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Modefo's RC Helicopters . XHELI.COM . Autography FlightPower

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Main Discussion > Autopilot Saves Aircraft
 
 
kram
Heliman
Location: Arkansas

Today was my first heli flight with the FMA Autopilot installed. Somewhat windy day, but I was anxious to try this autopilot out. Im fairly new to heli flying but with the autopilot working I was soon practicing nose in and forward flight. The autopilot was working well and giving me a strong case of over confidence. Then it happened, I lost orientation with the helicopter, I couldnt tell if I was looking at the front or back.....I tried to level the helicopter and just made the situation worse.

It didnt seem right to just let go of the controls, but thats what I did. It seemed like in just a second the autopilot took over and I was in a stable hover.

This thing truly works..............I dont know that I would want to begin learning to hover with this, but if you can takeoff and land and want to begin practicing forward flight, nose ins, etc. this is really great!

I tried hovering with the helicopter pointed into about a 21 mph wind and when trimmed it just stayed in one place. Hovered low to the ground and up at altitude with no problems. The field I was flying at is flat, but it does have some buildings and a tree line..........even at low altitude the obstacles didnt appear to effect the copilot, Ill have to experiment at some different flying fields.

I dont want to use the autopilot as a crutch, but I think it will shorten anyones learning curve. Great add on!
03-28-2002 Over year old.
 
 
ben1000
Senior Heliman
Location: Gilbert, Arizona

Crutch?

Why not?

Everyone uses a Gyro as a crutch. There was a time when people flew helicopters with no gyros. Then they came along, and I'm sure some people said 'well, that's not REALLY flying', but now everyone uses them, and it's standard.

I wouldn't be surprised if autopilots were one day considered 'standard' learning equipment. I used mine for about 1 month, and then took it off. I'm sure that's why my heli investment was under $1000 (no crashes!)...

Now, I put it in any new heli for the first gallon or so that I run through it. Best 100 bucks you can spend, I think.

Regards,

Ben1000
03-29-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
RONSTER
Heliman
Location: Cleveland, OH

AUTO PILOT?

NEVER HEARD OF ONE! COULD YOU LINK ME TO A SITE THAT HAS THEM. I MUST READ ABOUT THIS NEW INFO.
THANXS
03-29-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
rsilvers
Senior Heliman
Location: Marshfield, MA

https://www.fmadirect.com/html/2000...l.htm?item=1499
This is the link.

I got one figuring it would help me make a more stable camera ship. I am new to flying and I thought I would push myself harder if at times I could flip it on as a backup. I hooked it up to the "gear" switch on my tx.

So anyway, I could not get it to work in my front yard. I am near a house and the instructions say to be at least 100 feet from a building. I am also on a hill, so it thinks it is pitched when it sees the ground at an angle. I called FMA and they said I really need to be at a grassy field for it to work properly, or at least be high up.

I am glad to know what you are getting good results with it.
03-29-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Safe_Cracker
Key Veteran
Location: Chicago, IL

Sureeee..

Here it is!! https://www.fmadirect.com/home.htm
03-29-2002 Over year old.
 
 
vortechZ230
Elite Veteran
Location: Michigan, U.S.A.

Calibration For Co-Pilot?

Does the Co-Pilot need the calibration procedure each and every time it is used?, even if you are at the same flying field?, What if you fly around for awhile, land, turn the heli off, then fly again, Do you need to re-calibrate before flying again?, the instructions dont mention this... I just thought I would check with someone who has experience with this neat device! Thanks in advance!, Joe.
03-29-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
ben1000
Senior Heliman
Location: Gilbert, Arizona

Calibration

Howdy..

Basically, you calibrate it (a 30 second process) before the first flight of the day, and any time the weather changes drastically.

I've never had the weather change enough to need to do it more than once a day, but if you went from, say, sunny skies, to full cloud cover, I'd probably recalibrate just to be sure.

Regards,

Ben1000

PS: You can see it on my RaptorCAM 60 at:

http://www.freedmanhome.com
03-29-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
ben1000
Senior Heliman
Location: Gilbert, Arizona

Hey, Wingtip...

I've installed mine on my gasser (xcell Z23) and am having some troubles. It may not like having the cable run past the engine. I will be experiementing some more with it this week.

Last time I tried it (a week ago), it worked fine with the engine off, when when I spooler her up, and turned on the Co-pilot, it moved the swashplate backwards. I turned it off, and the swashplate leveled itself (this is with the heli light on the skids).

When I shut down the engine, it worked fine again (turn on, swashplate stayed level).

