AS3X Help

[Patternpilot]

Being a Futaba guy all my life, I am curious if I buy a plane that has AS3X installed, can I use my Futaba rx and not have the AS3X functional ? I was talking to a hobbyshop owner the other day, and he said that the AS3X is an ESC function... I believe he is 100% incorrect ,and that the AS3X is a function of the RX. Am I correct in saying that if and when I purchase a plane with that feature in it, the AS3X will not be operable when using my Futaba TX and RX ? I am hopping I am correct as having flown many planes with the AS3X installed, my opinion is the aircraft fly like @#$!, and you have no control over the desired inputs you are giving the plane... For hovering, and doing high alpha rolling harriers, I could see its advantage. Heck, I have been flying for over 25 years, and F3A Masters pattern for 15+ and I could not get a buddys Apprentice 15 to fly a complete circle without having to take 15 football fields to do so.... Maybe he did not have it set-up correctly ? ...

[Konrad]

RE: AS3X Help

AS3X is a gyro system associated with the receiver. I'm only aware of it being offered on Horizon Hobbies/Spektrum branded 2.4 gHz products. On most Futaba radios you can change out the RF module to transmit Spektrum 2.4ghz DSMX protocols. Please be aware that the Futaba pulse train does not match the servo mapping expected by the Spektrum AS3X gyro. You will have to re map the servo out on the TX or change the firm ware in the DSMX module. This is easy with the Orange brand as they have a programer for their module.

If the gains on the AS3X are programed backward it would be like flying a very tail heavy ship with the controls backwards.

All the best,
Konrad

[fhhuber]

RE: AS3X Help

AS3X is built into the Spektrum RX installed in the model. Change the RX to a Futaba one and you will have removed the AS3X.

Unfortunately (in my opinion) they are slowly deleting the Spektrum RXs without AS3X.
I think they forgot to notice that some contests will call having an AS3X RX installed cheating.

[Konrad]

RE: AS3X Help

I'm not aware that the term AS3X is associated with systems 'installed' in models.

AS3X are the gyros (usually 3) and Spektrum firmware installed in the RX.
https://www.spektrumrc.com/Air/Receivers.aspx

Most pattern events have had gyros banned for decades.

I think the only way Spektrum can demand their high premiums is to offer their RX with AS3X.

I can't say as I see this so much as a cheat as spacial orientation is still needed with aerobatics, gyros or no. True the nuances from pilot for rudder control may not be as critical with AS3X gyroid models. So rather than outlaw a technology the governing bodies should expand the envelope of what is expected in the pattern pilot. They did this when head locking gyros can into being with the heli competitive pilot.

All the best,
Konrad

[fhhuber]

RE: AS3X Help

The hardest part of Pattern is actually.. straight and level. From that point on its all timing your control inputs. (and knowing what inputs to give) The gyro will get the wings level for you and keep them there despite turbulence.

Its doing a lot more than just reducing the rudder inputs needed...

Once they allow the gyro in Pattern, it will quickly become a contest of the wallet to get the maximum auto-stabilization capability possible.

It didn't take long after they allowed engines larger than .61 ci (10cc) before it was a contest of the wallet for the biggest engine and the entire sequence was revised to make use of the power available to the guy with the deepest pocket.

[Konrad]

RE: AS3X Help

I would say maintaining ones heading is the hard part. On the up lines, down lines and straight and level.

That is why they (gyros) have been banned for decades.

Can't see this as a real issue for Spektrum as the gains can be turned off.

But why ban technologies? Just write the rules/task to drive more and more possibilities from the model/pilot. The advent of the head locking gyro opened up the heli to the 3D crazy stunts and at the same time made heli flight accessible to the masses. We wouldn't have near the capable helis if the movement to ban head locking gyros had prevailed. Remember the Kraft gyro it took a minute to spool up and wandered as rate gyros tend to do.

I started to fly helis in the 80's to get the left hand working! It resulted in a huge improvement in my sport and competition fixed wing flying. With the advent of technology like the Schluter Heli Star and Kraft gyro my pattern work improved. Technology combined with competition improves the breed (us fliers)!

We should not fear technology when writing the rules, rather we should embrace it or at least understand its ramification.

Remember how long we were judged on the take off roll and the roll out on our landings. Thank goodness that has gone away. Now pattern ships are much simpler as fixed gear tail draggers. The rules made the complexity of retracting trike gear counter productive. They did not outlaw retracts.

I wonder how the pattern schedule would look like if gyros were allowed?

All the best,
Konrad