User Manual

MyCoolRC page on Generic Gyro testing.
Mounting Gyro
Mount the gyro in the same orientation as you did the testing. Use some double foam tape
such as Helicopter Gyro tape, or 3M Indoor/Outdoor tape (gray with red release paper). I
recommend you avoid the 3M foam tape that is white with green letters. There are other
mounting methods if you consult the RCGroups threads linked to on the first page. Do
not tape directly to foam. I recommend you glue/epoxy some plastic or something to the
foam first unless you can be assured that the gyro will not come loose in flight. A loose
vibrating gyro can cause severe oscillations or an uncontrollable situation.
Generic Airplane Gyro mounting page
at MyCoolRc
Double check your TX reversing and your Gyro reversing as described above!
Note, as mentioned on the Gyro Test page at MyCoolRC, I do a gyro test and TX test
before EVERY FLIGHT. It does not take much time at all! The more you do it, the
quicker it will take.
Setting Gains
At the time of the release of this revision of document, It is confirmed that the Orange Rx
gain dials are very sensitive and do not have a good linear range. In other words, from
fully CCW (say 7 o’clock) to mid position (12 o’clock), the gain dials do virtually
nothing. From 3 o’clock to 5 o’clock, the gain jumps dramatically. For this reason, I
recommend starting your first flight with the gains almost turned down to nil. That
would be the ½ way 12 o’clock position. Moving the airplane should barely (if at all)
move the control surfaces. It should be like it was before you flew the airplane. Fly the
plane, trim it out, then land. Start to bump up the gains 1/16 to 1/32 turns at a time. Use
some common sense here. If you want to be cautious, do it 1 axis at a time. You may
find that the aileron axis is the most sensitive. You want to test for oscillations, If you get
oscillations, you need to dial the gains back. You will get the possibility of oscillations at
various speeds. Ailerons tend to get the worse in a downward high-speed dive. Elevators
and Rudders vary for each plane but for a complete test, you want to fly at various speeds
before you know your gains are good. On a very windy day, you MAY see more or
temporary oscillations and if so, dial the appropriate gain back. Keep in mind that too
much gain also works the servos harder and CAN cause pre-mature wear on the motors
or servo pots. Some people have reported reduced roll/loop rates when gains are higher.
Keep that in mind and do your loops/roll testing with enough altitude before building
confidence.
And most important:
Have FUN. If anyone criticizes you for using a gyro, just laugh at them when they pack
up and go home due to the high winds or crosswinds!!!!!