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FMA Direct Cessna 182 with CoPilot II Stabilization Review
By EYEinSKY
Nov 07, 2009, 07:58 AM
Introduction
Want to learn to fly an RC plane? Want to have a personal helper all the time? FMA Direct has just come out with 2 planes, a Cessna 182 (reviewed here) and a pusher jet, that incorporate their CoPilot II stabilization system. This system helps to level the plane from any orientation, and with enough speed and altitude, help it survive any disorientation or pilot mistake, allowing him to stay composed and keep flying. The Cessna 182 is a trainer with tricycle landing gear and is capable of simple aerobatics. The Funjet is a faster plane, but can be flown slowly for learning, and it is still classified as a Park Flyer. It is capable of aerobatics using Elevons and is even recommended for combat! Both planes are geared toward the beginning pilot, and they have a lot to offer. The included CoPilot II stabilization system is a wonderful product for beginning airplane or heli pilots or for anyone wanting to push his skills to new levels. I did a review of the stand alone version of this product for RCGroups, and you can look it over HERE.
How it Works
The pilot simply has to let the transmitter sticks go to the neutral position, and the CPII will put the plane upright and level in less than a second! This leveling capability is robust and very fast acting, unlike some other systems on the market.
The CoPilot II is an advancement of FMA’s CPD4 leveling system that has been around for several years now. Both units use Infrared sensors to read the difference between sky and ground temperature. Normally the sky is colder than the ground, and these temperature differences allow the sensors to relay information to an onboard computer. One pair of sensors looks forward and aft, another pair looks to the right and left of the aircraft (the horizontal sensor on the bottom of the aircraft) and a third pair looks directly up and down (the vertical sensor on the nose of the aircraft) . These three orientations cover the 3 dimensions that aircraft move through. When the aircraft is banked, pitched or inverted, the sensors relay a change in temperature orientation to an onboard avionics computer which calculates the corrections needed to quickly level the aircraft from any position. If an emergency develops, the pilot lets the sticks snap to the center, and if there is enough airspeed and altitude, the CoPilot II quickly levels the aircraft. While the CPII is amazing in its capabilities, it is not a full autopilot, and the pilot must keep directing the plane after it has leveled off. A flight instructor is still the best way for a beginner to learn how to safely fly a model, although the CoPilot II will probably pay for itself in avoided crashes!
Kit Contents
The FMA stabilizing system is pre-installed and checked at the factory. Should you get to the point where you want to move on to a bigger or more aerobatic aircraft, the components can be removed and installed in a different plane. The plane itself has a very nice 2.4 GHz Spread Spectrum radio system installed with a 7 channel transmitter, 4 nine gram servos, as well as brushless power system with plenty of power.
A 120 V balancing battery charger is included. The 2.4 GHz transmitter is a 7 channel spread spectrum unit with mode switches, as well as 3 proportional knobs for several types of aircraft. An important distinction between the RTF and ARF packages needs to be made. The RTF comes with Plane, Transmitter, and matching Receiver, as well as the avionics computer and external sensors needed to fly in LEVEL mode. The equipment is pre-adjusted and ready to go. The ARF version requires you to install your own Rx, and use your own TX. It also adds an IR programmer and IR router to the stabilization package. "What for?", you ask. Because you will need them to configure the CPII to work with your Transmitter, and especially to set your On-Off switch for stabilization. An added bonus to this configuration is that you get full access to the advanced modes of Inverted Flight, Knife Edge, and Hover. The Cessna is not intended for KE or hovering, but you can use this equipment later on an aircraft that will! Note that the ARF package contains the full CPII package #2 shown HERE.. As such, it has full CPII capabilities, which we will take a look at later in the review.
Kit Includes:
Kit Requires
Assembly
The airplane is colorful with the applied graphics and has a scale look to make it interesting. It is made of the tough molded foam that can be glued with regular CA. I received the actual airplane used in the FMA web site videos, so it had the tail already glued in place. You will receive a smaller box with the fuselage and CoPilot II electronics already installed, all servos installed and the wing in one piece. All that is needed is to glue on the tail parts and attach the pushrod clevises. Charge up the lipo with the included charger, install 8 AA batts in the transmitter, and you are ready to go! The complete assembly manual is in the form of a video from FMA found HERE.
Wing
The wing is pre-assembled with servos installed.
