Lemon Microbrick Reference Guide
Page 9 of 20
Initially set the three gain pots at about the 10 o’clock position. This is a good conservative starting point that
will produce noticeable stabilization but probably not oscillation. For most models, at least one or two gain
settings will need to be increased or decreased during flight testing to achieve optimum stabilization. There is no
hard rule and gains can only be fine-tuned by observing the behavior of the model at various speeds during flight
testing.
10. Prepare for flying
Install the propeller and/or plug in the battery, as necessary. Check the control directions and stabilization
functions one more time. Do a reduced power range test using the range check function on the transmitter. This
should give at least 25m/27 yards range with full control.
Check that the channel 5 switch is operating correctly to turn stabilization ON (green light only) and OFF (green
and red lights). Make sure you know which way is OFF!
Test failsafe operation by running the model (well secured) at about half throttle and turning off the transmitter.
The motor should stop after a couple of seconds and the control surfaces should stay in their current positions.
If you have Master Gain on channel 8, set it to the middle of its range.
11. Perform a test flight
If stabilization is not used, proceed in the usual way to test and trim the model.
If stabilization is available, before taking off check that the stabilizer is turned OFF. Take off and fly around,
adjusting trim as necessary. Make sure the model flies properly without stabilization. If you need to make major
trim adjustments, you might want to land and make mechanical adjustments to the push rods.
At a safe height, use the channel 5 switch to turn the stabilizer ON. If the model rolls, dives or turns suddenly, at
least one of the gyro directions (as indicated by the three blue LEDs) is incorrectly set. Switch OFF the stabilizer
immediately! Land and fix. Likewise, if you encounter major oscillation, land and reduce gain in the axis/axes
involved. If Master Gain is available, you can just turn it down.
Assuming the model does nothing scary, continue flying to explore the action of the stabilizer. Do a shallow dive
to pick up speed and watch for oscillation on one or more axes. If it happens, just throttle back and slow down
(oscillation is quite different from control surface flutter and is generally not destructive).
