Do you guys use gyro's on your planes. I have a couple of them laying around. Should I put one on or do you really need one? I"m new at flying planes so I don't know. I see that a couple of guys at the field have them but I diden't ask any question. Do you think a newbie should have one?

Gyros in planes are normally for assistance doing 3D maneuvers, such as hovering and torque rolls. It could help a slightly squirrley taildragger n take-off too. (but won't overcome poor throttle management... and you can still do the torque-turn donut if you slap the throttle to full from idle.)

Charlie,
There are a couple guys that fly with me that have a gyro. It really helps them keep the plane stabilized. Also if they get disoriented they simply release the sticks and plane flies straight. Landings are also alot easier. I wish I had a gyro when I started. They both had the FMA gyro. Do have to be carefull when you set it up.
Duke

You don't need a gyro unless the plane is almost uncontrolable. Our club "jet jock" has gyros for yaw stability on his. One of his would spin out every time he flew it if it werent for that gyro. Unless the plane actually needs it, dont use it. It's a crutch. If you use it, you'll eventually have to learn to do without it, so why make yourself have to learn again? It's your call though, thats just my opinion.

Gyro's can be a big help when learning. Yes they are a crutch but once you get your orientation you can discontinue using them. Also you can turn down the gain(help) they give as you progress. I clearly remember last year when I was learning and would have done much better and saved a plane if I had a gyro. Would I use one now, probably not.....
Duke

I have thought about trying it on my 120 Ultrastick on the rudder. Does any body if they are using a gyro with the ability to shut them off during flight, or just leaving them on all the time without a remote gain adjustment from the transmitter.

Thanks

If using the Gyro as an aerobatic aid... you definitely want to be able to adjust the gain or shut it off in flight.

If you are using it to stabilize an aircraft (especially some scale models of marginally successful aircraft) You'll probably find you get a setting that does the trick and leave it.

If you are using it as a training aid... you'll want the adjustability, so you can reduce gyro effect as your skills improve.

(The training and stabilizing scenarios would also apply to devces such as the PA-2 autopilot)

The gyro (and autopilot) is a tool. Use it right, and it can greatly enhance your enjoyment of the hobby. Use it wrong so that it becomes a "crutch"... your flying skills could actually get WORSE.

Also had a gentleman at our field bring one out. It was the "Auto Pilot" brand and it also worked great. He donated his Gyro to one of our senior pilots that will keep him flying for a few more years.
Duke

The Futaba gyro with four eyes is not a gyro. It is an auto pilot and there is a big difference.
The gyro will assist stabilization of the plane and make it fly true, but it will not fly the plane as the auto pilots will.
The helicopters that you see doing all the three d stuff would not be able to do that unless they had a gyro called a heading hold. This is generally not recommened for airplanes as it has a few features that can really be dangerous.
Go to rcwarbirds.com and the forum for flying and twins for more on the use of gyros.
Yes, you can use them on areobatic planes. Inputing a command overrides them until you let go. Have seen them on Ultimate Bipe, Edge 540's, cub's, telemasters, mustang's ect.
Good Luck