Co_Pilot
 

Im sort of thinking about a Co-Pilot on my Superstar Hobbico, high wing trainer. Has anyone ever mounted the unit ( sensor ) under the fuselage? If so does the forward landing gear obstruct the sensor's view of the horizon. Or can you just offset it slightly.

Additionally, Im wondering about the prop as a source of interfearence.

Bob

RE: Co_Pilot
 

Those things should not affect the co pilot, as you set the eye at the beginning of the flight. it takes an infrared measurement of the ground and uses it as a reference for the horizon. I've flown a trainer with this setup, and if properly set up, it works great.

RE: Co_Pilot
 

Mount the co-pilot as the instructions dictate. They work very well, and should provide a tremendous assist to the novice pilot.

Be sure to connect the radio as the directions instruct.

RE: Co_Pilot
 

Thanks both of you two. Appreciate the assurance.

Bob

RE: Co_Pilot
 

I used a co-pilot to help me learn to fly R/C over a year and a half ago, and it worked well.
I would recommend the following, set the gain no higher than 50%, set the copilot up on the landing gear channel so you can turn it on and off during flight. do not fly inverted while using the co-pilot. FMA has a more sophisticated unit available now that can operate with dual aileron servos and rights itself from inverted flight by roll, a much better set up.

RE: Co_Pilot
 

Bob,
Are you planning on trying to teach yourself to fly, or have you already soloed? If you haven't soloed, and are going to have an instructor, I don't see much reason for the Co-pilot. In my opinion, they actually slow the learning process.

If you already fly, and are just mounting it to see what it does, then it's all good! :D
Dennis-

RE: Co_Pilot
 

DBCherry

I can fly Racetrack patterns, fig 8s, and take off with no loss of altitude in turns. Haven't landed yet, trees on on left side of field scare me at this age of 63. No guts! Nose down on approach with left hand turn and power back still bother me quite a bit and I'm still on buddy box and have instructors.

I just ( No1 ) wanted a fall back position to remove my reluctance on approach and ( No2 ) every once in a while I get a little out of sorts, especially in Fall Winds. I recover OK but thought it would eliminate my conservative attitude.

Also, when I do solo I want to go to a PT19 as my next plane for a tail dragger. Thought a Co-Pilot would help the transition.

Bob

RE: Co_Pilot
 

Well, the only thing I'll say is, if you set the co-pilot's gain high enough to right the aircraft when you get in trouble, then it's going to fight you when you're trying to make that "nose down approach with left hand turn" landing run. ;) It can also become a crutch that will actually slow your progress.

I also think you'll find that PT 19 to be a fairly gentle flyer. Similar to your trainer except for the tail wheel, and I'm guessing the transition won't be too bad.

But having said all this, you're really the only one who can determine your level of progress, AND your level of comfort with flying and landing. I WOULD suggest that you hold off on that purchase until after you've soloed.
Dennis-

RE: Co_Pilot
 

What is a CoPilot? lol

RE: Co_Pilot
 

Tannerlb, a co-pilot is that thing to your right holding your beer!! lol:D

RE: Co_Pilot
 

FMA Co-Pilot doesn't like to fly next to trees. It will steer the plane away from the trees.[img][/img]

RE: Co_Pilot
 

Hi Bob,

I used a copilot to get back into RC about two years ago after a >25 year hiatus. I soloed with a trainer (buddy cord in early days). I read a review and purchased the copilot and installed it on my second model (low wing). I found it most useful to keep the wings level when landing as I only had to concentrate on throttle management.

I found that it "fought me" in turns until I wound the sensitivity right down. I have since installed it in a mates plane (trainer). In his case it has given him the confidence to learn rapidly and he now takes off and lands without the buddy cord.

Follow the installation instructions and you will find it a great aid to learning to fly.

Good Luck,

Colin

RE: Co_Pilot
 

II noticed you mentioned mounting a co-pilot under the fuselage. I wouldn't recommend putting it under there, The heat from your exhaust can confuse the sensor. I had one on a cloud dancer mounted under the wing, the co-pilot kept rolling the plane away from the exhaust. I fought to hold on, but to no avail. Definitely set it up so you can turn it on or off during flight, or better yet, set it up on a proportional channel so you can adjust the sensitivity while in flight. Good Luck.

RE: Co_Pilot
 

Ummm...what tannerlb said... what s a co-pilot?

any links out there?

RE: Co_Pilot
 

Under the fuse is where it goes. The exhaust on the upright engine mount of the Superstar isn't a problem.

However, conyank, I doubt if you need it, given your stated flying skills. You won't like what it does to the plane's handling & it won't help you much in landing if you really "lose it" -- too low & too slow. I suggest that you save your $ and just keep plugging away.

I have taught a fair number of students on Nexstars & it is initially usefull, but it loses its charm pretty quickly once the student can actually fly -- which you can obviously do. Experienced pilots hate it.

RE: Co_Pilot
 

in response to exeter acres ?, go to www.fmadirect.com. also im pretty sure theres good info in these forums. while Ihavent put my first low wing in the air yet,(H-9 .60 corsair) im weighin the pros-n-cons of the co-pilot,and am interested in there recievers. heck, that FS8 co-pilot, reciever, failsafe unit is packed with features. good luck, Ted aka, flip-flop-fly!

RE: Co_Pilot
 

I was fooling around with my Co-pilot CPD4 the other day. I discovered that if I limited banking to 30% or so, aileron turns were completed without loosing any altitude! Same thing when making rudder-only turns. No loss of altitude! Amazing thing. I usually don't fly with it turned on, though. Takes all the fun out of flying. I just leave it on the plane to occasionally demonstrate it to the curious.[img][/img]

RE: Co_Pilot
 

balsa buster, is that you flying that bird? I've never seen a pilot on a trainer before--cool idea!!!

RE: Co_Pilot
 

DBCherry, I really have to differ with you as to the instruction part that the Co-Pilot can provide. It proved it's self to me and the people I was working for at the time as it helped to increase the learning curve by about 50%. As far as flying inverted I had no problems it just wanted to correct the inverted flight. Set it for 50% gain and you'll be OK and as far as pointing the nose down for landing I took a stock PT-40 with a Magnum 40 set ti up for approach and set the transmitter on the ground letting the model land itself. Note this was not at an AMA field but at a demonstration for the job I was doing. If you haven't tried it then please do so you'll have a blast with it. You can also check out my [link=http://www.arizonamodeler.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req =showcontent&id=1]review[/link] of the FMA Co-Pilot.