How-To: Easy setup for perfect (bail-out) self-level

[dpelletier]

Originally Posted by soko

im still not getting how you english guys differentiate between relative angle/level and absolute/spirit angle/level

What makes you think we differentiate?!?

[soko]

Originally Posted by dpelletier

What makes you think we differentiate?!?

I don't know what english word to use when I like to talk about an angle between two surfaces...
realtive angle, relative level, ???

And what word you use when talking about a surface that should be aligned in an angle relative to the earth level. In German we say the object is "in water" - but that doesn't apply to english. I'm currently using "absolute level" when talking about the level that is given by the instrument you call "spirit level" or "bubble level". the one carpenters use when they ar building a house.

Maybe someone can clarify to me the right terms to use

Soko

[georgi UK]

Originally Posted by soko

I don't know what english word to use when I like to talk about an angle between two surfaces...

if you are describing the angle difference between two surfaces, where one is ie, 5 deg different to the other, this is called the "included angle" this is the angle difference between the two, and not relative to anything outside of itself.

And what word you use when talking about a surface that should be aligned in an angle relative to the earth level. In German we say the object is "in water" - but that doesn't apply to english. I'm currently using "absolute level" when talking about the level that is given by the instrument you call "spirit level" or "bubble level". the one carpenters use when they ar building a house.

for this one we talk in terms of the horizon, and use "horizontal" as the adjective, vertical is 90 deg to this. "perpendicular" can be used to convey a heli mast that is 90 deg to the horizontal looking from the side, and also from the front.

Maybe someone can clarify to me the right terms to use

Soko

=]

[soko]

georgi

In our instructions we are talking about absoute/spirit level. Will the guys get the drift or should I change it to horizontal/vertical?

Soko

[georgi UK]

Originally Posted by soko

georgi

In our instructions we are talking about absoute/spirit level. Will the guys get the drift or should I change it to horizontal/vertical?

Soko

=] horizontal / vertical can only mean one thing as an absolute reference. these can then be expanded to "looking from" the side, the front, the back etc.

absolute spirit level conveys an instrument that, in itself can be inaccurate. so yes, the correct terms are vertical, horizontal.

we all understand this meaning!

[neavissa]

Originally Posted by soko

I don't know what english word to use when I like to talk about an angle between two surfaces...
realtive angle, relative level, ???

And what word you use when talking about a surface that should be aligned in an angle relative to the earth level. In German we say the object is "in water" - but that doesn't apply to english. I'm currently using "absolute level" when talking about the level that is given by the instrument you call "spirit level" or "bubble level". the one carpenters use when they ar building a house.

Maybe someone can clarify to me the right terms to use

Soko

LOL, I have to go through this all the time! I am Greek, born and raised in Germany! So I speak three languages... I am always looking for the right words! Never heard "in wasser" thought?!

G

p.s. I got totally confused with all that level talk. My new "level" bottom plate for my frame is gonna be here on Friday. As soon I installed it and mounted the SK, I will post a picture and you guys tell me if I am right on or not!

[Luvmyhelis]

Soko, I was just re reading this entire thread again. I admit,the concept prompted me to buy a one time deal on a DX8 last summer. It basically sat until today. Now I am finally setting it up per your instructions. Good stuff!

But just to be clear. What did you mean about reversing throttle and pitch curves?

[soko]

Hi Randy,

With reversing I mean reversing the order they are on the flight-mode-switch.
I use idle-up2 to start and take off. idle-up1 for normal flight and "normal" for SL (bail-out).

Otherwise you have to get your hand under the flight-mode-switch and switch to idle-up2 to activate SL in an emerceny. Way to slow and to dangerous to miss.

Do you know what I mean?

Soko

[Luvmyhelis]

Originally Posted by soko

Hi Randy,

With reversing I mean reversing the order they are on the flight-mode-switch.
I use idle-up2 to start and take off. idle-up1 for normal flight and "normal" for SL (bail-out).

Otherwise you have to get your hand under the flight-mode-switch and switch to idle-up2 to activate SL in an emerceny. Way to slow and to dangerous to miss.

Do you know what I mean?

Soko

Yes! Thanks.
I saw the explanation about that earlier but didn't separate the two. Awesome! I should have this little beast up and flying tomorrow.

[Xrayted]

Originally Posted by Luvmyhelis

Yes! Thanks.
I saw the explanation about that earlier but didn't separate the two. Awesome! I should have this little beast up and flying tomorrow.

Hi Randy. I used Sokos flight mode method for bank switching listed here with my DX8, and it works quite nicely. The one thing I did notice, at least on my heli, is that trimming the SL mode doesn't always work well from one flight day to the other.

I could get it trimmed perfectly one day, but would need to start over again when flying at a later date. I'm assuming this could be from differences in temp, etc. Its really no big deal.....I would just spend about 30 sec trimming the heli for perfect SL on my first flight, and then I was usually good for the rest of my flights.

