Gyro Setup for your RC Airplane

A gyro is an electronic stabilization device that assists radio control pilots in keeping your RC airplanes stable in flight by automatically resisting and correcting unwanted movements. They work behind the scenes to deliver instantaneous attitude corrections when turbulence, torque, and tip stalls haphazardly interrupt the way you want to fly. A specially tuned gyro makes the aircraft fly incredibly smooth while providing the pilot with control that feels natural and wholly accurate. Gyros offer the ultimate in stability and flight characteristics to make every flying event a truly enjoyable experience.

Benefits of Using a Gyro:

• Smoother flight in windy conditions
• Helps beginners in handling the RC aircraft
• Assists in taking off and landing of the aircraft
• More precise aerobatics
• As a result, a model tuned with a gyro is easier to fly and performs with greater precision

Spektrum AS3X+: The Next Generation in Flight Stabilization

AS3X+ is the latest in-flight stabilization technology from Spektrum. AS3X+ is built upon the original AS3X (artificial stabilization 3-axis) found on a wide range of E-flite airplanes, HobbyZone airplanes, and Blade helicopters. Every BNF airplane or helicopter with an AS3X+ system is custom tuned by our RC product development team of experts to deliver the best flying experience possible.

AS3X+ does not fly the aircraft for the pilot. It's not autonomous, nor does it interfere with a pilot’s commands. The beauty of AS3X+ technology is that it takes advantage of onboard sensing to react perceptively faster than the RC pilot would. Behind the scenes, AS3X+ follows you, calculating an infinite number of possible corrections. All you see is an aircraft that flies smoothly and with greater accuracy. Ultimately, pilot workload is reduced, making it easier for the pilot to focus on aircraft position and maneuver symmetry for a better flight experience through a broader range of conditions.

AS3X+ Gives You More Control

A model equipped with a well-tuned AS3X+ system gives a pilot more control.

For a 3D aerobatic model, an AS3X+ system can make slow speed, and knife-edge maneuvers feel much more stable and precise even when the pitch and roll rates are set extremely high. In a scale park flyer or ultra-micro, it will counter the effects of turbulence on windy days, so the plane will track smoother and give the pilot a “locked-in” feeling.

Maybe you're a scratch builder who finds that scaling and CG (Center of Gravity) limitations make it tough to create an agile or realistic-looking model that isn‘t a handful to fly. AS3X+ technology can help by battling the conditions that interfere with having a smooth flight. You always have control. The AS3X system gives a higher level of stability, making a more enjoyable flight possible.

Spektrum offers receivers with built-in AS3X+ Technology to cover basic and advanced aircraft set-ups.  Most Horizon Hobby aircraft (like E-flite models) come with AS3X+ pre-programmed and tuned for that specific airplane.

Before you start any gyro setup, it is always recommended that you have your equipment up to date. The Spektrum team release firmware updates for transmitters and receivers that fix bugs but also add new technology features that make radio programming more enjoyable. For NX and DX air transmitters, you can find the firmware updates on SpektrumRC.com.  iX transmitters’ updates are available in the App Store.

It is important to install the receiver according to the manual. To secure the receiver to the aircraft, we recommend double sided foam tape. For the gyro to work correctly, it needs to be flat on the surface and parallel to the line of flight. For aircraft powered with gas or glow engines, it is recommended for the receiver to be soft mounted to dampen vibrations from the engine.   Incorrect installation of the receiver could cause a crash.

It's generally best to install and set up gyros on your RC aircraft after you've flown it a few times. This allows you to trim the control surfaces, confirm your ideal center of gravity (CG), confirm servo rates, trims, and servo travel before continuing the gyro programming. Once those adjustments are complete, you can then install (if it’s a stand-alone unit) and program the gyro. Do not maiden your aircraft with your gyro on.

Receivers can come in with built-in gyros or stand-alone stabilization modules. Some manufacturers have receivers that feature a series of buttons or dials for gyro setup and adjustments. With Spektrum transmitters and receivers, gyro programming is done through the Forward Programming menu directly in your transmitter. There is no need for additional software, phone, or apps to go through.

Always perform a control surface check and AS3X control surface response test before flying a new setup, or after any setup changes. On Spektrum receivers, there is a gyro response test option in the forward programming menu that evaluates gyro response directions to confirm gyro response.

Start low – start with low gain settings and adjust accordingly. Gain refers to the sensitivity of the gyro control system. It is the correction authority used to counteract the rate of motions in a gyro. Higher gain means more strength of the correction, but too much can cause over-correction, leading to unwanted oscillations.   It's important to start with a low-gain setting. Quick stick inputs will induce gyro oscillation, as they otherwise might not always present themselves, especially on a low wind or calm day.    

We advise pilots to have a way to disable the gyro in-flight. This is more critical during the first few flights to make sure your gyro settings are correct.  This will allow pilots to fly the plane in case there is a problem with the gyro or the receiver. An example is if the receiver comes loose while you are flying. We suggest you have use a knob in your transmitter to adjust the gains on your first few flights.

For pilots new to Spektrum and AS3X+ receivers, it is advisable to go through the ‘First Time Setup’ first before entering more advanced setups and tuning of the gyro.   

For more programming notes and setup details, please visit our Spektrum RC Wikipage.