Harbor Freight Yellow Bee Radio Controlled Airplane

By Gary Boutin 

Fig.1 Nice soft landing

Supplies and Tools: 
Battery (spare)
Harbor Freight warranty 2-years (Gives you many new planes and worth very penny)
Large grassy field no trees, no buildings, soft grass (see step 3)
Manual for the Yellow Bee RC Airplane
Internet Access  
Yellow Bee RC Airplane
Radio controlled local club
Scissors
Scotch Packing tape 2 in. wide 
Toothpicks
Velcro® Sticky Tape

The Harbor Freight Tools sells many hand tools and they also sell radio channel hobby airplanes such has this 2-channel Yellow Bee RC Airplane. 

This post shows thirteen comprehensive steps on the review of the The Harbor Freight Yellow Bee Radio Controlled Airplane.  

Step 1: Fig.1 shows the purchase at the Harbor Freight Tools a Yellow Bee Radio Controlled Airplane can be purchased at Harbor Freight Tools for about Only: $59.99 and on sale: $29.99

Step 2: The Yellow Bee Radio Controlled Airplane Description. This radio controlled airplane provides entertainment. Its can be assemble but it is difficult to fly. The batteries first charge will take three hours. On a full charge the plane can last an hour. The Yellow Bee has the range ability of a 1,000 foot, any more and the plane does not respond. The plane is controlled by a rear facing dual motors and a foam construction body and wings to withstand rough flight and landings. A charger, radio controller, 6 chargeable battery (NiMH) are included but radio controller batteries compartment will need six AA regular batteries which do not come with this unit. Accessory also include a/c adapter, mini screwdriver and two spare propellers. The information on this box state ages 16 years and up. A lot of my friends have their children fly the plane as young as 7 years old and they do not crash the plane. Why, because their parents prepared themselves to make this plane an adventure rather than a disaster.

Step 3: Fig.2 shows safe fields to fly your airplane and a nice flat field with some dangers on the right side of the field. Fig.3 shows another angle of the field. New homes that needed to be avoided. Fig.4 shows a nice children park with some hazards but with a green soft field and plenty of room to fly a radio controlled airplane.

Fig.2 Left side high electric 
lines - hard landings

Fig.3 Right side homes but hard landings

Fig.4 Children park very moist grass

Step 4: If you fly into a tree the plane will be damaged. If you fly the plane into the wind you will crash. If you fly the plane over 1200 feet it will lose power and crash. If the plane has a bad landing the plane will come in pieces. Be prepared to buy more parts if you plan to fly this plane. The Harbor Freight store will sell wing and tail parts at at reasonable price.
Step 5: Fig.5 shows that if the field is not soft like fig.4 it very similar to cement. This is hard soil and though the field is good for flying the landing are going to be difficult. 

Fig.5 Hard soil and dead grass

Step 6:  Current information reviews

1. The Yellow Bee RC Plane Review
2. SDM Yellow Bee RC Plane (Harbor Freight)
3. Does a Harbor Freight model airplane fly? 
4. Harbor Freight Yellow Bee – Plane # 2 – Flight # 2 
5. Yellow Bee RC Plane Tips and Tricks
6. Large listing of Airplane Tips and Tricks

Step 7: Tips and Tricks: 
This area is my experiences, my friends and I found have found good resources on the Internet to use it as a guide for safe flying.

1. This plane is for beginners.
2. If the parts are available purchase when you purchase the plane. Main wing will cost $8.50 and the rear wing will be $4.00 (tax not included).
3. Read the manual twice. Understand all the parts of the plane. The service number for this plane is 1-800-444-3353.
4. The first time the battery is being charged, put the battery on the charger for 3-hours.
5. When the batteries are not in use do not leave them connected to the plane. Otherwise the batteries will drain themselves to 0 (zero) and you will have to recharge them again.
6. Using packing tape (2" wide Scotch tape with enforced strings) and scissors cover every square inch of foam main wing and tail piece. If you don't prepare to buy lots of wings for the plane.
7. Add weight to the nose of the airplane it will aid the plane to fly better.
8. The canopy adds drag to the plane, so tape it or loose it. (Battery cover is the windshield)
   

   

   Bee Turn on or off switch
9. For the first flight, hand fly the plane and slightly move the control upward.
10. Assemble the plane and put 6-good quality batteries in the controller.
11. The plane is a glider so when you reach high altitude, use power only to steer the plane. This saves the battery life for longer flights. 
12. Choose a very large field, (See step 3) no wind and no trees, like a football field. Go to a large grassy field with soft grass on a calm day. Early morning and dusk are best for less winds.
13. Tie the string to the end of the antenna and wait until it touches the antenna or only blows a few inches away. If this doesn't work for you, use a windsock, you want the sock to be limp.
14. Test the controls: Use (R) for the left stick (throttle), and normal (N) for the right stick, so that when pushing the stick right the left propeller spins, when pushing the stick left the right propeller spins. Both spin fast when throttle stick is pushed forward. Mark each stick with bold letter stickers.
15.  Be sure the landing gear is slanted forward towards the nose, not back towards the tail.
16.  Rolling the plane (like on a run way) on take-off and the plane dives on it's nose.
17. While holding the plane in your right hand give full throttle and hand launch hard with a slight angle up.
18. Cut the sides of the tail adjustment flaps (Tail ailerons) and adjust slightly (1/8" in. at a time) the flaps to achieve flight that gradually ascends and doesn't bounce up and down. The lines are there on the flaps just cut them with a scissors and slightly move them 1/8 in. or less if need be. Remember this RC airplane has no spoilers, flaps, elevators or rudders.

    

    Ailerons

    

    Ailerons #2

    

    Ailerons #3

19. Adjust RC controller trims as needed very carefully (Propellers).

    

    Propellers

20. The controls are intermittent at distances further than about 100 yards, after that you have lost the plane.
21. The plane does not steer very well. The trim adjustment on the radio is useless. The plane flies better straight and this can be done by adjusting the tail. 
22. Use the steering while the plane is coasting. Get as much altitude as you can then sort of float around using the throttle as little as possible.
23. Do not push the propeller the airplane will stall.
24. When making turns, move the stick in little shifts. 
25. Forget the landing gear unless you must touch down on a hard paved surface. Its for show not actual landings.
26. Do not fly the plane into the wind, the plane will crash.
27. There is no ailerons, elevator, rudder, or flaps control like a real airplane.
28. Be careful the propeller when running they will cut your fingers. That is why the box states 16 year old.
29. Make sure before each flight that the Molex connector to the battery are pushed in all the way.
30. Find a radio controlled local club in your area. It's worth the trouble because as a new flyer you can learn from their mistakes. Plus you will see more advanced planes that you might want to fly later.  
31. WattFlyer RC Electric Flight Forums: (stevecooper) You can paint your Yellow Bee to make it your own check out this site for interesting designs
32. WattFlyer RC Electric Flight Forums: gzsfrk Community Moderator recommends that Velcro® Sticky Tape is used to secure the battery into the compartment. This will prevent the battery from leaving the plane compartment upon re entry back to earth,
33. WattFlyer RC Electric Flight Forums: If the plane breaks up and there is no way to add structure to it. Use wooden toothpicks and insert them inside the yellow plastic break on both ends and tape the top and bottom for a repaired wing. Click here for a post with toothpicks pictures.
34. When you purchase the plane get a warranty. Some stores will offer you this to promote business and this is one way to get new planes as they get destroyed from hitting the ground. Some stores will replace the the plane every time the plane is damaged. Good business for them and for you.
35. If you plan on starting the plane a lot of times get an electric starter. This will save you time.
36.  Hand tight all the screws on the Bee.
    
    
    
    
37. Disclaimers:
    
      Step 8: Internet sites you must read: These sites are must read for the beginner and experience radio controlled flyer.

1. Bullitt Proof you're Vee Bee.
2. Beginner Airplane Setup and Links
3. Hobby King Blog 
4. RC Airplane Building Tips for Beginners  
5. Budget Tips - Tricks for RC Modelers

Step 9: Fig.9 shows my first flight with this plane. The plane is not flown any more there are just to may tree in our neighborhood. So it decorates my bedroom ceiling. 

Fig.9 most of my flights are in trees

Step 10: Fig.10 shows another successful flight and another tree tree landing.

Fig.10 was suppose to go around the tree

Step 11: Fig.11 Upside down front bush landings. At least it's some than the ground.

Fig.11 this time from the other side

Step 12: This plane do not handle like other radio controlled 3 channel planes. The bee does not have any aileron to make it turn correctly using the radio controls. Still its great to learn from an inexpensive plane rather then one that cost several hundred of dollars. Now armed with all these tips your should easily fly your radio controlled plane.

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