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Permalink Reply by Marty on June 29, 2008 at 5:50pm

Is anyone able to shed some light on this ?

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on June 29, 2008 at 5:53pm

I'm afraid I don't know if it's ever been done. It's certain not what the Co-Pilot is designed for, and I doubt it would work.

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Permalink Reply by Marty on June 29, 2008 at 9:15pm

Are you able to elaborate on this chris ? The coax I'm planning on using is similar to a Lama or CX2 but a bit bigger. With a seperates setup on these types of helis is used, the mixing is done with a vtail mixer and and a standard 4ch Tx is all that is required. As the Copilot can be used with FP type helis I didnt think there would be a problem with a coax type.

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on June 29, 2008 at 9:23pm

I take it back--I really don't know anything about helis at all (never flown one), and I shouldn't have even guessed. Sorry I can't help on this one. Maybe someone else can?

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Permalink Reply by Marty on June 29, 2008 at 9:33pm

Thats ok Chris, with your experience with the Copilot on planes can an autopilot be used with control surfaces under Copilot control or do they need to be kept seperate ie Copilot has control over Ailerons but the autopilot controls rudder ?

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on June 29, 2008 at 9:37pm

Sorry, but I've never tried using the autopilot to fiddle gain on the Copilot. I just leave the Copilot on medium gain and have the autopilot just skid around turns with the rudder fighting the ailerons a bit. Not graceful (and no way to do small-radius turns) but it works. Again, I have no idea what would work on helis.

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Permalink Reply by Marty on June 29, 2008 at 9:50pm

Thanks for your response Chris. I wasn't planning on using my autopilot to adjust the gain. My question relates to how effective the levelling is when the copilot receives inputs from the operator (since with a heli I can't seperatethe control surfaces like a heli). I guess I'll just have to find more info on how the copilot works with repesct to gain. ie: does increased gain just dampen the operators inputs. I appreciate your help Chris. I guess if I can't find any info I'll just have to find out myself, the challenge is why I'm in this hobby.

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Permalink Reply by Envision on August 28, 2008 at 7:50pm

Spartan AP2000i is a computer flight stabilizer for helis. It will do ccpm mixing + more. It uses the FMA copilot sensor. You could use a standard TX (non mixing/low budget) with this controller and it will mix CCPM or whatever your helicopter has. It will make a standard heli fly like a coax with the gain turned up.

While a normal heli when using 'aileron' (in plane terms), a little nudge to the side and back to center will result in a continued side movement while loosing altitude. The AP2K has a gain that can be set on a slider. 15% is enough for me to have smooth flight and still control someone like a normal heli. But at 100% you will have to hold the stick to the side as far as it will go to even get a slow side movement from the heli. Once the stick is released it will auto level. This is the same while moving the stick in ALL directions. (it may have a slight drift, no GPS hold)

Also, many people use this while training for flying 3d, if they loose orientation and its dropping like a rock all they have to do is push the gain up and it will instantly level and stop. I lifted nearly 5lbs of payload with my nitro 90 heli. It was to much weight for my dampeners and I started a horrific pendelum only a few feet from the ground. I slapped the gain up and the heli instantly stopped and the payload rocked back and forth a few times before it leveled. The heli didn't move.

Note: it will have problems with morning and evening when the sun is low as it uses the same sensor as the FMA copilot.

A stabilizer not using a sensor but gyros will allow you to fly lower than the tree tops and near buildings/objects. This stabilizer is called the Helicommand. The price is a bit higher but since is uses gyros, an external gyro for the tail is no longer needed saving some money.

Troy

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ModeratorPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on August 28, 2008 at 9:21pm

Thanks for the great comment. I didn't know about those products (I know nothing about the heli side) but they're really interesting. Also quite expensive for what they do. I suspect that there's an opportunity for open source ones that are much cheaper.

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Permalink Reply by Envision on August 29, 2008 at 9:20am

I believe there was some discussion on an open source stabilizer on helifreak. I can't remember the name and have heard no updates. Just did a search and couldn't find it either.

The stabilizers above are for precise aerial photography and videography. The helicommand will also allow you to fly flybarless. (more effecient).

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Permalink Reply by Marty on August 29, 2008 at 8:18pm

Hi Envision.

Thanks for your reply. I have looked at the AP2000i before. It's a great bit of equipment but a little expensive I picked up a second hand but new in box CoPilot for $50. Also If I was going to use one of them I'd need a much bigger heli which makes it an even more expensive option. If I find I can't do what I want with the coaxial then that is the direction I will take. Although I've got a long way to go before I make an investment that size into the project.

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