Confusing Packaging - An Explanation

The box containing the flight simulator controller can be slightly misleading. The picture on the back of the package shows several chargers, cables, and a battery pack. The only thing the box contains is the actual controller. It would seem that the company who builds the simulator controller uses the same box to package several different products. Please note that this is not a problem, because the USB cable lets the simulator controller draw power from the computer. No battery packs or chargers are needed. The picture also shows a blue transmitter. Each simulator controller is black, so that it looks like actual RC transmitters. Don’t be alarmed when you only find the transmitter in the package. You don’t need anything else to fly using the simulator.

FMS Set Up Instructions

The GWS Flight Simulator Controller requires some configuration in order to work properly with the Flying Model Simulator. Here is a step by step procedure showing how to configure and calibrate your controller.

1. Install FMS. An installation CD-ROM is included with your controller. Just insert it into your disk drive and follow the on screen instructions. If you don’t have a CD-ROM, you can download FMS here. If you are using Windows Vista, some additional installation steps are required.
2. Before you run the program, plug your controller into your computers USB port.
3. You should see a message pop up. Windows is informing you that it has found a new USB controller.
4. Start FMS by double clicking the icon on your desktop.
5. Click “Controls” at the upper part of the simulator window.
6. This will open a drop down menu. Click the “Analog Control” entry to proceed to configuration.
7. A small window titled “Control” will open. Click the “Joystick Interface” entry.
8. Press the calibrate button, on the right side of the window.
9. Centre all of the trim tabs on the controller (except the throttle, which should be at idle), and move the sticks in full circles several times.
10. Click the next button, and centre all of the sticks. (This includes the throttle.)
11. Click Finish.
12. Click the checkboxes found on the left side of the screen, and change the numbers in the channel fields as needed to create the configuration shown in this picture. This will reverse some channels on the controller, which operate in the wrong direction by default.
    
13. When done, click the OK button at the bottom of the configuration window, then close the smaller “Control” window.
14. You should be able to adjust the simulated models trim by using the tabs on the controller. Please be aware that the engine of your simulated model will turn off, if the throttle trim is set to idle. You will need to move this trim tab upwards slightly, to achieve a good idle speed.

Congratulations, you have successfully configured the flying model simulator to work with your new simulator controller.

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Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
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The Mach IIIz is an indoor electric RC blimp, which uses helium gas in a mylar inflatable envelope for buoyancy.

Mach IIIz RC Airship Features

The Mach IIIz blimp features three channel radio control, which allows it to fly in any direction (up/down, left/right, and forwards/backwards, and spin in 360 degrees). Each channel controls one of three fans, which are mounted on the gondola. The gondola is the white plastic cabin, which is mounted on the bottom of the inflatable balloon envelope via clear tape. Two of these fans are attached side by side, and control the direction of the blimp. An additional fan is mounted on the bottom of the gondola, which controls altitude. Learn more about how RC blimps work.

The Mach IIIz blimp uses a small 3v lithium battery for power. Lithium batteries are very lightweight, making them perfect for usage in RC blimps. The battery is mounted in the gondola of the Mach IIIz, and provides power for both the electric motors and the radio receiver.

MachIIIz blimps also come in different frequencies, colors, and styles, so two blimps can be flown at the same time. High lift envelopes are available for customers above 4000 ft. If you’re into sc-fi, a UFO / flying saucer version is also available.

Mach IIIz blimps are perfect for flying indoors, but they will become lost if you attempt outdoor flight. Remember that the Mach IIIz is essentially a powered helium balloon, so even slight winds will carry it away. Because the MachIIIz is durable and easy to fly they make an ideal RC toy for kids. The MachIIIz is great for advertising when equipped with a plain silver balloon, or a white high lift envelope. You can print your own stickers, or use a soft felt tip marker to decorate the balloon. Flying this RC airship over any event is sure to get attention, and printing your own labels on the blimp envelope is easy.

Where to Buy an RC Blimp

Get RC Blimps, parts, and accessories at www.rctoys.com.

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Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

This power supply features a standard 5.5mm OD (2.0mm ID) center positive barrel plug. This can be used to power any electrical device with a matching input that requiring 13.5V DC at any current up to 2.2A.
The DF-POWERSUPPLY automatically detects and operates off of any input voltage from 100 to 240V AC. It can be used anywhere in the world, requiring only a pin adapter for outlets other than standard North American ones.
Use this to power small battery chargers requiring 12 volts (chargers intended to be operated off of a standard car battery). This power supply can also be used to replace any supply with the same voltage and current ratings even if the old one had a different plug. All that is needed is to remove the existing plug and solder on the plug from you old adapter. For this conversion, rosin core solder and heat shrink tubing is recommended.

