Hi I am returning from USA and bringing a lot of rc stuff with me. I am thinking about bringing my used  FUTABA PA-1 PILOT ASSIST LINK to kerala. If anyone is interested I can bring it and sell it for you otherwise I am planning to sell it over here. I am asking for - 2750+100rs shipping. I will be able to ship it once I arrive. If anyone is interested respond to this topic so I can bring it with me.

The details are

Installs in minutes

   * Requires almost no modifications - just one discreet 10 mm hole in the fuselage bottom for  
      sensor mounting.

   * Draws only 5 mAh ...no additional battery needed!

     *Works automatically

   * Releasing the transmitter sticks allows the unit to take control.

   * Optical sensors read the difference between light (sky) and dark (horizon), then  
      automatically adjust pitch and roll to stabilize the plane.

   * Moving the transmitter sticks puts you back in the "pilot's seat."

   * Adjusts to be as sensitive as you like.

   * "Maximum" is perfect for trainer pilots
     
"It also has dual aileron ports"

If you are in trouble, just release the sticks and the PA-1 system will auto correct it. You still have to control the throttle.

Jerry ,

Futaba PA 2 is a flight stabilization gadget  more like CPD 4 of FMA .

It will correct the aircraft  from errors/ over controls  a beginner is likely to give  .

It is not an Auto Pilot .

So I would suggest you please  delete the word auto pilot from the title  it could mislead.

It is  something like what the HIBBICO Nexstar comes fitted with , it is a useful gadget for a beginner to Glow and Balsa Models

Sai

Hello Mr. Sai

I got the title from Futaba website

http://www.futaba-rc.com/radioaccys/futm0999.html

Not to hijack this thread, but what will it do if we fly it at night on a new moon day? will it fly upside down seeing the light below on the ground from man made sources? Just wondering

Haha good question. A beginner is not consider to be flying in the night ! This is consider to be a threat/danger to the neighbors and fellow people...   . This module is specifically meant for beginners and flyers who use FPV systems. I am flying fpv and UAV for the last 2-3 years.

So in conclusion, any one can use this unit as a stabilization system for their planes as a beginner or a fpv pilot. I have used this unit on many trainer airplanes and flying wings with amazing results...

Hi Jerry,
Is this PA-1 Pilot Assist Link Auto Pilot System still available?
Regards,
Mohan

ok guys, the words Auto Pilot System, is a bit of red herring. they could have just said Pilot Assist, which is what it is. The basic difference is that, in this futaba Polot Assist Link, if u r in  a turn and may be with nose down, and now u leave the stick, the Pilot Assist will level the plane for u, good for biginners who get disoriented in right handed or left handed turns, but be warned, if u r diving vertically down and leave the controls when ur plane is 20 feet or more off the ground, expect to take a lot of pieces of ur plane home. In shap contrast, in an Auto Pilot, if u were to be in a turn, and u leave the controls, the plane will continue to fly in a turn, and not reduce or increase the bank. Inherently and with no additional cost, the Auto Pilot System can help to level the plane if u get disoriented, cause the bacis electronics is already there. It isjust a programming issue. So, immediately it is clear the costs difference of the 2 will be huge. U cannot link a the Pilot Assist to gps guided systems, and that is where the auto pilot systems comes in. Depending on what is ur plan, do a research on what is the expandable capapbility, u may get a stand alone auto pilot or one which has the buss bar for inputs form a gps system. Vendors use these termenologies on a very broad base, to make a kid feel great on the field when he says i have an Auto Pilot system, these things r for kids, and not for advansed of serious flyiers who surely understand the complexities and technicalities. over the years what has happened, is that space technology has helped miniturise components, so a few years ago when the auto pilot and gps modules were big, today they r real real small.

Quote from: vinay on January 11, 2010, 08:27:38 AM
Not to hijack this thread, but what will it do if we fly it at night on a new moon day? will it fly upside down seeing the light below on the ground from man made sources? Just wondering

As far as I know, it senses the difference in temperature between ground and "air" (horizon) and not light. So it should work at night.

Beats me why anyone would want to do this, in the first place!

Sushil, agree with u, cause in any case if u r using a highwinger to learn flying, it flyies on its on man. only when u put ur finger on the stick is when things go wrong, u put it into a turn and it wants to come out of it on its own. And if u have got into such a bad situation, and u dont have enough height and speed and brains, then even the Pilot Assist cannot help u. To fly u need only 2 out of these 3 - Height, Speed, Brains.If u have any 2 of these u can fly.  Thats all guys. flying is as simple as that. Dont get me wrong, it is true for real pilots also, i have been a flying instructor on HPT-32, Kirans, and Jaguars, and was a Chief Flying Instructor at the Air Force Academy. (also a Pilot Attack Instructor - teach pilots how to put the bomb into a bucket)