Is using a gyro cheating?

[Capt. Crunch]

I used to think using a gyro was cheating. But I recently added a plane, with a gyro preinstalled, to my fleet. I have to say I really like it! It makes doing maneuvers a lot easier. So is this considered cheating or am I just taking advantage of the technology of today?

Any thoughts?

Jeff

[Lon]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

I used to think using a gyro was cheating. But I recently added a plane, with a gyro preinstalled, to my fleet. I have to say I really like it! It makes doing maneuvers a lot easier. So is this considered cheating or am I just taking advantage of the technology of today?

Any thoughts?

Jeff

Jeff,

Not cheating....With my cars, one example. I've gone thru standard brakes, power brakes...and all my cars are now power ABS disc. True, it's taken away some of the challenge and technique of breaking in snowy/icy road conditions. But I like the technology to enhance my driving experience :) 

Lon

[Grossman56]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

Well, I look at it this way, there's my brand new airplane I just spent half a grand on laying in a smoking pile because the wind got up unexpectedly and snagged her into the ground on final.  The only thing I can say is , "At least I didn't cheat"
Seems kind of lame to me.
I'm with Lon, my first car was a 59 Chev Bel Air with power nothin' Ever get pinned in a parking lot with a boat with nothing in the middle of Summer!  You worked up a big sweat!!!!!!!
Now, my Silverado has more gadgets to make my life easier than I ever dreamed of.
Same scenario, anything that makes my life easier or my flying more relaxing and enjoyable ain't cheating, just keeps me from getting a heart attack!!

Grossman56

[Pheonix]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

Heck no.  Cheating on what?  I use them most of the time now, especially on those 400+ birds and some other ones.

[farmflyer]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

I agree it's not cheating what ever makes your flying experience more enjoyable is perfectly fine.

[retiredflyer]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

I've always been an advocate of gyros.  After using my first one in my SuperCub last year, I put them in ALL my planes.  What a feeling to know you have that technology to back you up and give you that more relaxed feeling if you so desire. Also opens up all those days that you would not even consider flying because of the wind!  LOVE EM!

   Keith

[Grossman56]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

besides, if you're cheating, there must be rules to cheat from.
The only rules are:
Fly safely and don't endanger people and property.

Using a gyro gives you a better chance to do just that!

Grossman56

[doctormike]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

Cheating? Absolutely not! This whole thing is about having fun! All us old farts deserve it! However, I fly all my larger planes sans gyro with no problem. I'm finishing my E-Flite P51-D with AS3X. Can hardly wait to try her out! Gyro... no gyro.. just have fun!!!!!!!! Doc

[Loneflier]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

I agree with what everyone is saying. Heck, this hobby is about having fun, and if a gyro helps, use it! It really isn't any different than the computerized radios we are using to control throws, exponential, mixing of rudder and ailerons, etc. In the old days, that might have been considered cheating too, but I don't see anyone complaining about the radios today!

[Grossman56]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

Think of it as doing your taxes, wherever you can cheat, cheat!

Grossman56

(A little tax time humor)

[Capt. Crunch]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

Thanks for all the responses. You all make valid points and it makes me feel better that you think that way. I agree its all about fun and if using a gyro adds to that fun, I'm all in!!
Now that I've used one and know what it can do, I'm going to use the h*ll out of these gyros!! :D

Jeff

[Hippie 64]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

No it's not cheating . I don't use one but that's just my choice , I feel anything good or bad that happens is my fault and I learn from it . If something helps you to enjoy the hobby go for it !! One thing to always remember is that a tool can mess you up too . If you do or don't switch it on and think all is good and it's not . Then things get ugly real fast . That I do worry about so I don't use them .

Bryan

[ryramZ]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

Is changing the airfoil of a model or adding a little extra wash out at the tips cheating? These things are done because the full scale airfoil won't fly well for most of us. Washout to help hold off the stall. No one complains about those things really.

The thing about the gyro debate is I've never heard anyone who has tried one curse their existence. Only those who have not usually seem to take the firm stance against.

I'll tell you this. Capt. Mike and I went out and filmed flights with the HobbyEagle super2 yesterday in 20+ winds and had a blast. The day would have been a loss without them. There were times when the planes would land straight down right in front of us. This we would not have dared to try without our HobbyEagles.

Ryan

[chevstar]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

I just wanted to add my opinion on GYROS, I love them !!! they allow me to fly when otherwise I'd be looking out the window saying I guess its a no fly day, now I throw the switch and turn the GYRO on and have a great time use up all my batteries and go home with a big smile on my face. If that is cheating than so be it . and thats all I have to say about that!!

