Hobbico Sun Pilot Action, Zoom Pilot Action, Sun Pilot, Zoom Pilot User Manual

ASSEMBLE ONLY WITH ADULT SUPERVISION
Please read through this instruction booklet to THOROUGHLY familiarize yourself with the assembly and
flight characteristics of this airplane before beginning to assemble the kit.
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.
WARRANTY
In that Hobbico has no control over the 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 buyers are not prepared to accept the liability associated with the use of this product, they are advised
to return this kit immediately in new and unused condition to the place of purchase.
CCOMPLETE R
OMPLETE R
TF
TF
AIRPLANE
AIRPLANE
Requires 8 (AA) Alkaline
Batteries (not included)
Quiet Electric Flight
Radio-Controlled Model
Entire Contents © Copyright 1999 HCAZ3007 for HCAA2005/2006 V1.0
Your R/C Action Series plane is not a toy, but rather a sophisticated, working model that functions very much like an actual airplane. Because of its realistic performance, the model, if not assembled and operated correctly, could possibly cause injury to yourself and spectators or damage property.
We highly recommend that you get experienced, knowledgeable help with assembly and during your first flights, to make your R/C modeling experience totally enjoyable. You’ll learn faster and avoid risking
your model before you’re truly ready to solo. Your local hobby shop has information about flying clubs in your area whose membership includes qualified instructors.
You can also contact the national Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), which has more than 2,500 chartered clubs across the country. Instructor training programs and insured newcomer training are available through any one of these clubs.
Contact the AMA at the address or toll-free phone number below.
Academy of Model Aeronautics
5151 East Memorial Drive
Muncie, IN 47302
(800) 435-9262
Fax: (765) 741-0057
or via the internet at: http://www.modelaircraft.org
1. Assemble the plane according to the instructions. Do not alter or modify the model. If you make any modifications, you will void your warranty.
2. Tes t the operation of the model before each flight to insure that all equipment is operating properly, and that the model remains structurally sound.
3. Fly only on calm days (wind speeds less than 7mph) and in large open areas free of trees, people, buildings or any other obstacles.
Remember: Take your time and follow the instructions to end up with a well-built model that is straight, durable and easy to fly.
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 assembly and flying instructions carefully and completely.
We hope you enjoy flying your R/C Action Series plane.
Carefully unpack the box and lay out the parts. Check the parts against the list below. If any parts are damaged or missing, give us a call at: (217) 398-8970.
Part # Part Name Qty.
1. Fuselage 12. Wing 13. Stabilizer 14. Tail Piece 15. Landing Gear 16. Landing Gear Cover 17. Propeller 28. Phillips Screwdriver 19. 1mm x 5mm Flat Head Screw 210. 1.5mm x 10mm Sheet Metal Screw 111. 3mm x 18mm Sheet Metal Screw 112. Transmitter 113. NiCd Motor Battery 214. Battery Charger 115. Instructional Video 1
UNPACKING THE BOX
PRECAUTIONS
PROTECT YOUR MODEL, YOURSELF
AND OTHERS.
FOLLOW THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY
PRECAUTION
2
Charge the battery before assembling the airplane. You will need to use the battery to set up the radio system during assembly.
Charging the battery pack is safe and easy when you follow these instructions. Before charging, make sure that all wires and connectors are in good shape and properly insulated.
1. Connect the included battery charger to a 110 volt A/C wall outlet.
2. Remove the battery pack from the box. Plug the battery into the charger connector. Be careful – the battery will plug in only one way.
3. Allow the battery to charge for 2 hours using the A/C wall charger.
4. IMPORTANT! NEVER LEAVE A CHARGING
BATTERY
UNATTENDED.
5. During charging, feel the battery to see if it is starting to warm up. A warmed up (but not hot!) battery pack is a sign that it is fully charged. Once the pack is warm, disconnect it from the charger. Depending on how much charge was already in the pack, you may have to disconnect the battery early.
6. After each flight, remove the battery from the airplane and allow it to cool completely before recharging.
1. Never leave a charging battery unattended.
2. Never let the battery charge until it feels hot. A hot battery is an overcharged battery. Only let the battery get warm to the touch.
3. Only use the included charger! A higher rate charger will charge the pack too quickly and heat up the wires.
4. A properly cared for battery pack will last a long time. If the battery pack is continually overcharged or charged at too high of a rate, the pack will not last long.
