Heli-Max HMXE14 User Manual

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Specifi cations

Length: 12.5 in [318mm]
Width: 2.7 in [69mm]
Height: 6.3 in [160mm]

Entire Contents © Copyright 2009 HMXE14✶✶

Rotor Span: 10.6 in [270mm]
Weight: 5.1 oz [145g]

(with supplied fl ight battery)

IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS

IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS

● Only use the included charger with the included battery or replacement
part (GPMP0407).

● Do not attempt to use this charger with NiCd or NiMH battery packs.

● Never charge in excess of 4.20V per cell.

● If the battery should become damaged, discard the battery. Do not

attempt to use a damaged battery.

● Do not leave the charger unattended while charging. Disconnect the
battery and remove input power from the charger immediately if either
becomes hot! However, it is normal for the charger to get warm.

● Disconnect the battery from the charger and carefully move the battery
to a fi reproof location if the battery begins to swell or smoke!

● Never charge at currents greater than 1C.

● Always charge in a fi reproof location.

● Never trickle charge.

● Never allow the battery temperature to exceed 150° F [65° C].

● Never disassemble or modify pack wiring in any way or puncture cells.

● Never discharge below 2.5V per cell.

● Do not allow water, moisture or foreign objects into

the charger.

● Do not block the air intake holes, which could cause the charger to
overheat.

● Do not place the charger or any battery on a fl ammable surface or near
a combustible material while in use.

● Do not charge on a carpet, cluttered workbench, paper, plastic, vinyl,
leather, wood, or inside an R/C model.

● Never charge inside a full-sized vehicle.

● Always disconnect the battery from the charger and the power supply

from the charger when not in use.

● Do not attempt to charge a battery if it is swollen or hot.

● ALWAYS KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

2

WARRANTY

WARRANTY

Heli-Max™ 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 modifi cation. In no case shall Heli-Max’ s
liability exceed the original cost of the purchased kit. Further, Heli-Max
reserves the right to change or modify this warranty without notice.

In that Heli-Max has no control over the fi nal assembly or material used f or fi nal
assembly, no liability shall be assumed nor accepted for any damage resulting
from the use by the user of the fi nal 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
this address.

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.

3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

WARRANTY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

KIT INSPECTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

KIT CONTENTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

CONTROLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

FLYING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

ORDERING PARTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

EXPLODED VIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the Heli-Max Comanche CX Helicopter. We are
certain you will get many hours of enjoyment out of this model. If you should
have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us at helihotline@
hobbico.com. For the latest technical updates or manual corrections to the
Comanche CX visit the Heli-Max web site at:

www.helimax-rc.com

Open the “Helicopters” link, and then select the Comanche CX. If there is new
technical information or changes to this model a “tech notice” bo x will appear in
the upper left corner of the page.

CAUTION: Be aware that the Comanche CX operates on the same frequency
band as larger R/C models. If fl ying your Comanche CX within fi ve miles of
an R/C site, there is a real possibility that you could be operating your model
on the same frequency (channel) as another R/C pilot. If this happens, a
crash will result–with the person fl ying the more expensive model suffering
the greater loss (and having greater potential for property damage or injur y).
The best thing to do is to join an R/C club and fl y at the site where frequency
control measures will be in effect. If y ou insist on fl ying else where, alwa ys be
aware of your proximity to R/C fl ying sites.

4

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

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

Keep your face and body as well as all spectators away from the plane of
rotation of the rotors whenever the battery is connected.

Keep these items aw ay from the rotors: loose clothing, shirt sleeves, ties , scarfs,
long hair or loose objects such as pencils or screwdrivers that may fall out of
shirt or jacket pockets into the rotors.

The spinning blades of a model helicopter can cause serious injury. When
choosing a fl ying site for your Comanche CX, stay clear of buildings, trees and
power lines. A V OID fl ying in or near crowded areas. DO NO T fl y close to people,
children or pets. Maintain a safe pilot-to-helicopter distance while fl ying.

1. Y our Comanche CX should not be considered a to y, b ut rather a sophisticated,
working model that functions very much like a full-size helicopter. Because
of its performance capabilities, the Comanche CX, if not assembled and
operated correctly, could possibly cause injur y to yourself or spectators and
damage to property.

2. You must assemble the model 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 diff er slightly from the photos. In those instances
the written instructions should be considered as correct.

3. You must correctly install all R/C and other components so that the model
operates correctly on the ground and in the air.

4. You must check the operation of the model before every fl ight to insure that
all equipment is operating and that the model has remained structurally sound.
Be sure to check linkages or other connectors often and replace them if they
show any signs of wear or fatigue.

5. If y ou are not an experienced pilot or hav e 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.

We, as the manufacturer, provide you with a top quality, thoroughly tested
helicopter and instructions, but ultimately the quality and flyability of
your finished 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 build a safe and
enjoyable model.

5

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED

❏ (8) AA Alkaline cells (SANP3500 AA 4-pack x2)

ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS

ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS

Replacement parts for the Heli-Max Comanche CX are available using the
order numbers in the Replacement Parts List on page 15. The fastest, most
economical service can be provided by your hobby dealer.

KIT INSPECTION

KIT INSPECTION

Before starting assembly , take an in ventory of the Comanche CX 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 Suppor t. When reporting defective or missing
parts, use the part names exactly as they are written in the Kit Contents list.

Heli-Max Product Support Ph: [phone], ext. 5
3002 N. Apollo Drive, Suite 1 Fax: [phone]
Champaign, IL 61822 E-mail: [e-mail]

1

1. Helicopter

2. Battery

2

6

KIT CONTENTS

KIT CONTENTS

3. Charger

4. Transmitter

4

3

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

Install Batteries in the Transmitter

❏ Remove the battery
cover from the back of
the transmitter, remove
the battery box and install
eight (8) “AA” batteries into
the battery box. Double­check the polarity of each
battery before placing the
battery box back into the
transmitter and replacing
the battery cover.

❏ Turn on the transmitter
using the power switch as
shown and verify that the
LED indicator glows solid
red. Turn the transmitter off
for now. If the LED indicator
did not light then remove the
battery box and verify that
the polarity of the batteries
is correct.

GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY

GET THE MODEL READY TO FLY

Charging the Flight Battery

WARNING!! ALWAYS ensure that the charge indicator light is
green before connecting the fl ight battery to the charger.

ALWAYS unplug the battery from the charger when the charge

process is complete. If the battery is left connected, the charger will discharge
the battery, possibly damaging the battery or charger.

7

❏ Ensure that the fl ight
battery is not connected to
the charger and plug the
charger into an AC outlet.
The indicator light on the
charger should illuminate
solid green, indicating that
the charger is ready. If the
indicator light is any color
other than green, then
please ensure that the
charger is connected to an
active AC outlet.

❏ Plug the battery into the charger and the indicator light will turn red. Once
the charge process is complete the indicator light will turn green again. The
charging process may take up to four hours.

The fl ight pack used to power the Comanche CX contains protectiv e circuitry. If
you experience any diffi culties while charging or using the battery, please allow
the battery to rest for two hours as this will allow the protection circuit to reset.
This reset process is expected after a crash has occurred. If this issue re-occurs
during normal use, please contact technical support for further assistance.

Electric Motor Warning

Electric motors are very dangerous. Do not work on the model while the fl ight
battery is plugged in as interference may cause the main rotor blades to spin,
possibly causing injury to yourself.

Turning the Model On

Always turn the transmitter

❏

on fi rst and then extend the
transmitter antenna.

8

With the Comanche CX
sitting still on its side,
plug the battery into the
E-Board. The Comanche
CX will need to sit still for
10 seconds so the gyro
can initialize and determine
center. If the Comanche
CX is moved during this
initialization, the gyro will
not operate properly.

Install the Battery

Once the 10 second

❏

initialization has completed
open the battery door and
insert the battery into the
battery compartment. Close
the battery door and place
the connector and extra
wiring into the fuselage.

Always step 15 feet away
from the Comanche CX
before operating the throttle.
Do not hold onto the model
and run it up.

A safe start is built into the Comanche CX that prevents the motor from activ ating
unless the collective stick has been lowered to its lowest position. If the motor
won’t run and turn the main blades, please make sure the collective stick is all
the way down and leave it there for a couple of seconds. Then tr y moving the
stick up slowly.

Range Check

Ground check the operational range of your radio before the fi rst fl ight of the
day. For safety reasons, unplug the main motor so power cannot be applied to
the main rotor blades. With the transmitter antenna collapsed and the receiver
and transmitter on, you should be able to walk at least 50 feet away from the
model and still have control. Have an assistant stand by your model and while
you work the controls, tell you what the servos are doing. If the controls do not

9

respond correctly, do not fl y! Find and correct the problem fi rst. Look for loose
servo connections or broken wires, corroded wires on old servo connectors,
poor solder joints in your battery pack or a defective cell or a damaged receiver
crystal from a previous crash.

