makem&breakem
Member
Gyros good or bad useful or useless before I fit one for the 1st time!
Gyros
- Thread starter makem&breakem
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Bricks
Master member
Gyros can cut down on the work load in windy conditions, some of the top pilots use gyros. You will get both pros and cons from both sides of the spectrum. I do not see a problem with gyros as they make a switch on your transmitter that you can turn it off when you want. Biggest thing is getting it setup and tuned properly for the aircraft it is installed on.
I agree with Bricks, on a really gusty day, gyros can be of value. Make sure you can turn it off if needed. They can crash your plane if your setup is off. Gyros are also necessary for something like a VTOL.
For a beginning pilot, just learning to fly, gyros can be very helpful. I encourage new pilots to get off a gyro as soon as possible. I've seen some who never get out of beginner mode. If you stay on it too long, it can stunt you learning to fly.
For regular flying, I don't like them, they make flying boring. I like the challenge of learning a new maneuver, knowing it's all me, not the gyro doing the flying.
Gyros are neither good or bad, they are just another tool, they have a place, it comes down to a personal choice.
For a beginning pilot, just learning to fly, gyros can be very helpful. I encourage new pilots to get off a gyro as soon as possible. I've seen some who never get out of beginner mode. If you stay on it too long, it can stunt you learning to fly.
For regular flying, I don't like them, they make flying boring. I like the challenge of learning a new maneuver, knowing it's all me, not the gyro doing the flying.
Gyros are neither good or bad, they are just another tool, they have a place, it comes down to a personal choice.
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tamuct01
Well-known member
I agree with Merv and Bricks. Gyros are a tool, but don't let them be a crutch. I find that they make tiny planes flyable, small planes feel like big(er) planes, and big planes don't really need them. As for features like Spektrum SAFE or other bailout safety features, they're nice to have while learning, but don't become dependent on them.
quorneng
Master member
Just be aware there is a big difference between full gyro stability and gyro rate modes.
Stability returns the plane to 'straight and level' if you let go of the sticks provided of course you have set up the gyro correctly to know what 'straight and level' is. Some systems have degrees of 'safe' that actually prevent the plane deviating too far from straight and level.
In rate mode the gyro just reacts instantly but in a limited way, about 10% control deflection, to counter a disturbance. Apart from making sure the gyro reaction to the controls correctly counters the disturbance there is no set up requited. As soon as the disturbance stops the gyro stops reacting. It does not return the plane to its original attitude, you have to do that. This makes a plane fly much more smoothly in gusty conditions but you remain in full control. Rate mode allows aerobatics and crashes in the normal way.
I do agree it is very instructive to switch the gyro off in flight so you can see how the plane behaves without any assistance.
With a properly set up plane flying in normal conditions switching the gyro on and off should make no difference at all.
Stability returns the plane to 'straight and level' if you let go of the sticks provided of course you have set up the gyro correctly to know what 'straight and level' is. Some systems have degrees of 'safe' that actually prevent the plane deviating too far from straight and level.
In rate mode the gyro just reacts instantly but in a limited way, about 10% control deflection, to counter a disturbance. Apart from making sure the gyro reaction to the controls correctly counters the disturbance there is no set up requited. As soon as the disturbance stops the gyro stops reacting. It does not return the plane to its original attitude, you have to do that. This makes a plane fly much more smoothly in gusty conditions but you remain in full control. Rate mode allows aerobatics and crashes in the normal way.
I do agree it is very instructive to switch the gyro off in flight so you can see how the plane behaves without any assistance.
With a properly set up plane flying in normal conditions switching the gyro on and off should make no difference at all.
dap35
Elite member
Here's another reason to use them.... I set my failsafe mode to self leveling mode, throttle cut, and x% left or right rudder. This way no matter what you are doing, with loss of signal, the throttle cuts, plane levels out and circles. I simulated this on my SimpleStick and it worked like a charm.
Additionally, depending on your RX brand or gyro, you can program in a launch mode to make hand launch pretty darn fool proof and much safer.
Additionally, depending on your RX brand or gyro, you can program in a launch mode to make hand launch pretty darn fool proof and much safer.
Ratcheeroo
Legendary member
I love gyros, definitely good and useful.
This is the definitive answer.
I love gyros, definitely good and useful.
Ratcheeroo
Legendary member
quorneng
Master member
alan0043
I have three Lemon stab rx. I use them in 'rate' mode which means they react to a disturbance but do not return the plane to its original attitude, you have to do that if required. In this mode there is no 'set up' required before each flight other than a check to make sure the controls react correctly to a disturbance in all three axis.
It makes the maiden flight, particularly for a hand launch own design, much less stressful.
I have three Lemon stab rx. I use them in 'rate' mode which means they react to a disturbance but do not return the plane to its original attitude, you have to do that if required. In this mode there is no 'set up' required before each flight other than a check to make sure the controls react correctly to a disturbance in all three axis.
It makes the maiden flight, particularly for a hand launch own design, much less stressful.
makem&breakem
Member
Thanks to you all, despite I purchased a gyro I think reading all your comments I will not fit one anyway not at this stage thanks for all the info.
I had an FT Cub that flew absolutely pitiful. Flipped the gyro on and it was a night and day difference. They can be a very useful tool, especially on builds that are very unstable for whatever reason. Mine the pushrods were flexing.
Warning! Blunt language!
Cheers!
Litterbug
Warning! Blunt language!
Cheers!
Litterbug
