Eagle Tree Vector - Manual (Page 64)

USER GUIDE
64
6.2 First Flight Recommendations
6.2.1 Ground Tests before First Flight
6.2.1.1 Vibration Check for Fixed Wing
If you can do so safely, it is recommended that you perform a prop-on engine run-up on the ground with 2D
stabilization enabled (and the gain knob at midpoint or higher, if used), while watching your control
surfaces for drift. This is especially important to do if you have a nitro, gas, or other high vibration motor.
Don’t fly your model if your control surfaces are moving unexpectedly during engine run-up! You’ll need
to find ways of further isolating the Vector, or your airframe, from motor vibration, such as using a
cushioned motor mount.
6.2.1.2 Control Direction check for Multirotors
If you can do so safely, after arming the multirotor and verifying that the motors are turning in the correct
directions, do the following:
 If you’re in an altitude hold mode, activate the stabilizer by quickly moving the throttle past the halfway
point and quickly back down.
 If you’re in a non-altitude hold mode, activate the stabilizer by moving the throttle up slightly, and
quickly back down.
 Then, with the throttle in the fully down position, slowly and slightly move the control stick in the pitch
and roll directions, and confirm that the multirotor seems to be responding correctly to the control
stick.
Remember to never arm the multirotor when you or anyone else is close to it, and never approach an
armed multirotor!
6.2.2 Flight Mode for Takeoffs
For fixed wing models, it is recommended that you take off either in a non 2D stabilized mode (3D mode,
‘Gyro’ mode, or Stabilization Off mode), or in 2D mode WITHOUT Hold with your gain knob turned low,
until you are sure that your gain and other settings are correct for your model. Once you take off, you can
turn the gain up or switch into a 2D stabilized mode, but be prepared to exit that mode if there are
problems.
In general, if you take off in 2D WITH Hold mode, note that the model will hold whatever heading it was last
pointing to UNTIL you unlock heading hold by moving the aileron or rudder stick. Make sure that you
move one of these sticks after you have the model pointing in the takeoff direction, but before taking off!
For Multirotors, you should always take off in a non-GPS mode (2D, 2D with Heading Hold, Cartesian, 3D
with Hold, or Center Stick mode). Once in the air, you can switch to a GPS mode as desired. Also, at least
for your first flights it is recommended that a non-altitude hold flight mode (2D, 3D with Heading Hold, or
Center Stick mode) be available on your mode/submode switches, in case excessive vibration causes issues
with altitude hold.
6.3 In-air Leveling
If you find that your model is not flying or hovering level after you have performed the “Record Flat Level
Mounting” procedure as described earlier, you can reset level flight while in the air. The procedure is as
follows: