User Manual

USER GUIDE
83
7.2 First Flight Recommendations
7.2.1 Ground Tests before First Flight
7.2.1.1 Vibration Check for Fixed Wing
If you can do so safely, it is recommended that you perform a prop-on engine run-up on the ground with 2D
stabilization enabled (and the gain knob at midpoint or higher, if used), while watching your control
surfaces for drift. This is especially important to do if you have a nitro, gas, or other high vibration motor.
Don’t fly your model if your control surfaces are moving unexpectedly during engine run-up! You’ll need
to find ways of further isolating the MicroVector, or your airframe, from motor vibration, such as using
a cushioned motor mount.
7.2.1.2 Control Direction check for Multirotors
If you have not done so already, use the Motor Test stick menu (described earlier) to verify the correct
rotation direction and motor wiring order.
7.2.2 Flight Mode for Takeoffs
For fixed wing models, it is recommended that you take off either in a non 2D stabilized mode (3D mode,
‘Gyro’ mode, or Stabilization Off mode), or in 2D mode WITHOUT Hold with your gain knob turned low,
until you are sure that your gain and other settings are correct for your model. Once you take off, you can
turn the gain up or switch into a 2D stabilized mode, but be prepared to exit that mode if there are
problems.
In general, if you take off in 2D WITH Hold mode, note that the model will hold whatever heading it was last
pointing to UNTIL you unlock heading hold by moving the aileron or rudder stick. Make sure that you
move one of these sticks after you have the model pointing in the takeoff direction, but before taking off!
For Multirotors, you should always take off in a non-GPS mode (2D, 2D with Heading Hold, Cartesian, 3D
with Hold, or Center Stick mode). Once in the air, you can switch to a GPS mode as desired. Also, at least
for your first flights it is recommended that a non-altitude hold flight mode (2D, 3D with Heading Hold, or
Center Stick mode) be available on your mode/submode switches, in case excessive vibration causes issues
with altitude hold.
Excessive frame vibration in altitude hold flight modes (2DH, Loiter, etc.) can cause altitude hold to fail.
If this happens, the multirotor can suddenly climb very rapidly! Be prepared to switch out of altitude
hold mode and land, if this condition occurs. Also, the MicroVector attempts to detect this condition and
switch out of altitude hold mode after a few seconds, each time the condition occurs.
7.2.3 Fixed Wing Stalls
With fixed wing models, it’s critical to maintain enough airspeed to avoid a stall. If a stall should occur,
however, correct stall recovery techniques must be used to avoid a crash. These are documented on the
web and elsewhere, and may vary from airframe to airframe.
Maintain sufficient airspeed to avoid stalling, and if a stall occurs, make sure you are familiar with
correct stall recovery techniques for your airframe!