Using Gyros

[crashwrench]

Hello,
I am trying to setup a trainer plane and would like to use a Gyro on the control
surfaces.
I'm running JR Radios, Also I fly Heilos, ( both nitros and electrics ).
I have the G2, G3, FS ONE. Sims to play with.
Any Ideas or threads to jump to.

[Toro]

Gyro's on fixed wing are typically used for an inherently unstable airframe that tends to either dutch roll, or go into some sort of oscillation that is faster than the pilot can re-act. Highly swept wings such as some of the turbine rockets that are out there would necessistate this. Ground steering is also a good one to use a gyro on. Trainers are inherently stable, and thus wouldnt really require any gyros on any surface because of the airframe reacting so slow, and not having any bad tendencies. Hence we call it a trainer. But if your willing to try one out to see what happens, post the results here... I imagine your results would be rather flat, and non spectacular. But you never know.

[exciter900rr]

i think fma has a product that is right up your alley- its called co-pilot.. if I am not mistaken, it is a multi axis system that will restore level flight from the froggyest hairiest orientation you could possibly put the aircraft in- it requires a clear line of sight of the horizon, but will get you out of bad news in a timely fashion. I think it is from FMA direct. o yeah- aint too cheap though.

any other gyro setup will simply just lock you on your last heading- probably not what you are looking for.

[XJet]

Yeah, gyros are not the best solution to increasing the stability of a trainer-type airframe.

As others have said, the FMA Co-pilot is a better option and they're much cheaper now that FMA is selling directly rather than through dealers.

I find it rather ironic that such devices are even necessary.

Back in "the good old days (tm)" a trainer typically had heaps of dihedral, a fair bit of decalage and was very light, but had only modest power.

This meant that they could be set up to fly more like "radio-assisted" free-flight models. If you got into trouble you just let go of the sticks and they'd pop back into straight and level flight pretty quickly.

However, these days, what passes for a trainer tends to have far less dihedral, often has a semi-symetrical wing section, is sometimes rigged close to 0/0/0 and frequently has an engine with three times as much power as it needs to fly up-front.

These planes are also highly aerobatic and can fly like a stung bull on steroids if you open the taps up.

Here's an example:

YouTube - Uh-oh, deadstick in a 20knot cross-wind

If you get into trouble (a steep spiral turn) and let go of the sticks -- they just keep going and will auger themselves into the turf if you don't correct them or fit something like the FMA CoPilot.

Wasn't it just simpler to build a more stable airplane in the first place?

Unfortunately, many people don't actually *build* these days, they buy an ARF and bolt stuff together -- so the choices are *really* limited.

[HuckinChikn]

I was at my local field the other weekend and i noticed a strange looking object hiding under the canopy of my buddie's extra 260. I asked him what it was and he told me it was his Gyro to help him hover better....very strange looking..............

[sinergy]

haha!

[crashwrench]

Hello'
Thanks for the tips on the FMA- co_pilot, I have one mounted in a Senior Falcon. I use this old
war horse when people, friends, ect... want to fly.
In my first thread ,I'm sorry I forgot to make it clear what aircraft I am setting up as a 3D_ Trainer...
the winner is ... A sealgulls 3D-BLING W/ a DA50/r engine , JR Radio 8103 Converted
to 2.4 Spectrum .
The plane has eleven flights, everything is spot on IE: CG, trim, lateral balance , smoke system HAHAHA.
It flys great, I am just trying to copy my G-3 Sim..
I have a Wild Hare Giles 202 W/ 3W-85cc b2 Twin.
also a Hanger 9's CAP 232 W/ DA-150 Twin .

I would like to get back into competeting, Back in high school I flew a Super Kaos,
R/C Pattern and C/L Stunt.

thank you ,,
lunch is over, back to work ...................

[crashwrench]

Hello,
The CrashWrench " Handle" comes by way from my work and my C.B. Radio/H.A.M ....

Thanks ,Mark http://www.dhgriffin.com

[suraerobatics]

don't do it dummy remember k.i.s.s. keep it simple stupid they can fail to and when they do it's not good

[rdgood]

Dale is RIGHT!!!!

Only Soft men use gyros for 3D and hovering... they will mess you up!

Hard Man does not use Gyro !!


Ronster

[exciter900rr]

	Quote: Originally Posted by rdgood
	Dale is RIGHT!!!! Only Soft men use gyros for 3D and hovering... they will mess you up! Hard Man does not use Gyro !! Ronster

LOL- Uh... Yeah, yeah.... He said soft..... he he u huh.. yeah yeah-