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Most everyone agrees that Radio Control helicopters are the single most challenging R/C models to build and operate. They're mechanically complex and aerodynamically can achieve many more flight positions then a fixed wing machine. The Radio Control Helicopter can achieve incredible speeds and breathtaking aerobatic maneuvers. The flyer is required to achieve two distinctly different skills for basic flight control, forward flight and hovering.
So naturally the questions comes to mind, "Should my very first R/C model be a helicopter?” And the answer is simple, if you want a fixed wing machine then get one, but if you really wish for Helicopter then get a Helicopter and experience the thrill of this exciting hobby.
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So if you are thinking of getting an R/C Helicopter or if you have one and ready to take to the air, what should you do to prepare yourself before your first hover ? Again the answer is simply, you must get a computer simulator. Some might argue that a computer simulator might help but it is not required for self learning the art of R/C Helicopter flight… We will disagree. The FMS computer flying simulator is amazingly accurate and comes complete with over 250 air crafts as well as exciting flying sites. The unique transmitter cable will connect to your Futaba / Hitech or JR compatible radio and will enable you to practice flight control at the comfort of your own home. While nothing can replace time at the flying field, FMS will help you become familiar with the R/C basics in a stress-free environment.
You’ll learn how transmitters work, and how specific radio commands draw a predictable response from a model helicopter or plane. If you crash, it’s no big deal. In a few seconds, you just try again. You will become more and more familiar with the different orientations and stick movements while saving hundreds of dollars (sometime more) in replacement parts. The interface adapter will connect into your real Helicopter or Plane Radio Control transmitter, which means you will also get adjusted to using the same transmitter when you are ready to fly for real thing
While many other software and hardware flight simulation packages are available today, we believe that FMS is the only affordable solution. You will not have to spend hundreds of dollars to achieve what many consider to be the most important tool in Radio Control Helicopter flight training, A simulator. Best of all when you hover, fly inverted or perform 3D aerobatics, you will use the same radio that you used to practice on FMS, you will feel right at home.
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About the most important issue for FMS operation is the Analog Control setup, the connection to your transmitter. If you have the Parallel Interface (Windows 95/98/ME), see the immediate section below. If you have the PIC Serial Interface (Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP) or the USB Interface, then skip down below.
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Parallel Port Interface (Windows 95/98/ME only)
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To find out your LPT port setting, right-mouse click on [My Computer] and select Properties (or System from the Control Panel); then choose the Device Manager Tab. Make sure the view is set for [View devices by type] as in the case below. Click on the [+] symbol on Ports (COM & LPT) to expand, the select Printer Port (LPT1) or the LPT of your choice if there are more than one. Then Click on Properties below to open the Printer Port (LPT1) Properties dialog - select the Resources Tab; this should indicate your I/O Range and Interrupt values.
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Start FMS, select Controls - Analog Control from the FMS menu:
There are two parallel "drivers" to choose from, select the 32-bit version first, and then click on the Resources. This should be LPT1. For the rare case that you have more than one parallel port on your PC, you may need to choose the corresponding port where you plugged in the interface cable (LPT2, LPT3).
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If you have problems with your setup, you can try the 16-bit version. Please note that the selection for Resources involves an I/O-range and Interrupt values. If you are not sure what your port is set to see below for finding out your LPT port setting.
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Expand the Ports(COM & LPT) by clicking on the + sign which would expand to show your installed ports. Right Mouse click on the port you've plugged in the interface - COM1 in this case - and choose Properties. This would open the COM1 port Properties, make sure you have the selection as below. [9600 - 8 - None - 1 - Xon/Xoff] for the port settings.
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Start FMS, Select Controls - Analog Control from the FMS menu: Please note that the Serial PIC and USB interfaces are compatible to Windows 2000/XP support from us. Select Serial-PIC-Interface from the Interface listing. Then click on Resources and choose the port that you have connected the interface, this should either be COM1 or COM2 depending on which com port is available on your PC. Also make sure the 9600 Baud... Protocol is selected..
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USB Interface - Windows 98/ME/2000/XP Only
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From your system Control Panel, double click on System and you will see the System Properties dialog below, select the Hardware tab and click on Device Manager
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Expand the Ports(COM & LPT) by clicking on the + sign which would expand to show your installed ports. Right Mouse click on the port you've plugged in the interface - USB Serial Port COM3 in this case - and choose Properties. This would open the USB Serial Port COM3 Properties, make sure you have the selection as below. [9600 - 8 - None - 1 - Xon/Xoff] for the port settings.
