- Revolutionary Anti-Crash Technology,
exclusive to HobbyZone, which actively monitors the plane’s
orientation, as it relates to the ground and sky, and cuts the motor,
in tandem with giving neutral steering and up elevator, if the plane
enters a steep dive. This causes the plane to come out of the dive so
the user can regain control. Once pilots gain experience flying, they
can increase maneuverability and overall control by turning ACT off
via the switch on the transmitter
- A 3-channel radio system that makes it easier
for pilots who are new to RC to teach themselves how to fly with a
3-channel airplane, thanks to ACT. Additionally, the third channel
allows for pitch control so that pilots can make tighter turns and
have a wider range of maneuvers, as well as the option to make pitch
trim adjustments while the plane is in the air
- A one-box purchase, which means that
everything that’s needed to get flying comes in the box
- A ready-to-fly design that allows users to
get in the air quickly after simply attaching the wing pieces and
landing gear, and installing the rechargeable 7-cell 8.4V 900mAh Ni-MH
battery pack
- A two-piece, plug-in wing that provides
better handling in the wind, smoother flight, easier transportation,
and a sleek, swept-wing design
- X-Port™ technology that allows pilots to use
exciting plug-in accessories, such as the Sonic Combat Module™ to dog
fight with other X-Port-equipped planes, the Aerial Drop Module™ to
drop bombs or a parachutist, or the Night Flight Module™ to fly at
night after they’ve become more experienced
- A powerful 480 motor that permits users to
have great climb rate and power while flying their Firebird Freedom
- Durable, steel wire pushrods for more precise
and consistent control
- A detailed instruction manual and video CD
that instruct pilots on the proper techniques and steps that need to
be taken to get their Firebird Freedom in the air and flying safely
- A 1.2 amp variable rate DC peak charger, with
LED indicator and trickle charge
- A soft, resilient rubber nose that cushions
the force of impact and decreases damage if the pilot has a hard
landing
- Because ACT knows how the plane is oriented,
HobbyZone's engineers can give the pilot more responsive controls,
while also providing at the same time, better protection than previous
systems.
Three Channels, Zone 1, Anti-Crash Technology –
New Pilots Get It All with the HobbyZone Firebird Freedom
The HobbyZone Firebird Freedom, now the second plane with revolutionary
Anti-Crash Technology™ (ACT), makes it easier for new pilots to teach
themselves how to fly with a 3-channel system, and then progress on to
other larger and faster RC planes in the HobbyZone and ParkZone product
lines. Additionally, X-Port technology makes the options for fun
endless!
With this plane come many exciting firsts for HobbyZone, which raise the
bar for teach-yourself-to-fly, ready-to-fly RC planes:
· A 3-channel radio system in a Zone 1 airplane;
· Anti-Crash Technology in a 3-channel airplane;
· A 2-piece, mid-set, swept, plug-in wing; and
· Rigid, steel wire pushrods to more precisely manipulate the control
surfaces.
As with all HobbyZone planes, the Firebird Freedom comes with all the
benefits you have come to expect and everything that’s needed to get in
the air, including:
· A fully proportional 3-channel FM radio system;
· Batteries for the transmitter;
· A rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack; and
· A variable rate DC peak charger.
FAQs:
Question: What is the benefit of having pitch for a new pilot as it
relates to this plane?
Answer: Thanks to incorporating pitch into the control mix, ACT can
actually recover more quickly than it can with a 2-channel transmitter.
This allows new pilots to have more control, but still benefit from the
safety of having ACT working to keep them from going into a spiral dive
that could lead to a crash. ACT works in tandem with the 3rd channel
(pitch) by reducing throttle and applying up elevator to correct a
spiral dive that might lead to a crash. The pitch control also allows
the pilot to trim the Firebird Freedom in pitch easily in flight from
the transmitter!
Question: How does the wing design for the Firebird Freedom differ from
other HobbyZone planes?
Answer: Unlike any other plane in the HobbyZone line, the wing for the
Firebird Freedom comes in two pieces that plug-in to the sides of the
fuselage. This 2-piece design allows the airplane to fit into a shorter,
stronger box, which minimizes damage in transit and the amount of space
the product will take up on the shelf. The wing pieces also separate
easily from the fuselage, which allows for easy transport of the plane
is put together initially. This design also allows for the angle between
the fuselage and the wing to be more severe, resulting in a sleek, swept
look. Additionally, the wing pieces have a mid-fuselage location for
their entry point. This makes the plane respond better to wind and fly
more smoothly because the weight of the wing is in the middle of the
fuselage instead of sitting on top of the fuselage.