I know the unit works ok, because it works fine on my Raptor.

I'll let you know what happens next time, but be careful if you're putting it on a gasser.

Regards,

Ben1000
03-29-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
HeliinAL
Heliman
Location: Montgomery, AL

I have a copilot, but I have not installed it yet. I haven't finished my first gallon, but I am making improvements with everyflight. I think I may install it whenI am ready for nose in and forward flight.

Ben:
I didn't see it mentioned in the manual, but..something to consider

You have a valid point with the wire, if that doesn't do anything for you, you may consider where you are mounting your sensor. Your Zenoah is a larger engine...what type of exhaust do you have on it? Because the FMA Copilot uses infrared technology versus visable light its subjected to engine temp, exhaust, etc. You may need to mount the sensor further back, just purchase a longer cord. As long as its level it should perform the same.

Part of the set up is placing your hand near a sensor to see if it moves the swashplate in the correct way. It does this because of your body heat. What you described doesn't sound like interference.

Anyhow...its just a thought. I am a newbie and I haven't even tried mine yet, so.... this and 50cents might get you a beverage!

Who knows...you guys might have inspired me to try and install mine sooner rather than later/never.
03-29-2002 Over year old.
 
 
vetrider
Elite Veteran
Location: Daleville, AL (Ft.Rucker)

ben1000, sounds like the Co-Pilot doesn't like the RF from your ignition. Just get some ferrite beads to put on the cable. Radio shack should have them. It may take quite a few to do the job.

Nolan Manley
RREMODELS, KBDDintl, Magnum Fuel
Stratus, ODIN, Knight3D, ATOM 500, TREX 700N.
03-29-2002 Over year old.
 
 
HeliinAL
Heliman
Location: Montgomery, AL

Blade,

Instructions for Helis says to mount it @ 3" back on the tail boom. Things to consider are:

1) does your canopy block/obstruct view from one of the 2 forward looking sensors. The sensors face out 45deg, but make sure they are clear.

2) Sensor needs to be level in respect to the helicopter. Many people have suggested getting a a horizontal stab mount and mount the sensor on top of it to make it more secore than the instructions. Instructions have you use double sided tape and 2 zip ties. If the sensor twists it will percieve things differently and you will have drift.

3) This is an infrared sensor and not visible light like the Futaba. If you are running a long/large tuned pipe, make sure you test it. Heat disappated from the pipe/exhaust can have an affect on the unit also.
03-29-2002 Over year old.
 
 
kram
Heliman
Location: Arkansas

flying on a sloped field

Tried flying on a field with a slope..........autopilot worked well however it will drift down the field. On a flat field, no drift. Im not really concerned with this limitation as the main idea is to get the heli out of an unusual attitude, and this it does do.

Its easy to overcome the control inputs of the autopilot...........the instructions do say to fly with dual rates on. On the sloped field, In a hover you have to hold a little stick input in or the heli will drift. Calibration is done once during the pre-flight and then anytime after a significant weather change. Needless to say make sure you preflight this thing after installing........I had one of the switches on the unit reversed after I installed it, and didn't discover that until I went to the field.
03-30-2002 Over year old.
 
 
kram
Heliman
Location: Arkansas

Turning FMA Autopilot Off

Another thing, Ive got this autopilot set to work with a switch and a rotary knob...........this way I can turn on/off and also adjust the sensitivity of the autopilot. There is also a sensitivity adjustment on the autopilot itself.

Im not sure but I have read that you cannot turn the unit completely off. At least on mine even with the swith off and knob off the unit still mildly attempts to level. Im not sure if it can be turned completely off by remote?
03-30-2002 Over year old.
 
 
rsilvers
Senior Heliman
Location: Marshfield, MA

Yes, you can turn it off by remote. I use my gear switch for that. I do not control the sensitivity remotely as I either want it on (all the way) or off.
03-30-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
ben1000
Senior Heliman
Location: Gilbert, Arizona

Actually, I have found that it CANNOT be turned off by the remote. Even with the value set at 0, there is still some correction applied. The Co-Pilot still 'colors' your control inputs to a degree (although minor)

Even turning the unit down all the way on the controlled still does not give you the same control as plugging the servos directly into the RX.

Not that this is a terrible thing, or hard to adjust for, just be aware of it.

Regards,

- Ben1000
03-30-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
rsilvers
Senior Heliman
Location: Marshfield, MA

Maybe it is a terrible thing. I could have sworn that the heli was acting strange even with it off so I unhooked it. I thought I just forgot how to fly. I hope you are wrong.
03-30-2002 Over year old.
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
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