User manual

determine Stick feel but don’t affect how the stabilization works. That is entirely done
within the receiver.
10. Adjust the stabilizer gain pots
Set the three gain pots at about the 10 o’clock position. This is a good conservative starting
point that will produce noticeable stabilization. For most models, at least one or two gain
settings will need to be increased or decreased during flight testing to achieve optimum
stabilization. As delivered the stabilizer gains are normally at the 12 o’clock position. Many
models fly with gains between 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock but some may require minimum
gain (< 8 o’clock) and some maximum gain (> 4 o’clock) on a particular channel. There is
no hard rule and gains can only be fine-tuned by observing the behavior of the model at
various speeds during flight testing.
11. Prepare for flying
Plug in the motor and/or install the propeller as necessary. Check the control directions
and stabilization functions one more time. Do a reduced power range test (should give at
least 25m/27 yards range with full control). Check that the Gear switch is operating
correctly to turn stabilization ON (green light only) and OFF (green and red lights). Make
sure you know which way is which! Test failsafe operation by running the model (well
secured) at about half throttle and turning off the transmitter. The motor should stop after
a couple of seconds and the control surfaces should stay in their current positions. For
more on failsafe, see page 10. If you have Master Gain on channel 8, set it to the middle of
its range.
12. Perform a test flight
Before taking off, starting in the OFF position, toggle the Gear (stabilizer) switch back and
forth twice quickly (within 1 second) to store the neutral positions of the controls. This
“double toggle” should be done before each flight if any of the trims and/or subtrims are far
from zero. If little trim/subtrim is used, this step can be omitted. Check that the stabilizer is
turned OFF. Take off and fly around, adjusting trim as necessary. Make sure the model flies
properly without stabilization. If you make major trim adjustments, do a double toggle to
enable the stabilizer to store the new neutral positions. At a safe height, use the Gear switch
to turn the stabilizer ON. If the model rolls, dives or turns suddenly, at least one of the gyro
direction switches (J1, J2, J3) is incorrectly set. Switch OFF the stabilizer immediately! Land
and fix. Likewise if you encounter major oscillation, land and reduce gain in the axis/axes
involved. Assuming the model does nothing scary, continue flying to explore the action of
the stabilizer. Do a shallow dive to pick up speed and watch for oscillation on one or more
axes. If it happens, just throttle back and slow down (oscillation is quite different from
control surface flutter and is generally not destructive). Notice how the model handles with
the stabilizer turned on. It may be less responsive on one or more axes. Experiment with
dual rate settings. Turn stabilization off and on to get familiar with its effects.
13. Fine tune stabilizer gain
Now make a series of flights to optimize the individual gain settings. This will involve
repeated landings to adjust each pot on the receiver, followed by retesting in flight, but the
basic job can be done relatively quickly. It’s a good idea to keep notes.