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FLYING TIPS - FIRST FLIGHTS, TRANSITIONS AND TRIMMING
Transitions
While there are 3 possible Flight Configurations (Hover, 45°,
Conventional), transitions occur when changing from one flying
state to another. Flex Innovations defines two flying states when
talking about transitions;
flying on the wing
or
flying on fan
thrust
.
Conventional Configuration is flying on the wing.
Hover and 45° Configuration are both flying on fan thrust.
Transitions occur when the aircraft changes:
1.
OR
2.
Conventional Landing (Continued)
Once ready to flare, slowly reduce the throttle to idle and
smoothly feed in up elevator to bring the aircraft down gently on
its main wheels. Avoid hitting nose gear first, as this will cause the
aircraft to bounce quickly back into the air, stall and then repeat.
Remember, you can always go around, so don't force yourself to
land if you are not completely ready.
Vertical Landing
Ensure there is not excessive wind when landing in this
configuration. If there is significant wind, we recommend landing
in the 45° 'Magic' Configuration or Conventional Configuration
rather than Hover Configuration. Be sure to reserve plenty of
battery as Hover Configuration can consume battery capacity
quickly. Point the aircraft into the wind and try to minimize its
motion with small commands. Focus mainly on left to right
movement as this can cause the aircraft to tip in the roll direction
if the main landing gear hits the ground while in side-to-side
motion. Slow fore or aft movement is okay and will not likely
result in any problems since the aircraft is designed to roll on the
ground in those directions. Once the aircraft is stable in a hover,
slowly reduce the throttle to bring it to rest on the ground. Once
the aircraft touches the ground, immediately lower the throttle to
idle.
From Conventional Configuration
TO
45° Configuration OR
Hover Configuration
From Hover OR 45° Configuration
TO
Conventional
Configuration
Transition to Conventional Configuration (to the wing)
For your first transition to Conventional Configuration, switch your
aircraft to the 45° Configuration. The 45° Configuration flies very
similar to Hover Configuration, just with a bit more forward speed.
Climb to a safe altitude. For some people this may be 100ft (30m),
for others, it may be higher or lower. Decide for yourself; you don't
want to be so high you can't see the model, but you also don't want
to be so close to the ground that if something happens, you can't
recover. For the first transition, we recommend selecting the
Beginner Profile, as this is the easiest and simplest for most users.
With the aircraft level and pointed into the wind, increase the
throttle to 100% and switch into the Conventional Configuration. No
pilot input should be needed before or during the transition. Within
a few seconds the aircraft will be flying conventionally on the wing
and you can reduce power as needed.
Transition from Conventional Configuration (to fan thrust)
For your first transition from Conventional Configuration, you will
transition to the 45° Configuration. Perform a normal traffic pattern
at a reduced but safe speed. Descend (or climb) into the wind to a
safe altitude (as described previously). Place the throttle between
35 and 60% and switch to the 45° Configuration. The aircraft will
automatically transition over the next several seconds. Continue
maneuvering in the 45° Configuration as needed. Point the nose
where you want to go (in example, point down to go down). You
may continue to land in the 45° Configuration, or switch to Hover
Configuration.
As you gain experience, transitions can be accomplished directly to
and from the Hover Configuration (straight through 45°
Configuration) as well.
Minimal pilot input is needed for transitions, even if flying in
the Advanced Profile!
There is no need to lower the nose to
increase airspeed before transitioning to Conventional
Configuration. The Cypher will manage it for you. Should you need
to add an input, keep the inputs small.
If for some reason the
aircraft pitches abruptly during the transition, this is typically
caused by an improper fan angle and/or improper elevon
centering. Follow the directions in this manual for setting
these angles.
The CG can also play a part in pitching during
transitions but is far less significant than the fan and elevon angles.
Trimming
The first several flights in Conventional Configuration should be
dedicated to trimming and setup. Switch to the Advanced Profile
while in Conventional Configuration and fly the aircraft at
approxiately 65% power. Trim with the transmitter trims for level
flight. Land and take note of where the elevons are. Return the
transmitter trim to zero and adjust the elevon linkages to the
position noted before. Repeat until the aircraft flies hands-off,
straight and level.
If you notice the aircraft pitches abruptly during transitions, this may
be caused by improper fan angle adjustment or improper elevon
centering. Use the provided gauges and follow the instructions for
fan and elevon angle setup.