Fuselage
I plugged in the aileron extension to the CPII into the SVO1 spot and routed the wires neatly out of the fuse top so they wouldn’t tangle in the servos when the wing was installed. It is a good idea to check that all the plugs are firmly installed in the receiver and CPII.
Tail
I dry fit the horizontal stab, putting the control horn DOWN. I located the scribe lines used to align the stab for gluing. I used epoxy to glue in the horizontal stab, using the scribe lines to make sure it was square to the fuselage and using the T pins shown in the video. After the glue had set, I trial fit the vertical fin and rudder and glued it in place with epoxy, checking alignment before the glue set. Finally, I attached the clevises to the last hole out in the elevator and rudder, making sure they were snapped shut.
Radio Installation
The RTF version is all done for you with the exception of attaching the aileron "Y" extension to the CPII in the SVO1 slot. The ARF version requires you to install your own receiver in conjunction with the CoPilot II unit, as well as program the unit to work with your Transmitter. All the manuals and reference materials are available online HERE and HERE.
Completion
I plugged the rear landing gear in the slot, loosened the front nose gear set screw and plugged in the nose gear, making sure it was straight and tightened the set screw. I grabbed the wing and plugged the ailerons into the extensions from the fuselage, making sure to match wires of the same color (black to black, red to red). I used the plastic wing screws to attach the wing, but not too tightly!
I turned on the transmitter, and pulled the throttle to the bottom, plugged in the lipo and neatly recessed it below the bottom of the fuse so the sensor in back of the battery bay could see clearly to the front of the plane. I performed a check of all the control surfaces for travel and direction. (Beginners, get some help here, so you know the surfaces are responding correctly.) To check the operation of the CoPilot II, I took the plane outside and rotated the top left knob fully clockwise. AVOIDING THE PROP, I picked the plane up by the back of the fuselage and and carefully pitched the plane up and down. The elevator moved a bit as it should. Next, I tipped the plane side to side, and the ailerons moved a bit. Finally, I rolled the plane upside down and the ailerons and elevator deflected from neutral. If the top left knob is rotated fully counterclockwise, the CPII is OFF, and you are flying with your own skill. Flying
BasicsI removed the landing gear for grass flying. Add some UP trim on the transmitter BEFORE you launch your plane! If the CPII is on (which I recommend), and you hold the nose up before you throw the plane, the CPII will try to level the plane by giving DOWN ELEVATOR. When you throw it a bit upward, it quickly heads DOWN, trying to get level. (Thud!) After replacing the prop and fixing the cowl (there was no other damage), I added a little UP in the elevator trim, turned on the CoPilot II with the top left knob fully clockwise, throttled up and tossed it into the wind. The plane tracked solidly upward. After trimming for 1/2 throttle and level flight, I watched it fly without moving the sticks from the center. The wind bounced it a bit, but it held level and tracked quite straight. To turn the plane, you have to hold in a bit of aileron and elevator to complete a turn, because as soon as you let the sticks go to the center, the plane levels itself.
Taking Off and Landing
Taking off is quite easy. I turned on the Copilot II, added a little UP trim, gave it full power and threw it straight ahead. It gained speed quickly and started climbing. I got to a safe altitude, throttled back a bit and trimmed for level. See the FMA video for takeoff from blacktop HERE. Landing is also easy. I lined it up with the field, reduced power to get a comfortable sink rate and let it get close to the ground. I cut power and held in a little up to flair it onto the ground. The wings stay level all the way to the ground. I did one landing with power off and the sticks in the neutral position. It tracked straight with level wings, and had a comfortable sink rate. I flared just a tiny bit at the end to flatten the landing.
Aerobatics/Special Flight Performance
The plane is fairly aerobatic with the CPII OFF (turn the top left knob fully counterclockwise). It will fly inverted with a lot of speed and a fair amount of forward elevator. The plane tends to do barrel rolls because it is a high wing plane, but consecutive rolls are possible with elevator inputs at the right time. Stall turns are easy, and inside loops can be done from level flight. Outside loops are possible, but they take a lot of height and throttle on the bottom portion to complete. Snap rolls are pretty aggressive but recovery is easy. With the CPII ON, it fights you to stay right side up.
