T-Rex SE/FS8 co-pilot setup question

[Steve G]

Hi all,

I just installed the FMA FS8 co-pilot on my Trex SE (which I've never flown yet, just taken it off the ground for a couple of heartbeats 2 or 3 times). I'm using an Airtronics (Sanwa) RD6000 Super 6 channel Tx. Using all 6 channels for the Trex leaves me no channel to use to turn the FS8 on/off with the Tx. Today while learning to field calibrate, I was holding the bird sideways for the infrared calibration step. Upon completion I wanted to review my notes so I turned off the Tx... big mistake as the FS8 read this as a Failsafe condition and... on its own... the motor revved up the blades to hover speed ... YEOWWWW. I managed to unplug the battery without injury to me or the heli, but I don't like the idea of this and I'd like a failsafe for my failsafe. Is there some kind of inline switch that's light and easy to install maybe between the battery and ESC?

Thanks,
Steve (still shaking)

[imora99]

Hello Steve,

I am glad you were able to walk away from this expericend unharmed.

I am sorry If I am not writing to provide a solution to your questions.

I have been considering getting an Co-Pilot myself but I am not quite sure whether it would perform as advertised. Being a completely newbie myself I was wondering if you'd be so kind as to report your progress and specially if you could comment how you find the Co-Pilot to satisfy your expectations.

Thanks,

David

[Steve G]

Hi David,

As far as I can tell - I'm still new and only learning to hover - the FS8 works exactly as advertised. Most of these guys will tell you that these helis are hard to control for pitch and roll. With the FS8, you can forget about that and let the co-pilot take over that chore. You can really hover and worry only about the throttle/pitch stick if it's not windy. I think it was well worth the cost. I think I paid around $180 for it with the vertical sensor and the PC link. In retrospect, I really don't think I need the vertical sensor (Its only function is to right the heli when you invert it - let go of the stick when the heli is upside down and it will roll over with skids down.) I don't plan on doing that for quite a while. The PC link helps because you can hook up the heli to the computer and see where the trims and failsafes and other things are.

Good Luck

Steve

[dodgey]

Indeed - set the failsafe for the throttle via the PC software. (set it to zero! :-) )

I have the FS8 with V sensor on my Logo 20. I don't use it but it's there so I can flip it on if I get in a real mess high up and upside down! :-)

[xStatiCa]

Same mistake I made (with different setup though). My leg was in the way when it started up and was bruised pretty good for a week or so. Luckily the blades were wood(balsa). My leg broke all the blades which kept it from doing more damage by taking off in the house :). Lesson learned... when buying a used heli make sure fail safe is setup properly.