Fixed Wing Flight Controllers - Do I need a Compass?

[@ChrisBalmforth]

Really well explained Lee, with great diagrams!

[@Painless360]

Thanks Chris. Happy flying!

[@robsycko]

I learn something new every video. Thanks man!

[@leadfoot1131]

Thanks Lee, very useful info ...

[@NordicBlueRC]

Thanks for that. Was wondering on the differences between needing one for x rotor vs wing. This made perfect sense, as always :)

[@cenabitednbfpv587]

I wish u were my neighbor lol

[@Painless360]

So you can see me talking daft photos on the garden for KZbin thumbnails? 😂

[@MCsCreations]

That's really interesting, Lee! Thanks! I always wondered about it. 😊

[@rickchalmers8930]

I understand why you may chose to turn off the GPS compass. My question is how big an aircraft need be to properly isolate it from magnetic interference and why is it difficult to set up? Is there any general rule (distance or extra measures) needed for isolating the GPS from disturbances?

[@Painless360]

It's specific to each model and cable routing. See my video on how I test for a place to use for the compass...

[@rickchalmers8930]

@@Painless360 I did a search of your channel using the search words "compass placement". Is the video you are recommending happen to be "2/8 Introduction to iNav"? If not, please provide a link, and thank you!

[@zatbr1]

thank you for the info . Just wondering something . I m new to rc planes ,I do however have many years of drone flying. I built a plane with a old apm v3.1 .everything works great ,just on way-points it seems to go wrong . i noticed that to fly straight it actually flies almost sideways in high wind. i have the compass on and it follows the first 2 waypoints .though as soon as it hits a side on wind it starts drifting very far out and never gets to way-point 3 . Could it be that the plain is not pointing in the direction of flight or perhaps something else? it would be good to hear your opinion . Thank you

[@maxun1]

Nice video, well explained. will try with new build.

[@plompib]

Great video! how do I tell iNav not to use my magnetometer? Is selecting "none" under the magnetometer settings is enough?

[@Painless360]

Yes. See the iNav 2020 build... Best of luck

[@GRDwashere]

Everything you say is correct and accurate, but when you're talking about the direction you're travelling when allowing for wing you're then talking about your TRACK rather than your heading, i.e. the direction of the path we followed over the ground which is arguably more important for navigation purposes. We calculate this in the cockpit (generally called TMG - track made good) and compare it to the compass heading with the difference being the drift. When combined with the difference between true airspeed (indicated airspeed corrected for pressure and temperature) and ground speed, we calculate the true wind speed and direction... I guess all of this really only matters to a pilot flying full size aircraft under visual flight rules, but I thought it might be of interest to someone flying long distance FPV.

[@Painless360]

Thanks for the post. Happy flying!

[@neildotwilliams]

Can I use my iPhone compass to find magnetic free zones on the wing? I know there is also magnetic field viewing film, but I already have a phone 😂Also does fitting the canopy and front camera cover help, as it might ‘complete’ the magnetic circuit, a bit like I did in school with the old horse shoe magnet with a bar on the end to pack them away ;-)

[@Painless360]

I've never tried it that way. I prefer old school magnets in something that isn't magnetic itself ;) Let me know if it works..

[@richardraimondo612]

My question here is related to the OSD setting "Heading Graph" (I am using iNav 2.2.1). I understood (I think) pretty well your explanation about calculated heading and real heading, and I think I would be very happy with the real heading as it will tell me if I am actually heading home or somewhere else due to wind "help". Anyway, this is the question: by not using the magnetometer, will the Heading Graph give me a reference of which cardinal point am I flying towards?

[@Painless360]

Yes

[@richardraimondo612]

@@Painless360 thanks a lot.

[@deGuv]

Heading modified by the wind is known as Track Made Good and is usually what is needed for navigation. Is this not what Flight Controllers use internally rather than raw Heading?

[@MrPetersVideo]

I would think the 'calculated' heading is actually of more use because it is the true direction the aircraft is traveling to. You actually do not want the direction of its 'nose'. In cross winds etc, even as per your outline of what that causes, that calculated heading is what you actually want/need to fly to a destination accurately. Knowing the 'nose' direction is actually not a lot of use..... possibly never of any real use.

[@Mansare94]

I tried to fly in 30pmh+ winds, flew fine until I flicked RTH and the plane death spiraled and was destroyed. Do you think this could've been because it was moving faster laterally than forward and this made it try to correct itself erratically?

[@Painless360]

Very possibly... A perfect example of when a compass is needed on a fixed wing. Happy flying!

[@ddegn]

I think you were looking for *Compass Rose* when you said "Rosetta." Nothing like a camera to help a person mix up terms. Thanks for another informative video.

[@culhand]

Does twisting the wires help eliminate the magnetic field or only for signal interference?

[@Painless360]

I've not tested it but it's something I always do to keep things neat and make sure power carrying sires are wound around each other to help with that..

[@andresmoks7272]

The reason I hate compass is because it is so difficult to configure. It is pain to figure out which way the compass is turned on the GPS board.

[@Painless360]

I've never found that - see my builds for how I do it.

[@alexmcmanigan9643]

have you a link to the hatch locks on the mini ar wing ?

[@Painless360]

Yep. On my Thingiverse page.. Happy flying

[@frasersteen]

Very interesting

[@FarmerFpv]

I had no idea that's how the GPS calculates you're heading. That was the best clarification video I've seen. Thanks Lee!

[@maxun1]

Gps do not calculate you heading, the craft will go in a RTH to the place he got the fix. If you use compass the win will drift you plane is the correct heading but may be one half a mile from you.

[@FarmerFpv]

@@maxun1 what? I have no idea what you just said.

[@maxun1]

Never mind

[@FarmerFpv]

@@maxun1 I understand what you're saying now you said the wind will cause it to drift correct? Sorry I wasn't trying to be rude I really did not understand. Thanks :)

[@chrispfligler5892]

Recently I have thought about adding a compass and heading in my osd. I’ve found at longer ranges I’m having issues keeping my receiver antennas pointed at the craft. Maybe this would help. Speaking of, have you or would you think about doing a rssi tracker?

[@Painless360]

Don't point the antennas at each others as the 'ends' have the weakest radiation pattern. Concentrate on keeping the antennas aligned instead. Hope that helps..

[@yzed971]

Wouldn't it be better to have the compass and the gps in 2 modules ? So you could put the gps near the center and isolate thé compass. Or maybe but the gps+compass module on a stand ?

[@Painless360]

You can do that too but it you still have the same issue wirh interference. Happy flying!

[@yzed971]

@@Painless360 I am waiting for this video on the telemetry setup 😀

[@Painless360]

Check out the playlist ;)

[@sleepingbearffg5008]

💪💪👊👊😁

[@longrangefpv]

So compass in Inav wing is recommended too if there is lot of wind?

[@Painless360]

Any situation where the wind speed will be at a level to stop the GPS calculated heading to be miscalculated may need one. Its less vital for fixed wing if you're only after RTH and Loiter..

[@markwood9751]

i bet you were "ARRRGGGHHH, stray hairs >_

[@eimparas]

first !

[@MCsCreations]

Firstn't!