Table of Contents
Related Manuals for FMA Co-Pilot
Summary of Contents for FMA Co-Pilot
- Page 1 Co-Pilot Infrared Flight Stabilization System User’s Guide Note: Read this manual carefully before using Co-Pilot™. FMA, Inc. 5716A Industry Lane Frederick, MD 21704 Sales: (800) 343-2934 Technical: (301) 668-7614 www.fmadirect.com...
- Page 2 (www.fmadirect.com) for details. time and work through the manual carefully. © 2003 FMA, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this publication is prohibited. Co-Pilot is a trademark of FMA, Inc. User Guide Version 2.21 U.S. Patent 6,181,989. Foreign and other patents pending.
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Page 3: Safety Precautions
Muncie, Indiana 47302 A calibration reading of 1 is rare. It is recommended that Phone: (800) 435-9262 you not fly using Co-Pilot™ when a reading of 1 is Web: www.modelaircraft.org obtained over the coolest terrain present. To completely turn off Co-Pilot™, you must rotate the sensitivity control (“Throw”) on the Computer fully... -
Page 4: Before You Start
Remote activation On/off control or proportional sensitivity adjustment, depending on channel availability of radio system Aircraft types Aileron/elevator, elevons or helicopter with standard linkages (Multi Channel Co-Pilot supports flaperons, differential ailerons, 3x120 CCPM and 4x90 CCPM helicopters) Co-Pilot™ user’s guide –... -
Page 5: How To Use This Manual
Throw control. proportional control channel (usually a knob or lever on the transmitter), it can be assigned to turn Co-Pilot™ on and off, Regardless of the option you select, your experience and skill and to adjust sensitivity during flight. You’ll be able to set will determine how to best use Co-Pilot™. - Page 6 Sensor must be away from the muffler and exhaust spray (exhaust spray will cloud the infrared windows and affect Co-Pilot™ operation). (See the suggestions to the right for your type of aircraft.) On a high-wing airplane, locate a spot for the sensor on...
- Page 7 Secure the Sensor to the boom with a cable tie. Secure the ribbon cable with a piece of tape. Secure the ribbon cable with small cable ties. FMA Direct – 7 – Co-Pilot™ user’s guide...
- Page 8 Pilot™ remote control cable, leave it unconnected (but tuck servo it out of the way). See “Options for controlling Co-Pilot™” on page 5 for more information about this function. Ribbon cable c. Set switch 3 as shown at right for your kind of aircraft.
- Page 9 PCM receivers certain PCM receivers Check receiver Check receiver manual for correct manual for correct orientation orientation 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 Receiver Receiver FMA Direct – 9 – Co-Pilot™ user’s guide...
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Page 10: Initial Setup
Press and hold the Infrared Calibration Button. c. With the Button still pressed, turn on the receiver. The servos will cycle three times to indicate that Co-Pilot™ is in Setup Mode. (Actually, when power is applied like this, Co-Pilot™ starts in Pitch Setup Mode, used in step 4 on the next page.) - Page 11 Press and hold the Infrared Calibration Button while you you turn on the receiver. turn on the receiver. Operate the transmitter switch or knob controlling Co- Operate the transmitter switch or knob controlling Co- Pilot™. Pilot™. FMA Direct – 11 – Co-Pilot™ user’s guide...
- Page 12 Turn Co-Pilot’s Throw control all the way off Best for beginners: Auto Trim on. Take off with Co- Pilot™ on, and trim in the air with Co-Pilot™ on. (counterclockwise) at the Computer. With Auto Trim on, plane stays in trim when Co- c.
- Page 13 Hand near right front Sensor “P” window should move elevons move up. If both elevons don’t move up, swashplate left and back. If swashplate moves incor- change switches 1 and/or 2 on the Co-Pilot™ Com- rectly, change switches 1 and/or 2 on the Co-Pilot™ puter until they do.
- Page 14 Operate Co-Pilot™ outside. Turn Co-Pilot™ on. Increase Throw. Aircraft trim changes when Co-Pilot™ is turned on or off. Assure Co-Pilot™ Sensor is parallel to line of flight. Trim with Co-Pilot™ Throw control fully off (counterclockwise). See “Tips for trimming,” below.
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Page 15: At The Field
3 over water. Co-Pilot™ conveniently tells you about the infrared temperature However, if Co-Pilot sees a 2 over land, it would see 0 over wa- difference it measures on a relative scale of one (small differ- ter. - Page 16 2 cycles: Co-Pilot™ will provide some stabilization, but will be more sensitive to terrain hot spots. 1 cycle: Do not fly using Co-Pilot™: turn it off by rotating the sensitivity control (“Throw” on the Computer) fully 2. Set level orientation.
- Page 17 Step back 10 feet, move aileron (roll) stick. This re- cords the horizon and ends the calibration. cords horizon and ends calibration. Add small amount of right roll trim to compensate for tail rotor thrust. FMA Direct – 17 – Co-Pilot™ user’s guide...
- Page 18 Add this routine to your other pre-flight checks. 1. Check pitch compensation. a. Turn on the transmitter, then turn on the receiver. b. Turn Co-Pilot™ on or set sensitivity to maximum (if it can be controlled from the transmitter). Set dual or tri rates to high.
- Page 19 The swashplate should not tilt forward or back. When the plane is level, the control surfaces should be When the helicopter is level, the swashplate should be centered. level. FMA Direct – 19 – Co-Pilot™ user’s guide...
- Page 20 Co-Pilot™ on when you To fly straight and level: Center the stick. You may need it, turn it off when you don’t. Or use Co-Pilot™ as a need to adjust elevator trim to maintain level flight.
- Page 21 2. Apply a little up elevator to maintain altitude. 3. Center the stick to return to level flight. Flying with Co-Pilot™ when the wind is calm will To fly straight and level: Center the stick. You may “feel” different—it will seem like a breeze is need to adjust elevator trim to maintain level flight.
- Page 22 Warranty. FMA, Inc. warrants this product to be free of manufacturing defects for the term of one year from the date of purchase. Should any defects covered by this warranty occur, the product shall be repaired or replaced with a unit of equal performance by FMA, Inc. or an au- thorized FMA service station.
- Page 23 If the surfaces move incorrectly, change switch 4 on the Co-Pilot™ Computer (do not change switch 1 or 2 in this step). Note: When performing these tests, if both ailerons and elevator are not moving, make sure switch 3 on the Co-Pilot™...
- Page 24 Move stick right and left, and assure aircraft controls 1 cycle: Do not fly using Co-Pilot™: turn it off by rotating move in correct directions. the Throw on the Computer fully counterclockwise.