Question: How does the function of pushrods differ from nylon line?
Answer: Pushrods are more durable and allow for more precise
manipulation of the control surfaces.
Question: How far away can the Firebird Freedom fly from where a pilot
is standing without losing control?
Answer: The Firebird Freedom has a radio frequency range of 2500 feet.
That’s equivalent to almost half a mile, so he or she will likely lose
site of the plane before control of it would be lost.
Question: How does Smart-Trak differ from Anti-Crash Technology?
Answer: Smart-Trak uses time-based calculations to precisely adjust
control surface travel so pilots can enjoy responsiveness without
over-control. When the pilot flies a plane with Smart-Trak on at high
throttle, Smart-Trak reduces control surface travel if it calculates
that the pilot is in danger of over-controlling the plane, which could
cause it to enter a spiral dive. When the throttle is reduced, Smart-Trak
increases control surface travel so pilots can enjoy superb
responsiveness at slower speeds too. To recap on the detailed
description of Anti-Crash Technology that is explained above, the
optical sensors can “see” what is going on as it’s happening. Therefore,
ACT is a better product because it is acting in real-time to what the
plane’s actual positioning is, and Smart-Trak technology is less capable
because it is reacting the pilot’s input via the transmitter and and
'estimate' of what the plane is actually doing. Both work toward
avoiding a dive that could lead to a crash, but ACT is more active in
achieving the goal of crash-avoidance.
Question: How do the larger control surfaces make that feature a good
thing for new pilots?
Answer: Because the control surface is larger and has more travel, it
allows pilots to get more response from their Firebird Freedom than they
can with other HobbyZone Zone 1 planes. This means that pilots can make
tighter turns than was previously possible with other Zone 1 planes.
This is made practical, because ACT actually 'knows' the attitude of the
plane and can react quickly if the pilot gets in trouble by over
controlling.
Question: How does the updated physical design of the Firebird Freedom,
as compared to other HobbyZone Zone 1 planes, make it an improvement for
pilots who are new to RC flight?
Answer: The Firebird Freedom has a lot of great physical features that
make it a great plane for new pilots. It has a resilient rubber nose,
unlike the hard plastic nose of the Firebird Commander and Firebird IIST.
The material that the nose is made of is important in reducing the force
of impact of the plane should a crash occur, which will ideally minimize
any potential damage to the plane. Additionally, the Firebird Freedom
has larger control surfaces, which increase responsiveness, and it has
black stripes on the bottom of the wing that help pilots keep
orientation of the plane when it is in the sky. The decals on the top of
the wing are on the very edge, while the decals on the underside of the
wing are close to the fuselage. The plane also has a 2-piece mid-set
wing that is a first for HobbyZone.
Question: How does the 2-piece wing help new pilots learn to fly?
Answer: The fact that the Firebird Freedom has a mid-wing design makes
the plane respond better to wind and fly more smoothly. The 2-piece,
mid-set, plug-in wing design allows for:
· The airplane to fit into a shorter, stronger box, which minimizes
damage during shipping, and it can come apart easily for transport after
it has initially been put together.
· The wing to have a mid-fuselage location, which makes the plane
respond better to wind and fly more smoothly
· The wing design to have a modern, swept-wing line
· A stronger wing because of the carbon fiber rod supporting the wing at
the point of attachment
· The wing to be relatively clear of the prop because it sits further
away from the prop
Question: Where can the Firebird Freedom to be flown?
Answer: Like all HobbyZone planes, the Firebird Freedom should be flown
in a large, open area that is free of trees, telephone poles, light
poles, power lines, buildings, cars, and people, such as a large park or
soccer fields. Additionally, it should be flown upwind, with the sun
behind the pilot or at high-sky. This plane can be flown at an
AMA-sanctioned RC flying field, but it doesn’t have to be because of its
size and speed. Just be sure to keep it away from people and objects.