[rtwatkins]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

I'm with everyone here, gyros are awesome! They are especially helpful when learning a new airplane:

One of my first warbirds was a Durafly F4U. The thing was not only faster then the trainers I was used to, but was also a tip stall waiting to happen. And when it tip stalled it was all over..... went from tip stall to a high speed corkscrew to a hole auger in about .5 to 2 seconds (depending on altitude) I went through 2 of those airplanes and TBH I HATED it.... was always scared of the thing and it just wasn't fun at all. Then there was the P-factor on take offs and the stalls on landings... I almost quit warbirds entirely

Then I tried a AR636 gyro/receiver

Talk about a night & day difference!!! It went from me always being behind the aircraft to me being able to get ahead and anticipate what it was going to do, and be able to recover from it. Did the plane still tip stall and spin? $#$#@$#%# ya, BUT IT WAS RECOVERABLE... and you could learn when the bird would stall and recover a LOT easier... made learning the airplane much easier & WAY less costly. They didn't really affect the P-factor, but it did assist with landings as well... made the airplane much more forgiving on approach speed.

so H#!! ya gyros, I'm all for them. They are GREAT for learning new planes, as well as taming unruly beasts.

[Pilotguy]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

This question has run through my mind too... A lot of pilots who fly for the airlines also fly for pleasure on the side. Heavy metal with lots of bells & whistles with the airliners but for the thrill of flying "stick n rudder" without the technological assist, a good ole Piper Cub or L-4 feeds the need for "seat of the pants" flying.

[Rocketeer]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

Greetings Gang,

It has obviously all been said here on the "cheating" subject.

While I don't actually use gyro's I still advocate their use in certain conditions (maidens, wind) However, that being said I also think pilots should not use them as their standard method of flying operation. I do realize that some pilots will switch thme on and off.

As an astronomer I liken gyro's to computerized telescopes.
They add a tremendous amount of convenience with their automated capabilities but, is the astronomer "learning" to navigate the night sky?
No.

There will come a time when the electronics will fail (be it an airplane or a telescope). You'll either have to ability to continue or you'll be loading the car earlier than planned.

Bill L.
in Okla. 

[rtwatkins]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

Rocketeer,

I will, respectfully, disagree :) Here is why:

It seems to be a general assumption that a gyro acts as an autopilot, basically flying the aircraft for you. While there are some that do blur the lines between the two, for the most part that is an in-correct assumption.

Take your computerized telescope example: a computerized telescope is more like an autopilot. You specify a target, it goes to it. It uses various sensors to do this.
in model aircraft, an equivalent would be something like a APM or it's newer super-cousin the Pixhawk. does it have a gyro? of course. to call it a gyro though is to call a F1 race car a Prius :P

a gyro just offers flight stability. A real life comparison would be something along the lines of the flight control springs common on a Piper Tri-pacer. You are still in full control of the aircraft, it's just assisting in keeping things stable. You want to flat spin it and pull out? the Gyro will assist you in & out.... but you can still flat spin it into the ground... you have to move the sticks to get into the spin or out, you don't flip a switch that says "flat spin" (unless you've got a fancy computerized radio that can assign a maneuver to a switch.... but that's not a function of the gyro lol)

[chevstar]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

Rocketeer,

I will, respectfully, disagree :) Here is why:

It seems to be a general assumption that a gyro acts as an autopilot, basically flying the aircraft for you. While there are some that do blur the lines between the two, for the most part that is an in-correct assumption.

Take your computerized telescope example: a computerized telescope is more like an autopilot. You specify a target, it goes to it. It uses various sensors to do this.
in model aircraft, an equivalent would be something like a APM or it's newer super-cousin the Pixhawk.  does it have a gyro? of course. to call it a gyro though is to call a F1 race car a Prius :P

a gyro just offers flight stability. A real life comparison would be something along the lines of the flight control springs common on a Piper Tri-pacer. You are still in full control of the aircraft, it's just assisting in keeping things stable. You want to flat spin it and pull out? the Gyro will assist you in & out.... but you can still flat spin it into the ground... you have to move the sticks to get into the spin or out, you don't flip a switch that says "flat spin" (unless you've got a fancy computerized radio that can assign a maneuver to a switch.... but that's not a function of the gyro lol)

well said Rtwatkins gyros  are not autopilots you still fly the plane as usual you can still crash and burn as before. Pilot Ryan seems to like them very much and he's as good as anyone out there. Maybe they should try one then they will see what it's like. :)

[Grossman56]

RE: Is using a gyro cheating?

I think its just up to personal taste.  If the winds are up, I'll keep mine on, just so I have an extra layer of safety, I have a switch to turn it off, and do when I feel like it, nice to have the option.

Grossman56