5
Stabilization Modes and Channel Switch
You can use up to three flight stabilization modes operated by a dedicated transmitter channel.
Manual
– flight stabilization is disabled and the EX5 just passes channel data from the receiver(s).
Acro
– standard flight stabilization with configurable rate/heading gains. You can decide which axes will be
controlled by just rate gains (so called Normal or Damping mode) with heading gain disabled. With additional
heading gains, the Heading hold function will be active.
Horizon
– the stabilization function is similar to the Acro mode, additionally the model returns to horizontal
position if the Aileron/Elevator sticks are released.
To set the flight mode channel switch press the
Left+Right
buttons in the “Stabi mode” menu (or
SET
button via SMART-
BOX). Now move the transmitter switch that controls the flight mode channel – the position change will be detected
automatically and the channel will be stored in memory.
Stabilization Gains
The stabilization gains can be set independently for each axis and each flight mode. There are six parameters in total and
in the configuration menu you edit the value for the currently active flight mode (M1-3):
Gain
determines the proportional rate of model stabilization in flight. If the model is insufficiently stabilized, for
example in wind gusts, increase the gain each time by 10% until the model starts to oscillate. After that, reduce the
value by 10%. Try the new settings at different flight speeds and make sure that even at high speeds there are no
oscillations.
Heading
determines how strongly the model keeps its orientation and direction in the “Acro” mode. If you set the
heading value to zero, the heading stabilization is disabled. The heading hold stabilization is suitable e.g. for
straight flight, knife edge maneuver or vertical flight.
Notes on Stabilization
The gyro/accelerometer calibration after startup is not necessary, so the initialization time is very fast. The
recovery from potential unexpected reboot during flight is immediate.
The EX5 updates the stick center positions (subtrims) after each startup. The new subtrims are stored in the
memory approximately 2 seconds after startup, while the sticks remain in the center position.
Default configuration of flight modes:
Manual, Acro (Damping only), Acro (Heading hold).
The Heading stabilization
is applied only if the corresponding stick is near the center.
After successful channel calibration you can set the D/R – Expo on the transmitter according to your needs. Please
note that you should not increase the D/R rates above the values that have been used in the channel calibration
step.
If you change subtrims, servo travels, mixes or other servo properties, you should go through the channel
calibration procedure once again.
The stabilization gain is linearly reduced with the stick travel. This means that the stabilization is completely
disabled at either endpoint. The Heading gain is dramatically reduced as soon as you move the stick out of the
center, and after exceeding more than 15% of stick travel, the heading stabilization is switched off.
The stabilization is disabled if there is no signal from the receiver.