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| This left three-quarter
front shot shows off the Firebird Freedom's colorful trim scheme. |
This three-quarter shot
makes quite a portrait of the Firebird Freedom, and shows off plenty
of design features, including the sleek, swept, two-piece, plug-in,
mid-set wing. |
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| Striped decals have been
added to the underside of the wing pieces to make it easier to
determine the plane's orientation when in the sky. |
The Firebird Freedom has
plenty of color on the wing pieces and tail to make it easier for
new pilots to see the plane in the sky. |
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| The Firebird Freedom comes
with everything that you need to fly, including AA batteries for the
transmitter, a 3-channel proportional radio system, a 1.2A variable
rate DC peak charger, and a 7-cell 8.4V 1000mAh Ni-MH battery pack
for the plane. |
This image shows a closer
view of the AA batteries and Ni-MH battery pack. |
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| A 1.2 amp variable rate DC
peak charger comes with the Firebird Freedom and can charge any
Ni-MH battery pack having between four and seven cells. |
This 3-channel transmitter
is the first of its kind for HobbyZone, because it combines three
proportional channels with an ACT on/off switch and an X-Port
button. |
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| Anti-Crash Technology
relies on feedback from the sensor on the bottom of the plane to
tell the software in the receiver the plane's orientation in
relation to the ground. |
The sensor on the top of
the plane gives input in terms of the Firebird Freedom's position in
relation to the sky. |
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| The Sonic Combat Module
easily clips onto the fuselage to allow pilots to fly combat against
other X-Port equipped HobbyZone or ParkZone planes that have an
armed Sonic Combat Module attached to them. |
The Aerial Drop Module is
another exciting optional X-Port accessory that can be used on many
HobbyZone and ParkZone planes, including the Firebird Freedom. |
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| With a firm and level hand
launch at full throttle, the Firebird Freedom will easily climb with
a properly-trimmed stick at neutral. |
The parachutist that comes
with the Aerial Drop Module drops from the basket when the
electromagnetic latch is released via the X-Port button being pushed
on the transmitter. |
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| The Aerial Drop Module
parachutist easily drifts to the ground. Compete against a friend
and try to time it so that you hit a bull's eye on the ground. |
The Firebird Freedom works
with all of the X-Port modules, including the Aerial Drop Module,
which comes with a parachutist and two streamer bombs. Other modules
include the Sonic Combat Module, for air-to-air combat, and the
Night Flight Module. |
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| The colorful decals on the
underside of the Firebird Freedom allow it to easily be seen in
flight. |
The bright red and blue
trim scheme of the Firebird Freedom looks sharp on the white
fuselage, 2-piece wing, and tail, and in the sky when performing a
more advanced banking turn, as shown here, with ACT shut off. |
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| This photo shows
approximately how close two X-Port equipped planes must be for the
Sonic Combat Module to work to "shoot down" an opponent during a dog
fight. |
You and a friend can fly in
formation when at the park or flying field. We recommend that you
wait to do this once you have enough experience to where you can fly
comfortably with ACT shut off. |
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| The key to a good landing
is to head into the wind, with the wings level, and gradually reduce
throttle. At 10 feet from the ground, the throttle can be cut to
glide in for a landing, as shown here. |
At 10 feet from the ground,
the throttle can be cut to glide in for a landing, as shown here.
You can land your Firebird Freedom in short grass with landing gear
in order to protect an X-Port accessory, or slide to a safe landing
with it removed. |
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| With a 50-inch (1270mm)
wingspan, the Firebird Freedom is the second-largest HobbyZone
plane. That means big fun for you in one plane that takes you from
beginner flight to aerobatic extremes. |
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You will need...
Everything needed to get flying comes in the
box: plane, transmitter, batteries, and charger. Attach the wing pieces
to the fuselage, charge the battery, and fly!
Wing Span: 50.0 in (1270mm)
Overall Length: 33.0 in (840mm)
Flying Weight: 23.0 oz (650 g)
Motor Size: 480 Power
Radio: 3-channel proportional
Trim Scheme Colors: White with blue, red, and black decals
Speed Control : Digital proportional ESC/receiver unit
Recommended Battery: 7-cell 8.4V 1000mAh Ni-MH comes with the
plane (HBZ1013)
Elevator: Proportional
Rudder: Proportional
Throttle: Proportional
Approx. Flying Duration: 12 minutes to 15 minutes
Approx. Assembly Time: 3 minutes for the plane and 40 minutes or
less to charge the battery
Transmitter Range: 2500 ft (755 m)
Available Frequencies: 6 frequencies on 27MHz
X-Port: Yes
Charger: 1.2A variable rate DC peak detect - charges 4- to 7-cell
packs (HBZ1026)
Landing Gear: Steel wire with foam wheels
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