ZOHD Drift Kopilot setup

[@typxxilps]

I was looking for your amazon affiliate link but could not find it in the whole long description or simply were too blind, but I found this "line instead" and I like it a lot: No single review will tell the whole story. Be clever, watch other reviews and shop around before making any purchase.

[@AndrewNewton]

Glad you read the notes, not many viewers do. No Amazon link sorry

[@typxxilps]

@@AndrewNewton Thx, I supported ARXANGEL RC with that purchase I had to make. I have not read it before but I recognived that you had changed and improved a lot. I ususlly read the description of a video I am watching cause often there are links + usefull infos but I tend to stop where the "standard footer" starts. And I try to look up and read articles like those in your blog or arxangels cause that helps a lot and you as Arxangel put a lot of effort into that. I even knew that you had a section on your site "tools I use" or so and there I had hoped or thought that you must have 1 amazon link. But no, you have not a single 1 ... Thx for your great work and references + links ... like these sunny motors and the rpm power measurement device I found on the australian site / channel and got it from Japan.

[@jcfpv3454]

This is the video that changed my whole wing flying process I kept crashing and couldn't figure out why my elevons in stability mode was wrong thanks I had almost thrown in the towel

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

Thanks Andrew. I'll add a link to the Kopilot forum for a guy that wanted to set up a Drift. Glad you added the bit about the stuff-up with the ESC programming and the cure. (Is it 2 beeps an then throttle down for all batteries? Or 2 for 2cells, 3 for 3cells etc?) And the bit about the need for rudder channel input to Kopilot even if no output to servos is required. And the bit about radio calibration to sync manual trims to the stabilized (& RTH) mode - and need to re-do again after any further manual trims added. ;-) Some further points to note. ZOHD planes and their ESCs are chosen to work with the the Kopilot. Some other ESCs (for example the one supplied with the Volantex Ranger G2) don't like the Kopilot's long boot-up time, see it as signal failure, and shut down. The Turnigy Plush ESCs from Hobby King work on the G2 & Kopilot. That manual diagram of servo connections for the wing is looking at the bottom! Plug it in like you're looking from the top and you'll need to buy a toupee! Plus some folks have reported that, if you want to remove the settings board, you should (counter-intuitively) only pull it with the power applied. If you pull it after powering off some have reported loss of settings just added! (Not tested myself. When I finally get it working I'm not touching anything! ) The good news about the Kopilot is, that while there are 101 ways to plug it in and set it up that won't work, (and I've tried nearly all of them bar reversed battery!) once you get it right it all still seems to work! :D

[@ChrisBalmforth]

Agreed, lots of useful stuff here which isn't obvious until you've done it wrong!

[@AndrewNewton]

Just 2 beeps for ESC throttle range calibration, then 2 or 3 beeps depending on the battery when it's initialising.

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@@AndrewNewton Thanks once more for your generosity with your knowledge!

[@carlboulianne3480]

Hi M. Newton, I tried yesterday for the first time my fixed wing with the kopilot. It went well, took me few time to adjust my calibration and it flew wonderfully. I did not try the return home, but I program everything as you said even the safety so it should work in case I need it. Thank you for your support, very appreciated. Have a nice day.

[@AndrewNewton]

Excellent, happy to hear that

[@jonnyBgood3]

Glad I watched this, just installed the Kopilot in my Mini Talon and nowhere in the instructions did it say you needed to place the gps in a certain orientation, you possibly saved the day, cheers.

[@AndrewNewton]

It's one of those vital bits of information that is never spelled out. A simple indication on the label would help.

[@jonnyBgood3]

@@AndrewNewton Your dead right, glad I take my time before I maiden, thanks again. Something else is worrying me about the kopilot, while on the bench and even in the garden setting it up I notice that it occasionally loses gps lock ( gps indicator on kopilot main board flashes briefly for a few seconds) in the rc groups forum there has been talk of occasional flyaways, maybe coming back to the approximate home position if gps lock restored, could this be a problem with gps coordinates not stored in the kopilot ?

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@@jonnyBgood3 Yep, this is something that needs investigating and I've not seen anything done on it yet. If you've got access to a BIG clear flying area (we don't) set up and arm plane at point A, walk forward 100 yards to point B, place some metal foil over the GPS unit (in 2 secs it will show a red blinking led on the Kopilot meaning GPS lock lost) remove foil and when led solid again, send her out and see which point she returns to circle under RTH. Then post here and on the RC Forums please.

[@jonnyBgood3]

@@theoztreecrasher2647 Certainly I will give it a try when I get out to a larger area to fly, my usual area is not that big, one of the reasons I'm a bit nervous of kopilot at this point.

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@@jonnyBgood3 Me too! I always prefer to learn from the other fellah's mistakes. :D

[@AndrewSmith-yd8vy]

Thanks once again Andrew, just what I needed to sort out my kopilot..

[@Rich-TeaFPV]

Thanks Andrew, using this video I've just finished setup on my first wing a Zohd Dart250g with Kopilot. This is the best video I've found on setting up Kopilot. Now I'm just waiting for the UK weather to improve so I can go fly.........might be waiting a while lol

[@AndrewNewton]

Excellent, we are getting blown away today, sunny but gales

[@rcpilots1291]

Once again a Great tutorial, clear and concise -much appreciated

[@wtfmimshag]

Nice job. Put one of these in a 250g dart last week, really quick install. I hope they release a kopilot with some sort of acro mode - stabilised is a little too restrictive but manual is a real handful in the dart. Inav seems excessive for such a small plane. One tip i came up with is to tie any reduced rates (needed in manual mode) to the switch position for manual, which leaves you with 100% bank angle in stabilised mode. You could even go to 125% in stabilised to give you maximum angles.

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes good tip thanks

[@endliberalism4305]

I can’t thank you enough for teaching how to put the manual/auto level/RTH switch into a sane and normal sequence starting from the top being manual, mid position is auto level and down position is RTH. This was an insane problem I was having because I am very anal about my switches being in the pushed back position. Thank you again .

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes, it makes more sense to me too

[@ChrisBalmforth]

Thanks Andrew! Lots of useful stuff here, even for somebody used to setting up more complicated flight controllers. The Kopilot works great and is simple to set up if you do it right, but there are some little things which aren't obvious from the instructions and it's good to see them explained here. I should have realised that you need the rudder channel 4 set up before the calibration stick gesture would be recognised, but I needed you to point it out to me!

[@AndrewNewton]

I had to make all these mistakes repeatedly.

[@markturner8151]

I just was thinking of a loading my Kopilot thanks

[@TheWinnieston]

Thanks so much, the issues I was having was I had no mix on channel 5. Of course I'd need one, but I mean wow lol

[@kenfeagin9803]

Thank you sir for mentioning the rudder setup in the radio even though setting up for a wing. Without that information you cannot do the radio calibration. I almost sent this back to GetFPV.

[@AndrewNewton]

Well done Ken, glad you worked it out.

[@tedwingate]

Seems you could set up a switch to give the calibrate stick commands. Something like the dual switch arming used for quads would be perfect.

[@AndrewNewton]

Of course, that's a great idea that I have never considered before. I'll have a think about that.

[@kenfeagin9803]

aah... you mention the need to setup Rudder for the calibration to work. I'm going to get it back out of the box and try again! :)

[@TheBaliAsli]

Hi Andrew great video. I have assembled my Drift and KOPILOT and the ail and ele working correctly but I have a strange problem I cannot work out and hope you might be able to offer advice. When I power up the system and the initiation starts the elevator pops up. When power off the ele stays in up position. Any advice would be welcome. I am using DEVO 7 transmitter which is not the easiest to set up!

[@AndrewNewton]

Nothing I can think of sorry. Dont know the Devo

[@itsover-fs7wm]

Just setup the kopilot up on a ranger 1600 can't wait to fly it thanks for the great instructions.

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

Which ESC did you use?

[@AndrewNewton]

ESCs and FCBs, enough to turn your hair grey

[@7demo7review]

Thanks so much Andrew, I should be up in the air soon!

[@stratos7755]

I hope that they make a new kopilot soon. Something similar to A3 super 3 but if gps.

[@arnoldoblanco4136]

Great info as always. Subscribed.!!!!.. By the way, I am about to install this Autopilot in a Vista BL glider (Rudder and Elevator) It's ok if I connect the Rudder servo in the Aileron output?

[@AndrewNewton]

I tried that with INAV and it worked OK but a bit wobbly.

[@arnoldoblanco4136]

​@@AndrewNewton Good.....thank you. I will let you know how it goes with ZOHD

[@caspervanbeek1220]

Hi, Andrew, For me it is all a bit new and very technical. Can you help me? What kind of device do you use to connect the servos that do not fit on the flight controller to your receiver via AUX.? Receiver Radio master R161 with SBus on the ZOHD Kopilot: Ail, Thr, Ele and Rud External ?? lighting, flaps, bomb hatch, camera control, etc. Greetings from the Netherlands, Casper

[@AndrewNewton]

Not possible with your selections. You would need a receiver with SBUS and 8 PWM outputs or a flight control board with more than 1 spare PWM output (AUX) like the Matek F405 Wing

[@ashb1433]

hi andrew great set up video .with 2 blade prop do the numbers on the prop face towards motor ?all towards tail

[@AndrewNewton]

General rule is numbers always face towards the front, no matter where the prop is.

[@ashb1433]

@@AndrewNewton thanks yes got prop on write way :-)

[@FreeEditsForYou]

So I have this system. but I do NOT have manual mode on my (0) switch on my 3 pos switch. RTH and the other 2 switches work great, except I have 2 of the "stabilized" modes so no manual. Does anyone have an idea for a fix or a way to troubleshoot this? middle and bottom switch are Stab mode but I do enjoy manual when I can. Any help is appreciated.

[@benwedgwood1766]

Thank you for taking time to make this video. I'm a bit confused with the LED setting for T tail. I just down loaded the manual and it says LED 1 on for T tail, 2 for Delta and 1&2 for V tail. In the video you recommend setting LED 2 for the Drift.

[@AndrewNewton]

You must have a different manual to me. First page, Led Configuration Reference - Led 2 ON for T-Tail

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@@AndrewNewton The manual that was put up on the Zohd site was wrong first time round - discussed early on in the RC groups thread. The manual now up (linked to on the Banggood ad and paper copy supplied with purchase) is correct these days.

[@alanreid250]

Thank you Andrew for this....it now gives me confidence in setting up my dart 250g

[@AndrewNewton]

Great to hear!

[@grahampenfold6121]

Hi Andrew very good vid. Can you tell me is it possible to have flaps on aux on kopilot? Bearing in mind there is no connection on the Rx. I am using PWM, Spektrum 6 ch RX. Thanks in advance. Fitted in Ranger 2400 from Volantex

[@AndrewNewton]

Aux is only available with SBUS connection. But maybe you can plug your flaps directly into the receiver ch6

[@MrDario8]

Very good tutorial Andrew - thank you because it helped, but I stopped on the problem of bad channel reading in qx7 and the lack of a working throttle, and how to fix it isn a nightmare - does anyone have any tutorial?

[@AndrewNewton]

Bad channel reading? Just assign 100% to each channel and no other mixing.

[@MrDario8]

@@AndrewNewton Thanks Andrew i did it right but i think its untypical issue of rx or Kopilot maybe . Its a lack of proper quality control of many products nowadays i suppose. Thanksfor your help again.

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@@MrDario8 Which method of connection to your receiver are you using - S-bus or the 4+3 PWM connectors?

[@andrewmortley2742]

Hi Andrew, can you let me know the altitude at RTL is it measured from sea level or from the height that it is activated. I live and fly in hilly terrain and worried it will circle into a hillside. Many thanks.

[@AndrewNewton]

Above the arming altitude, not above sea level

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@@AndrewNewton But it is only 35 meters above arming point so fly from the top of your highest hill. (Or half way up your 65 meter trees!) ;-)

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

EDIT...Andrew has done a video which shows that the RTH height is actually 70m. The 35m mentioned in the manual is the height the Kopilot will fly the plane to when you use the auto launch feature. With no input from the sticks the plane will fly straight forward while climbing to 35m, then go into RTH mode and turn to circle the launch point while climbing up to that set 70m level. I believe if you select RTH if you are under 35m above launch height the plane will react the same. IE Fly forward till it reaches 35m and only then turn for home. More testing needed. ;-)

[@kenspaceman3938]

How about using a hole nearer the servo arm’s center to reduce the throws on the ailerons and elevator physically and keeping the channel throws in the mixer art 100%. Then you wouldn’t need to change between 100 and 50 just to be able to use the sticks for activating a new level calibration on the kopilot, right?

[@AndrewNewton]

From memory it needs the full 100% for stab mode but 50% is nicer for manual.

[@BryonGaskin]

Can you add a buzzer to the Aux port? The manual says that you can control a servo for a pan tilt camera over the AUX using channel 6.

[@AndrewNewton]

If the buzzer is PWM controlled, yes

[@rcpilots1291]

Hi Andrew, can you help me with a bit of an unusual problem? My drift insists on flying inverted when I engage the auto stabilise or RTH. I followed your tutorial , have the gps installed right side up( I even flipped it over- but no difference) and the kopilot is fitted in the correct slot right side up and pointing in the right direction. I’m using fly sky fs i6 receiver and radio. Can you save my skin and my sanity ?🤬

[@AndrewNewton]

That's an odd one. Redo your level calibration and recheck stabilisation direction. Right aileron moves up when right wing rotates up.

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

What were you doing wrong Dave? As an aside ...You do realize that you are on the other side of the globe to us? So right side up here equals upside down there!? 🤣

[@rcpilots1291]

theoztreecrasher that explains so much.....I always felt that something wasn’t quite right here . Haha 🤔😀

[@Jensen-64]

Would you mind doing another video setting up the drift with a flysky fs-i6 controller?

[@AndrewNewton]

Just the Drift or the Kopilot?

