HobbyZone Firebird Commander Instruction Manual

HobbyZone

products are distributed exclusively by

Horizon Hobby, Inc.

4105 Fieldstone Road

Champaign, IL 61822

5611

hobbyzonesports.com

05482 16024 4

HBZ2515

Instruction Manual

™

5611_5(fbcmdr manual) 3/12/03 2:16 AM Page 36

elcome

to the World of

Crash damage is not covered

under the warranty.

Be sure to read the warranty

on page 30 and "Warnings and

Safety" on page 27 before you

proceed to Step 1.

Once you’re more experienced, you can enter Expert Mode,

allowing you to have full control at all times for tighter turns

and spirals, as well as other dramatic maneuvers. This extra

maneuverability comes in handy when using the X-port. This

HobbyZone exclusive port allows the attachment of exciting

accessories, including the Sonic Combat Module (SCM) for

air-to-air and air-to-ground fighting, and the Aerial Drop

Module (ADM), which allows items such as parachutes and

streamers to be dropped.

Our mission at HobbyZone is to make sure you have success

with the Firebird Commander-to have safe fun and learn a few

things along the way.

Congratulations! You have the world's first radio control air-

plane that can take you from a complete beginner, all the way

to Air Combat—the Firebird Commander™ from HobbyZone.

The Firebird Commander is equipped with revolutionary soft-

ware: Smart-Trak™. When Smart-Trak is in Standard Mode, it

automatically recognizes mistakes beginners make (such as

over-control,) and compensates for them, while also in-

creasing control during gliding with the motor off to maintain

positive control. This software makes the Firebird Commander

one of the easiest planes to fly.

5611_5(fbcmdr manual) 3/12/03 2:16 AM Page 2

2. Secure the wing in place by attaching two

rubber bands across the middle and one on

each side as shown. Locate the rubber bands

on the peg hooks as close as possible to the

fuselage sides.

3. Before each flight, make sure the front and

trailing edges of the wing are exactly centered

on the fuselage.

Step 2

Step 1

Mounting the Landing Gear

1. Insert the landing gear into the slot on bottom

of the fuselage.

Note: When flying without X-port modules and

landing on grass, it is not necessary to have the

landing gear installed.

Attaching the Wing

1. Center the wing on the fuselage by aligning

the center dot on the wing with the fuselage

top seam and by centering the half circle on

the wings trailing edge over the fuselage

center.

1. Remove the transmitter back cover by pushing

down with thumbs, as indicated by the arrows.

2. Install the batteries. Use fresh 1.5V "AA"

batteries only.

3. Watch polarity. Replace the cover.

4. To test, switch on the transmitter. The LED

should glow brightly.

5. Replace the batteries when you hear the low-

battery alarm (beeping sound).

OFF

Needed for Step 1

"AA" Heavy-Duty Batteries

(x8 - included)

Transmitter

Needed for Step 2

Rubber Bands (x4)

Main Landing Gear

Wing and Landing Gear Attachment

5611_5(fbcmdr manual) 3/12/03 2:16 AM Page 4

Important: Charge the battery shortly before

flying. If you charge the battery 12–48 hours

before flying, charge again for 30 minutes right

before you fly. Stop charging immediately when

the battery becomes warm, indicating it is fully

charged.

Step 4

Charging the Aircraft Battery

Step 3

Note: Never charge a hot battery or a battery

that is already charged. Always discharge before

every charge. See Step 3 for instructions on

discharging.

See "Warnings and Safety" on page 27.

1. The charger supplied with the Firebird

Commander has a built-in timer. Plug the

battery into the charger, and then plug the

charger into the wall. The LED indicator should

glow constantly. After about 3 hours, the LED

will turn off. At this time, the battery is charged

and ready to use.

2. To charge another battery, the charger must

first be unplugged from both the wall and the

battery to reset the timer.

OFF

Adult Supervision Required

WARNING: Keep everything clear of the propeller

and hold the plane securely. A moving propeller

can cause severe injury.

1. Turn the transmitter on.

2. Install the battery in the fuselage slot and plug

in the connector.

3. Move the transmitter's left stick all the way

down and hold for one second. This will arm

the motor.

4. Move the transmitter's left stick up. Since most

batteries come partially charged, the prop

should spin at high speed. (If the motor does

not run, proceed to charging the battery.)

5. In order to fully discharge the battery, run the

motor at high speed until it shuts off. If there is

not enough charge in the battery to power the

propeller, then proceed to Step 4.

6. When finished with the motor test, be sure to

disconnect the battery first then turn off the

transmitter.

Motor Test and Battery Discharging

5611_5(fbcmdr manual) 3/12/03 2:16 AM Page 6

Step 5

Tail Control Test continued

Step 5

Tail Control Test

WATCH OUT! Be sure to keep everything clear of

the propeller before starting the control test, in

the event that you accidentally turn on the motor.

1. Switch on the transmitter. Check the LED.

Do not touch the sticks for 2 seconds while

the transmitter automatically calibrates the

controls.

2. Install the battery in the fuselage slot and plug

in the connector.

3. Move the right stick side to side. The flaps

should move as on the following page. If each

flap is not level with the rest of the tail surface

when the right stick and trim lever are cen-

tered, adjust the control lines so they are level

(see page 20).

Note: The small levers under or beside the con-

trol sticks are called trim levers and are used to

adjust the "neutral" point of your control stick. It's

very important that these levers are centered

when switching on the transmitter and performing

the control test.

View from Rear

Moves Up

View from Rear

5611_5(fbcmdr manual) 3/12/03 2:16 AM Page 8

Step 7

Choose a Calm Day

Step 6

Choose a Large, Open Grassy Field

You want to fly! If you wait until the day is right,

you will have a successful flight. On your first

flights, do not fly if the wind is more than 5 mph!

1. Tie the included red flag to the end of your

transmitter antenna.

2. Hold the transmitter flat so the antenna is

parallel to the ground and note how much the

flag moves in the wind. If the flag hangs down,

you're good to fly. If the angle between the

antenna and the flag is less than 20˚, it's too

windy for beginning pilots to fly.

•A large, open grass field is required. Your

Firebird Commander flies approximately

20 mph, so it covers ground fast. The bigger

the field, the better!

• It is absolutely essential to have a minimum of

600 feet of clear space in all directions from

the pilot. If you ignore this direction, you will

regret it.

IMPORTANT: Do not fly over or near people,

buildings, power lines, highways, train tracks,

vehicles, trees, water, pavement, gravel, any hard

surface or any object you don't want to crash into.

Please take this warning seriously to keep people,

property and your Firebird Commander safe. Crash

damage is NOT covered by the warranty.

SUCCESS TIP: Be smart! Follow this tip and pro-

tect your Firebird Commander—you'll be glad you

did. For beginners, flying in too much wind is by

far the #1 reason for crashes and/or lost planes.

5611_5(fbcmdr manual) 3/12/03 2:16 AM Page 10

+ 12 hidden pages

HobbyZone Firebird Commander Instruction Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual