My first video flying near Honeoye Lake came out quite poor so I won't be posting it. I've decided that there was just too much wind that day and I need to try again on a calmer day. It is definitely an acquired skill! I also see the need to have a flight stabilization system on board as you can suddenly get "input overload" when multitasking between flying and watching the video.

I hooked up my FMA Co-Pilot II system from my [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=1199]FunJet Review[/link] back in 2009. The Co-Pilot II uses on-board infrared sensors capable of measuring the difference in temperature between the earth and sky. If the model is in any orientation other than level, all the pilot has to do is return the right control stick to neutral on the transmitter and the aircraft will go to level flight in less than one second!

The Co-Pilot II package included the IRNet programmer and router which are required for setting up the Remote ON/OFF function using an auxiliary switch or knob on your transmitter. The IRNet wireless programmer has a Quick Setup menu to easily program the full functionality of the CPII flight stabilization system simply by placing it near the IR router and answering a few questions.

A new Co-Pilot II system should be released soon that contains a Hard Deck safety function that measures the aircraft's altitude. If the model goes below the programmable Hard Deck altitude, the Co-Pilot II takes over. A second GPS option will also be available and I requested they add a Return-To-Home (RTH) function. We'll see what shows up from FMA this year.