HobbyZone Firebird Commander 2 Instruction Manual

HBZ2615

Instruction Manual

Crash damage is not covered under the warranty.

Be sure to read the warranty on page 28 and "Warnings and Safety" on page 25 before you proceed to Step 1.

Congratulations! You have the world’s first radio control airplane that can take you from a complete beginner, all the way to Air Combat— the Firebird Commander® 2 from HobbyZone®. The Commander 2 is equipped with revolutionary software: Anti-Crash Technology™ (ACT). This exclusive technology helps to protect your aircraft from the crashes that are often caused by new pilots over-controlling the plane. Your Commander 2 has optical sensors that can see the horizon, and know how your plane should fly. If the sensors see your plane is entering a severe dive, the software will “take over” by reducing the throttle and making corrective directional control to help prevent the plane from crashing to the ground.

Once you’re more experienced, you can enter Expert Mode, which allows 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 X-port™ accessories. This HobbyZone-exclusive port allows users to attach exciting accessories, including the Sonic Combat Module™ (SCM) for air-to-air and air-to-ground fighting, the Aerial Drop Module™ (ADM), which allows items such as parachutes and streamers to be dropped, and the Night Flight Module™ (NFM), which allows users to successfully fly at night when using the white wing.

Our mission at HobbyZone is to make sure you have success when you fly your Firebird Commander 2, while ensuring you have safe fun and learn a few things along the way.

Step 2

Step 1

1. Turn on the transmitter.

2. Install the battery in the fuselage slot and plug it into 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 when you move the left stick up. (If the motor does not run, proceed to charging the battery.)

5. You need to discharge the battery before you recharge it. 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 3.

6. When finished with the motor test, be sure to disconnect the battery first then turn off the transmitter.

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. Be sure to observe proper polarity when installing the batteries, and then 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).

Needed for Step 1

“AA” Heavy-Duty Batteries (x8 included)

Transmitter Motor Test and Battery Discharging

Adult Supervision Required WARNING: Keep everything clear of the propeller AT ALL TIMES and hold the plane securely. A moving propeller can cause severe injury.

Step 4

Wing and Landing Gear Attachment

Step 3

Mounting the Landing Gear

Insert the landing gear into the slot on the bottom of the fuselage and push it in until it snaps into place.

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 top seam on the fuselage, and by centering the half circle on the wing’s trailing edge over the fuselage center.

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 sides of the fuselage.

3. Before each flight, make sure the front and trailing edges of the wing are exactly centered on the fuselage.

Charging the Aircraft Battery

Note: Never charge a hot battery or a battery that is already charged. Always discharge the battery before every charge. See Step 2 for instructions on discharging.

See “Warnings and Safety” on page 25.

1. The charger supplied with the Firebird Commander® 2 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.

Rubber Bands (x4) Main Landing Gear

Needed for Step 4

You can purchase the variable rate DC peak charger (HBZ1026) and safely peak charge your battery pack in as little as 40 minutes. (see page 34)

IMPORTANT: Charge the battery shortly before flying. If you charge the battery more than 24 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.

View from

Rear

Moves Up

View from

Rear

Step 5

Tail Control Test (continued)

Step 5

Tail Control Test

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 shown 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 centered, adjust the control lines so they are level (see page 20).

Note: The small levers under or beside the control sticks are called trim levers and are used to adjust the “neutral” points of your control sticks. It’s very important that these levers are centered when switching on the transmitter and performing the control test.

WARNING: Be sure to keep everything clear of the propeller when the tail control test is performed in the event that the motor is accidentally engaged.

You want to fly! If you wait until the conditions are right, you will have successful flight. On your first flights, do not fly if the wind is more than 5 mph!

1. Tie the included red ribbon 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, the conditions are ones that will allow you to fly successfully. If the angle between the antenna and the ribbon is less than 20°, it’s too windy for beginning pilots to fly.

SUCCESS TIP: Be smart! Follow this tip and protect your Firebird Commander® 2—you’ll be glad you did. For beginners, flying in too much wind is by far the reason for the majority of crashes and/or lost planes.

Step 7

Step 6

Choose a Calm Day

Choose a Large, Open Grass Field

A large, open grass field is required for safe, successful flight. Your Firebird Commander® 2 can fly at speeds in excess of 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 2 safe. Crash damage is NOT covered by the warranty.

+ 12 hidden pages

HobbyZone Firebird Commander 2 Instruction Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual