RC Helicopter Gyro, Mechanical & MEMS

Today we pay homage to the tail gyro. That wonderful little device that has made flying RC helicopters feasibly accessible to the average person.
Lets look at modern day MEMS gyro technology (vibrating structure gyroscope) and compare that to the mechanical rotating gyro technology we used to use and to see how these things work.
For more RC Helicopter gyro information, see my web page:
www.rchelicopt...

[@johno9507]

My first gyro was the Futaba 154 back in 1989 when I was 11 with my Hirobo Shuttle ZXX. I then upgraded to the Futaba 153bb (ball bearing). They performed great for standard aerobatics. I then bought one of the first mems gyros, the CSM 360...And hated the bloody thing! Every time the temperature changed it would cause tail drift.

[@mikesmith1290]

I’ve always wondered how old school gyros work. Although solid state and MEMS technology is incredible, it’s amazing what we accomplished with mechanical devices.

[@slo3337]

Glad gyros have improved!

[@Fran11784]

Awesome, I remember those well. I was a Kraft guy back then... thanks John 👍

[@kimbellagurl5350]

yes very true, going back three decades is was expensive and costly if you made a mistake.. NOS powered... and you had to build them... the good old days.. today we have mini turbines and some pretty cool scale models folks build, a fun time to be alive.. thanks for sharing... that was a fun one..

[@kahmed7328]

Great video! Never knew RC heli’s used mechanical gyros. Love old school tech.

[@Elephantine999]

Really interesting! I had always wondered about back when gyros were actually gyroscopes.

[@nickdean468]

How cool is that

[@ianlainchbury]

Still using gyro's John. I still love flybarred 450's, and use the Assan 250 and Spartan quarks. Great vid

[@carlos64030]

Great explanation! I've learned quite a bit from watching your videos.

[@Rchelicopterfun]

Thanks Carlos :-) Cheers!

[@ladieman050893]

wow that gyro sis beautiful

[@ladieman050893]

is*

[@termite2691]

Forgot to mention those old gyros were very expensive compared to the MEMS ones of today ... with less functionality.

[@JamesLewis-mp9zn]

Hi John, I see you have a Tarot ZYX S2 gyro. Having a problem during set up. Everything connected but no effective signal from computer. No lights displayed on gyro and no response from radio. Any advice would be helpful. Best regards Jim

[@wibbyarief8958]

Nice explanation! I have a question, and it may sound silly. Recently i bought a kit Honey Bee King 2. Where i live, it's really difficult to find helicopter tail gyro. Can i use RC car gyro (usually drift car) instead? As i have one unused. It's GYC-300 gyro.

[@Rchelicopterfun]

Nope, heli tail gyros are specific (different PID algorithms, heading lock & rate modes, remote gain).

[@mackdlite5900]

John, in the broader application of gyros are there applications where the mechanical gyro is still the device of choice?

[@Rchelicopterfun]

Can't think of a single application where a mechanical gyro would be considered over a MEMS gyro (in the RC hobby anyways).

[@mackdlite5900]

@@Rchelicopterfun Thanks, John. I've been trying to figure out what the preferred device is outside of consumer electronics (where obviously the MEMS device reigns). Some mentions of ring laser and fiber optic gyro, but I think some aircrafts and rockets still use the mechanical devices.

[@rmiklosh]

Hello John. Read most articles on your site. Very nice, esspacially for beginner. Was just wondering. I have old align tail gyro I dont use and was wondering if it can somehow operate without transmitter? For instance if I use it with a servo to keep a fpv cam at certain one plane position (the cam stays focused at a point). Maybe sounds dumb, but just wondering)

[@Rchelicopterfun]

The gyro needs to see a PWM signal from the RX.

[@rmiklosh]

@@Rchelicopterfun John. I have a question. What difference did you notice flying 2 blade vs 3 or 4 blade setup, for example on a scale heli? And do you need to get 3-blade setup on a tail as well?