Well, this is just proof that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. Installed an A3L in the Avanti, on the starboard side under the forward end of the hatch, set her up to use the knob on the radio for gain, like all the other planes I have (Did a count and the Avanti is the only flying airplane that didn't have a gyro! Go figure) Flew her today and WOW, smooth as butter! The gyro just makes an airplane so much nicer to fly. The Avanti was never a difficult airplane to fly, just getting her back on the ground was the challenge for me. She sat for over a year as my skills definitely improved, thanks to my F.I RV 8! Best airplane ever! Now she's fun to fly again. Thanks guys!!
Great info, thanks Viper. I'd always assumed that they needed to be as close to the CG as possible, this gives me a path forward!
Grossman56
In general, a 3 axis gyro like the A3L has just 3 rotation sensors and is only sensitive to rotations, not linear movements, so it doesn't care where it is located.
A "six axis" gyro has 3 rotation sensors and 3 linear accelerometers, which in principle will react to the direction of the gravitational force along with any accelerations (movements) along the x, y and z axes. So if one of these is placed way off from the CG (such as on a wingtip to give a silly example) it will see the tip move up and down as the plane rolls, and 'think' the plane is climbing or diving and respond in an inappropriate manner. In practice it seems that actual hobby six-axis gyros aren't super sensitive to this effect as long as the gyro is placed in a reasonable location (like NOT on a wingtip or the extreme tail).
This is no longer the case for gyros anymore. A gyro doesn't have to be placed at the CG for it to work properly. Take a look at some of the planes that come with gyros already mounted. For example, the SebArt Mig29 comes with its Freewing gyro mounted near the nose cone. Also take a look at the Freewing 90mm F-104. It's Freewing gyro is also mounted right behind the nose cone. I have many planes where the gyro is nowhere near the CG as well as not even being on the centerlne of the plane. The easiest and simplest installation of a gyro is right next to the receiver, where the provided gyro leads are within reach. I've even mounted a gyro on its edge, stuck on the side wall just so it's close to the receiver. My gyro and receiver for my AL-37 is over a foot ahead of the CG.
Great info, thanks Viper. I'd always assumed that they needed to be as close to the CG as possible, this gives me a path forward!
but I'm thinking more of the wiring arrangement as you'd have to put the gyro back at the CG and the control box is up front.
Grossman56
This is no longer the case for gyros anymore. A gyro doesn't have to be placed at the CG for it to work properly. Take a look at some of the planes that come with gyros already mounted. For example, the SebArt Mig29 comes with its Freewing gyro mounted near the nose cone. Also take a look at the Freewing 90mm F-104. It's Freewing gyro is also mounted right behind the nose cone. I have many planes where the gyro is nowhere near the CG as well as not even being on the centerlne of the plane. The easiest and simplest installation of a gyro is right next to the receiver, where the provided gyro leads are within reach. I've even mounted a gyro on its edge, stuck on the side wall just so it's close to the receiver. My gyro and receiver for my AL-37 is over a foot ahead of the CG.
Mine flies pretty good considering what she's been through but she's one of the few that I don't have a gyro in and, let's face it, the gyro smoothens the flight out, especially out here where wind thermals and constantly shifting speeds and directions are common. I have mostly A3L's and love them, but I'm thinking more of the wiring arrangement as you'd have to put the gyro back at the CG and the control box is up front. Hmm, I'll have to give this some thought, thanks for the tips
Hey guys, what are you using for a gyro/receiver in the Avanti? I'm interested in what the consensus is, thinking of doing an upgrade in mine, she flies okay, but a gyro would really help.
The A3-L V2 will give you your basic gyro stabilization on all 3 control surfaces, while the EVO can also give you an "auto level" capability. I use the A3-L (V1 and V2) in a lot of planes.
When you say "a gyro would really help". What specifically are you trying the "help"? My old Avanti behaved wonderfully without a gyro but a friend's Avanti S currently is exhibiting some ground steering issues due to some repeatedly run-ins with the grass lip at the sides and ends of the runway. After a while, the nose strut and steering got so loose, the thing would drive in circles on the ground, even when totally on the runway. In that case, a new nose gear or Assan steering gyro would come in handy. A flight gyro would not help in that regard.
Hey guys, what are you using for a gyro/receiver in the Avanti? I'm interested in what the consensus is, thinking of doing an upgrade in mine, she flies okay, but a gyro would really help.
Grossman56
HobbyEagle A3 Super 3 gyro, Spektrum AR8020T RX, Assan G61 steering gyro on nosewheel.
Hey guys, what are you using for a gyro/receiver in the Avanti? I'm interested in what the consensus is, thinking of doing an upgrade in mine, she flies okay, but a gyro would really help.
no, but i figured it out. i was so fkg proud of myself for getting that bird back together and then i took it the field today and 30 seconds after take-off flew it straight into the ground and completely demolished it...
not a good day. embarrassed and ashamed.
Bummer, man! Been there, done that. Very sorry. 30 seconds to splash down would have been quite a long flight for 2 of mine.
no, but i figured it out. i was so fkg proud of myself for getting that bird back together and then i took it the field today and 30 seconds after take-off flew it straight into the ground and completely demolished it...
Sorry for this, but I'm thinking there are a lot of other people like me - have / fly both FW and Eflites...
Anyway, this pertains to the Eflite Viper 90. I crashed mine and i'm in the process of putting her back together, but i wasn't smart enough to take pics of the nose gear linkage / set-up when i took her apart, so if any of you have one of these birds and would help a brother out, please send me a pic of the nose gear down inside the gear bay so i can see what i should have photographed... and how the linkage all goes back together...
many thanks in advance if there's anyone that can assist...
Ive had great fun with my Avanti over the past two years and have now purchased the Wemotec 8s set up for it. Those hwo have converted to 8s already, what size battery packs have you managed to squeeze in?
I've been running 2 x 4s Admiral Pro 5000 60c, prefer this. But I do on occasion run a 6s + 2s Admiral 5000.
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