Information Articles

How to properly setup your FMS cable and transmitter to work as a Game Controller in Windows.

Before doing anything or if you’ve already tried and your FMS controller is not responding or the FMS model is not working correctly, check the simple things:

• Are the transmitter batteries fresh/fully charged?
• Ensure that the transmitter is turned ON.
• Is the cable plugged in firmly to the transmitter’s trainer port?
• Is the USB end of the cable firmly connected to your computer?
• Have you tried multiple USB ports?

Assuming everything is connected and turned on:

1. At the windows taskbar click Start -> Control Panel -> Classic View -> Game Controllers. Your RC controller should show up in the list, possibly named PPM. If there is nothing displayed then there may be a problem with the transmitter, USB cable, or computer. If there is more that one controller and you are unsure which one it is, double-click on each one and while in test mode check if there is any on-screen response to stick movement.
2. Once you find the correct Game controller, select Properties -> Settings -> Calibrate. Follow the instructions and when it is finished click OK and close the game controller and control panel windows.
3. Run the FMS simulator, select Controls -> Analog Control -> Joystick Interface -> Mapping/Calibration -> Calibrate. Follow the instructions, and after clicking finish click OK to exit the Calibration window, and then the Mapping window.
4. If you’re using Windows Vista you’ll need to also read this article with instructions on installing D3DRM.DLL or the FMS will not work.

You should now be able to control the simulator with your RC transmitter connected via USB FMS cable.

Looking for a new FMS USB cable or complete simulator kit?
We sell Windows USB interface cables to connect your radio control transmitter to your computer and use it with the FMS program. We have Futaba FMS cables, Hitec FMS cables, JR FMS cables and a complete FMS simulator kit.

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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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If your lithium polymer (lipo) batteries will be unused this winter or you’re planning on leaving them alone for a month or two, please read this helpful article.

If you need to store your lipoly batteries, we would like to help you make sure they are fresh the next time you need to use them. Li-Poly batteries do not handle being left in a fully charged or discharged state over an extended period.

To insure your lipo batteries do not loose capacity while left unused, please follow these basic steps:

1. Place your lipoly battery in a LipoSack
2. Charge the lithium polymer battery pack for storage to between 3.8V and 3.9V per cell (if your charger does not allow you to set the termination voltage, you can also fully charge the battery, and then discharge the battery to between 40-60% of its capacity. An awesome programmable lipoly charger is the Thunder Power 1010C)
3. Check the voltage of your lithium polymer batteries with a Digital Multi Meter once a month while they are in storage
4. Re-charge and balance your lipos as necessary to keep them between 3.8V and 3.9V per cell
5. Keep lithium polymer batteries inside the LipoSack and stored in a cool, dry place with a stable temperature of between 40 and 70 degrees F (4 to 21 degrees C)

When you need to use your lithium polymer batteries again, fully charge the lipo pack and it will be ready to go. Following the 5 easy steps above will help extend the life of your valued lipo batteries.

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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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After a few too many crashes the main rotor blade and tail propeller on your Mini Infrared Helicopter will eventually break, develop tears or lose the correct shape to fly efficiently. We sell replacement main rotor blades as well as tail propellers for the palm size mini helis. The replacement rotors are compatible with Mini Bell, Mini Spaceman, Havoc Heli, Picco Z and most of the other brandmates.

How to Remove the Old Main Rotor Blade

1. In order to remove a mini IR helicopter main rotor, the main metal shaft must be held stationary with a small pair of needle nose pliers, or a pair of very thin vise grips.
2. Grasp the shaft right below the bottom of the rotor, and while holding this stationary twist and pull the old damaged rotor off.
3. If the old rotor is on too tight to remove and you are comfortable using a sharp hobby knife you can shave plastic off of the side of the main rotor shaft until you get down to the metal, essentially cutting the damaged rotor in half so it separates and removes easily.

How to Install the New Main Rotor Blade

1. Once the old main rotor is off, continue holding the metal shaft with pliers, and gently press the new rotor onto the shaft.
2. The main rotor only needs to go on far enough that it becomes snug but you can get it on farther by holding the main shaft with pliers, turning the helicopter upside down and tapping the rotor against a hard surface like a counter top, driving the metal shaft in further.
3. If the new rotor is loose, put a drop of CA glue or silicone adhesive on the metal shaft before sliding the rotor on, and allow adequate time for it to dry.

How to Remove the Old Tail Propeller

1. Removing the tail propeller is very easy, simply pull off the old tail propeller.
2. Be gentle not to pull the motor out of its socket.
3. The propeller should pull straight off. It is not glued.

