set-up should seek advice.
First establish that the sense of the transmitter control is correct (i.e. that
the application of a right rudder command causes a change in tail pitch that will rotate the helicopter to
the right). Once this has been done check that turning the helicopter to the left makes the gyro apply a
tail rotor command to the right. Should the gyro operate in the wrong sense use the gyro "REVERSE"
link to correct it. The gyro is supplied with the reversing link already fitted and to remove it simply pull
on its protruding tab and store it safely. When replacing the reversing link ensure that it is fitted over
both pins and pushed firmly into full engagement.
Initial Radio set-up
For initial flights we suggest that you adjust the radio system as follows:
ATS (Automatic Tail Stabilisation):
OFF
Pilot Authority Mixing:
OFF (this should never be used with the ICG360)
Rudder channel ATV (both directions):
50%
Gyro gain channel ATV (both directions):
50%
Mechanical
The ICG360 will work with any servo in the Futaba or JR ranges but as with any gyro system a fast
servo (e.g. Futaba FP-S9203 or JR 2700G) will give the best results.
To prevent damage due to excessive servo travel the servo movement is limited by the gyro
electronics. (Under no conditions will the servo travel past the electronic limit set by the gyro, regardless
of any increase in the ATV value.) You should use the
longest
servo arm that gives
full
movement of
the tail rotor pitch linkage
without causing the linkage to bind or the servo to become stalled at
either extreme of travel
.
Attention to the tail control linkage is important to getting the best from this gyro. You should aim for a
easy-moving but slop-free linkage between the tail servo and the tail blades. Inspect the bearings/thrust
races in the tail hub for smoothness of operation. Check the pitch slider and ball links for slop and
replace if needed. Some helicopters that have noticeable 'give' in the tail linkage may benefit from the
addition of a rear-mounted tail servo and rigid pushrod.
Remember that, during aerobatic manoeuvres, the combination of a high performance gyro and a fast
tail servo can place very high loads on the tail rotor drive train. Regularly Inspect tail rotor gears, etc. to
ensure that they are in good condition.
Batteries, power consumption, and wiring
Although the power consumption of the gyro unit itself is very modest, as with all high performance Solid
State gyro systems the speed of the gyro response will work the tail rotor servo harder than slower
mechanical gyro systems. Especially where a high performance servo is being used the battery drain
from the tail rotor servo can be high.
We recommend that you use a good quality battery state
monitor and check it carefully before each flight.
Your receiver battery is a vital part of your tail rotor system. Remember that a battery in a low state of
charge or an old battery which has developed a high internal resistance will adversely affect servo
performance and may even cause the tail to wag on an otherwise well set up helicopter. You may wish
to consider maintaining the charge in your receiver battery between flights by the use of a quality Delta
Peak type field charger. In installing the gyro also bear in mind that voltage drops down long servo
extension leads will also detract from servo performance. Where the installation requires extensions to
be used (either between the receiver and gyro or between the gyro and the servo) avoid using ones that
are unnecessarily long.
Trim adjustment
Initially zero the rudder trim and any rudder sub-trim that your transmitter may have. Next, identify which
gyro gain switch position gives you Standard mode and which gives you Heading Lock mode. This can
be seen from the difference in the tail rotor servo behaviour on the ground. In Standard mode the rudder
servo will return to the neutral position when any rudder command is released, while in heading lock
mode the servo will tend to remain at or near its travel limit when a full stick rudder command is applied
and then removed. Now set the rudder trim so that with the gyro in Heading Lock mode the servo, once
centred, has no marked tendency to creep in either direction (though some slow residual creep of the
servo is quite normal). Once this trim position has been found no further adjustment of the transmitter
trim should be needed. However, slight adjustment of the helicopter tail control linkage may be needed
in order to remove any offsets in the Standard mode. This can only be done by flight trials.