Global Hobby Sabre User Manual

READY-TO-FLY MICRO-ELECTRIC HELICOPTER

EF Helicopters presents a new ready-to-fly helicopter, the Sabre. Big on performance and small in size, this new helicopter fills a
direct need for people interested in real helicopter flight who need a small and simple-to-operate machine that is affordable. The
Sabre is built and ready to fly right from the box. The integrated receiver, mixer, gyro and twin ESC assembly is factory-installed as
are the servos. This helicopter is 99% assembled out of the box. All you have to do is charge the flight battery with the included
110V AC wall charger and install 8 AA Alkaline batteries (sold separately) into the transmitter and you're ready to fly!

The Saber features a simple fixed-pitch head and lifting rotor blades for low head speed. This makes the Sabre easy to operate and
very durable for those “rough landings”. For those “seriously rough landings," EF Helicopters supports the Sabre with a complete
line of replacement parts.

Fly it indoors, fly it on calm days outdoors. The Sabre is fun, tough, and a great way to learn to fly and enjoy true R/C helicopter
performance.

FINAL ASSEMBLY and SETUP GUIDE

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES:

The EF Helicopters Sabre RTF Micro-Electric Helicopter

is distributed exclusively by:

Global Hobby Distributors

18480 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708

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Rotor Span: 20 Inches (51 Centimeters)

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Length: 18.5 Inches (46.9 Centimeters)

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Weight RTF: 10 Ounces (285 Grams)

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Motor: 370 Electric (Included)

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Battery: 7 Cell 650mAH NiMH (Included)

All contents copyright © 2004-2005, Global Hobby

Distributors Version V2.0 January 2005

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99% Assembled Out of the Box

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Lightweight, Strong Airframe

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Includes Four-Channel 72Mhz Transmitter

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Separate Main Rotor Motor and Tail Rotor Motor

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Integrated Receiver, Mixer, Gyro and Twin ESCs

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Composite-Molded Airframe

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Kit Product Number 163130

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Safety Warnings ....................................................................................2

Customer Service Information ..............................................................3

Parts Identification ................................................................................ 3

Recommended Items ............................................................................4

Becoming Familiar with Your Sabre RTF Micro-Electric Helicopter ........ 4

Helpful Hints from the Pros ................................................................... 5

Installing the Antenna and Transmitter Batteries .................................6

Installing the Flight Battery ................................................................... 7

Setting Up Your Sabre RTF Micro-Electric Helicopter .........................9

Getting Ready to Fly Your Sabre RTF Micro-Electric Helicopter ........... 12

Sabre RTF Micro-Electric Helicopter Preflight Recommendations ............ 13

Flying the Sabre RTF Micro-Electric Helicopter - The Basics ................14

Troubleshooting Guide ........................................................................ 15

Sabre RTF Exploded View Drawing ...................................................16

Sabre RTF Micro-Electric Helicopter Replacement Parts ................. 18

Warranty Service Information .............................................. Back Cover

SAFETY WARNINGS

This R/C helicopter is not a toy! If misused or abused, it can cause serious bodily injury and/or damage to property. Fly only in
open areas and preferably at a dedicated R/C flying site. We suggest having a qualified instructor carefully inspect your
helicopter before its first flight. Please carefully read and follow all instructions included with this helicopter, your radio control
system and any other components purchased separately.

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GENERAL WARNINGS

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Just because the Sabre is powered by an electric motor
doesn't mean that you shouldn't exercise caution when flying
and operating it. You must use the same amount of caution
during use as when flying and operating a glow-powered helicopter.

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We strongly suggest that when you first begin flying the
Sabre that you perform only basic maneuvers, such as hovering,
until you are more familiar with the setup and flight characteristics
of the helicopter. This will give you time to feel comfortable
with the way the helicopter reacts to control inputs and power.

●

You must be cautious when plugging the flight battery into
the helicopter. Unlike glow-powered helicopters that use a clutch
assembly to allow the engine to idle without the rotor blades
spinning, an electric helicopter features no such clutch. You
must be sure that your transmitter is turned on and the throttle
control stick and throttle trim lever are pulled all the way back
before plugging in the flight battery. This will prevent any chance
of the rotor blades spinning and harming you while plugging in
the flight battery.

●

Do not fly your helicopter if another model is on the same
frequency as you. The frequency number is printed on the
transmitter and the helicopter.

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Never fly your helicopter from the street or at night. Always
fly in an open area free of obstructions.

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When flying, make sure any spectators are behind you.