CONTROLS

CONTROLS

Transmitter Controls

All controls described as
follows are with the tail
pointing directly toward
you. This is the best way
to start since it keeps the
control inputs oriented
the same. Once you start
getting comfortable you
can work on side hovering
and nose-in.

10

Moving the cyclic stick right
will cause the helicopter
to tilt right and it will start
moving that direction.

Moving the cyclic stick left
will cause the helicopter to
tilt left and start moving in
that direction.

11

Moving the cyclic stick
backwards (towards you)
will cause the helicopter
to tilt backwards and start
moving that direction.

Moving the cyclic stick
forward (away from you)
will cause the helicopter to
tilt forward and start moving
that direction.

Moving the collective stick
up (away from you) will
cause the helicopter to
climb higher.

12

Moving the collective stick
down (towards you) will
cause the helicopter to
descend.

Moving the tail rotor stick
towards the left will cause
the helicopter nose to rotate
left (counterclockwise).

Moving the tail rotor stick
towards the right will cause
the helicopter nose to rotate
right (clockwise).

FLYING

FLYING

The Heli-Max Comanche CX is an extremely lightweight model helicopter.
Taking that into consideration, you should only fl y the Comanche CX indoors
or in calm wind.

Takeoff

Slowly add power and observe the model. If you feel it needs trimming do
so before lift off. You will quickly fi nd that model helicopters never allow you
to return the sticks to center. Just position the stick as needed to maintain a
steady hover.

13

You will notice the cyclic controls lag behind your inputs. This is perfectly normal
and something you get the feel for with time. It’s normal to drift around a little
in a hover until you get used to fl ying the model. The cyclic controls on the
Comanche CX are fairly sensitive so only small movements are necessary.

Hovering

Once the helicopter is up in the air, simply try to hold the helicopter in one spot.
This can take some practice and wind or air currents have a big effect on the
stability of the helicopter as well. Be patient and slowly work forward as trying
to rush the learning process can be costly.

Landing

Level the helicopter into a solid hover and slowly decrease power until the
helicopter settles onto the ground.

Basic Maneuvers

Once you get comfortable with hovering at different orientations and landing,
it’s time to move on to more advanced maneuvers.

Slow Pirouettes – Add a small amount of tail rotor (left or right) and try rotating the
helicopter slightly sideways and see if y ou can hold it there. If you feel uncomfortable
then bring the tail back toward you. Once you start getting comfortable try moving
the helicopter to the side and turning back and fl y back to the other side in straight
lines. Once you get that down you can try rotating the helicopter around 360 degrees
which is called a pirouette. The helicopter can drift during these so make sure you
have plenty of room when you fi rst start practicing.

Nose-in Hovering – After pirouettes it’s time to move on to nose-in hovering.
Take off and climb to 10 feet. Practice half pirouettes from tail in to nose-in
hovering and try to lengthen the delay in between. This will give you a little
practice nose-in and still give you a chance to get out of troub le. As y ou improv e
you’ll remain nose-in for longer periods of time.

GOOD LUCK AND GREAT FLYING!

ORDERING PARTS

ORDERING PARTS

Replacement parts for the Heli-Max Comanche CX 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.

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.

14

Parts may also be ordered directly from Hobby Services by calling (217) 398­0007, 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 and payments by personal check to:

Hobby Services

3002 N. Apollo Drive, Suite 1
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].

Comanche CX Replacement Parts List

# Stock # Description

1 HMXE7955 Landing Gear Set
2 HMXE7929 Landing Gear Mounts
3 HMXE7204 Battery Box
4 HMXE8031 Upper Rotor Gear
5 HMXE7332 Screw Set
6 HMXE8030 Lower Rotor Gear
7 HMXE7938 Main Frame
8 HMXM2013 Motor Heat Sink
9 HMXG8017 Front Main Motor
10 HMXG8018 Rear Main Motor
11 HMXE8523 Swashplate
12 HMXE8522 Outer Shaft Collar
13 HMXE7939 Servo Mount
14 HMXE8534 Servo Pushrods
15 HMXE8532 Outer Rotor Shaft
16 HMXE8564 Lower Rotor Head
17 HMXE8533 Main Blade Control Link
18 HMXM2012 Servos with Arms
19 HMXE8525 Inner Shaft Collar
20 HMXE8828 Ball Bearing Set
21 HMXE8565 Inner Rotor Shaft
22 HMXE8329 Blade Grips
23 HMXE8327 Upper Rotor Blades
24 HMXE8527 Flybar Link Control
25 HMXE8529 Flybar Assembly
26 HMXE8528 Flybar Weights
27 HMXE8328 Lower Rotor Blades
28 HMXE7398 Fuselage Mount Post

