Selecting a Flying Site
Selecting a flying site is critical to a successful flight. An aircraft like
the Cypher can quickly take up air space, therefore, a
neighborhood or parking lot is not recommended. A local AMA field
is the best location for flying your aircraft. If no AMA field is
available in your area, a large open field with short grass and
generous overfly area is the best candidate. Know your overfly
area. Ensure that there are no houses, playgrounds, people or
other buildings that may be damaged if the aircraft were to crash.
Hover Configuration
This configuration allows for vertical take-offs and landings (VTOL)
as well as general low-speed (-6 to +6mph, -10 to +10kmh) flight.
This Flight Configuration uses all 4 motors in unison for flight. The
aircraft is most susceptible to wind in this configuration as it will not
penetrate the wind as easily as other Flight Configurations. Yaw
authority is near its greatest, with all four motors working in unison
for yaw control. The aircraft will not have a traditional airplane stall
in this Configuration but can require higher throttle settings to
maintain stability. Roll and pitch controls will vary depending on
which Flight Profile you are flying in (Beginner or Advanced).
45° Magic Configuration
This configuration allows for short take-offs and landings (STOL) or
even vertical take-offs and landings provided there is enough wind
or angle of attack. This Flight Configuration is better for low-
medium wind speeds and has better wind penetration than the
Hover Configuration. General airspeed in this configuration is
around -2 to +14mph (-3 to +23kmh). The aircraft has good yaw
authority and it will not have a traditional airplane-like stall in this
configuration. Roll and pitch controls will vary depending on which
Flight Profile you are flying in (Beginner or Advanced).
Conventional Configuration
This configuration allows for traditional airplane-style take-offs and
landings and flies like a conventional flying wing. This Flight
Configuration is better for medium-high wind speeds and has the
greatest wind penetration.The aircraft has good yaw authority at
high throttle and low airspeeds but can be limited at high airspeed
and lower throttle. The aircraft is flying off of its wing and will have
a traditional airplane stall in this configuration. Roll and pitch
controls will vary depending on which Flight Profile you are flying in
(Beginner or Advanced).
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Landing
There are various ways to land the FV-31 Cypher. For your first
flight, you may choose not to make any transitions. If that is the
case, you will be landing in the same Flight Configuration that you
took off in.
FLYING TIPS - FLIGHT CONFIGURATIONS & FIRST FLIGHTS
Conventional Takeoff
Set your Flight Configuration switch (CH6) to the Conventional
Configuration position. This is when the rear fans are
perpendicular to the wing. Set your Flight Profile switch (CH5) to
the position you are most comfortable with. For traditional
airplane controls, this would be the advanced profile. Arm the
aircraft and taxi to the end of your takeoff space. Point the nose
into the wind. Smoothly advance the throttle to full and steer
using the rudder stick. As the aircraft picks up speed, smoothly
feed in an adequate amount of up elevator and the aircraft will
leave the runway. Climb to a safe altitude to learn how the aircraft
is trimmed. Follow our trimming tips for more details.
Vertical Takeoff
Ensure that wind speeds are low. In Hover Configuration, the
aircraft will fly backward if there is more than a light wind. Set
your Flight Configuration switch (CH6) to the Hover Configuration
position. This is when the rear fans are near-parallel to the wing.
Set your Flight Profile switch (CH5) to the position you are most
comfortable with. For traditional helicopter or 'acro' multirotor
controls, this would be the Advanced Profile. For self-leveling,
'angle' controls, this would be the Beginner profile. Place the
aircraft in its takeoff location with the nose pointed into the wind.
Stand a safe distance behind the aircraft so that the controls are
simple: forward on the pitch stick is forward (away from you), right
is to your right etc. Arm the aircraft, and slowly advance the
throttle until the aircraft is about 6-inches (15cm) off the ground.
Full throttle is not required. If at any point you feel that a crash is
imminent, quickly lower the throttle to return the aircraft safely to
the ground. As you get more comfortable with the aircraft, you
can bring it higher and begin to maneuver around. Note that
when near the ground, fan wash and ground effect can become a
factor. As the aircraft nears the ground, the fans force air below
the aircraft but the air cannot move as freely as it can at altitude.
This causes the air to return upward toward the aircraft, creating
a buoyancy effect. While the aircraft may be descending at a
good, consistent rate for landing, you may find that you need to
lower the throttle further as you near the ground (typically this can
start to occur around 3 feet (1m).
Conventional Landing
Reserve enough battery on your first flights for several missed
approaches. Slow the aircraft to a comfortable airspeed around
35% throttle. Fly downwind far enough to give yourself adequate
time to make final adjustments on your final upwind approach. Be
sure not to fly too far downwind. If there is a significant amount of
wind, it will take longer on your final approach upwind. As you
make your turn upwind, reduce the throttle to appoximately
15-20% and slowly begin descending. Don't point the nose
significantly down, as this will cause the aircraft to pick up
airspeed and only make the final flare more difficult and the
airspeed higher than it needs to be. Instead, keep the nose level
and use throttle to manage the rate of descent. As you approach
the threshold of the runway, continue to manage your descent
with throttle until you are ready to flare. (continued on next page)
Tips for your First Flights
Depending on your previous experience, you may want to start
flying the aircraft in the Flight Configuration and Profile you are
most comfortable with. If you have previously flown four (or more)
channel airplanes but have limited experience with helicopters or
multirotors, you may choose to make your first flight in
Conventional Configuration. Conversly, if you are more familiar with
helicopters or multirotors, you may choose to make your first flight
in Hover Configuration.
Takeoff
