Elect Co-pilot
07-04-2008 | 08:17 PM
#2
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RE: Elect Co-pilot
I don't like them. I think that they actually hurt pilots in their training. If a pilot knows that he can simply let go of the sticks and the plane will recover itself they will never learn the skills needed to do it themselves. I've seen this happen in pilots. It winds up giving them a false sense of security in skills that they don't have. Then when they try to move up to a second plane they find that they simply aren't ready to fly it because they don't have the skills needed recover it, and usually wind up crashing.
My vote is to stay away from them, you're better off learning to fly the plane yourself.
Ken
My vote is to stay away from them, you're better off learning to fly the plane yourself.
Ken
07-04-2008 | 09:10 PM
#3
RE: Elect Co-pilot
To tag onto what RCKen pointed out... another issue is how well these things work. I've seen them get confused and make the plane do goofy stuff. It's just one more link in the chain to fail. I believe in keeping it simple.
07-05-2008 | 08:03 AM
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RE: Elect Co-pilot
They work sometimes, sometimes not and are a complete waste of money.
They need a good clean horizon to work, clouds or surrounding trees or hills will render them useless.
They need a good clean horizon to work, clouds or surrounding trees or hills will render them useless.
07-05-2008 | 10:01 AM
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From: hingham, MA
RE: Elect Co-pilot
The only time I would recommend one would be if you didn't have an instructor. it might save the plane from a few crashes but it drives instructors crazy because it fights what they want to do at times
07-05-2008 | 10:36 AM
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RE: Elect Co-pilot
ORIGINAL: rogsteele
I have seen adds for these, "FMA Direct Co-Pilots" Any one had any experience with these, good or bad?
I have seen adds for these, "FMA Direct Co-Pilots" Any one had any experience with these, good or bad?
thanks for your opinions ect. but was wondering, do they work ?
Have you used an RC Flight Simulator?
Have you flown with an instructor?
Do you own a plane or a simulator?
Why do you want to know about this product?
Some answers have already reported the commonly known experiences with them. They work, IF the horizon is clear. They do not teach you anything by themselves, except to let go of the sticks when you get in trouble. They can cause unexpected responses when you do not let go of the sticks. I don't think ANYONE will recommend one, but WOULD recommend getting a flight simulator, or a slow, stable flyer, or a flight instructor.
So why do you want to know?
Dave Olson
07-05-2008 | 12:55 PM
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RE: Elect Co-pilot
yes to all, been flying RC and the real thing for years, (there easy compared too RC) thought it might be a good thing to teach a grandson with
Thanks
Thanks
07-05-2008 | 02:08 PM
#9
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RE: Elect Co-pilot
ORIGINAL: rogsteele
yes to all, been flying RC and the real thing for years, (there easy compared too RC) thought it might be a good thing to teach a grandson with
Thanks
yes to all, been flying RC and the real thing for years, (there easy compared too RC) thought it might be a good thing to teach a grandson with
Thanks
Ken
07-05-2008 | 02:20 PM
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From: FrederickMD
RE: Elect Co-pilot
ORIGINAL: Missileman
They work sometimes, sometimes not and are a complete waste of money.
They need a good clean horizon to work, clouds or surrounding trees or hills will render them useless.
They work sometimes, sometimes not and are a complete waste of money.
They need a good clean horizon to work, clouds or surrounding trees or hills will render them useless.
Having said all that, I haven't actually purchased one yet, although I am planning on getting one in the next few months for my aerial video plane.
But like others have said, it is NOT a substitute for qualified instruction.
Brad
07-05-2008 | 02:27 PM
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OH
RE: Elect Co-pilot
ORIGINAL: bkdavy
The FMA Direct Co-pilot is not the same as the AFS found on the Nexstar. Its actually designed as a failsafe, not as an instructional tool. It uses the temperature difference between the sky and the ground to determine attitude of the plane, and must be calibrated for the individual installation. These are actually gaining popularity among the UAV set as a failsafe in the event a UAV loses the connection with the transmitter, and if I recall correctly, it can be set to only restore the plane on a loss of the transmitter signal. It is not easily confused by low sun or clouds (at least as advertised).
Having said all that, I haven't actually purchased one yet, although I am planning on getting one in the next few months for my aerial video plane.
But like others have said, it is NOT a substitute for qualified instruction.
Brad
ORIGINAL: Missileman
They work sometimes, sometimes not and are a complete waste of money.
They need a good clean horizon to work, clouds or surrounding trees or hills will render them useless.
They work sometimes, sometimes not and are a complete waste of money.
They need a good clean horizon to work, clouds or surrounding trees or hills will render them useless.
Having said all that, I haven't actually purchased one yet, although I am planning on getting one in the next few months for my aerial video plane.
But like others have said, it is NOT a substitute for qualified instruction.
Brad
07-05-2008 | 03:06 PM
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From: Brush,
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RE: Elect Co-pilot
think I might look into getting one, old age is catching up, fingers don't work like they once did for some reason, I was thinking a good instructor and later one of these might save me a plane as my grandson progresses.
