these safety precautions may result in severe injury to yourself and others.
Seek the assistance of an experienced pilot if new to
electric motors.
Wear safety glasses whenever in the proximity of a
spinning propeller.
Do not operate the motor in an area of loose gravel or
sand; the propeller may throw such material in your face or eyes.
Keep spectators as well as your own face and body out
of the plane of rotation of the propeller.
14
Keep all loose clothing, long hair or any other loose objects
such as pencils or screwdrivers that may fall out pockets away from the propeller.
MOTOR / ESC OPERATION
Turning on the transmitter and running the motor is intuitive
for most pilots who already have experience with electric motors, but for those who may have little or no experience with electric motors here are basic operating instructions for the ESC and motor:
When ready to fl y and running the motor, fi rst turn on the transmitter and make sure the throttle stick is all the way down. Always securely hold onto the model when connecting the battery. The propeller should not turn, but expecting it to do so anyway will prevent an accident or injury. Connect the battery to the ESC. The ESC will send three short electrical pulses to the motor, causing it to chime three times (“ 1- 2- 3”) followed by a longer, single, lower tone beep (“BEEEP”), followed by a shorter, higher tone beep (“beep”). The model is ready to fl y and the propeller will turn when the throttle is advanced.
If the transmitter is not turned on before the battery and ESC are connected (so the receiver is not receiving a signal) the motor will still chime three times (“ 1- 2- 3”), but then it will sound consecutive, higher tone beeps (“beep,” “beep,”
“beep,”….) until the transmitter is turned on at which time it
will emit a single, lower tone beep (“BEEEP”) followed by the single higher tone beep (“beep”).
If, when the battery is connected to the ESC the throttle stick is not all the way down the motor will beep rapidly (“beep beep beep beep beep…”) until either the battery is disconnected or the throttle stick is returned to the off position at which time it will emit a single, lower tone beep (“BEEEP”) followed by the single higher tone beep (“beep”).
FLYING
The Beaver fl ies mostly the same as any similar-type, high-wing
airplane, but you may fi nd that the roll rate is a little slower. This suits the Beaver well as it is a scale-like, STOL (Short TakeOff and Landing) craft. Just give yourself more time and
altitude before trying your fi rst full roll.
The only peculiarity arises when the fl aps are extended—if you
extend the fl aps too soon before the Beaver has lost enough
fl ying speed the nose will pitch up. The way to avoid this is
fi rst by making sure you have given the Beaver enough time
to slow after cutting the throttle. You can also roll in the fl aps
gradually. If you have a computer radio you could also mix in
some down elevator with fl aps. In any regard, once the Beaver
reaches “equilibrium” and has initiated a gliding descent the
nose will resume a normal, downward glide angle. Similarly,
when powering up the throttle with the fl aps extended the
nose will pitch up, so be ready to counter with down elevator.
Unless weather conditions are terrible, you should have no trouble fl ying the Beaver from either rough or calm water.
The water rudders direct the Beaver well and they don’t have
to be perfectly centered to be effective (so don’t spend an exorbitant amount of time on the work bench working on them!). The Beaver turns more tightly at idle speeds, so if you need to do a U-turn throttle back to bring the Beaver around.
At higher speeds during a takeoff run the water rudders have
the correct amount of effectiveness to steer the Beaver on its intended path. Takeoffs can be long and graceful or short and steep—either way the fl oats handle the water well. If the winds are really high the Beaver can still be fl own from water, but avoid turning it directly across the wind. Otherwise, the wind can get under the wing and fl ip the Beaver over. In the air, the only effect of the fl oats is that the Beaver fl ies slightly slower.
Flying “normally” (using half-throttle for general cruising and full-throttle only when required) the Beaver consumes about 200mAh/minute for recommended fl ight times of about 7 minutes with an 1800 mAh battery and about 8.5 minutes with a 2100 mAh battery. Flying more aggressively using higher throttle settings, the current draw increases closer to 260mAh/ minute for recommended fl ight times of 5.5 minutes with an
1800 mAh battery and 6.5 minutes with a 2100mAh battery.
To fi nd out for yourself how long you can fl y, set your timer
to a conservative 5 minutes. Fly until the timer sounds, then land. Use a charger with a digital display to fi nd out how much capacity it took to recharge the battery (indicating how much capacity was used). To avoid over discharging your LiPos use only 80% of your battery’s capacity, so multiply your battery’s capacity by .8 to fi nd out how much you have available. Compare the capacity used to 80% of your battery’s capacity and adjust your fl ight time accordingly.
For example: If using the recommended 1800mAh battery, your target capacity to use for a fl ight is 1440 mAh (1800mAh x
.8 = 1440 mAh). If you fl y for fi ve minutes and it takes 1000mAh
to recharge your battery, you still have 440mAh to go before you should land, so adjust your timer to increase your fl ight time accordingly until you reach your 1440mAh target. (You could also divide 1000 mAh by fi ve minutes to fi gure a current consumption rate of 200mAh/minute. Divide 1440mAh by 200 mAh/minute to conclude that you can fl y for 7.2 minutes [7 min. 12 sec.]—but round down to 7 minutes.)
Taken verbatim from our fl ight log book… “Flying the Beaver
from water with fl oats can be described with many adjectives
including astonishing, easy, fun, smooth, remarkable, etc.”
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It’s also a great idea to use a LiPo battery checker (HCAP0275)
to check the battery before each fl ight (to make sure you
haven’t inadvertently grabbed a discharged battery) and to
check the battery after fl ight to make sure you haven’t over
discharged your battery by fl ying too long. A safe, conservative,
minimum voltage is 3.65V – 3.7V per cell right after a fl ight.
REPAIRS
The Beaver is made from injection-molded EPO (expanded
polyolefi n) foam which can be glued with just about anything. Most people use regular CA. With CA no clamping is required, but some prefer softer, more fl exible adhesives such as white glue or canopy glue. These will require clamps or tape to hold the parts together while the glue dries.
One fi nal note about fl ying your model. Have a goal or fl ight plan in mind for every fl ight. This can be learning a new maneuver(s), improving a maneuver(s) you already know, or learning how the model behaves in certain conditions (such as on high or low rates). This is not necessarily to improve your skills (though it is never a bad idea!), but more importantly so you do not surprise yourself by impulsively attempting a maneuver and suddenly fi nding that you’ve run out of time, altitude or airspeed. Every maneuver should be deliberate, not impulsive. For example, if you’re going to do a loop, check your altitude, mind the wind direction (anticipating rudder corrections that will be required to maintain heading), remember to throttle back at the top, and make certain you are on the desired rates (high/low rates). A fl ight plan greatly reduces the chances of crashing your model just because of poor planning and impulsive moves. Remember to think.
Parts damaged beyond repair can be purchased separately. The full replacement part list is printed in the front of the manual
on page 4. Often though, parts can be repaired and you can
get your Beaver back into the air with a little glue and ingenuity.
Have a ball! But always stay in control
and fl y in a safe manner.
GOOD LUCK AND GREAT FLYING!
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