ROBBE HeliCommand 3A Manual De Instrucciones página 20

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Tips for fl ying
Take-off and landing
Cou can switch the auto-pilot on before take-off or during the fl ight.
Important: never set the gain higher than the optimum value established
during the test-fl ying schedule.
Hovering
The effect of position mode is strongest when the helicopter is fl ying close to
the ground. At the other extreme, the HeliCommand gives you more latitude for
free movement at greater altitudes.
If you are a beginner, start by fl ying at a height of around 0.5 - 1.5 m; in any
case this is the easiest altitude at which to learn. If you fl y higher and get into
diffi culties, the safest direction of escape is upwards. Position mode is effective
up to a height of around 3 metres in fl at calm conditions; up to about 1 m if
windy. Horizontal mode is effective in any condition.
The stabilising effect only works properly when the helicopter is fl ying.
When the machine is standing on the ground with the rotor spinning, it must
be controlled manually!
Control travels
The auto-pilot can be overridden manually even when gain is set to maximum;
it is overridden if you move the aileron or elevator transmitter controls past
about 50%. (When you neutralise the aileron and elevator controls, the auto-
pilot becomes active again immediately.) If you are a beginner we therefore
recommend that you control your model with small stick defl ections, and set
Expo at the transmitter!
If you reduce travel at the transmitter (Dual Rates), this might disable the ma-
nual override facility. For safety reasons you must however retain a means of
overriding the system, and this can be achieved by reducing the pilot channel
at the same time. If your transmitter features multiple fl ight modes (phases),
you can pre-set the pilot channel to different values using fl ight mode program-
ming. If you wish to reduce control travel permanently, we recommend that you
carry out the changes on the HeliCommand using the PC adaptor.
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Versions and applications
HeliCommand 3A
This basic Version is not suitable for aerobatics and 3D manoeuvres.
The HeliCommand 3D and RIGID are designed specifi cally for this type of fl ying!
HeliCommand 3D and above
For brief 3D fl ying (single turn-around manoeuvres) the "yellow" horizontal
mode can be left switched on to provide support. This mode provides stabili-
sation in normal fl ight and inverted fl ight. You can still override the stabilisation
manually. The degree of manual control can be varied using the pilot channel,
and a wide range of additional adjustment facilities is available using the PC
adaptor.
One particular use is for switching between positive and negative hovering.
The stabilisation can also be switched on for use as an "emergency knob", but
please note the following points in this regard:
3D manoeuvres
For agile 3D manoeuvres with a multitude of subsequently fl own rolly, loopings
etc, even the HeliCommand 3D should be switched to OFF (red) beforehand,
and not switched on again until at least 15 - 20 seconds after the manoeuvring
has fi nished.
The same applies to multiple stall-turns, since these may affect the horizontal
neutral detection under certain circumstances.
HeliCommand RIGID
Activating RIGID mode using the PC adaptor minimises the effects of wind
gusts and ballooning when fl ying into wind or in high speed.
In this mode unrestricted 3D fl ying and aerobatics are possible, and can be
carried out with excellent accuracy.
When you switch on horizontal or position stabilisation, the same applies as
stated for the HeliCommand 3D; see above.
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During high-speed fl ight, the HeliCommand will only brake the model slowly by
itself This means: if you override the auto-pilot by giving powerful control
commands, you will have to control the helicopter actively in order to slow it
down, i.e. you should not carry out such manoeuvres unless you are confi dent
of the control commands required.
Effect of the opto-sensor
Position mode works entirely without a visible horizon; that is why it also ope-
rates properly close to trees etc.
If you are a beginner to helicopters it is best to restrict your fl ying to normal
ground surfaces (grass, gravel etc.) This should ensure that maximum stabili-
sing effect is always available.
In darkness, or when overfl ying optically smooth surfaces
(water, snow, car roofs, smooth unpatterned indoor fl oors etc.)
In such cases, i.e. when the optical ground sensor cannot detect suffi cient
contrast, only horizontal mode will be active even when the unit is set to "green"
(position) mode. Brief contrast interruptions are bridged by the intelligent soft-
ware, and will not be noticed by the pilot. However, if the contrast remains too
low for a long period, the remaining instruments automatically take the stabili-
sing role; if this should happen, you will need to keep an eye on the helicopter's
position and, if necessary, correct it with slight stick defl ections. .
If you have to fl y under the conditions stated above, for safety's sake you
should select "yellow" horizontal mode beforehand. If you are unsure, check
the contrast as described below.
Indoor fl ying
Use "yellow" mode. "Green" mode is taboo unless you check the fl oor con-
trast from different distances (see below) and limit yourself to normal fl ight
attitude (in "green" position mode don't fl y inverted indoors - even with the
HeliCommand 3D !).
Checking the contrast
In the "green" position mode the LED will fl icker to warn you that the contrast or
brightness is not suffi cient; this means that the HeliCommand has automatical-
ly switched to "yellow" horizontal mode. You can check this close to the ground
and at various distances above ground.
Also, the sensor's response can be watched, by setting "green" position mode
and moving your hand under the HeliCommand at a distance of about 30 cm.
Notes
• Over tall grass, loose foliage etc. it is always better in the interests of safety
to fl y fairly high, because objects moving about in the rotor downdraught may
adversely affect position mode, or switch to the horizontal "yellow" mode.
• If the model is subject to a rapid change in temperature, please wait for at least
fi ve minutes for the system to settle down before you switch on, and do not
use the system below -5°C or above +50°C. (If the stabilisation is switched off,
it can be used between -10°C and +50°C.) It is best to switch on only just be
fore take-off, and then to leave the helicopter level, i.e. avoid touching it in any
way.
• If drift is detectable after a 90° ... 180° tail rotor rotation, the installed attitude
in the model can be optimized (see fault-fi nding).
• Don't use the system in the rain - short circuit hazard!
For skilful pilots: differences in handling
• Switch off the stabilisation before fl ying stall-turns, because - of course - the
system would try to return the helicopter to the horizontal attitude.
• Use "green" position mode only for hovering and for slow fl ying close to the
ground!
• To incline the helicopter at large angles, e.g. in order to brake from high speed,
you will need to apply larger control defl ections than without stabilisation.
For auto-rotation: reduce the gain.
• To fl y smooth turns hold the nominal angle of bank with aileron, otherwise the
helicopter will try to right itself.
Range of applications
The system is designed to make it easier to control model helicopters as used
by hobby pilots.
Caution! Not designed for manned vehicles or for military purposes. Infringement
is strictly prohibited; breaches of this rule will be pursued as a licence violation.
The modelling versions HeliCommand 3A, 3D and RIGID are not suitable for
use in built-up areas, close to or above buildings and installations.
For professional applications such as still photography / fi lming / surveying etc.
the HeliCommand Profi should always be used. See on page 13.
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