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Always be conscious of the rotor blades. Be careful not to
allow loose clothing to be drawn into the rotor blades.

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Because your helicopter is operated by radio control, it is
important to make sure you are always using fresh and/or fully
charged batteries. Never allow the batteries to run low or you
could lose control of the helicopter.

Do not allow any of the electrical components to get wet or

electrical damage may occur.

●

You should complete a successful range check of your radio
equipment prior to each new day of flying, or prior to the first
flight of a new or repaired model.

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If your helicopter gets dirty, do not use any solvents to clean
it. Solvents may damage the plastic and composite parts.

FLIGHT BATTERY WARNINGS

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Never overcharge the flight battery or damage to the flight
battery may occur.

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To prevent the flight battery from overheating during the
charging process, allow the flight battery to completely cool
before recharging it.

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Always completely discharge the flight battery by running
the motor until it stops before recharging the flight battery.

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Always remove the flight battery from the helicopter before
recharging the flight battery.

RADIO SYSTEM WARNINGS

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Always turn on the transmitter before plugging in the flight
battery and always unplug the flight battery before turning off
the transmitter.

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Always unplug the flight battery when not flying the helicopter.

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Never cut the receiver antenna shorter or you could lose
control of the helicopter during flight.

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When flying the helicopter, make sure that the transmitter
antenna is completely extended and is pointed up toward the
sky, not down toward the ground.

● Never attempt to disassemble or modify any of the radio

system components.

2

CUSTOMER SERVICE INFORMATION

If you should find a part missing or damaged, or have any questions about assembly, please contact us at the address below:

Check out our website for more information on

Global Services
18480 Bandilier Circle
Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [e-mail]

CHECK IT OUT! We urge you to come check out our website at http://globalservices.globalhobby.com. There you will find public

message boards frequented by other EF Helicopters product owners and the EF Helicopters support staff. This is a great place to learn
about new products, get help and suggestions for your current EF Helicopters products or just simply hang out and chat with people that
share your same interests.

To enable us to better serve your needs, please include your email address with any correspondence you send to us. Your email
address will be added to our Customer Service Database so you will automatically receive free updates and tech notices for your
particular product. You will also receive repair status updates (if applicable) and other important information about your product
as it becomes available.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS

Global Hobby Distributors will not disclose the information it collects to outside parties. Global Hobby Distributors does not sell,

trade, or rent your personal information to others . Your privacy is important to us.

this and other exciting EF Helicopters products!

http://ef.globalhobby.com

PARTS IDENTIFICATION

Before beginning final assembly, remove the different parts from the box and use the photos below to verify that your kit contains all
of the correct parts. If your kit is missing a part, please contact us immediately, using the Customer Service Information above.

EF Helicopters guarantees this kit to be free from defects in both material and workmanship at the date of purchase. This does not cover any
component parts damaged by use, misuse or modification. In no case shall EF Helicopter's liability exceed the original cost of the

purchased kit.

In that EF Helicopters has no control over the final assembly or material used for final assembly, no liability shall be assumed for any damage
resulting from the use by the user of the final user-assembled product. By the act of using the final user-assembled product, the user accepts all
resulting liability.

OUR GUARANTEE

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RECOMMENDED ITEMS

This section lists the items that are not included in your kit that you will need to fly and maintain your new Sabre RTF Micro-Electric
Helicopter. As you can see, there's not much to it!

PRO TIP

# 1 Phillips Head

Screwdriver

8 Pack Trinity "Sanyo"

AA Alkaline Batteries

(Part # 837801)

# 0 Phillips Head

Screwdriver

The Sabre RTF Micro-Electric Helicopter includes a 7 cell Nickel Metal-Hydride flight battery and a 110V AC 2.5

Adjustable

Wrench

Lightweight

Machine Oil

hour wall charger to charge the flight battery. If you want to, you can purchase a second flight battery (P/N 165070) so you have
two. That way, you can take two fully-charged flight batteries with you to fly. That means twice as much flying fun!

We also sell a high-performance quick-charger that can charge the flight battery in about 30
minutes and is powered from your car's 12 volt DC battery or from a 110V AC wall outlet. This
enables you to charge the flight battery at the flying field, so you can fly as many times during
the day as you want.

For learning to fly, try our Training Gear (P/N 165251). The Training Gear attaches to
the landing skids and therby extends the landing gear, and adds protection and

Wattage PF-12 AC/DC Peak Charger

Part # 130108

stability to the helicopter during takeoff and landing.

BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH YOUR SABRE RTF MICRO-ELECTRIC HELICOPTER

Each transmitter comes with a sticker on the back showing which frequency in the 72Mhz band that the radio control system operates
on. The 72Mhz band is for aircraft and helicopter use only, so it's important to check the frequency if others are in the area before
turning on the radio control system. No two models can operate near each other if they are on the same frequency. If you turn on the

transmitter and someone else is flying on the same frequency, their model will lose control and crash.

If you go to fly at a dedicated R/C flying site, make sure to first become familiar with the frequency coordination that's in place.

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2

5

7

1 - Antenna Mount
2 - Auxiliary Switch (2) - Not Used
3 - Auxiliary Button - Not Used
4 - Battery Condition LEDs
5 - Throttle/Yaw Control Stick
6 - Cyclic Control Stick
7 - On/Off Switch

4

3

12

9

6

10

8

11

13

8 - Trim Tab (4)
9 - Servo Reversing Switches
10 - DIN Connector for Simulator Adaptor
11 - Battery Cover
12 - Crystal Mount
13 - Charge Jack (for Optional NiCD Batteries)

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BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH YOUR SABRE RTF MICRO-ELECTRIC HELICOPTER CONTINUED....

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15

18

28

17

16

25

29

19

24

23

21

22

14

14 - Fuselage Body
15 - Paddle
16 - Integrated Receiver, Gyro, ESCs & Mixer
17 - Main Motor
18 - Flybar
19 - Swashplate Assembly

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27

20 - Tail Rotor
21 - Tail Rotor Motor
22 - Stabilizer
23 - Tail Boom
24 - Main Gear
25 - Flight Battery Mount

26

26 - Landing Skid
27 - Receiver Antenna
28 - Main Rotor
29 - Rotor Head
30 - Flight Battery Plug

HELPFUL HINTS FROM THE PROS

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The servo reversing switches on the back of the transmitter are preset from the factory. For reference, Ch 1 is tail rotor control,
Ch 2 is right/left cyclic control, Ch 3 is forward/back cyclic control and Ch 4 is throttle control. The remaining switches are not
used. If the flight battery is plugged in, unplug the motor connector before adjusting the throttle reversing switch. This

will prevent the motor from going to full throttle when the reversing switch is moved.

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You can use your transmitter with a computer-based flight simulator that uses a transmitter adapter with the same DIN-style plug.

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A charge outlet is provided should you wish to use rechargeable NiCD batteries in the transmitter instead of Alkaline cells.
NiCD batteries and compatible chargers are available separately.

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The two toggle switches and the push-button switch are not used in this application.

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The tail rotor, main rotor blades and paddles are designed to move during a mishap. This greatly reduces the chance of
breaking these and other parts of the helicopter. Because of this, though, it's important that you double-check that the rotor blade
hub screws and paddle clamp screws are tight and that the rubber tail rotor retainer is in place before each flight.

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For smooth operation it's important that both rotor blades are straight. If they aren't, the helicopter will wobble severely when
you apply throttle.

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The paddles should be adjusted so that they are flat when viewed from the end of the paddles.

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During initial power-up and transition to hover, you will need to hold right cyclic to compensate for the torque of the rotor blades.

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Do not cut the receiver antenna shorter. It should be left wrapped around the landing skid.

5

INSTALLING THE ANTENNA AND TRANSMITTER BATTERIES

❑ Carefully thread the antenna onto the antenna mount and tighten

it gently.

Leave the antenna down for now, but always make sure to extend

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it fully before flying your helicopter. The antenna mount should also be
adjusted so that it's always pointing up into the air.

❑ Remove the battery cover from the back of the transmitter by

pulling down on it with one hand while holding the transmitter with your
other hand.

PRO TIP

easy. All you need to do is purchase 8 AA rechargeable NiCD cells (P/N 256911)
and a 110V AC overnight charger (P/N 759805). This will allow you to recharge
the battery pack without removing the batteries from the transmitter and it will
save you money in the long run, since you won't need to purchase Alkaline
batteries when they run low.

Upgrading your transmitter to use rechargeable NiCD cells is

❑ Carefully remove the battery holder from the transmitter and

unplug the red connector.

❑ Install 8 fresh AA Alkaline batteries into the battery holder, being

careful to make sure that the polarity is correct for each battery.

✦✦

✦IMPORTANT

✦✦

can be charged using a standard 110V AC transmitter charger
plugged into the back of the transmitter. Never attempt to charge

or recharge Alkaline cells.

6

✦✦

✦ If you opt to use rechargeable AA NiCD cells, they

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