Co-Pilot™ II Advanced Infrared Flight Stabilization System Reference Manual Instructions for installing, setting up and using Co-Pilot™ II FMA, Inc. 3520 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite F-03-121 Urbana, MD 21704 Sales: (301) 798 2770 www.revolectrix.
Introduction Co-Pilot™ II features IRNet wireless user interface n Works with all types of radio systems, including all spread spectrum radios. The Co-Pilot II Computer Module installs between your existing receiver and servos. n Supports analog servos and high-resolution digital servos. n As with all previous Co-Pilot models, the system offers accuracy to 1 degree of the horizon by sensing the temperature variation between the earth and the sky.
Safety precautions General safety precautions Flight stabilization safety precautions Radio controlled models are not toys! Please observe these general safety precautions: Follow all instructions in this manual to assure safe operation. If you have not assembled and operated a radio controlled model before, obtain help from an experienced modeler. You will need guidance to successfully assemble, test and operate radio controlled models.
Installing Co-Pilot II Tip: None of the Co-Pilot II components are particularly susceptible to vibration. In many cases, the components can be mounted using double-sided adhesive tape. Parts list IRNet Programmer (Part no. IRNHP) Mounting the Main Sensor Module IRNet Router (Part no. IRNRTR) General information Co-Pilot™ II Computer (Part no. CPII-CM) The Main Sensor Module can be mounted anywhere on the aircraft, as long as the following requirements are met: Main Sensor Module (Part no.
Mounting on an airplane Tip: For additional security, feed cable ties through the slots in the bottom of the Sensor’s case and around the boom. Typical mounting locations for the Main Sensor Module include on the top or bottom of the fuselage, on top of the wing of a high-wing airplane, or on the bottom of the wing of a low-wing airplane.
Mounting on a helicopter Mounting the Co-Pilot™ II Computer The Vertical Sensor Module is typically mounted on the boom, close to the body. Use an installation procedure similar to boom mounting for the Main Sensor Module. Alternatively, the Vertical Sensor Module can be attached to the helicopter frame or cockpit using the included double-sided adhesive strips. Mount the Computer in a manner similar to your receiver.
If helicopter channels are limited Special installation considerations As initially configured, many CCPM helicopter radio systems don’t have a free channel for turning Co-Pilot II on/off and selecting Flight Modes. If your helicopter doesn’t use four channels for flight stabilization (most helis use three servos for CCPM) and doesn’t have enough channels for both gyro control and Co-Pilot on/off, there is a solution...
Programming Co-Pilot II About the IRNet Programmer The IRNet Programmer is your “window” on the Co-Pilot™ II system. It enables you to interact with the Computer to configure the system and assure that it is working correctly. the Router when the two are within 1-2 feet of one another. 4. As shown in the “Link Up” flowchart: a. Simultaneously press the DEC and ENTER buttons. The screen may briefly show: Searching... for a Device b.
FMA Direct Perform basic preflight checks: Co-Pilot system check Battery voltage Current TX Remote setting Temperature differential Aileron and elevator centering “Preflight” Co-Pilot Main Menu Overview 9 Specify modulation type Select Remote switch type Set up 2 Way Switch or Volume Knob or 3 Way Switch or Slider “Remote On/Off Setup” Enable/disable remote on/off Specify Off and Flight Mode position(s)* Set Co-Pilot trims for: Level flight Inverted flight Vertical hover Knife edge flight “Do Field
Co-Pilot II reference manual 10 Repeat until "Co-Pilot II" appears. If other devices are on IRNet. Press and release BACK to return to previous screen. Press and hold BACK to return to previous menu level. Press DEC + ENTER to scan for devices on IR Net. Press INC + BACK to adjust contrast. IR Net Programmer Buttons: INCrease BACK DECrease ENTER Using the IR Net Programmer ENTER Co-Pilot II Vx.xx DEC + ENTER (Scan for devices) Other IRNet Product Screens Searching...
Preflight FMA Direct 11 ENTER Pitch=+0.0° UP Roll=+0.0° Lft ENTER/BACK Ail./Elev. are CENTERED ENTER/BACK Sky to Ground T. Diff= 20°F GOOD ENTER/BACK Co-Pilot OFF Remote = 0% ENTER/BACK Batt = x.xxV NO BROWN OUTS ENTER/BACK No Error Found ALL SYSTEMS GO “Quick Setup” (Main Menu) Sky to Ground T. Diff= 9°F BAD [Other Flt Modes] [Other Remote %] ENTER A/E not CENTERED Set Cent. Now? >N If System Error INC/DEC Batt = x.xxV WARNING!
Co-Pilot II reference manual No 12 ENTER/BACK Max Servo Travel Limit? >100% ENTER/BACK Inverted Down Elevator > 15% Yes ENTER/BACK Stick Priority > 50% ENTER/BACK Set Gains for Stability? >N ENTER/BACK INC/DEC INC/DEC ENTER CHOOSE TASK? >PREFERENCES ENTER/BACK INC/DEC Flight Mod
Flight Mode Setup FMA Direct 13 ENTER/ BACK No ENTER ENTER F.Mode 2 Rm=100% >Not Assigned ENTER/BACK Move TX Remote to Flight Mode 2 position, or press ENTER. Yes Does TX Remote support 2 Flight Modes and OFF? ENTER F.Mode 1 Rm=xx% >Not Assigned ENTER/BACK Move TX Remote to Flight Mode 1 position, or press ENTER. OFF Remote=0% AutoTrim? > x° ENTER/BACK Move TX Remote to OFF position, or press ENTER.
Co-Pilot II reference manual INC/DEC ENTER INC/DEC 14 “Flight Mode Setup” If uS change is too small Remote ON/OFF Must move more ENTER/BACK A Rec. Modulation? >FM/PPM ENTER/BACK Change Remote On/Off on TX?>Y INC/DEC “Flight Mode Setup” ENTER/BACK ENTER Move TX Remote to Flight Mode 1 position, then press ENTER. If uS change is too small ENTER Move TX Remote to Flight Mode 1 position, then press ENTER.
FMA Direct ENTER INC/DEC 15 ENTER/BACK Sensor Label is facing? >Sky ENTER/BACK Front Facing Diag.
Preparing to fly When using Co-Pilot™ II, you’ll need to add one or two routines to your normal preflight checks: Co-Pilot™ II preflight check — before each flight, as part of your regular preflight check. Infrared field calibration (only if the Vertical Sensor Module is not installed) — before your first flight of the day, and any time there is a significant change in the weather. Co-Pilot II preflight check If the aircraft will be flying over patchy snow, calibrate over the snow.
Flying with Co-Pilot II General flying information Flying a conventional airplane Note: This section discusses unique aspects of flying with CoPilot™ II. It is not a substitute for flight instruction from an experienced pilot. n 1. Increase throttle to begin roll-out. 2. Keep the plane moving straight with rudder. If you are a beginner, obtain help from an experienced modeler.
Flying a helicopter CAUTION: Co-Pilot II may give you a false sense of security. Do not fly close to yourself or other people. Any mechanical malfunction could result in loss of control. If the helicopter flies toward you or another person, cut the throttle immediately. Never fly near houses, cars, trees or other objects which could interfere with operation and cause damage.
Operating details About flight stabilization Co-Pilot™ II “looks” at the horizon with infrared heat sensors (this same technology is used in thermal imaging cameras). The Earth is warm (even when covered with snow) below the horizon, while the sky is cold above the horizon. Co-Pilot II “sees” this temperature difference. When Co-Pilot II senses changes in aircraft attitude relative to the infrared horizon, it sends corrective signals to the servos to keep the aircraft level.
Temperature differences of less than 10°F (5.5°C) have only been seen over snow, in fog and when the cloud cover is below two hundred feet. Not many people will fly in those conditions. Stick Priority Stick Priority provides a natural flying “feel” by reducing flight stabilization when you move a stick away from center.
3D Flight Modes Assign 3D attitudes to Flight Modes in the “Quick Setup” or “Preferences” screens. CAUTION: Co-Pilot™ II’s 3D Flight Modes are for experienced pilots only. Note: Co-Pilot II only supports aerobatic attitudes if the Vertical Sensor Module is installed and connected to the Co-Pilot II Computer. If the Vertical Sensor Module is not in the system, Co-Pilot II only supports Level Flight. Using Flight Modes 1. Using the transmitter’s remote, set Co-Pilot to Off or Level Flight.
Frequently asked questions Q: What servos do I connect to the Co-Pilot II Computer SVO outputs for flight stabilization? Q: How do Flight Modes work, and how do I set up and use the 3D Flight Modes? A: You need to connect the pitch (elevator) and roll (aileron) servos for flight stabilization. For 3D Flight Modes, you will also need to connect yaw (rudder). For CCPM helicopters, you will also connect the collective servo.
Q: What is the difference between Auto Trim and Set Angles, and what is a good strategy for trimming the model with Co-Pilot installed? Set Angles, Stick Priority, Gyro output control on SVO4, etc., it’s a convenient place to set up Flight Modes. Flight Modes are flexible, and it’s up to you how you want to use them. If no Flight Mode control is set up, then Co-Pilot will always be ON and set up for Level Flight Mode. If you have a Flight Mode control, then one setting must be OFF.
trol over the model and Co-Pilot has more control. Conversely, a higher Stick Priority setting means the gain is turned down more the farther the stick is moved from neutral. This gives you more control over the aircraft. Here are some guidelines that will give more control to you and less to Co-Pilot: n n If you are not getting any oscillation, then leave Gains where they are. Increase the Stick Priority. Experienced fliers tend to use higher figures like 150%.