15

29 HMXM2010 E Board Rx/Esc/Gy
30 HMXE7399 Fuselage Comanche CX
31 HMXM2011 X-Tal Ch 36
31 HMXM2014 X-Tal Ch 40
31 HMXM2015 X-Tal Ch 42
31 HMXM2016 X-Tal Ch 44
31 HMXM2017 X-Tal Ch 54
31 HMXM2018 X-Tal Ch 56
32 HMXE7407 Fuselage Secure Tubes
33 GPMP0407 LiPo Battery
34 HMXE7391 Canopy Grommets (2)

23

EXPLODED VIEW

EXPLODED VIEW

26

22

27

28

34

32

30

5

24 25

22

5

20
19

15

5

14

11

20

28

9

8

31

4

29

6

1

21

5

22

5

16

13

12

18

20

5

5

26

27

23

32

17

14

5

10

8
28

7
5

20

4

33

3

2

1
5

32

30

16

Landing Gear

PART #

HMXE7955

EVPL #

01

Landing Gear Mounts

PART #

HMXE7929

EVPL #

02

1 set

Battery Box

PART #

HMXE7204

EVPL #

03

1 set

Screw Set

PART #

HMXE7332

EVPL #

05

1 set

Main Frame

PART #

HMXE7938

EVPL #

07

2 pcs

Upper Rotor Gear

PART #

HMXE8031

EVPL #

04

1 set

Lower Rotor Gear

PART #

HMXE8030

EVPL #

06

1 set

Heat Sink

PART #

HMXE2013

EVPL #

08

1 pc.

Front Main Motor

PART #

HMXG8017

EVPL #

09

1 set

2 pcs

Rear Main Motor

PART #
EVPL #

1 set

17

HMXG8018
10

Swashplate

PART #

HMXE8523

EVPL #

11

Outer Shaft Collar

PART #

HMXE8522

EVPL #

12

1 set

Servo Mount

PART #

HMXE7939

EVPL #

13

1 pc.

Outer Rotor Shaft

PART #

HMXE8532

EVPL #

15

1 pc.

Main Blade Control Link

PART #

HMXE8533

EVPL #

17

1 set

Pushrod

PART #

HMXE8534

EVPL #

14

2 set

Lower Rotor Head

PART #

HMXE8564

EVPL #

16

1 pc.

Servo

PART #

HMXM2012

EVPL #

18

2 pcs

Inner Shaft Collar

PART #

HMXE8525

EVPL #

19

1 pc.

18

1 pc.

Bearings

PART #
EVPL #

1 set

HMXE8828
20

Inner Rotor Shaft

PART #

HMXE8565

EVPL #

21

Blade Grip

PART #

HMXE8329

EVPL #

22

1 set

Upper Blades

PART #

HMXE8327

EVPL #

23

2 pcs

Flybar Assenbly

PART #

HMXE8529

EVPL #

25

1 set

Lower Rotor Blade

PART #

HMXE8328

EVPL #

27

2 pcs

Flybar Link

PART #

HMXE8527

EVPL #

24

1 set

Flybar Weights

PART #

HMXE8528

EVPL #

26

2 sets

Fuselage Mounting Post

PART #

HMXE7398

EVPL #

28

2 pcs

E-Board (RX/ESC/Gyro)

PART #

HMXE2010

EVPL #

29

1 pc.

19

3 pcs

Fuselage

PART #
EVPL #

1 set

HMXE7399
30

Crystal

PART #

EVPL #
1 set

HMXE2011 - Ch36
HMXE2014 - Ch40
HMXE2015 - Ch42
HMXE2016 - Ch44
HMXE2017 - Ch54
HMXE2018 - Ch56

31

Fuselage Secure Tubes

PART #

HMXE7407

EVPL #

32

2 pcs

LiPo Battery

PART #

HMXE0407

EVPL #

33

1 pc.

Canopy Grommets

PART #

HMXE7391

EVPL #

34

2 pcs

Entire Contents © Copyright 2009 HMXE14**MNL01

20