ATTENTION: The product you have purchased is powered by a rechargeable battery. The battery is rechargeable. At the end of its 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 officials for details in your area for recycling options or proper disposal.
BATTERY RECYCLING
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR
CHARGING BATTERIES
CHARGING THE NiCd BATTERY PACK
3
Above is a sketch detailing the layout and function of the R/C system. It is important to understand the principles of the system in order to operate your model correctly.
Charger: The device used to recharge batteries or battery packs.
Control Horn: The arm which is mounted to a control surface and attached to a pushrod.
Electronic Speed Control with Auto Cut-off: This unit controls the speed of the motor. Also it monitors the battery voltage and turns off the motor so that there will be enough battery power to operate the radio while you glide and land the airplane.
Motor: The motor rotates the prop to provide thrust.
NiCd Battery: Rechargeable batteries which are used as
power for the airplane.
Receiver (RX): The radio unit in the airplane which receives the transmitter signal and relays the control to the servos.
Servos: The electronic/mechanical device which moves the control surfaces of the airplane according to the commands of the transmitter/receiver.
Switch: Turns on the power to the receiver, servos and motor.
Start Button: With the switch on, pressing the start button arms the motor. To turn the motor on, move the throttle stick forward (away from you). To turn the motor off, move the throttle stick back (toward you).
Transmitter (Tx): This is the hand-held unit that sends the signal to the receiver. As you move the stick on the transmitter, the servo in the airplane will react
accordingly.
4
THE RADIO CONTROL SYSTEM
At the front edge of the wing you will notice a small
plastic post. To install the wing, push the post into the hole on the fuselage. Fasten the wing to the fuselage with the 3mm x 18mm sheet metal screw (the largest
screw).
Gently work the control horn on the horizontal
stabilizer onto the z-bend. Turn the plane upside-down. Position the stabilizer on the fuselage. Insert the plastic post on the front of the tail piece into the hole in the fuselage. Fasten the tail piece to the fuselage with the
1.5mm x 10mm sheet metal screw ( the medium size
screw).
Insert the wire landing gear into the slot at the front
of the battery cover. Place the landing gear cover over the wire and fasten it with two 1mm x 5mm flat head screws (the smallest screws).
INSTALLING THE LANDING GEAR
INSTALLING THE HORIZONTAL
STABILIZER
INSTALLING THE MAIN WING
5
Press the propeller onto the motor shaft. Be sure to
leave a space between the propeller and the front of the fuselage.
The transmitter that controls your airplane requires
power, in the form of eight “AA” batteries. To install the batteries, just turn over the transmitter, remove the battery hatch and install the batteries. Reinstall the battery hatch and check the LEDs on the front of the transmitter. Like traffic lights, green means “GO!” However, if the red LED is glowing, you need to install fresh batteries.
This is also a good time to make sure that your radio’s
servo reversing switches are correctly set. Both the switch for the throttle servo and the rudder servo should be on “NOR” (normal) setting.
After the NiCd battery is charged, install it in the
plane. Remove the battery hatch and simply attach the battery to the connector inside your plane. This battery will provide power to all the electronics in your plane.
HOW DOES THE AIRPLANE WORK?
Your transmitter controls the airspeed and direction. You can go as slow or as fast as you want, but remember: the faster you fly, the faster your battery power is used up.
When battery power gets too low, the “Auto Cut-Off” feature of the speed control provides an extra degree of insurance. It reacts to low power by cutting power to the
INSTALLING THE BATTERY PACK
TRANSMITTER SET UP
INSTALLING THE TRANSMITTER
BATTERIES
INSTALLING THE PROPELLER
6
motor, in effect saving power for the receiver. That way, your airplane goes into a glide and you stay in control until you land.
CHOOSE A GOOD FLYING SITE
It’s best to fly on calm days, when there’s little or no wind. Also, find an area clear of trees, power lines and other structures. A park or schoolyard is good, if not crowded; a flying field for R/C airplanes is best. Don’t fly around groups of people, especially children. The moving prop can be dangerous.
CHECK YOUR PLANE FOR LEVEL FLIGHT
It’s easy to do. With the motor off, hold your airplane by the fuselage and gently toss it straight out into the wind. It should fly straight and level before floating gently to the ground.
