I have crashed my autogyro a number of times when I got disorientated. Being an experienced fixed wing pilot does not seem to help. I have thought of installing a Futaba PA-2 autopilot that could assist me in such situations. The PA-2 is a two axis autopilot but I would connect it to the roll servo only and leave the elevator as it is. Before I try this it would be interesting to know if someone has used an autopilot in an autogyro?
/PO

In Florida I saw Hal DeBolt had the new horizon sensers on his two Gryos. I never did catch Hal flying though his gyros looked as if they had flown a lot.

Hi,

Yes, Hal deBolt did fly his autogyro with the co-pilot. This is the one from FMA Direct. I have done extensive testing in single rotor, dual rotor and fixed wing. It performs well in most cases and the most impressive is in a helicopter. It will stabilize any fixed wing airplane. It does not perform real well in a dual rotor autogyro. If the gain is set high enough to stablize the gyro it likes to wag the tail. It works well with a single rotor gyro. Connect the roll and elevator servo to the autopilot. I even tried connecting the throttle servo in place of the elevator. :stupid: That was interesting. It's best connected to a computer radio with with a spare channel that has a variable output. This allows adjusting the gain or turning it off in flight if you're not getting the correct results. I did a night-fly with an autogyro and had several good flights before crashing. I'll try using the auto-pilot as it's suppose to work at night.

Phil

Hi,

I forgot to add. For an experienced pilot the co-pilot has one characteristic, which is good and bad and that is, it does a great job of leveling the aircraft. The co-pilot is calibrated on the aircraft prior to takeoff. The normal for takeoff is up-elevator and then back off the stick as it starts to climb. With the co-pilot, not true. You have to hold elevator until you clear the trees or whatever as the co-pilot will level the aircraft as soon as you release the stick. If the calibration was performed with a slight down angle it will put the aircraft in a dive as soon as you release the elevator. Just a precaution.

Phil

Hi,
I am glad to hear that it worked fine in a single rotor autogyro because that is what I have. I am quite new to autogyros so maybe I should first find out the characteristics in a fixed wing plane.
Did you have any problem with the elevator channel of the autopilot? An autogyro flies with a large positive angle of attack compared with a fixed wing plane. At least the one I have. Did you take that into consideration when you installed the sensor?
/PO

You are correct. When you calibrate the autopilot, it's important that the autogryo is as close to the angle which it flies. However, you can comensate some with trim after you get it flying.
Phil

Hi,
Co Pilot and Autogyros, has to be the best asset for Gyros since sliced bread or the 8th grade picnic ! To put it mildly>>
Gyros and Copters are similiar in their need for contant control by the pilot, a desire would be a means to have a Gyro fly itself when desired or out of any predicament.
Both craft can be difficult to see when in certain attitudes and when seen again it can be to late for recovery.
Additionally when flying in gusty WIND a landing approach can be
a chore counteracting the gusts,
Considerable experience with the Co Pilot-Giro V combo has shown that Co Pilot compensates for all of the above considerations.
In flight, loose orientation, neutralize TX controls then watch
Co Pilot bring the Gyro to straight level flight, no sweat !
For a landing, put Gyro into a mild hover, neutalize lateral TX stick. reduce power and watch Co Pilot bring Gyro to a no roll
touch down.
At first it takes some guts to turn the precious Gyro over to a
electronic gizzmo, but the results of short trys become convincing
Experience has found two major concerns;
First know that with this addition there becomes two trim conditions, the craft must be in basic trim as without Co Pilot.
Then there is the trim Co Pilot will provide.
Proceedure is to start flight with CP turned off. Once flight stabilized turn CP on and note any changes in attitude. if there
are remember which trim would be required to correct.
After landing adjust sensor attitude to provide correction, attitude may be senative so make minute changes, suggest 2 deg
at a time.
Secondly it was found that the Velcro sensor mounting could accidently be altered from "neutral". Solution was 2 sided "sticky
tape" (servo tape) Also an adjustable sensor mount is helpful.
Heck, if you found sliced bread to your liking and the gal you met
at the picnic was great, bet is the Co Pilot-Giro combo will be similiar !
Have fun, do enjoy ! (
This applies to the FMA Direct Co Pilot only )

This is for those who have used the FMA Co-Pilot: Would it be possible to use the Co-pilot for stabilizing only side to side tilt? That is, use it without the pitch control activated.

