MODSTER MDX Spitfire MK II Electric Motor RTF User Manual

: June 4, 2024
: MODSTER

MODSTER MDX Spitfire MK II Electric Motor RTF User Manual

WARNING

The following terms are used throughout the product literature to indicate various levels of potential harm when operating this product.

CAUTION: Procedures, which if not be properly followed, is able to create a possibility of physi- cal property damage AND or possibility of injury.

Read the ENTIRE instruction manual to become familiar with the features of the product before operating. Fail to operate the product correctly can result in damage to the product, per- sonal property adn cause serios injury.

This is a sophisticated hobby product and NOT a toy. It must be operated with caution and common sense and requires some basic mechanical ability. Fail to operate this product in a safe and responsible manner could result in injury or damage to the product or other property. This product is not intended for use by children without direct adult supervision. Do not attempt to disassemble, use with incompatible components or augment product in any way without the approval of Modellsport Schweighofer/MODSTER.

This manual contains instructions for safety, operation and maintenance. It is essential to read and follow all the instructions and warnings in the manual, prior to assembly, setup or use, in order to operate correcty and avoid damage or serious injury.
Age recommendation: Not for children under 14 years. This not a toy.

Safety Precautions

As the user of this product, you are solely responsible for operating in a manner that does not endanger yourself and others or result in damage to the product or the property of others.

Always ensure all batteries have been properly charged before using the vehicle.
Always check all servos, all the connections and all correct controll functions prior to each flight.
Never operate your vehicle near spectators, parking areas or any other area that could result in injury to people or damage of property.
Never operate your vehicle during adverse weather conditions. Poor visibility can cause disorientation and loss of control of your vehicle.
Never point the transmitter antenna directly toward the vehicle. The radiation pattern from the tip of the antenna is inherently low.
If at any time during the operation of your vehicle you observe any erratic or abnormal operation, immediately stop operation of your vehicle until the cause of the problem has been ascertained and corrected.
Never fly if one of the control functions does not work correctly.

Battery Usage & Charging Warnings

CAUTION: All instructions and warnings must be followed exactly. Mishandling of Li-Po/Li-Ion/Ni-Mh

The USB battery charger included with your plane is designed to safely charge the specific LiPo battery.
By handling, charging or using the included battery, you shall assume all risks associated with LiPo battery.
If at any time the battery begins to balloon or swell, discontinue the usage or charging immediately. If this circumstance arrouses while charging, you should disconnect the USB charging cable immediately from the current. Continue to use, charge or discharge a battery hat is ballooning or swelling can result in fire.
Always store the battery at room temperature in a dry area for best results.
Always transport or temporarily store the battery in a temperature range of 40-120 degrees (5-49 degrees centigrade). Do not store battery or your plane in a car or direct sunlight. If stored in a hot car, the battery can be damaged or even cause fire.
• Always charge a battery away from flammable materials.
Always inspect the battery before charging and never charge damaged batteries.
Always disconnect the battery after charging, and allow the charger cool before next charge. • Always constantly monitor the temperature of the battery pack while charging. • ONLY USE A CHARGER SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO CHARGE SPECIFIC BATTERIES.
Never discharge Li-Po cells till below 3V under load.
Never cover waning lables with hook or loop strips.
Never leave charging batteries unattended.
Never charge batteries outside recommended levels.
Never attempt to dismantle or alter the charger.
Never allow minors to charge battery packs.
Never charge batteries in extrmely hot or cold places(recommended between 40-120 Fahrenheit degrees (5-49 degrees centigrade) or in direct sunlight.
Never charge or storage the battery in the model.
Always remove the battery after your flight.
Never charge the battery without supervision.

Box Content

Charging Instruction

Unplug the battery from your plane.
Carefully plug the charger into the USB port on your computer or USB adapter.
Connect battery into the charger.
The charging process takes about 3 hours. For safety reasons, never charge the battery for longer than 4 hours.
While charging, the red LED indicator will be flashing. When the charging is finished, the red LED will be off.

Setup Instruction

Install 4 AA batteries (not included) in the transmitter.
Plug the landing gears into the position on the mainwing as shown above.
Connect the battery to the receiver, then stick the battery into the cabin.
Setup is done. Make sure you read and follow all instructions in this manual before start flying the airplane.

Center Control Surfaces

NOTE: Keep the X-PILOT switch off (manual mode) before you operate the steps below. See more information in “X-PILOT switch” section.
With the transmitter turned on and the battery conected to the ESC(and installed in the battery compartment), it is now possible to check the center of all control surfaces.

Observe the rudder to ensure it is properly centered as shown above.

If the rudder is angled off to the right or left, adjust the push rod by its arc-shaped section slightly, making sure the rudder is properly centered.

Then observe the elevator to ensure it is properly centered as shown above.
If the rudder is angled off to the right or left, adjust the push rod by its arc-shaped section slightly, making sure the rudder is properly centered.

If the elevator is angled off to the upper or lower position, adjust the push rod by its arc-shaped section slightly, making sure the elevator is properly centered.

Transmitter Instruction

X-Pilot Switch

Binding Instruction

Binding is the process of programming the receiver to recognize the GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) code of a single specific transmitter. When a receiver is bound to a transmitter, the receiver will only respond to that specific transmitter. If you need to rebind for any reason, please follow these steps:

Keep the transmitter switched OFF, throttle joystick at buttom position.
NOTICE: Keep X-PILOT switch at Middle or Beginner position.
NOTICE: Keep the plane still in a calm environment for calculating the X-PILOT.
Connect the battery to the plane, then turn on the transmitter within 5 seconds.
The receiver LED will flash for 3-8 seconds to bind automatically.
After the receiver LED stop flashing, it means the binding process is done. Follow below steps when you operate a bound plane:
Power on transmitter first.
Connect the battery to the plane within 3 seconds.
The receiver LED in plane will flash and then turn to solid in several seconds.
Switch the X-PILOT control stick to X-PILOT assist level(MIDD or BEGINNER).
NOTICE: Allow the airplane stay still about 3~5 seconds in a calm environment when you first time turn on X-PILOT, in order to calibrate and activate the X-PILOT. When the X-PILOT starts to react, means it is activated.
Turn throttle stick up to max and then down to min to arm the motor. CAUTION: Do NOT operate around people or property, otherwise it may cause serious damage!

Throttle Unlock (Arming)

To prevent from damages, the throttle channel is locked each time when powering on your transmitter.
Follow below instruction to unlock the throttle.
CAUTION: Keep the propeller in distance for your safety.
Turn the throttle stick up to max position until you hear a “beep” sound. Then turn the throttle stick down to min position until you hear a “beep” sound.
Now the throttle is unlocked.

Digital Trims

Digital trims allow to adjust the centered position of aileron, rudder or elevator hinge. Each time when a trimmer is moved, the servo output will change one angle. If the trimmer is held, the
output will scroll in that direction until the trimmer is released or the output reaches its end. When you hear a short “beep” sound, it means the trimmer is centered.

Channels Reactions Checking

Place your plane in a neutral position, follow below steps to check the channels reactions.
Move the sticks(except the throttle stick) to see if all servo surfaces react correctly as shown in the left diagram(left throttle for example). Swing your plane to check if all servo surfaces react correctly as shown in the right diagram.

One-key Aerobatics Instruction

The one-key aerobatics feature allows beginner pilot to perform aerobatic actions by simply pressing the button on transmitter. During flight, under X-PILOT control mode, press the one-key aerobatics button, the transmitter will beep several times. During the beeping, simply move the aileron stick to either direction for auto-roll. Or move the elevator stick to either direction for auto-flip.

One-key U-turn Instruction

The airplane comes with one-key U-turn function, which enable the plane to U-turn by the opposite
direction that the airplane is currently flying. Follow below steps to activate the function.

Place your plane heading to the take-off direction.
Do NOT unlock the throttle, press the activation button and hold for several seconds until you hear a “beep” sound, the rudder surface will respond, meaning the one-key U-turn function is now activated.

NOTICE: Every time when you power on the plane, it requires to activate the one-key U-turn function.
To use this function during flight, press the one-key U-turn switch button,the plane will turn around automatically, back to the opposite direction where it takes off.
To quit, just press again the switch button, or control any servo stick(rudder/elevator), the plane will back to your control immediately.No matter you flies the plane under manual control or X-PILOT assist mode, when you turn on the one-key U-turn function, the plane will enter X-PILOT assist mode automatically to help stably flying back. When you quit this function, the airplane will back to the what the control mode it was.

X-PILOT System Calibration

Turn the throttle stick to min position.
Power on the transmittaer and the receiver.
Do NOT unlock the throttle.
Keep the sticks as above picture for several seconds.
When you hear a “beep” sound, it means the X-PILOT system is calibrated based on the horizontal level you are keeping it.

Propeller Saver Instruction

The propeller saver keeps the propeller from damage, and prevent the electronic components from over current. When the airplane hits any obstacle, the propeller will loose from the base. To install the
propeller back to the base, insert the upper part centerly through the motor shaft, and hearing a “click” sound to ensure it is secured.

Propeller Replacement

Follow below steps to replace broken propeller and shaft adaptor. You will need help of a Philips screw driver and pliers(not included).

Take off the spinner and propeller by loosen the screw with a Philips screw driver.
Take off the shaft adaptor carefully. If it is too tight, use pliers to help.
Replace any part broken.
Install all parts back by inverted orders to finish the replacement.

Propeller System Replacement

Take off the cover in the head of fuselage to replace the motor, or the cover in the middle of fuselage to replace the receiver. It is no need of tool to take off the covers.
2. Follow below steps to replace the receiver.
a. Loosen the screws of servo horns, take the servo horns off.
b. Unplug the motor cable and the mainwing servo cable. You may need to record the direction of cable plugs.
c. Loosen the screws as shown to take off the the receiver
Follow below steps to replace the motor.
a. Unplug the motor cable from receiver board. You may need to record the direction of cable plug.
c. Loosen the screws as shown to take off the the motor

Flight Checklist

NOTE: This checklist is NOT intended to replace the content included in this instruction manual. Althought
it can be used as a quick start guide, we strongly suggest that read all though the manual completely before proceeding.

Ensure the throttle control stick is at bottom position before connecting the battery.
Fly the model(hand-launch or take off from a flat/level surface).
Land the model on a flat/level surface.
Unplug the battery.
Always turn off the transmitter last.

Find a Flight Field

Based on the size and weight of the plane it is typically considered to be a “park flyer” class airplane. As a result it is best to fly the plane at a local park, schoolyard, flying field or other area that is large enough and free of people and obstructions. We recommend and area the size of at least one football/soccer field.
However, even larger areas are better suited and preferred especially when learning how to fly. Do NOT fly in parking lots, crowded neighborhood areas or in areas that are not free of people or obstructions.

We also suggest flying over grass as it is a much more forgiving surface that causes less damage in the unfortunate event or a crash. Short grass is better for takeoffs and landings as grass that is too long can cause the airplane to nose-over/flip and be damaged. An ideal flying area allows for takeoffs and landings on a smoother surface(such as asphalt) and flying over grass.

Fly in spacious ground without obstacles and boskage. Never fly the plane near highway, railway, high tension line, crowded people, flying area and residential area.
NOTE: The plane is designed to be flew outdoors only.

Flying Conditions

It is typically best to fly on days that are calm without wind, especially when learning how to fly. It is strongly suggested flying only in calm conditions until you are familiar with the controls and handling of the model. Even light winds can make it much more difficult to learn to fly, and in some cases can even carry the model beyong your line of sight.
Also, if you are a first-time or low-time pilot, we highly recommend that allow a more experienced pilot to test fly and properly trim the model before attempting your first flight. A proven flyable and properly trimmed model is significantly easier and more enjoyable to fly.
After you have properly trimmed the airplane in calm conditions and become familiar with its handling/ capabilities you will be able to fly in light winds or depending on your experience and comfort level, in winds up to 5-7 mph.
Do NOT fly on days when significant moisture, such as rain or snow, is present.

Disclaimer of Warranties:

This model must not be used by children younger than 14 years
it contains small parts that could be swallowed
Keep hands, face, hair and loose clothing away from the propeller
do not reach into rotating parts
Always disconnect the battery connector after the flight and remove the battery from the model!
Only fly where it is safe and where you do not endanger third parties
Keep the operating instructions in a save place and read them carefully and completely before using the model.
We recommend people with no knowledge of model flying to commission the model under the guidance of an experienced pilot
Before each flight, test the range of the remote control and the charge status of the rechargeable battery and check the batteries or rechargeable batteries in the remote control.
Do not fly near crowds of people, towards people or animals, in poor visibility, near high-voltage lines, radio masts or during thunderstorms, rain, snow or in a damp environment.

Always keep the aircraft in sight and under control.
Always use fully charged batteries / rechargeable batteries.
Always switch on the model first, then the transmitter, and always switch off the model first, followed by the transmitter.
Do not use the model if it is visually or mechanically damaged.
Always check all screw connections and structures for tightness and damage
Never reach into the rotating propeller – risk of injury!
Always disconnect and remove the flight battery from the model after the flight.
Always charge and store the battery outside of the model, charge on a non-flammable surface, never store the battery in the model. Never charge batteries unobserved!

Check about the legal provisions applicable in your country