Originally posted by Spaceclam
but the problem is, if you learn to use the copilot, when it is not available you will not know what to do. to be honest, if you get a trainer, the copilot is not necessary. you see, in order for the copilot to work, the sticks have to be centered. that means, let's say, you are landing, but in a nose down attitude. you want it to stay that way, so you center the sticks. if you have a copilot, it will return it to level flight. no good. just learn with the trainer. it seems intimidating, but if you get a good instructor, it is not a problem at all.
I have to completely disagree with your here. If your learn properly with a Co-Pilot attached to your trainer then,
1.) Confidence is instilled from the first flights.
2.) To learn properly the gain must be adjusted and the student weened off.
3.) The Student should be given proper instruction from the first flight.
Most of our students come to we instructors because they have no prior skill in flying a model airplane. By the time they are ready for takeoff their Knees are shaking and there nerves are shot. "My God, that's my $400 investment being pushed into the air"
The FMA Co-Pilot has the ability to recover your plane at any attitude in less than a second. Yes, you have to hold input to overfide the computer, but again the gain can be adjusted and should be. So, why not allow a student to save his investment, stop shaking and have a little fun flying with a Co-Pilot installed.
Guys, I've been in this hobby over forty years and the Co-Pilot is the next best thing to Proportional Radio. I have a question, why do those that have not tried it bash it?
If you wont to try a low wing as your first trainer the by all means install a Co-Pilot and have some fun instead of wasting several hundred dollars in a second.