In other words could the fore-aft sensors be covered up? That way the device could be located on the centerline of the aircrarft and not off to the side as is usually the case with autogyros.

Thanks for your thoughts!

BillF

Hi Bill,

Yes, you can use the Co-Pilot for just side to side control. The controller mounted inside the aircraft has two inputs and two outputs. If you connect only the tilt servo to the controller that is the only servo that will be controlled by the Co-Pilot. You don't have to worry about covering up the sensors. If you really want to have fun, connect the other input/output to the throttle servo. However, make sure you have a way of turning the Co-Pilot off during flight.

Phil

O.K. Thanks, Phil

You told me of your adventures with the pitch control connected to the throttle. Autogyro flying has enough thrills!!

By the way, the untwisted blades are in the vacuum as this is being written.

Bill

Hi Bill,
Good to see you active here!
We have done considerable Co Pilot evaluation with all sorts of
craft and my own has been with Gyros. I believe you are aware of
mounting the sensor on an outrigger so the eyes clear the pylon
and I have many successful flights with that set up.
Nathan at FMA Direct is the CP inventor and he suggested a way
that might give superior results ( if possable!)
I took his advice and now have several flights evaluating it and
do believe it improves CP performance if that is possible.
Best of all it removes the need for the "ourigger" but you always
will have to have a sensor mount.
With the "new deal" my sensor mount is up on the pylon with
the mount aligned to craft center line. Have photos, if you like
let me know and will mail them.
And of course it is no sweat to use both lateral and pitch CP.
Before I go further let me say to be sure to read what was said
about Co Pilot on another post in RCU. Like anything new things
are learned with useage and findings are outlined there.
To preface this new installation: The Co Pilot mannual is very
comprehensive and states needs briefly at times. Thus it is very
important to STUDY it, not just skim through
This change occurs in the set up mode so all before it is required.
It goes like this assuming the sensor is mounted so all 4 eyes are
clear of obstructions.
1. Sensor is attached so that the eyes are at 45 deg, to the line
of flight. Instead of the "P" line being aligned the "non eye" corners are al;igned with the cable connector on the forward side
2. The computor #3 switch must be in the off position.
3. Activate Co Pilot
4. Place a WARM hand in front of the right-front sensor eye.
The action this MUST cause is UP pitch and LEFT lateral. If it
does not fiddle with switchs #1 and 2 until action is correct
5. Press the red button
6. Place WARM hand in front of left-front sensor eye.
The action this Must cause is UP pitch and RIGHT Lateral. If it
does not flip switch FOUR (4)
7, Repeat step 4 after pressing red button to assure all is correct.
This completes the set up proceedure.
The manual is followed through the calibration mode, then Co
Pilot responce can be checked. When so doing note for any
interaction between the servos
The responce check is a bit tricky as it must be certain the
sensor is seeing nothing but the horizon (it is easy for it to see
the one who is holding the craft and moving the craft for the
checks) The only sure way I have found is to hand hold the
engine with arms stretched forward. Result must be as manual
describes.
Another thing noted if you have the craft close with CP turned
on while "digging into something" you may see the servos
move, kinda scary! Assurance is not to worry, set craft in take
off position, back away 10 ft directly forward and controls should
be in flight position.
Hope this may be of some help to you Bill and others who are
taking advantage of this marvelous gimmick.
Good luck,

Hal deBolt

Has anyone had first hand experience with the RIPMAX HAL Autopilot system for RC fixed wing Aircraft?

I'm thinking of intalling one in my BAe Hawk!