Swann Micro Lightning remote control model helicopter, Micro Lightning Operating Instructions Manual

1

Balance Bars

Tail Rotor

Power Switch

Charging Socket (far side)

Lower Rotors

Upper Rotors

Operating Instructions

Micro Lightning

Right Stick

Rotational Trim

IR Band Selector

IR LEDs

Power Switch

Power
Indicator LED

Left Stick

Congratulations on your purchase of
this remote control model helicopter
from Swann! We were going to tell you

all about how much fun these are, the

tricks you can do and how many hours

of enjoyment you’re going to get out
of it, but we figure that if we just talk

about how to fly it, you’ll discover the

fun for yourself!

NOTICE: Before using this

helicopter, read this operating

guide carefully, and obey all

warnings and caution labels.

Seriously, it’s no fun if

someone gets hurt.

MSML050411E

2222

Operating Instructions

Recharging and Battery Replacement

Ensure the helicopter is turned OFF before attempting to charge it.

If left on, it won’t charge.

Check the orientation of the power cable carefully when connecting it

to the helicopter. If it feels tough to insert or you need to use force, it’s

probably upside down!

It’ll take 45 – 60 minutes to charge. Don’t over-charge the helicopter, and don’t leave it connected to
a charger for more than ninety minutes.

Charge via Remote Control: Open the charging lead
compartment located on the underside of the remote control,
and extend the charging lead. Turn the remote control ON. Plug
the other end into the charging socket on the bottom of the
helicopter. The orange charging LED on the remote control will
be on whilst the helicopter is charging. The red LED will light up
when charging is complete. [If the LED is flashing, then pair the

remote, as described below, and it will then read accurately.]

Replacing Batteries in the Controller:
The battery compartment is located on the
rear of the controller. Undo the screw with
a precision screwdriver and open the battery
compartment. Only use alkaline batteries.
Don’t mix old and new batteries. For more
information on battery useage and safety,
consult page 6.

Charge via USB: Plug the USB end of the charging cable into
a USB port on your computer, or to a stand-alone USB charger.
Then, connect the other end to the helicopter. Never connect
the helicopter to a USB port supplying anything other than 5V
@ 500mA. There is an LED in the USB plug, which will go out
when the helicopter is charging. The LED will light up when
charging is complete, or the helicopter isn’t attached to the
cable.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Charging via USB

When charging from a USB port, always connect the USB plug to a USB port without connecting the

helicopter. Ensure the red light in the USB plug lights up. When you connect the helicopter, this light

will turn off. If it does not go out, this indicates that the helicopter is not being charged - check that

the helicopter is turned off, and check the integrity of the connection.

Pairing the Remote

Before you can fly, you need to ‘pair’ the helicopter and remote together. To do
this, turn on both the helicopter and remote. Select a frequency using the band
selector switch. If flying multiple helicopters, ensure each is on a different band.
Then, push the left stick to minimum. Aim the controller’s IR transmitter at the
helicopter. Move the left stick from minimum to maximum (bottom to top)
and back again. The helicopter will now be paired to that controller.

CAUTION: Do not touch the running

rotors. Do not fly above or near

someone’s head. Adult supervision is

required at all times.

!

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Basic Principles of Flight

Moving up and down: The helicopter moves up and down by varying the speed of its main rotors
(those two big things that spin). You can control how fast these spin by using the left stick on the
controller. Pushing the stick up will increase the throttle.

To get good results, be gentle and subtle. Small adjustments made slowly and carefully are the best way
to get the helicopter to fly well. Be careful when easing off the throttle – if the helicopter stalls (that
is, doesn’t have enough lift to stay in the air) it’ll fall, and might not be able to recover in time, even if
you jam the throttle back on.

Forward, Backwards and Rotation: The right stick on the controller affects the helicopter’s direction,
kind of like the right stick on a video game controller.

Pushing the right stick up will pitch the helicopter forwards. Whilst pitched in this way, the main rotors
will push the helicopter along forwards. The opposite is also true – moving the right stick down will
pitch the helicopter backwards and move it in reverse.

To rotate the helicopter, move the right stick to either side. This will cause the main rotors to change
their speeds, causing the body of the helicopter to spin on the spot.

By using the right stick at different angles and positions, you can design and execute some graceful,
arcing turns. On the other hand, quick thrusts of the stick in different directions can create some unique
tricks or stunts. Practice makes perfect!