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Voltage Requirements
The scout is powered by a 6V DC, 300mAh NiMH 5-cell battery pack. These deliver their full voltage charge for 80 percent of the battery usage time, until voltage drops very suddenly as it runs through its last bit of power. Because this is an entry-level RC plane, owners can be sure that the battery packs were constructed from some of the most economical, therefore least-expensive raw battery cells available.
Rechargeable Battery Problems
Any lower priced, entry-level product is more likely to experience quality issues in contrast to higher priced gear. If your plane's batteries are not charging fully right out of the box, the possibility exists that the battery pack is defective. If you charge the battery fully, and then check the output voltage with a VOM, you will be able to determine if there is indeed a problem charging the battery pack. Consider also that the fully-charged battery pack is only designed to produce 8 minutes of powered flight. So when you're flying your Firebird Scout, it's possible that you might think that time is passing too quickly, when in fact the battery pack may be performing up to standards and the 8 minutes are just flying by.
Initial Solutions
There are a number of initial solutions for weak battery packs. First, try fully charging, and then fully draining the battery pack a couple times. These batteries were manufactured overseas, then included in the Firebird Scout, and shipped to the States, where they may have been on the shelf for upwards of 6 months before purchase. Exposing the batteries to a full charge/discharge cycle may increase the flight time. Beyond that, a larger, 6V 600mAh battery pack is available for about $10.00 more than a replacement stock set. Again, you should also test the voltage output of the battery charger with a VOM to make sure it is putting out the correct amount of current.
Resetting a Rechargable Battery
Old rechargeable batteries are "reset" when they are exposed to a sudden "zap" of higher voltage current; this process breaks the chemical bonds in the battery that limit their recharging capability. You can reset a 6V battery by connecting leads to a 12V car battery, and then tapping the leads to the 6V battery pack a few times in rapid succession. (reference 3) If you attempt this procedure, be careful not to overheat the batteries by zapping them too many times in succession. The battery will heat up when it's hit with higher voltage. After resetting the battery, allow it to cool down, charge the battery fully, and then test the capability and run time again.