FMS Pitts?

[Tom]

RE: FMS Pitts?

Sky Wolf,

We (especially me) always stayed away from gyros because we regarded them as "cheating". When many of us here finally broke down and tried them, we all had the same reaction - wow - this thing is great. As you already know, you want to be sure it is adjusted properly. The key is to properly orient and secure the gyro. If it moves around, you will have issues. You also need to be sure to let it initialize properly. Finally, while programming is very simple, you need to make sure when you mount it vertically, you pick the option in the gyro for vertical mount. That is where some people go wrong. They do a horizontal mount and leave the menu at vertical or the other way around. Lastly, I'd recommend an extra channel to turn the gyro on and off for the first time or two you use it. That way you can actually take off without the gyro and turn it on only after you are "2 mistakes high" just to be 100% sure it is setup properly. This is not really necessary when you are familiar when the gyros and their programming. Hopefully, this explanation does not scare you away. With a proper setup and proper understanding, the gyro will allow you to fly on days which will keep other people at home. It will also give you an "on rails" feeling as you fly. You can control how invasive you want it to be to suite your own flying style.

FYI, we have another load of Pitts coming along with loads of spare parts. We are going to keep ordering planes and parts as long as FMS will allow so I anticipate having spare parts for a while (aiming for a year).

[Sky Wolf]

RE: FMS Pitts?

Sky Wolf,

We (especially me) always stayed away from gyros because we regarded them as "cheating". When many of us here finally broke down and tried them, we all had the same reaction - wow - this thing is great. As you already know, you want to be sure it is adjusted properly. The key is to properly orient and secure the gyro. If it moves around, you will have issues. You also need to be sure to let it initialize properly. Finally, while programming is very simple, you need to make sure when you mount it vertically, you pick the option in the gyro for vertical mount. That is where some people go wrong. They do a horizontal mount and leave the menu at vertical or the other way around. Lastly, I'd recommend an extra channel to turn the gyro on and off for the first time or two you use it. That way you can actually take off without the gyro and turn it on only after you are "2 mistakes high" just to be 100% sure it is setup properly. This is not really necessary when you are familiar when the gyros and their programming. Hopefully, this explanation does not scare you away. With a proper setup and proper understanding, the gyro will allow you to fly on days which will keep other people at home. It will also give you an "on rails" feeling as you fly. You can control how invasive you want it to be to suite your own flying style.

FYI, we have another load of Pitts coming along with loads of spare parts. We are going to keep ordering planes and parts as long as FMS will allow so I anticipate having spare parts for a while (aiming for a year).

Thanks for the feedback Tom. I'll go ahead place an order for the A3 Super II. I like the variations it provides, along with the programming card. Will also be picking up a spare Pitts soon too. Glad to know that more are coming. Have to watch the budget. 
Will post a video of the Pitts maiden when I get the chance to get out. So excited! 

[Grossman56]

RE: FMS Pitts?

Hey, that's good news Tom!
I agree with the gyro evaluation.  I run a DX 8 so I have a three way switch for it.  Always do a thorough preflight, making sure your controls are working in the right direction, then make sure that the gyro is correcting in the right direction.  I use A3L's and I turn the 3D gain to 0% and the normal to about 30% when flying, but I crank it to check the direction that the gyro reacts.  Its pretty obvious with it set that high.  All mine are set on the CG and in the upright position, pins facing rearwards.  The control surfaces will appear to be moving way too much while on the bench, this is normal!  I noticed this and thought there must be some kind of gain problem.  Ryan reminded me that it refers to that in the manual and not to worry about it.  I do recommend, as Tom stated, that you have it off when using it for the first time, get some altitude and briefly turn it on.  I've never had a problem, but still, better safe than sorry.
Once you've tried one, it will make you wonder whey you flew without one!!
Just remember that the connections that are marked ailerons rudder and elevator are the inputs from the receiver, mod is for the switch channel (use your aux or landing gear input on your receiver for this.  If your running a DX 8, you can assign it to any three way switch you want, probably true for other brand radios as well)  Output 1, 2 and 3 are where the servos plug in, output one is Ailerons, output two is Elevator and output three is Rudder.  The easy way to remember this is that the order is A,E,R, as in AERO.  Download the instructions from the Motionrc A3 webpage under support. I keep all of this kind of stuff handy in a three ring binder.

I've only used the A3L's but I don't see why the quality would be any different on the others, namely, they're awesome!!!

Grossman56 

[Sky Wolf]

RE: FMS Pitts?

