Plank to heli conversion

[Grumpy]

I recently picked up a Hobby eagle A3 Super II flight stabiliser for fixed wing. It's a cheap 6 axis flight controller. The feature that attracted me was 'Auto-Hover'. The Auto Hover mode does exactly what it says on the tin, it almost turns a plane into a heli

Some clips from my flying yesterday:

Sorry if this should have gone in the 'planes' forum, but i thought heli flyers might find it amusing....

[gazmk2]

That's cheating! I practiced for years to prop hang and still can't do it that well! Lol

[Grumpy]

That's cheating!

Yes, it most certainly is!

[trillian]

Yes, it most certainly is!

It's kinda cool though. All you would need is to rig up some wire tripod type thing on the tail for vertical takeoff and landing.

Man, that would really annoy the plank flyers I fly with if I was imediately able to prop hang as soon as I start flying fixed-wing. A bit like if some device for helis had a piro flip button and noobies could just do it from day one.

[Nick B]

It's just blatant cheating....any fool can look good using gyro's on a plank.....they are only embarrassing themselves because if a mate lets them fly their plank they will look like a total tool.














So far i have 2 planks on Vcontrol

[Grumpy]

Man, that would really annoy the plank flyers I fly with if I was immediately able to prop hang as soon as I start flying fixed-wing.

Would be worth buying one just for the look on their faces. It has a self leveling feature too that for beginners keeps the plane upright and within certain bank and climb angles, similar to Horizon Hobby's 'SAFE' system.

[Grumpy]

It's just blatant cheating....any fool can look good using gyro's on a plank.....they are only embarrassing themselves because if a mate lets them fly their plank they will look like a total tool.

i just look on it as a bit of fun. It's only a hobby after all, don't get your pants in a wad about it. I've been flying fixed wing for over 40 years, IMHO it's only really 'cheating' if you pretend you arent using a gyro. This being a heli forum we all use gyros of one form or another, from tail gyros, flybars and FBL controllers to rescue and auto level systems, and maybe even full GPS control.. live and let live I say.

FWIW it would actually make a good hover training tool. You can progressively reduce the gain which reduces the assistance you get. In the above video I have the gains maxed so it's totally hands off but you dont need to set it that way.


FWIW I can do canopy in hovering without the gyro, but I still find the gyro fun.

[Nick B]

i just look on it as a bit of fun. It's only a hobby after all, don't get your pants in a wad about it. I've been flying fixed wing for over 40 years, IMHO it's only really 'cheating' if you pretend you arent using a gyro. This being a heli forum we all use gyros of one form or another, from tail gyros, flybars and FBL controllers to rescue and auto level systems, and maybe even full GPS control.. live and let live I say.

FWIW it would actually make a good hover training tool. You can progressively reduce the gain which reduces the assistance you get. In the above video I have the gains maxed so it's totally hands off but you dont need to set it that way.


FWIW I can do canopy in hovering without the gyro, but I still find the gyro fun.

Oh dear....try reading my reply again....

[Grumpy]

Oh dear....try reading my reply again....

yeah, sorry, I missed the punchline, me bad

Anyway, we obviously agree on the subject! The advantage of the HobbyEagle vs VControl/neo is price. The HobbyEagle is about £18

[milly0812]

Nick you are a miserable planker

[Nick B]

yeah, sorry, I missed the punchline, me bad

Anyway, we obviously agree on the subject!

Totally...i'm not flyin much in 'hold' but just using 'rate' so they fly straight and level and giving the big plane feel. When flying in crosswinds it takes out the weather vane effect.

I had a gyro a few years ago in an rc factory kit and prop hung like in your video and kind of got bored with it so this is why i like rate mode type of stabilization now

[Nick B]

Nick you are a miserable planker

Surprised you ain't miserable only flying twice a year 'two trips'

[Martind]

I picked up a hobby mate A3 for my 41" extra and it made it quite flyable in the wind and the self level was good to !! Can't be bad for £16

[Boggy]

And where can these "make it look like boggy can fly boxes" be obtained? Just wondering of course.

[Grumpy]

EAGLE A3 Super II V2 Gyro & RC Flight Controller Stabilizer Half / Full Set Programe Card for RC Airplane F14115/16-in Parts & Accessories from Toys & Hobbies on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group