Concentration-consecrated

Wed Apr 16 08:01:22 AKDT 2003

    Could you use a Futaba PA-2 autopilot device in conjunction with the PCM
lockout?  The way I understand the autopilot device works, it gets input
from a receiver channel to determine the amount of authority (0% to 100%)
over the aileron and elevator channels.  During normal flight, that channel
would give the PA-2 0% authority, basically turning itself off and allowing
you full control of all flight controls.  However, if the receiver goes into
lockout, program the input channel to put the PA-2 into 100% authority to
level the wings and nose, as well as put the throttle to idle, gear up,
center rudder, ect.  I read a review about this device and it can be pretty
aggressive recovering your plane to level flight, especially from a nose
down attitude.  However, I think that would be better than the alternative.
    I know this wouldn't help if the battery gets disconnected, but we had a
kid show up at the field last weekend with a park flyer on channel 50.  He
wasn't a member and just thought he could turn on his Tx and launch his
plane.  Luckily nobody was on Channel 50 and he was caught and the rules
explained to him.
    Obviously you would have to remove or disconnect this device for
contests, but if this $50 thing can save a $1500 pattern plane during a
practice session then it may be worth investigating.

Keith L. Hoard
Cordova, TN
khoard at midsouth.rr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "wgalligan" <wgalligan at cnbcom.net>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2003 10:21 AM
Subject: Re: Concentration-consecrated

> Eric,
>
>  I know that helpless feeling when my Prophecy did something similar.  The
regulator on my Prophecy went south and did the same thing as in little
voltage to the system.  Lucky for me there was still some power and it went
into PCM lockup and the throttle came back to idle causing a slow spiral
death. (which is a positive plug for PCM, when set up properly) It saved my
equipment though by going to idle.  Airplane went in upside down at idle. It
was in a straight up full power attitude when this happened so I can only
imagine what would have happen if it went out of sight vertically.
> On to newer and better planes...
>  Wayne
>
> > <br />
> >   I said farewell to my CONCENTRATE a.k.a. FOCUS yesterday. I dodged a >
bullet yesterday when the elevator-stick-spring snapped during the 1-1/2 >
horizontal snap. An after market spring that I had shortened and must > have
weakened. The week before my buddy Earl stopped me taking off > without the
Jesus screw in the wing. I had the engine running and he > spotted the wing
gap. But every plane has an expiration date on it and > mine came due.<br />
> > <br />
> > The P-03 schedule has 3 1-1/2 snaps in it. I was trying to master them >
when I, and the guy next to me, heard a "clunk!" coming from the plane. > I
rolled level, throttled back - but wait nothing! The plane was still > at
3/4 throttle. It flew very straight for a while. Then started a slow > turn
over the DMV a mile down the road. then I could not see it anymore. > THEN
it came back into view performing a VERY slowly diving left turn. > It
almost made it into the open are behind the field. Them it went below > the
tree line.<br />
> > <br />
> > The OS 1.60 was running strong and then was gone. I searched for an hour
> and came back and load up the van to drive around and further back. Just >
about then the police arrived with a few pieces and a report of an upset >
home owner. To cut a long story short they had called the police when it >
tore through five tree tops behind their house. There was debris in the >
tops of five trees.<br />
> > <br />
> > The fuselage, or 3/4 of it, is still up there. Later in the day, >
Michelle and I visited the home owner and gave them a fruit basket for > any
concerns we may have caused them. They seemed OK, especially the > wife, and
they understood that this was a very rare occurrence. I'm > going back there
today to use a line and weight to try and dislodge it > if the wind has not
done so already.<br />
> > <br />
> > The police were amused and very helpful in picking up the hundreds of >
pieces. I only hope the home owner does not get militant.<br />
> > <br />
> > It was clear that the battery had come loose. There was no fail-safe >
action telling me that there no power was reaching the on board radio >
system. The pack was in the rear of the fuselage about 10 inches behind >
the wing. I had taped the connectors together but the moment of the >
continuous snapping must have eventually disconnected the pack. I must > say
this was the most helpless feeling I can remember.<br />
> > <br />
> > Regards,<br />
> > <br />
> > Eric.<br />
> >
> </div>
>
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