New Flybarless System

[OICU812]

I was watching the test videos for this system and doesn't this flying style look like leon luke? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-n0XJ9fmF8


I can assure you that is Alvin, the scenery there is Vancouver, Leon lives in Edmonton closer to where I live and in person their styles are very different. There are some similarities in some parts though, but that can be said for all pilots as we are all looking to do something new all the times it seems.... Matt Botos started the ol crack roll, now its everywhere, :).

[mx400]

Yeah, I wasn't saying it was Leon but for some reason it reminds me of 1 of leon's vids. Both are awesome pilots.

[puma1824]

So is this gyro/electro assisted flybarless system more or less "twitchy" for hovering and sport flying? I've only seen 3D videos. Is this purely for the 3D crowd and/or scale? What if I fall between the two...sport or sport scale? Is this just or should be used by only experts?

I ask because not only do I fly my heli, a friend is learning on it too.

Thanks in advance.

[Scott_RC-TEK]

So is this gyro/electro assisted flybarless system more or less "twitchy" for hovering and sport flying? I've only seen 3D videos. Is this purely for the 3D crowd and/or scale? What if I fall between the two...sport or sport scale? Is this just or should be used by only experts?

I ask because not only do I fly my heli, a friend is learning on it too.

Thanks in advance.

This is from their site FAQ.
Regards,
Scott

==========
What will a helicopter converted to flybarless with the SK360 fly like?

The gyro provides solid "neutral" stability in the pitch and roll axes (aileron and elevator).

This means that if you let go of the sticks, it will hold to whatever attitude it is currently at. If you put it in a perfectly level hover, it should stay there hands-off for some time, even in wind. If you're in forward flight, it will stay in forward flight with no tendency to pitch up or down.

Note that it will not level your helicopter out for you. The control feel is similar to a "heading hold" tail gyro, but applied to pitch and roll as well.

[Skookum]

Alvin's insane flying just shows how much thrashing a flybarless heli can take and still be in good control.

I just sport fly myself, and have had no problems. If anything once it's set up right, it's a more "solid" feeling than with a flybar. Even with fairly high cyclic rates, I just put about 30% expo on aileron and elevator, and it feels fine. For example I can fly my trex 450 further away comfortably, because I know it's not going to wander.

The main difference is that while a flybar'd heli tends to resist forward motion a bit (pitch up to slow down), a heli with an SK360 will "keep on going", staying at whatever angle it was told to keep at. Every control motion you put in, you have to "take back out" is how our main test pilot puts it.

Although I'm of course biased, I greatly prefer it, and have never been tempted to put the flybar back on. It feel crisper, and is easier to repair.

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

I'm itching bad to try this on my Logo 6003D. I have a Solid G gyro for the tail so this should complement it nicely.

So who is trying it out?!!?!?

[george0079]

Mine is on the way. I guess I'm gonna be one of the guinee pigs....

[SpeedVision]

I'm itching bad to try this on my Logo 6003D. I have a Solid G gyro for the tail so this should complement it nicely.

So who is trying it out?!!?!?

BAM!! Just laid down the coin to be another early adopter. Hopefully they will take care of the guys that are jumping in head first!!! I think they will. I have been casually following this thread with interest but little intent. I saw that it was not on sale and somehow my credit card popped out of my wallet and....BAM!! Ok, ok, I'll stop with the "BAM's" I am just reeling from my spontaneous purchase.

Their website is very well done and very professional for such a new Company/offering. It looks like they've put a lot of effort into this project and I can't imagine that they won't dominate the market in a very short while. As long as the hardware and software does what they say it will, the flood gates will open for them. I anticipate a few bumps, but everything looks very well thought out.

I will test this on my Mini Titan and maybe my Dragonus II. Alvin has already shown us the wicked 3D capabilities and I will give some feedback from a "below average Joe". I picked up my heli addiction this winter, so my flying skills suck, but I am very good on the technical side and I have been in some sort of RC endeavor for over 20 years.

Since the price is "low enough" for more folks to participate, maybe we are starting the "flybarless generation" of those that really never flew a heli with a flybar... Go figure.

Anyway, I can't wait. Now, if I can just master nose in...

[KevinR]

It's nice to see you get this out on the market, good job on the web site too.

[Wazzer]

Really looking forward to hearing some real world reports on this

I am just flexing my credit card at the moment to see if there is any space on it!!

[kgfly]

The flybarless age is certainly upon us. AFIAK Vbar started it (at least as a mainstream product). There are several other 3-axis systems out now that are cheaper than Vbar but more expensive than the SK-360. On price and features the AC-3X could be serious competition to the SK-360 for someone equipping a new heli without a tail gyro already in hand.