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Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

Eyecam Micro Wireless Video System

The most basic micro wireless video camera system we carry is the Eyecam, which is primarily designed for amateur aerial video. Because of the Eyecam’s extremely light weight (only 1/3 of an ounce) it can be used on almost any rc aircraft. The Eyecam offers a resolution of 380 horizontal lines. The Eyecam camera system is fixed focus, but it can be adjusted manually by twisting the lens housing on the front of the unit. The range of the eyecam video system is approximately 1000 feet, or 300 meters. It can draw power either from the circuit board of the Draganflyer, or the included 9 volt battery clip. Two AC power adapters are included for use with the transmitter and the receiver, one at 5 volts, and one at 12 volts.

Eyecam Extreme Wireless Video System

The Eyecam Extreme is a higher resolution version of the Eyecam. Its 460 horizontal line resolution offers a higher video quality than the Eyecam. The Eyecam Extreme also includes a 3 cell, 11.1 volt lithium polymer battery for the receiver, with an automatic 9 volt cut off. The included Diversity Receiver increases the range of the camera to up to 1500 feet (500 meters), and is powered by the lithium battery. The higher resolution will allow users to see more details at farther distances than the regular Eyecam. As with the Eyecam this camera includes AC adapters for both the transmitter and receiver. It is also fixed focus, but is adjustable in the same way the Eyecam is. The kit also includes a charger for the receiver battery.If you have a Draganflyer V Ti, you can upgrade it to the Eyecam Extreme with the Eyecam Extreme upgrade kit.

Draganflyer SAVS Wireless Video System

Our highest resolution camera is the Draganflyer SAVS Camera, which is included in the helicopter produces near DVD quality output, with a resolution of 480 horizontal lines. This is best camera for professionals who want the best aerial video possible. Like the Eyecam Extreme, the range of the SAVS is about 1500 ft, and the camera can draw power from the Draganflyer circuit board. It is possible for users of the Draganflyer V Ti, or V Ti Pro to upgrade their helicopter to use the SAVS camera with the SAVS upgrade kit.

Compare our 2.4GHz Wireless Video Camera Systems

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Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

The Esky Lama V4 is an entry level 4 channel electric RC helicopter, that is an excellent introduction to rc helis. It offers four channel control, so it can hover, climb, descend, go forwards and reverse, and fly sideways. The Esky Lama is primarily designed to be flown indoors, but it can also fly outdoors if there is no wind. Be sure to choose a large flight area free of obstacles if you are learning how to fly.

Coaxial RC Helicopter Design Provides Stability

The Esky Lama electric rc helicopter features a coaxial design with two sets of rotors mounted on the same axial. This coaxial design provides additional stability, eliminates the need for a tail rotor, and also produces a great amount of lift. Read more about coaxial RC helicopters.

The Esky Lama’s Cyclic Pitch Aids Control

The Esky lama features cyclic pitch. This means that the Esky lama can alter the pitch of its rotor blades, and redirect the airflow from them. Cyclic pitch allows the helicopter to move in almost any direction, and is a feature found in most rc helicopters. Cyclic pitch works by using a device called a swashplate to change the orientation of the rotor disk. The swashplate is controlled by two servos, one controls the pitch, and the other controls the bank. Cyclic pitch allows the helicopter to be controlled with great precision, because it allows full four channel control. This means that the Esky Lama can use all four degrees of freedom: pitch, bank, yaw, and throttle. Learn how cyclic pitch works

The Esky Lama’s Gyroscope Stabilizes Yaw

The Esky lama includes a built in gyroscope. A gyroscope is a device which maintains its orientation in space. The Esky Lama uses a gyroscope mounted in the nose to prevent any unwanted tail movement caused by the torque of the rotors. The gyro on the Esky Lama is adjustable, so the sensitivity of the yaw control can be changed. This is an important feature, because it allows the rate at which the helicopter turns to be adjusted, based on pilot preferences. Read More about RC Helicopter Gyroscopes

Learn To Fly With The Simulator

The Esky Lama V4 includes a four channel transmitter, and a USB interface to a computer. This is great for learning how to fly, because you can practice on the computer without risking your actual model. The transmitter works flawlessly with the (free to download) Flying Model Simulator.

Where To Buy

Buy an Esky Lama at Draganfly Innovations, which also has replacement parts for the Esky Lama.

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Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

All RC helicopters need a way to control their altitude and direction.

How Fixed Pitch RC Helis Work

In order to understand how fixed pitch RC helicopters work, it is useful to consider a fixed wing aircraft. Airplanes can fly because air moves over the wings, resulting in a difference in air pressure between the top and bottom, which causes lift. To increase the lift we can do one of two things. The speed of the air moving over the wings can be increased, or the curve of the wing can be made steeper. If we think of the rotors on a RC helicopter like the wings on a plane, the easiest way to increase lift is to cause them to spin faster. This will send the helicopter upwards. When the helicopter needs to descend the rotor speed is decreased.

