Hobbico Superstar EP Select, SUPERSTAR EP Assembly Instructions Manual

90-DAY LIMITED WARRANTY

If you, as the original owner of this model, discover defects in par ts and workmanship within 90 days of purchase, Hobbico will repair or replace
it – at the option of our authorized U.S.repair facility, Hobby Services – without charge. Our liability does not include the cost of shipping to us.
However, Hobby Services will pay shipping expenses to return your model to you.You must provide proof of purchase, such as your original
purchase invoice or receipt, for your model’s warranty to be honored. This warranty does not apply to damage or defects caused by misuse or
improper assembly, service or shipment. Modifications, alterations or repair by anyone other than Hobby Services voids this warranty.We are
sorry, but we cannot be responsible for crash damage and/or resulting loss of kits, motors, accessories, etc.

Your SuperStar EP Select must be returned directly to Hobby Services for warranty work. The address is: Hobby Ser vices, Attn: Service
Department, 1610 Interstate Drive , Champaign, IL 61822-1067. Phone: [phone]. Please follow the instructions below when returning
your model.This will help our experienced technicians to repair and return it as quickly as possible.

1. ALWAYS return your entire system, including airplane and radio.

2. Disconnect the receiver battery switch harness and make sure that the transmitter is turned off. Disconnect all batteries.

3. Include a list of all items returned and a THOROUGH, written explanation of the problem and ser vice needed. If you expect the repair to be
covered under warranty, also include your proof of purchase.

4. Include your full return address and a phone number where you can be reached during the day.

If your model is past the 90 day warranty period or is e xcluded from warr anty cov erage , y ou can still receive repair service through Hobb y

Services

at a nominal cost. Repair charges and postage may be prepaid or billed COD.Additional postage charges will be applied for non-

warranty returns.
All repairs shipped outside the United States must be prepaid in U.S. funds only. All pictures, descriptions and specifications found in this
instruction manual and on the product package are subject to change without notice. Hobbico maintains no responsibility for inadvertent errors.

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

© Copyright 2002 HCAZ3063 for HCAA14** V1.0

Wingspan: 48.5 in [1232mm]
Wing Area: 400 sq in [26 dm2]
Weight: 43.5 oz [1230 g]
Wing Loading: 16.1 oz/sq ft [48 g/cm2]
Length: 36.1 in [917mm]
Radio: Included
Motor: Included
Electronic Speed Control: Included
Motor Battery: Included

2

Introduction........................................................2

Safety Precautions ............................................2

Decisions You Must Make.................................3

Battery Selection...........................................3

Chargers........................................................4

Additional Items Required................................4

Tools..............................................................4

Optional Supplies and Tools ..........................4

Important Building Notes..................................4

Kit Contents .......................................................5

Ordering Replacement Parts............................6

Metric Conversions............................................6

Assemble the Wing............................................7

Install the Stabilizer and Fin.............................7

Install the Landing Gear....................................8

Install the Wing Dowels .....................................8

Connect Pushrods to Control Surfaces..........8

Get the Model Ready to Fly..............................9

Check the Control Directions ........................9

Set the Control Throws................................10

Install the Propeller and Motor Battery.........10

Install the Wing on the Fuselage ....................10

Balance the Model (C.G.)................................11

Balance the Model Laterally...........................12

Proper Care of Your Motor ..............................12

Performance Tips.............................................12

Preflight ............................................................12

Identify Your Model......................................12

Balance Propellers......................................12

Ground Check.............................................13

Range Check...............................................13

AMA Safety Code (excerpt) ............................13

Check List.........................................................13

Flying ................................................................14

Takeoff.........................................................14

Flight............................................................14

Landing........................................................14

Many modelers have learned how to fly with the
stable, easy to fly, glow powered SuperStar ARF.
Hobbico has taken that stability and ease of flight
and produced an electric version. No more fuel
bottle, starter, glow driver or noise. All you need to
take with you to the flying field is the plane,
transmitter , batteries and charger.When you’re done
flying, just remove the motor battery and put the
plane away until the next flying session. No more
wiping fuel residue off the plane at the end of the
day. So , if y ou are ready to get started in the exciting
world of electric flight, let’s get this bird in the air.

An electronic speed control with BEC (Battery
Eliminator Circuit) is installed in the SuperStar EP
Select.The BEC eliminates the need for a receiver
battery. The electronic speed control provides
power for the receiver by using the motor battery.
As the motor runs, the voltage of the motor battery
is reduced. The electronic speed control has a
preset voltage. Once the motor battery reaches it,
the electronic speed control switches the motor off .
This leaves enough power in the motor batter y to
operate the receiver so that the SuperStar EP
Select can be landed safely.

For the latest technical updates or manual
corrections for the SuperStar EP Select, visit the
web site listed below and select the Hobbico
SuperStar EP Select. A “tech notice” box will
appear in the upper left corner of the page if there
is new technical information or changes to this kit.

http://www.hobbico.com/airplanes/index.html

1. Your SuperStar EP Select should not be
considered a toy, but rather a sophisticated,
working model that functions very much like a full­size airplane. Because of its performance
capabilities, the SuperStar EP Select, if not
assembled and operated correctly, could possibly

Protect Your Model,Yourself & Others

Follow these Important

Safety Precautions

IntroductionTable of Contents

3

cause injury 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 unsaf e or unfly able 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 take time to build straight, true
and strong.

4. You must use an R/C radio system that is in
first-class condition with the appropriate size servos.

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

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

7. If you are not already an experienced R/C pilot,
you should fly the model only with the help of a
competent, experienced R/C pilot.