If your plane doesn’t fly level, you’ll need to adjust the elevator. This is the movable part of the horizontal stabilizer. To adjust the elevator, simply loosen the screw that holds the control wire, make a small adjustment up or down, re-tighten and test it again.
A. If your plane climbs and stops in mid-air before gliding to the ground...
You need to adjust the elevator slightly downward.
B. If your plane dives when you launch it...
You need to adjust the elevator slightly upward.
C. If your plane flies level then slowly glides to the ground...
Your airplane is ready to fly.
It may take several tries to make your plane fly level. The best way to do it is to make very small adjustments to the elevator (1/16" or less), and then test the effect of the change.
CHECK THE SPINNER AND PROPELLER
After test gliding the airplane, make sure the spinner does not rub against the fuselage. You will need to check it after every flight.
PREPARE FOR TAKEOFF
1. Find an open area free of buildings, trees, power lines and people.
2. For your first few flights, fly only in winds of no more than 3 miles per hour. After you are comfortable with the airplane, you can fly in winds that are no more than 7 miles per hour. If flown in stronger winds, the plane may be blown down wind and not have enough power to get back to you.
3. Make sure the NiCd battery is fully charged and that the transmitter has good “AA” batteries installed.
4. If others are flying in the same area, make sure that they are not using the same channel radio system you are. The front of your transmitter has a tag with a color and number (for example 27.145). This is the frequency you are using.
5. Range check your radio before each flight. Switch on the transmitter and then the receiver. Do not push the motor start button during the radio range check. With the antenna collapsed, walk 50 feet away from the airplane. Move the rudder control stick, checking that the rudder moves. If you still have control over the airplane, it is safe to extend the antenna and fly the airplane.
7
FLYING THE AIRPLANE
1. First, turn your transmitter power switch “ON.” This immediately puts you in control. Be sure your throttle stick is back (pulled all the way towards you).
2. Now pick up the airplane and switch the airplane on.
3. Press the start button. Caution: keep your hands
behind the prop.
4. Move the throttle stick forward (moved away from you). The propeller will start to turn. The farther you move the stick, the faster the propeller will turn.
5. With the throttle stick moved fully forward (full throttle), hand launch your airplane into the wind, at a slight upward angle.
6. Allow the airplane to climb a few seconds before turning it.
7. The right stick is your rudder control. When your plane is moving away from you, moving the rudder stick to the left will make your plane turn to the left. Moving the rudder stick to the right will make your plane turn right.
8. When the plane is coming toward you, moving the rudder stick left still causes left rudder, but your plane goes to your right. In short, you have to reverse the way you control the rudder. A good way to familiarize yourself with the controls is when the plane is coming toward you, turn your body so that you are facing the same direction the plane is going, looking over your shoulder at the plane. Now when you move the rudder stick left the plane will go left.
9. When turning, the plane will lose some altitude. The sharper the plane turns, the more altitude it will lose. Try to make gentle turns.
10. Don’t let the airplane get too far away from you. The farther away it is, the harder it is to see what the plane is doing.
LANDING
Once the motor cuts off, prepare to land. Always land as straight into the wind as possible. You may need to circle the plane a few times to gradually descend to the ground.
AFTER THE FLIGHT
Switch the airplane then the transmitter off. Unplug and remove the NiCd battery. Allow the NiCd battery to cool before recharging. Check the plane to make sure nothing has come loose.
STRUCTURE
In the unfortunate event that you may damage your airplane, repairs are fairly simple to make yourself. If there are any cracks in the wing or fuselage, apply 6-minute epoxy to the broken area and hold together with clear packaging tape. Let the glue cure, leaving the tape in place for added strength.
After all repairs are completed, check that the prop is not hitting the fuselage or is damaged.
We hope this short instruction manual and the included video on flying helps you get off to a great start in R/C flying.
Replacement parts for your Zoom/Sun Pilot
Sun Pilot Parts Stock # Description
HCAA3251 Complete Wing Set HCAA3252 Complete Tail Set HCAA3253 Fuselage HCAA3254 Decal Set HCAM7027 Battery HCAG1020 Motor HCAM7028 Electronic Speed Control
Zoom Pilot Parts Stock # Description
HCAA3260 Complete Wing Set HCAA3261 Complete Tail Set HCAA3262 Fuselage HCAA3263 Decal Set HCAM7027 Battery HCAG1020 Motor HCAM7028 Electronic Speed Control
PARTS LIST
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