Hey, that's good news Tom!
I agree with the gyro evaluation.  I run a DX 8 so I have a three way switch for it.  Always do a thorough preflight, making sure your controls are working in the right direction, then make sure that the gyro is correcting in the right direction.  I use A3L's and I turn the 3D gain to 0% and the normal to about 30% when flying, but I crank it to check the direction that the gyro reacts.  Its pretty obvious with it set that high.  All mine are set on the CG and in the upright position, pins facing rearwards.  The control surfaces will appear to be moving way too much while on the bench, this is normal!  I noticed this and thought there must be some kind of gain problem.  Ryan reminded me that it refers to that in the manual and not to worry about it.  I do recommend, as Tom stated, that you have it off when using it for the first time, get some altitude and briefly turn it on.  I've never had a problem, but still, better safe than sorry.
Once you've tried one, it will make you wonder whey you flew without one!!
Just remember that the connections that are marked ailerons rudder and elevator are the inputs from the receiver, mod is for the switch channel (use your aux or landing gear input on your receiver for this.  If your running a DX 8, you can assign it to any three way switch you want, probably true for other brand radios as well)  Output 1, 2 and 3 are where the servos plug in, output one is Ailerons, output two is Elevator and output three is Rudder.  The easy way to remember this is that the order is A,E,R, as in AERO.  Download the instructions from the Motionrc A3 webpage under support. I keep all of this kind of stuff handy in a three ring binder.

I've only used the A3L's but I don't see why the quality would be any different on the others, namely, they're awesome!!!

Grossman56 

Thanks Grossman, it'll be a new adventure. I love new adventures! It's probably why my hangar is cramped full of different planes. 

[Grossman56]

RE: FMS Pitts?

OOPS!! Broke my own rule, paying the price.  Always check that dang direction on those gyros!!!
I did get the Mustang in the air and briefly turned the gyro on, something wasn't right so, I turned it off.  Like a fool, before the second takeoff, I had been fiddling with the gyro, not changing anything but letting her recalibrate.  Failed to shut it off before takeoff.........not nice...........don't do that!!!

Grossman56

[Rocketeer]

RE: FMS Pitts?

Greetings,

Hind-sight do be 20-20!!


Bill L.
In Okla.

[Grossman56]

RE: FMS Pitts?

Hey guys and gals!
Great day for flying, at least this morning was, before the wind and heat got up.  I got a couple of flights in on BBD and Diane got a couple in the Apprentice.  She's doing great, did her first solo take off today and is building up to the landings.  Her turns are great and she's maintaining altitude during turns as well.  She practiced hitting her marks and turning, bringing it over the runway pretty consistently.  Still a little nervous about landing her so I brought it in.  But it won't be long and she'll be doing that too.

Big Beautiful Doll is fast becoming my favorite airplane to fly.  I have an A3L in her and between that and the aileron/rudder mix, she's on rails.  Now I know that some don't believe in A/R mixing but, for me the proof is right there in front of me, she flies great!
So, I'm zeroing in on my landings with her as well.  At first I was bringing her in too fast, so I went back to the base leg and adjusted my method there, bring the throttle a click or so back from where I have her trimmed for level flight, to begin a shallow descent.  Down the field she goes and into the final turn to approach the runway, keeping that turn level.  I noticed that if she's going to tip stall, its in the final turn so I bumped the throttle up a click and brought her around, out of the turn and back with the throttle, about two clicks from idle, bring her over the field with a good descent rate, flare her down near the ground and chop throttle, in she comes.  Flaps are at 1/2 with gear down of course.  Everything into dirty position during base leg.  Works great and the old mind is quickly refining the method.  The result: no damage to anything, a pleasant morning and home by 0930.  See how the weather looks next weekend and get the Pitts up and maidened.  Had to come up with some kind of method of securing her for transport, got something rigged and have to get it set up in the truck.

Grossman56 

[Wisconsin John]

RE: FMS Pitts?

To all you pilots out there, I just talked with Motion RC and they do not expect any more FMS PITTS 1400mms biplanes. I also talked with the guys at another store and they told me that the Pitts was discontinued and will no longer be manufactured. They also told me they had a handful left in stock. Needless to say I ordered one. See link below for Diamond Hobby.

http://www.diamondhobby.com/airplanes/fms-1400mm-pitts-pnp

Wisconsin John

[Tom]

RE: FMS Pitts?

Sorry, there is some misinformation here. I apologize for the misinformation John. I'll make sure all our guys are on the same page. FMS "undiscontinued" the Pitts because it has been so popular lately. We have many more shipments coming the first of which will be arriving in a couple weeks.

[Tom]

RE: FMS Pitts?

One more thing I should mention. Every FMS plane which has been discontinued by FMS has been moved to the "discontinued" section of our web site. Anything that still shows under the FMS brand on our site has not been discontinued. http://www.motionrc.com/fms/

We do have quite a few things out of stock due to the Christmas season but more are on the way.

