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FMA Co-Pilot an Honest Review
OK, guys I couldn't wait for my son in law, poor guy had to work. So, with out further comment here goes an honest review of the FMA Copilot.
I picked up the unit at Hobby Barn yesterday around 3:30 p.m. and brought it home. I was a little skeptical in the beginning while reading the manual but figured I might as well give it a try. After locating all the components and referring to the setup instructions I found the installation extremely easy just like the manual describes. I had everything installed in the SuperStar 40 in about 3 hours as I wanted to read the entire manual before starting. Needless to say dinner ( super ) was in the middle of all this and if I don't get to the table when my wife says it's time, I have to go without, as she considers it an insult to here cooking. So, setup, re-read the manual just to make sure. I used extensions to connect the aileron and elevator servos. You really don't have to do this but, I wanted to be able to change planes quickly and thought it a good idea. Next, drill the hole for the calibration switch - no sweet. That secured, I went on to mounting the sensor. Don't forget to remove the plastic protecting film from the little windows. Lightly sand the area where the sensor will go and clean it with rubbing alcohol. I mounted it on the left wing of the SuperStar about half way between the root and the tip as suggested in the setup manual. Clean the back of the sensor, let dry and apply the thin Velcro to the back of the sensor and a thick piece where you want the sensor to rest. I then sanded and cleaned three more spots to secure the cable on the wing.
It was calibration time and sure enough it worked just as described in the manual. I tried a coil tuner to turn the sensitivity control but found that a small screw driver worked tons better. Turning it on, the Co-Pilot cycled three times to indicate that it was indeed in setup mode. Next check the pitch correction sensors by putting your hand in front of the forward sensor. The elevator should move up. Mine moved down! No big deal just reverse the switch on the computer unit. My ailerons were also reversed so I applied the same correction by reversing the switch on the computer. I would highly suggest following the manual in this part of the setup as strange things could happen at the field on your first test flight. OK it's time to go charge the batteries and off to the field in the morning.
It's 5:30 am and time for a quick cup of coffee before heading out to the field. Thank goodness I plugged it into the timer last night as it smells great and it's good and hot. Temperature is about 84 this morning and high clouds as I pack everything into the truck and head to the field. Not much wind and I arrive about ten minutes later and open the gate. Dave, one of our club members is already there and setting up as I climb out and we greet each other. It's time for the field calibration and set up but before I decide to make sure the flight trims are set. Several circles around the field and I'm satisfied. After landing it's time to remove the wing and plug in the sensor, calibrate and test fly. I set it up with the calibration a little on the heavy side. As I raised the nose of the model for takeoff I could feel the Co-Pilot forcing the model to level flight. A quick turn around the field, land, remove the wing and adjust the computer module and I was ready to go again. This time I had the unit setup for what the manual describes as expert fliers, however I would consider it for intermediate pilots as this setting was a nice and soft and very comfortable way to fly. I have a feeling that this will vary from unit to unit, so test it carefully and adjust it as needed.
Fun times! I tried loops, rolls, stall turns and the like releasing the controls in what would be considered an unusual attitudes. The Co-Pilot recovered very quickly to straight and level flight just as advertised. Landings are a piece of cake. Just roll out on the runway heading and hold the heading with the rudder. Co-Pilot adjusts the ailerons for you and all you have to do is reduce the power to land and then flair at the bottom. Six perfect touch and goes later I was convinced this unit will significantly reduce training time and instill confidence in students as well as some of us old timers. While flying I couldn't help but think of all the models I've lost over the years that could have been saved with one of these units installed.
All in all the unit works just as described and as advertised. The manual is excellent in both detail and pictures. Don't get me wrong as it won't save a plane that is constructed wrong or if a pilot freezes and holds down elevator or full aileron control, but if the controls are released the model will return to a normal flight attitude if setup properly. This is an excellent investment for anyone learning to fly and anyone not wanting to crash that super scale big bucks model. It'll make a beginner look like a pro in just a few flights.
Suggestion:
Use a piece of Velcro to secure the computer unit to the inside of the model. There is nothing in the manual describing where and how to secure the computer. I did this and it works great if you position the computer so that the cable plug is on the top.
X marks the spot
As you can see the Velcro does a nice job of holding everything in place
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Have fun - Guy Fuller
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