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Start FMS, Select Controls - Analog Control from the FMS menu. The USB Driver Installation will install additional COM ports to your system accessible by FMS's Serial PIC interface. Select Serial-PIC-Interface from the Interface listing. Then click on Resources and choose the port that you have connected the interface, this should be COM3 (higher) depending on which com port was installed during the USB Driver Installation. Also make sure the 9600 Baud... Protocol is selected..
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Mapping & Calibration
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You can now proceed with Mapping and Calibration. This is where you can select the corresponding mapping of the transmitter's channel to the appropriate action (Rudder, Elevator, etc). The top four mappings: Rudder, Elevator, Aileron, Throttle are for winged aircrafts. See Stick Configuration below.
The bottom four: Tail, Nick, Roll, Pitch are for helicopters. See Stick Configuration for Helicopters below.
Proceed with calibration by clicking on Calibrate, follow the procedure on screen and move both sticks to all four corners of motion (maximum travel) several times. If none of the Channel meters are moving, please see Trouble Shooting below.
Then click Next, position both sticks at mid-travel. Some sticks may be spring loaded for the middle position, some may not (such as the throttle stick). Click Finish
You will need to verify the channel mapping by moving the appropriate stick action, such as elevator (typically right stick up-down), and see which channels' meter is corresponding - change the Channel number in the Mapping if necessary. See Stick Configuration below for your choice.
You may have to repeat the Mapping and Calibration procedure after some trail and error, especially the direction of control (Invert-Inv may be necessary for swapping rudder left-right for instance).
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Channel meters responding to input
Note: Exp is for exponential travel/response of the control
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FMS Trouble Shooting
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Parallel Port Connection/Communication
When you cannot establish communication with the parallel port, most often the issue will be the parallel port setup. Here are some suggestions:
Try the 16-bit version of the driver, please note the [Resources] dialog now requires the I/O range and Interrupt value. Below are the most common setting.
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Change the BIOS setting of the Parallel Port (printer). You may need to refer to your PC hardware manual on how to enter the BIOS setting. Typical access for the BIOS setting is pressing the [DEL key] or [F1 key] during the PC power on cycle. Locate the entry of "Integrated Peripherals" or "I/O Devices Configuration", you will find the selection for changing the Parallel Port. You can have up to 4 types:
Output only
SPP
Bi-Directional
EPP
ECP
Select a different type than the present type, save the new settings and restart Windows. Windows will usually report a new device is found and will reconfigure itself. Some trials and errors may be required here to find the port setting that would work. Try ECP first, then EPP, then SPP/Bi-directional.
Soundcard Conflict
There are reported issues with PCI soundcards that you may need to disable "SB Emulation" (soundblaster emulation).
Another report of Creative SoundBlaster conflict that can be resolved with "Allow LPT Interrupt Sharing" deactivated. Please see this page here. (It's in German, but pretty much self explanatory).
Note: You will need to go into the "Device Manager" in the Systems Properties similar to the above case of finding out LPT port setting.
Common Issues
If your transmitter is capable of both PCM and PPM (FM), switch to PPM mode. FMS requires PPM mode for operation.
Make sure your transmitter's batteries are charged, and Turn On your transmitter for FMS operation. Some JR transmitter will turn itself on when the trainer plug is inserted (you still need the charged batteries!)
The Parallel Port version will work with Windows 95/98/ME only.
You may need to turn off servo reversing on your transmitter for proper operation.
You may need to turn off mixing on your transmitter for proper operation
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R/C Basics
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Stick Configuration for Fixed Wing Aircrafts
There are three stick configurations; known as Mode 1, Mode 2, and Mode 3. By far the most popular is Mode 2:
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Mode 1
The rudder and elevator being controlled by the left stick while the right stick controls the throttle and ailerons.
Mode 2 - Most Popular
The ailerons and elevator being controlled by the right stick while the left stick controls the rudder and throttle.
Mode 3
The rudder and elevator being controlled by the right stick while the left stick controls the ailerons and throttle.
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Stick Configuration for Helicopters
The Helicopter version of "Mode 2" is the recommended stick configuration if you don't have a preference; using FMS terminologies:
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The tail control will "rotate" the craft on the main rotor axis; simulating the control of the tail rotor
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The pitch control will raise the craft or lower the craft in the direction of the main rotor axis; simulating the main rotor pitch angle. The pitch angle could be "positive" to lift the craft "up" and "negative" to push the craft "down". Note: when you are upside down, negative pitch will enable inverted flight.
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The nick control will tilt the craft nose up or down (similar to the effect of elevator for fixed wing)
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The roll control will tilt the craft cabin left or right (perpendicular direction of nick)
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