[Sky Wolf]

RE: FMS Pitts?

Sorry, there is some misinformation here. I apologize for the misinformation John. I'll make sure all our guys are on the same page. FMS "undiscontinued" the Pitts because it has been so popular lately. We have many more shipments coming the first of which will be arriving in a couple weeks.

Tom, that is awesome news. Do you know if they made any changes to it at all? (Different paint scheme as was suggested by you guys before; different wing attachment system, etc) 

And also, will the discounted price be going away?

This is awesome news!!!

[Tom]

RE: FMS Pitts?

FMS has not made any changes to the Pitts. They don't want to put any money into the plane. I wish they would make a proper color scheme but they are not going to do so.
As far as price, it will remain the same. I beleive FMS realizes (for now) they overpriced the plane and it is currently at the correct price. I hope they continue the current price as we will continue to pass the savings on to our customers.

[Sky Wolf]

RE: FMS Pitts?

FMS has not made any changes to the Pitts. They don't want to put any money into the plane. I wish they would make a proper color scheme but they are not going to do so.
As far as price, it will remain the same. I beleive FMS realizes (for now) they overpriced the plane and it is currently at the correct price. I hope they continue the current price as we will continue to pass the savings on to our customers.

Awesome!! Thanks Tom, and keep Motion a'rockin! 

[Wisconsin John]

RE: FMS Pitts?

Well,don't I have egg on my face. Better wipe it off before it dries permanently.
SORRY PILOTS,
just passed on what I got from the venders.
Wisconsin John

[Sky Wolf]

RE: FMS Pitts?

Well,don't I have egg on my face. Better wipe it off before it dries permanently.
SORRY PILOTS,
just passed on what I got from the venders.
Wisconsin John

No worries! News changes and travels fast. You gave the latest news, but Tom gave the later. We like Tom's news better though, of course.

That's what this thread is all about, to keep each other informed. Thanks for your update!

[Wisconsin John]

RE: FMS Pitts?

I like the news too, just wish I heard it before I ordered mine elsewhere. I would have saved $40.00.
What the hell, it's only money. I'll probably spend more than that to repair it when I crash it.lol
Wisconsin John

[Grossman56]

RE: FMS Pitts?

FMS has not made any changes to the Pitts. They don't want to put any money into the plane. I wish they would make a proper color scheme but they are not going to do so.
As far as price, it will remain the same. I beleive FMS realizes (for now) they overpriced the plane and it is currently at the correct price. I hope they continue the current price as we will continue to pass the savings on to our customers.

Hey guys, just read the news on my thread, " The Pitts Flies"
I asked the question about the paint scheme but I see the answer here.  Thanks for the info Tom.  The stock decals peel off easily.  Get a corner started and bend it over 180 degrees.  Pull slowly and it comes off pretty well.  Any damage can be touched up with Foam tack or light weight spackle.  If your paint scheme is predominately white, get out the old house latex and give her a coat.  I would suggest that you either IPA or Acetone the parts where you plan to put new decals so they are on bare foam.  I had some difficulties with mine when I put new decals over foam treated with Minwax.  A bit of model glue or left over kit glue will pin them on again, but hey, avoid the problem in the first place.
These are great planes!! The fuselage interior is cavernous!!  At the chance of repeating myself, industrial strength Velcro will hold the batteries in place, put a piece on the last quarter of the battery , work the forward end of the battery all the way up (3300's) and then push it down onto the Velcro.  Feels like your ripping the whole thin off when you go to remove the battery, but your not, its just locked down that hard!  Good stuff!

Grossman56 

[Wisconsin John]

RE: FMS Pitts?

I'm on my second FMS Pitts and I made the mistake on my first one of just peeling them off. You WILL damage the foam. I found that if you take an ice cube and run it over the decal for a few minutes, they usually come off without any damage. Do it slowly and keep rubbing the decal with the ice when you feel any resistance. The ice hardens the glue, which allows it to release easier. Be extra careful around any servos, not to get them wet.
Hope this helps.
Wisconsin John

[doctormike]

RE: FMS Pitts?

Thanks for the ice idea. Anxious  to try it. I'll have to buy another plane! Doc

[Sky Wolf]

RE: FMS Pitts?

I see the need to start a dedicated Pitts forum now! This is exciting stuff! It'll be fun to see what everyone does with it to customize this baby.
I did mine in my company's scheme. Had Decals made for it after removing the FMS decals. (Wish I had known about the ice idea) Had a few areas that show where the stick 'em once was.

Th guy that did the Wisconsin Badgers scheme looked awesome!