Special Flight Performance
The CPII is intended to stabilize all sorts of planes and helicopters and has many cool flight modes built in. To access these modes, you have to attach an optional Infrared Router and hand held programmer (both included in the ARF package) to choose new settings. See the full review of the CoPilot II HERE. To demonstrate, I reprogrammed the CPII to hold the plane in INVERTED mode. To activate, roll or loop the plane upside down, flip on the CPII and release the sticks. If you are within 10 degrees of inverted, the computer will take over and hold the plane level, inverted! When you want out, roll or loop the plane upright, and the computer will flatten to LEVEL upright mode. Photos above are a low, hands-off pass.
Is This For a Beginner?
YES YES YES!! This plane and stability system couldn't be ANY MORE FOR a beginner! With a clear understanding of how a model is supposed to be guided around the sky safely and help from a "live" instructor, most beginners will have a very successful time with this plane! In fact, as skills progress, the plane is a great introduction to basic aerobatics as well. And finally, the CoPilot II can be installed later on a higher performance plane to continue the adventure of advanced flying. The capabilities of the Cessna 182 and CoPilot II combination more than justify the initial cost of the outfit.
Flight Video/Photo Gallery
Conclusion
The FMA Cessna is a great way to start flying. It flies like a much bigger plane with the CPII on. It steadies the plane in winds, recovers it from over controlling and levels the flight path for landing. I became comfortable with the plane quickly, and didn't have to "work" in breezy conditions. Later, you have the option of installing the CoPilot II components on another plane to continue your flying adventures. I think that makes this a very worthwhile combination of products. My low time student (in the video) said it best; "That is really slick!"
And a little help from my friends... Dave Larson: All Flight Photos Anita Pepper: Videos George: New Flyer Last edited by Angela H; Nov 12, 2009 at 01:27 PM.. |
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Nov 07, 2009, 08:27 PM
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#2 |
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$$$ Cash for RC Carnage!
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,126
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nice review.
fred |
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Nov 07, 2009, 09:28 PM
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#3 |
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Every flight is a maiden!
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Fairfield, CA
Posts: 587
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neet!
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Nov 09, 2009, 10:28 AM
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#4 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Jackson, Michigan
Posts: 154
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Update from FMA Direct on Cessnal 182
Late breaking news from FMA Direct!!
I was just informed that the planes that ship will have the CPII set up on the proportional knob on the top left of the Tx. This will allow you to dial the sensitivity of the CPII up or down as needed. (More stabililizing to Less stabilizing) My review plane was set up on the Gear switch, so please make that mental change as you read the article! Tom |
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Nov 09, 2009, 04:52 PM
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#5 |
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Dr. Dave
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Howard County, MO
Posts: 861
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Great job Tom. I enjoyed the read and detail. Really cool stuff.
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Nov 09, 2009, 05:08 PM
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#6 |
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I Can Fly An FP Inverted!
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Teddington, Middlesex, UK
Posts: 1,484
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interesting how lazy FMA is, in that they did not bother to remove the skyartec branding from 'their' planes
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Nov 10, 2009, 08:55 AM
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#7 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Jackson, Michigan
Posts: 154
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Quote:
The article will be updated to reflect the shipping version of the CPII control - It is connected to the top left knob in the Tx. Clockwise for more CPII stabilization action, counterclockwise for less stabilization. That actually gives better choices to the pilot for more or less wind, more or less help. Tom |
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Nov 10, 2009, 01:25 PM
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#8 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Seattle
Posts: 776
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Nice review.
I was given an early FMA Copilot for Xmas when I was just starting to fly RC a few years ago now, but the usefulness for a beginner is great. I built a simple High Wing Depron trainer and installed the copilot with an on-off switch on the transmitter. As you say the Copilot will fight you at times and I found by going up three mistakes and turning the copilot off and trying a maneuver like a loop or roll and turning the copilot on when I got in trouble was a huge asset and saved the plane many times. Combining the Copilot with a nice trainer/Cessna plane is a great idea and hopefully will encourage a few people to get going in RC when they don't have access to an instructor. As you say, an instructor is the best way to go but sometimes weather and timing and whatever makes it difficult to get together, for those times this is a good option. Ivor |
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Nov 11, 2009, 05:44 PM
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#9 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Jackson, Michigan
Posts: 154
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Quote:
I still think your best bet is to get started with an instructor, just to understand what safe flying looks like, before you bomb all over the sky! At least that is the way I flew at first! Tom |
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