Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

[Grossman56]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

I have them in all my Pandoras and Mustangs.  Hadn't noticed this but was a little concerned when I saw it.  But Ryan is right (of course), it says to expect that in the manual.  Thanks for reminding me and relieving my mind as well.

Grossman56

[Pheonix]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

This happened to me as well. I am not worried after reading the file. I have these in all my planes, either the A3 or Eagle Tree. I think the Eagle Tree is easier to use because it can be programmed using your PC.

[StormyDog1962]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

Is there a way to setup gyro when you have both Ailerons connected into separate channels, not on a Y harness.  As I have FMS Zero ailerons on separate channels.

The HobbyEagle Super II will allow for connecting 2 separate Aileron servos and 2 separate Elevator servos. http://www.motionrc.com/eagle-a3-super-ii-6-axis-programmable-airplane-gyro-w-auto-recovery/ I would recommend getting the one with the programming card unless you have a laptop or buy a USB extension cable, the one it comes with is a tad short.
Wayne

[dbdukeboy]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

I just set mine up today in my dynam Pitts. Only got a few flights because I forgot to charge my radio. One question I have is, do I need to raise the tail of my plane when the gyro is initializing. My first flight it seemed like it was dragging the tail. Second flight I put a piece of foam under the tail and it seemed better. When my plane is sitting tail wheel on the ground it is in a nose up position. So is going to calibrate it in this position?

[Grossman56]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

What I do with mine, and what is recommended, is that you plug in the battery and the airplane goes trough its series of beeps, don't touch it while it is doing this.  The controls will twitch once it is ready, which is pretty close to immediately after the beeps, then its is free to go.  The tail should be on the ground, it takes that into account

Grossman56

[dbdukeboy]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

What I do with mine, and what is recommended, is that you plug in the battery and the airplane goes trough its series of beeps, don't touch it while it is doing this.  The controls will twitch once it is ready, which is pretty close to immediately after the beeps, then its is free to go.  The tail should be on the ground, it takes that into account

Grossman56

Thanks for the advice

[Grossman56]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

I have to day, these gyros are the best bang for your buck, accessory-wise.  I found that the way the plane responds to the controls, even when your not in the wind, is just awesome.  Like Ryan says in his video, it feels like its locked in.
All my planes fly very crisp to the controls because they all have them.  On the occasion that the wind does come up, and here in Cody, Wy, it does, you can still control the plane and get it on the ground safely.  Its interesting to switch it on and off just to see the difference.

Grossman56

[Pheonix]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

This has been my experience as well. My pilot friends were amazed how well my Spitfire flew in gusty winds the other day. I have gyros in just about all my planes now, some A3L's and some Eagle Tree (jets).

[sportflyer]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

Guys , I only need to use this gyro for the rudder to keep the plane straight during take off. Can I leave the ail and elev unconnected? I ask because the manual seem to indicate that all 3 servos must be connected. tks

[StormyDog1962]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

I have been wanting to test this theory myself, if you can't do it on the A3-L or A-3 Six Axis I will let you know soon. If not the Super II allows you to adjust the Gain for each control surface individually so you could go to 0% on the Aileron and Elevator. Then find the right Gain setting on the Rudder and set it, once airborne you could turn off the gyro. It would not be necessary for landing but you could turn it on for that as part of the landing sequence. Will check this out tonight and get back to you shortly.

[Grossman56]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

That's interesting, I just add a little right rudder rudder to take off.  Personally, I think you may be doing a disservice to yourself if you haven't flown with it all hooked up.  I find that all my planes fly so much better with them on (I have 6x A3L's, two planes are primary trainers with their own stability gyros and one is just to tight to get one in.)  Some equate gyro usage with cheating, I think of it as if I went from bias ply tires (remember them?) to top of the line radials (Pirrelli P 7's).  SOOO much better!!!

Grossman56  

[Pheonix]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

I agree. Why not use the technology when available. I use them in all my planes so far.

[sportflyer]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

I use gyros judiciously. I have an Eagle Tree Guardian installed in the Addiction plane . In HH uncommanded mode , it flies like it on rails . Easy to have horizon to horizon knife edge plus hovering is a breeze . I can even put the tx on the ground while it hovers. This was my first experience using airplane gyros and it really positive.

Most of my planes do not have Gyros. I prefer to fly without .

The Eagle A3-L was intended for my scale Tcraft rudder function to ease take off which is really squirrelly . I was just planning to use HH on rudder just for take off and turn it off once in flight because its so stable once in the air. I will have to T the aileron servos because the A3-L does not have dual ail outputs. Fortunately this is easily done because the ail servos are in the correct orientation .I do lose the ability to individually dial in each aileron displacement .

I made a small jig to try out the A3-L with only the rudder function . We'll see whether it will work properly without connecting up the elev and rudder servos.

[Grossman56]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

It'll be interesting to hear, I guess it should work...

Grossman56

[sportflyer]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

I tried the A3-L gyro with only rudder function connected on my test Jig ( which is simply a horiz balsa plank with a vert fin and runner ) and I am happy to report that the Gyro works ( rate as well as AVCS) like a single axis gyro , at least for the rudder. I tried it inverted and it function just as good.

[Grossman56]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

Cool, good thing to know as I would assume that if that's the case with the rudder it would do the same with the ailerons and elevator if you wanted it to.

Grossman56

[sportflyer]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

It should work . Now its time to install the gyro on to the Tcraft. This gyro would be good for warbirds like the Spitfire .

[sportflyer]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

I think with addition of the remote gain channel, I should be able to set both trim pots to a high number ( like 80%) and use the Remote gain slide control on the TX for gain control. Is this your understanding ?

[Pheonix]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

It should work . Now its time to install the gyro on to the Tcraft.   This gyro would be good for warbirds like the Spitfire .

I am using one on my Spitfire!  Works like a charm.

[Grossman56]

RE: Hobby Eagle A3L Gyro

My three Mustangs have A3Ls in them and they're great!  In fact, any plane I can get one into gets one!

Grossman56