Quad Rotor RC Helicopter Design

Some RC helicopters are built using four main rotors, each mounted at a right angle to the aircraft. This design allows four channel control, without the complexity of variable pitch. A flight computer can read the input from a radio receiver and then change the speed of each motor accordingly. Using a flight computer also allows automatic stabilization of the helicopter. The flight computer is a sophisticated circuit board, which is capable of changing the motion of the helicopter under different conditions. This makes quad rotor helicopters perfect for aerial video and surveillance. The Draganflyer helicopters use this design, and are available in several different models.

Conventional RC Helicopter Design

There are two ways in which a fixed pitch RC helicopters direction of travel can be changed . If we include a rear rotor, which is mounted at a right angle to the fuselage (body of the helicopter), we can use it to push the helicopters nose in the desired direction. Our Mini Bell Helicopters are a good example of this design, and are able to be built to very small dimensions because of the reduced complexity.

Coaxial RC Helicopter Design

We can also use two main rotors, each linked to a separate motor to turn the helicopter. By spinning each rotor at a different rate, the yaw (direction) of the helicopter can be controlled. Our Bladerunner Series and Lama V4 R/C helicopters use this fixed pitch coaxial design. Each rotor can be placed on the same axial. This reduces the size of the helicopter, so that they can be flown indoors. Learn more about coaxial helicopters.

Another benefit of the fixed pitch coaxial design is that it frees an extra channel of control. If we don’t need to control the direction (pitch or yaw, depending on application) of the RC helicopter with the tail rotor, we can mount it in the same direction as the main rotor blades, allowing pitch control. This design is found in our Micro Mosquito RC helicopter, where two main rotors are complemented by a tail rotor.

Benefits of Fixed Pitch RC Helicopters

• A minimal amount of parts are required because of the simple fixed pitch design
• Repairs are simple, because there are few moving parts
• Some fixed pitch RC helicopters can be flown indoors.
• The Draganflyer RC Helicopters are an excellent choice for aerial video because the coaxial design gives stability

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Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed

How Coaxial Helicopters Work

Instead of using the tail rotor to control the yaw, two main rotors can be mounted on the helicopter, and spun at different rates. The thrust difference will cause the nose of the helicopter to turn. This duel rotor design is employed in several full scale helicopters, including the CH-47 Chinook, frequently used as a military
transport helicopter because of its immense lifting capacity. The same principle applies to remote control helicopters, but most of the time we choose to mount each rotor on the same axial, hence the term “coaxial”.

Paired rotors spinning in opposite directions

The rotors of a coaxial helicopter need to spin in opposite directions to cancel out the gyroscopic force. On some helicopters, both rotors are on top of each other The main axial of a coaxial helicopter actually consists of two separate axils, one mounted inside the other. Each sub axial is connected to a gear at the base of the shaft, and each gear is attached to an electric motor. These two motors operate independently of each other, so varying the speeds of each rotor is possible.

Since the rotors need to spin in opposite directions, the top and bottom rotor blades are curved in opposite directions. This is because each rotor needs to be pointed into the air flow in order to work. The bottom rotor usually rotates in a clockwise direction, while the top rotor rotates in a counterclockwise direction. It is important to note this if you need to replace your helicopters rotor blades. Your helicopter will not fly if they are installed incorrectly.

Two Channel Coaxial RC Helicopter Design

It is possible to build a coaxial helicopter so that it only needs two main rotors, and eliminate the tail rotor entirely. Tilting the main rotors forward slightly, results in a constant forward movement. An excellent example of this simple design is our Firefly RC Helicopter, which is recommended for beginners due to it’s simple controls.

Three Channel Coaxial RC Helicopter Design

There are other cases where a tail rotor is still added to a coaxial rc helicopter. The tail rotor is placed in the same direction as the main rotors. This allows pitch control, so the forward and reverse rate of the helicopter can be changed. This means that you can fly backwards, forwards and even hover. The Micro Mosquito rc helicopter uses this design.

Four Channel RC Helicopter Design

Even though the coaxial design is most frequently used in small, fixed pitch rc helicopters, it can also be used for models with cyclic collective pitch. The only difference between these models and the conventional designs is their lack of a tail rotor. As with the models above, yaw is controlled by changing the rate at which each rotor spins, but the rotors can change their pitch. This allows the helicopter all four degrees of freedom: pitch, bank, throttle, and yaw. The Esky Lama V4 uses this design, making it a good all around RC helicopter.

Benefits Of The Coaxial Design

• The simple design leads to a low cost.
• Because yaw is controlled with the main rotors, pitch can be controlled with the tail rotor.
• This design produces a great amount of stability.
• Because they are stable, these helicopters are a great way to learn how to fly.

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Draganfly Innovations Inc.
Phone: 1-800-979-9794 / 306-955-9907
Email: info@rctoys.com
Web: www.rctoys.com
RSS: www.rctoys.com/pr/feed