This hobby is the fastest evolving one I have known in decades. Helis, motors, batteries, chargers, gyros, flybarless systems, radios, servos, ESCs are all changing and improving at a phenomal rate. Wheeeeeeee :smokin:

[LITHIUMSTATIC]

This hobby is the fastest evolving one I have known in decades. Helis, motors, batteries, chargers, gyros, flybarless systems, radios, servos, ESCs are all changing and improving at a phenomal rate. Wheeeeeeee :smokin:

It blows my mind how fast it's changing. It's like every 3-6 months something amazing in the way of a technological advancement takes place. :YeaBaby:

[Scott_RC-TEK]

The flybarless age is certainly upon us. AFIAK Vbar started it (at least as a mainstream product). There are several other 3-axis systems out now that are cheaper than Vbar but more expensive than the SK-360. On price and features the AC-3X could be serious competition to the SK-360 for someone equipping a new heli without a tail gyro already in hand.

This hobby is the fastest evolving one I have known in decades. Helis, motors, batteries, chargers, gyros, flybarless systems, radios, servos, ESCs are all changing and improving at a phenomal rate. Wheeeeeeee :smokin:

At approximately US$865 + shipping, the AC-3X is much more than 2x the price of the SK-360 and still several hundred more even after you add a decent tail gyro. It would have been nice to see the sub US$300 mark met, but US$329 is within reason and if the device lives up to the specifications, this could be the emergence of something good.:thumbup:

Regards,
Scott

[Wenlock]

From Skookum web site:

Mixing In-Gyro, but able to accept pre-mixed 120° swash inputNow that's a nice touch, it means you can add one of these to an eCCPM heli that's already set-up and flying. The V-Bar & CSM systems need you to set up the heli as mCCPM (ail, ele & collective outputs). Might seem like a small thing, but if you're using a Futaba Tx, swapping between eCCPM and mCCPM means resetting the heli and losing all your settings.

This feature alone should make it more attractive to people who want to try flybarless.

I already have a V-Bar system on my Logo 600 (brilliant!) and I'm adding a CSM system to an Evo 50. I think I need to try one of these on a T-Rex 450 !

[fireup]

From Skookum web site:

Now that's a nice touch, it means you can add one of these to an eCCPM heli that's already set-up and flying. The V-Bar & CSM systems need you to set up the heli as mCCPM (ail, ele & collective outputs). Might seem like a small thing, but if you're using a Futaba Tx, swapping between eCCPM and mCCPM means resetting the heli and losing all your settings.

This feature alone should make it more attractive to people who want to try flybarless.

I already have a V-Bar system on my Logo 600 (brilliant!) and I'm adding a CSM system to an Evo 50. I think I need to try one of these on a T-Rex 450 !

I would still use mCCPM on the Tx and have the unit do the mixing. It gives you higher resolution. It's easy enough to just create a new model if you want to save the old settings.

From the software screen shots, I don't see a Head Lock Decay feature on this unit. Hope it's in there somewhere.

[Tomas-]

If I already have a swash ring on the TX should I disable the software swash ring in the SK360?

[wirlybird]

How do you guys rate the Helicommand system???
Dave.

[cudaboy_71]

How do you guys rate the Helicommand system???
Dave.


helicommand is a stability control system (aka autopilot), not an electronic flybar. it is not relevant to this thread. but, you might find some good discussions in the AV forums, since they are good photography platforms.

[kgfly]

At approximately US$865 + shipping, the AC-3X is much more than 2x the price of the SK-360 and still several hundred more even after you add a decent tail gyro. Oops, I thought it was $565, my mistake :oops:

[SpeedVision]

From the software screen shots, I don't see a Head Lock Decay feature on this unit. Hope it's in there somewhere.

How would this differ from the Hillier Decay on the first screen shot? I ask only because I have no clue.

[fireup]

How would this differ from the Hillier Decay on the first screen shot? I ask only because I have no clue.
Ah, ok. I see now.

[speedpass]

Will Bob going to do a " how to " video on this system?

[n2wizard]

I hope so- I just put my order in, and have questions about anti rotation setup for swash on Trex head
Herman.

[speedpass]

Skookum,

Give yourself a break by sending in your Flybarless System to Bob for review, it will save you a lot of time to reply e-mails, especially for beginners' questions. We all see your vids and know your pilot could fly, but we need to see how easy to set it up IN DETAILS. Please!!!

Sorry Bob for not asking for your premission. Of course, you have your rights to refuse for review :).

[Big Fil]

hehe, Bob's got a flybar'd Logo i'd bet he'd like to try it on:YeaBaby:. Shoot, i've got a flybar'd Logo that i'd like to try it on.