It would be interesting to hear your experiences with this from one day to the next.

[soko]

hi icnu.

The drift differences between days is exactly why I came up with this trim-idea!

on each fly day i reset the SL trims at the beginning to find "the values of the day".

other systems (msh brain, ikon) has such a trim in the software which is kinda useless due to the fact described above.

Soko

[Xrayted]

Originally Posted by soko

hi icnu.

The drift differences between days is exactly why I came up with this trim-idea!

on each fly day i reset the SL trims at the beginning to find "the values of the day".

other systems (msh brain, ikon) has such a trim in the software which is kinda useless due to the fact described above.

Soko

Thanks Soko! I have since changed mine over to a momentary switch for SL, and a bit of pitch mixed in to make the heli climb. This climb kills any drift I would typically notice, so I don't even see it anymore

[soko]

Good to hear!

Maybe you can sum up how you add the pitch. I read about it a couple of weeks ago but forgot how it works. Something with the mixing in the Tx isn't it?

I reckon all the guys reading this will appreciate the input. For me I'm OK with controlling the pitch myself

Soko

[Xrayted]

Originally Posted by soko

Good to hear!

Maybe you can sum up how you add the pitch. I read about it a couple of weeks ago but forgot how it works. Something with the mixing in the Tx isn't it?

I reckon all the guys reading this will appreciate the input. For me I'm OK with controlling the pitch myself

Soko

Yes, it's a simple Aux2 to pitch mix. I did a thread about it here: Its a long read, but its hard to describe in one paragraph.

https://www.helifreak.com/showthread...489086xcsddfvf

[Seasick78]

Since this thread is about the Soko tool, I wanted to drop in and thank Soko for making it. Great piece if gear! I'll recommend it to anybody I ever hear asking about the best tool for setting up a rotor system.

I just made a bunch of changes to my Goblin 630 so I figured it was also a good time to redo my rotor system with my new Soko tool kit.

Flew it today for the first time since finishing my maintenance. Wow man... Fantastic track on this bird! I thought it was dialed in good before, but its perfect now.

Thanks again!!!

- Josh

[soko]

Originally Posted by Seasick78

Since this thread is about the Soko tool, I wanted to drop in and thank Soko for making it. Great piece if gear! I'll recommend it to anybody I ever hear asking about the best tool for setting up a rotor system.

I just made a bunch of changes to my Goblin 630 so I figured it was also a good time to redo my rotor system with my new Soko tool kit.

Flew it today for the first time since finishing my maintenance. Wow man... Fantastic track on this bird! I thought it was dialed in good before, but its perfect now.

Thanks again!!!

- Josh

Hey Josh,

This thread isn't acutally about the Soko Kit or Soko Heli Tools...
This thread is older than that

But your words are highly appreciated!

And yes, please do tell all the guys about the Soko Kit! Its just a small company and we can't afford big advertisements. So word of mouth is really great

Soko

[chavanel]

What I found most useful of this thread is the answer to a question that arose when setting up my SK720. I'm expecting the GPS module, and was figuring out where to place the three position switch for the GPS module if SK720 was using the two of them available in my DX8 (I didn't think the Flight mode as a possible option and I wanted to use both cyclic and tail configuration banks).

Now, with this thread, that question was answered. Thank you all!

Oscar

[B0tt0mline]

My Swashplate stays correctly in Cyclic1, but when I switch to Cyclic2 it moves a little bit. Thwrefore, the Goblin moves backwards at self leveling (Cyclic2).

What can I do to keep the swashplate correctly in all modes?

[Xrayted]

Originally Posted by B0tt0mline

My Swashplate stays correctly in Cyclic1, but when I switch to Cyclic2 it moves a little bit. Thwrefore, the Goblin moves backwards at self leveling (Cyclic2).

What can I do to keep the swashplate correctly in all modes?

Its normal for the swash to move a little when SL is activated. This is to account for a helis natural translating tendency.

Have you done the 200% Hiller Decay mechanical trim adjustment procedure without SL activated yet? Also verify that your COG is spot on as well. Both of these must be done in order to mitigate any drift

Self Level does not mean the heli is going to sit perfectly in place without drifting. There are some things that can be done to minimize it the best we can, but you must also have the correct expectations. It still levels the heli in an emergency, and any small drift at this point is inconsequential as we are not just sitting around hovering in position with SL turned on when we are bailing the heli out, and must still be in control of the heli at all times

The heli will always be in some form of motion whenever you activate SL, so its always going to drift some random direction due to its inertia at the time you activated it. This is completely random and cannot be predicted or trimmed out. You will need the GPS module if you require the heli to be rescued and sit perfectly in place.

[srhadden]

Anyone have some videos on the self level? I'm curious how well it bails out. I'm looking but can't find a really good one.