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

If you have not flown this type of model before, we
recommend that you get the assistance of an
experienced pilot in your R/C club for your first

flights. If you're not a member of a club, your local
hobby shop has inf ormation about clubs in your area
whose membership includes experienced pilots.
In addition to joining an R/C club, we strongly
recommend you join the AMA (Academy of Model
Aeronautics).AMA membership is required to fly at
AMA sanctioned clubs.There are over 2,500 AMA
chartered clubs across the country. Among other
benefits, the AMA provides insurance to its
members who fly at sanctioned sites and events.
Additionally, training programs and instructors are
available at AMA club sites to help you get star ted
the right way. Contact the AMA at the address or
toll-free phone number below:

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

This is a partial list of items required to finish the
SuperStar EP Select that may require planning or
decision making before starting to build. Order
numbers are provided in parentheses.

Battery Selection

The SuperStar EP Select was designed to fly on the
included 7-cell, 8.4 volt, 2100 mAh motor battery
pack. If you are new to electric airplanes (or even
cars and boats) here is a short explanation of
rechargeable NiCd (Nickel Cadmium) and NiMH
(Nickel-Metal Hydride) batteries. A single cell
rechargeable battery supplies 1.2 volts with no load
(not powering anything). A 7-cell battery pack can
supply 8.4 volts (1.2 volts x 7 cells = 8.4 volts). The
cell rating in mAh (milli-amp-hours) is the amount of
current the battery can supply. If a battery is rated at
2100 mAh, the battery can supply 2.1 amps for 1
hour.This sounds great, flying for an hour on a single
battery charge! The bad news is that to produce the

Decisions You Must Make

We, as the kit manufacturer, provide you with a
top quality kit 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 perfor mance
or safety of your completed model.

power needed to fly an airplane the size of the
SuperStar EP Select, the motor draws from 15-25
amps.The current consumption reduces the run time
to 5-8 minutes. The good news is that propellers
become more efficient as the speed of the plane
increases.This lowers the current draw, allowing the
plane to fly longer on a single charge, sometimes up
to 20% longer.Also, with an electronic speed control,
the motor can be throttled back, increasing the flight
time. Most airplanes only need full throttle during
takeoff and climbing maneuvers.

Chargers

A fully charged battery pack will provide an initial
“surge” of power during the first 15 to 30 seconds
of the motor run.Then the power output stays f airly
steady for the ne xt sev eral minutes bef ore dropping
off quickly. If you do not charge your battery
completely, it will not deliver that surge necessary
for a good takeoff and climb out.There are at least
three ways to “peak-charge” your battery pack.

1.The easiest way is with a “peak-detecting”battery
charger. This type of charger will automatically
charge your battery until it is fully charged.

2. The second method of charging your motor
batteries is to monitor the voltage of your battery
pack with a voltmeter. Your charger may have
sockets into which y ou may plug a voltmeter.If not,
you may insert the probes from the voltmeter into
the rear of the battery plug, making contact with
the metal contacts. As your battery charges, the
voltage will gradually increase. When the battery is
fully charged, the voltage will start to drop. At this
point your battery is fully charged.

3. The third (and least reliable) method of peak­charging your battery pack is by checking its
temperature. As the battery charges it will remain
cool until it is fully charged. When it reaches the
fully charged state, it will rapidly build up heat.You
can feel this heat with your hand. As soon as the
pack starts to noticeably warm up, disconnect it
from the charger.Do not continue charging if the
battery pack is hot! Overcharging will damage
your battery pack and can result in an explosion.

Tools

In addition to common household tools and hobby
tools, this is the “short list” of the most impor tant
items required to build the SuperStar EP Select.

❏ Small Phillips and flat blade screwdrivers
❏ Pliers (HCAR0630)
❏ Crescent wrench

Optional Supplies and Tools

Here is a list of optional tools that will help you
build the SuperStar EP Select.

❏ Great Planes CG Machine™(GPMR2400)
❏ Great Planes AccuThrow™Deflection Gauge (for

measuring control throws, GPMR2405)

•Photos and sketches are placed before the step
they refer to. Frequently you can study photos in
following steps to get another vie w of the same parts.

•Should repairs ever be required, the SuperStar
EP Select’s co vering can be patched with Top Flite

®

MonoKote®purchased separately. MonoKote is
packaged in six-foot rolls, but some hobby shops
also sell it by the foot. If only a small piece of
MonoKote is needed for a minor patch, perhaps a
fellow modeler would give you some. MonoKote is
applied with a model airplane covering iron, but in
an emergency a regular iron could be used.

Important Building Notes

Additional Items Required

4

5

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

9

11

10

12

Kit Contents

1. Left Wing (1)

2. Right Wing (1)

3. Fuselage W/Motor (1)

4. Stabilizer and Elevator (1)

5. Fin and Rudder (1)

6. Steel Wing Joiner Rod (1)

7. 9 x 5.5 Propeller (1)

8. Prop Adapter (1)

9. Main Landing Gear Wires

w/Foam Wheels (2)

10. Wing Dowels (2)

11. Wing Dowel Caps (4)

12. Rubberbands (12)

Before starting to build, use the Kit Contents list to 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 par ts are missing or
are not of acceptable quality, or if you need assistance with assembly, contact Hobbico Product
Support. When reporting defective or missing parts, use the part names exactly as they are written in
the Kit Contents list on this page.

Hobbico Product Support

Phone: [phone]

Fax:[phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

Parts (Photographed)

(2) Nylon Landing Gear Straps
(4) 2.5mm x 8mm Sheet Metal

Screws
(1) Wing Joiner Tape
(4) 2mm x 6mm Sheet Metal

Screws

Parts (Not Photographed)