How to Install the New Tail Propeller

1. Inspect the motor shaft and remove any hair or dust that has built up.
2. Gently push the new tail propeller onto the motor shaft.
3. Power up your Mini Heli for a test flight.
4. If the helicopter spins out of control, the tail propeller is on backwards. Gently pull off the tail propeller, flip it so the opposite side is facing the motor and press it back on.

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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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If your Mini Heli main rotor blade is broken or has lost the little weights on the top stabilizer, it is easy to just replace the stabilizer portion only. It is often much easier to swap this part off of a new replacement Mini Heli main rotor set than to take off the entire rotorset and replace it. The only tool you will need is a paper clip or other small sharp object.

How to Replace Just the Mini Heli Stabilizer Bar

1. Buy a new Replacement Main Rotor
2. Straighten part of the paper clip
3. Use the straight part of the paper clip to push out the metal pin that holds the top black plastic part to the black plastic shaft
4. If you look at the side of the upper plastic part, you will see a metal pin in a hole in the side
5. Use the paper clip to push this pin out
6. Be careful not to lose the pin
7. Pop off the two plastic linkages, and the old upper plastic part will come off
8. Repeat this procedure to remove the same part from the new replacement rotorset
9. Put the new replacement part on the top of the old black plastic shaft
10. Line up the hole in the side with the hole through the top of the black plastic shaft
11. Push the metal pin back in place
12. Pop the linkages back on

Now your Mini RC Heli is repaired and ready to use.

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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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If your mini IR heli (Mini Bell, or Mini Spaceman, Mini Lama, Havoc Heli, Picco Z etc.) continually spins while you are flying it, there is a simple procedure to correct this.

Use the Trim Buttons

To make your Heli stop spinning use the two trim buttons labeled “ST.TRIM” on the transmitter.

• If the helicopter constantly rotates clockwise (when viewed from above) use the “L” button to trim it in the opposite direction of the spin.
• If the helicopter rotates counterclockwise, use the “R” button instead. Click (press & release) the trim button as many as 30 times while the helicopter is hovering in the air - don’t just hold the trim button down.
• If the trim button has no effect after more than 30 clicks, try pressing the other trim button repeatedly, in case the wrong trim button was initially used.

Notes On Using the Trim Buttons

• The helicopter must be turned on and hovering (even if it is spinning) while you press and release the appropriate trim button in order for this to work.
• The trim resets every time you turn the unit off, and will need to be reset before each use.
• After the helicopter is correctly trimmed, you may still need to make small adjustments in flight while the battery power drains.
• Different throttle settings may cause the helicopter to rotate, so it is best to set the trim while it is hovering rather that accelerating up or down.

Further Troubleshooting

• If the heli continually spins counterclockwise even after pressing the the “R” trim button over 30 times, there may be something causing reduced power from the tail propeller.
• Check for hair wrapped around the motor shaft going to the tail propeller. If there is any, gently pull the tail prop off and remove the hair.
• Ensure the tail propeller is installed the correct way, if it is on backwards the helicopter will not stop spinning even with full trim adjustment. Try taking the tail prop off and putting it on facing the opposite way.
• The correct orientation for the tail propeller is with the flares pointing away from the motor mount.

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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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If your Vortex RC airplane is trying to nose dive itself into the ground it may be that too much air is passing over top of the aircraft. To reduce this, there is a rear flap on the back of the airplane that is horizontal. You would have to cut the sides of that flap and move it to an upwards position. You can hold this direction by securing it with packing tape or a foam safe adhesive. Bending this flap up will cause the airplane to climb rather than dive.

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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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There are a few problems that you may encounter with your F-16 radio control airplane and they can usually be remedied fairly easily. To determine what this problem please make sure that you are correctly launching your airplane into the wind and with a very firm toss.

If the plane slowly dives and does not increase in altitude and the plane does not pitch up, there is most likely an issue with the battery. If this is a new airplane, the battery will have to be “cycled” a few times before it will provide enough power to the aircraft. This is done simply by charging and discharging the battery. Fully charge the battery and then discharge it in the airplane by running throttle until it quits. Repeat this about 3 or 4 times and the battery should be putting out more power and running for a longer time.

If the airplane pitches up and then dives when launched it is probably due to the aircraft being not balanced. To fix this apply a small amount of weight to the nose of the aircraft. Normally applying 3 to 4 grams of weight to the top of the aircraft just in front of the canopy will be sufficient to keep the aircraft flying level. Different items such as plasticine or coins can be taped to the airplane for weight. You may need to experiment with different amount of weight to get the airplane flying properly.

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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