FMA Direct
11
FS8 Co-Pilot™ user guide
Set up the system
Setting up FS8 Co-Pilot™ has three parts:
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Set up failsafe operation,
in which FS8 Co-Pilot™ learns
which channels you want assigned as failsafe channels and the
servo failsafe positions for those channels.
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Set up flight stabilization,
in which FS8 Co-Pilot™ learns
which channels are assigned to pitch, roll and remote on/off.
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Set Auto Trim, in which
you set Auto Trim on or off.
Once FS8 Co-Pilot™ is set up, you normally don’t need to re-
peat the set up unless you change the aircraft’s configuration or
move FS8 Co-Pilot™ to another aircraft.
Tip:
If you have a PC and the optional Serial Inter-
face Module, consider setting up FS8 Co-Pilot™
with help from the FS Co-Pilot™ Viewer Software.
The software isn’t required for setup, but its graphi-
cal displays will help you understand what the re-
ceiver is doing. Instructions for installing and run-
ning the software are provided in the FS Co-Pilot™
Viewer Software user guide.
Set up failsafe operation
About receiver modes
As long as power is applied, FS8 Co-Pilot™ keeps servo outputs
energized. Unlike most receivers, when FS8 Co-Pilot™ detects
bad transmitter data, it takes action to put the aircraft in a pre-
dictable flight path.
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Normal Flight Mode
is the regular operating mode. Use
Normal Flight Mode for testing, range checking and flying
your aircraft. If FS8 Co-Pilot™ receives statistically bad
frames for about 1 second, it enters...
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Failsafe Mode, in
which...
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Servos set for
Last Good Frame Hold
remain in the posi-
tions specified in the last valid frame from the transmitter.
As delivered from the factory, all channels are set for Last
Good Frame Hold. You can also reset the receiver to this
state at any time.
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Servos set for
Failsafe
move to positions you preset.
When FS8 Co-Pilot™ detects good transmitter data, the re-
ceiver leaves Failsafe Mode and returns to Normal Flight
Mode.
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Receiver Setup Mode
lets you tell FS8 Co-Pilot™ how to
handle each channel when it is in Failsafe Mode. Using a
simple procedure (see “Set up the receiver”), you can set any
channel to move to a preset Failsafe position during Failsafe
Mode. Channels not set for Failsafe remain in their Last
Good Frame Hold positions. FS8 Co-Pilot™ stores setup in-
formation for each channel. It keeps this information even
when power is turned off.
Assign failsafe channels and servo positions
1. Configure your radio system for normal operation:
a. Turn on your transmitter, then turn on FS8 Co-Pilot™.
b. Set up your transmitter for correct aircraft operation:
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Verify control channel assignments
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Set servo reversing and travel.
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Program mixes.
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If you are using an elevon mixer, confirm that elevons
are working correctly.
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IMPORTANT: Set transmitter dual rates to high
while setting up FS8 Co-Pilot™.
c. If you will be controlling flight stabilization from your
transmitter, decide which channel you will use:
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For on/off and throw adjustment, use a proportional
channel (typically a knob or slider).
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For on/off control only, use a switched channel.
d. Turn off FS8 Co-Pilot™.
CAUTION:
When setting failsafe positions for an
electric aircraft, set throttle to full off, or disconnect
motor wires, before you enter Failsafe Mode.
2.
Enter Receiver Setup Mode:
Press
and hold the REC Button, turn on FS8
Co-Pilot™, then release the REC But-
ton. This puts FS8 Co-Pilot™ in Re-
ceiver Setup Mode:
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The channel 2 servo shakes two
times to confirm.
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The LED twinkles when FS8 Co-Pilot™ is in Receiver
Setup Mode.
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Servos set for Last Frame Good Frame Hold Mode move
slowly back and forth a small amount, while servos set for
Failsafe Mode move to failsafe positions and don’t move
back and forth.
continued
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