[@Jensen-64]

@@AndrewNewton will you do it for both? I've already got the kopilot and I've just ordered the drift, thanks

[@EnglishTurbines]

Useful for the noobs....Good to see you using the XM plus nano RX...It has more range than the RXSR for sure...🤔😳😳😎

[@stefanrauch8753]

Hy andrew, Can you do some cg and stall tests with the drift please. It would help new glider pilots like me a lot to find some save settings. Greetings from Austria Stefan

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes, excellent idea thanks. It's added to the list

[@waltercreuco5520]

Just a quick question. Does the blinking light on the GPS on top of the plane stop flashing once it has made connection with the satellite. The red light on the kopilot goes solid but the light on the GPS on top of the plane keeps flashing.

[@AndrewNewton]

LED on the GPS just shows that it's powered I think

[@carlboulianne3480]

Hi M. Newton, I installed my new kopilot and I have a question for you if you have a little time to give me. When I chose the return home switch (not flying on the work bench) the ailerons are moving. If I change on stabilization or manual made nothing is moving. I followed your explanation, level the fixwing transfert the radio calibration etc.. So maybe it's normal. Thank you and have a nice day.

[@AndrewNewton]

Hi Carl. That is normal behaviour. As long as everything is moving the right direction you should be good to go

[@carlboulianne3480]

@@AndrewNewton Hi M. Newton, thank you, now I can try it without worrying about that. Have a nice day.

[@SmallScaleSteam]

Thanks for the useful video Andrew. Once you had flown the Drift and tuned the gains what gain pot positions did you find worked the best ? Knowing your values should make it easier for me when I maiden my Drift.

[@AndrewNewton]

Turned down nearly all the way, but still working in the right direction.

[@SmallScaleSteam]

@@AndrewNewton Thanks Andrew.

[@verdyboer7299]

Hi Andrew, I'm still struggling setting up the Kopilot with FrSky RX-4R via SBUS, even after I corrected (rearrange) the stock SBUS connector cables, the (green) LED2 keeps blinking, although GPS is locked (solid red). I use Taranis QX7.

[@AndrewNewton]

LED2 flashing is RTH mode. Cant do any setup in RTH mode. Recheck receiver binding and switch directions

[@verdyboer7299]

@@AndrewNewton my bad, I mistakenly thought stabilized mode is blinking LED2, it works now, thanks

[@verdyboer7299]

@@AndrewNewton anyway, where is the suggested CG for the Drift?

[@jamesceastep8874]

Andrew: Since you created this video (in 2020?) have you had a chance to install an Express LRS receiver? Any gotchas to avoid? Solutions? Thanks! - Jim

[@AndrewNewton]

No, I haven't looked at Express LRS

[@carlboulianne3480]

Hi M. Newton, first I would like to tell you that I'm learning a lot with your videos, thank you. I bought a kopilot and I was wondering if I need to put some throttle when I activate the RTH switch or the mixing is doing by it self. I saw in one of your video that you need to activate the throttle when launching the plane. Thank you and have a nice day.

[@AndrewNewton]

Thanks Carl. As long as the throttle is above zero then RTH mode will take control of the throttle.

[@carlboulianne3480]

@@AndrewNewton Thank you M. Newton, as soon as I receive it, I will follow your step. Can wait to try it, hava a nice day.

[@quadthingcopter5984]

Can you get the telemetry in the DJI Fpv goggles if you use a caddx vista? Or would I need an inav flight controller? Thanks

[@AndrewNewton]

DJI OSD can only use the telemetry data from INAV or Betaflight boards. There is no telemetry from the Kopilot anyway

[@flyinghighoveryou4872]

So with failsafe set to channel 5 what about the throttle how can I adjust the amount of throttle? Great video

[@AndrewNewton]

Kopilot takes control of throttle in RTH (failsafe)

[@quiquemsa]

hi Andrew, good video like everyone. question, a little weird, The gps, it is clear that the ceramic antenna goes up, but does it have a position ?, that is, the letters of the ceramic antenna, forward, back? I understand that not having a compass would not be necessary, but ... thanks for your patience, greetings

[@AndrewNewton]

GPS orientation doesn't matter as long as the antenna is facing the sky

[@StoriesForTheSoulHere]

Does the GPS unit have to be outside of the plane like on the main wing or can it also work inside the fuselage? Thank you!

[@AndrewNewton]

Under foam is fine, but not metal or carbon

[@Bellairvideo]

Hi Andrew, many thanks for this informative video from last year. I just received the FPV Drift & already have the Razor RTF. I think the Razor RTF already had a receiver included which works with the Zhod controller. I thought the Drift would have had the receiver built in as well, but apparently not so. I have ordered 2 receivers that have Sbus & will try them out on my DX9. Keep safe & well

[@AndrewNewton]

Can use either SBUS or PWM with the Kopilot. Didn't think Spektrum did SBUS?

[@Bellairvideo]

Many thanks #1

[@quilllooo]

Thank you very much for this good tutorial! I have mine flying. Is it possible to do some mixes (on radio) to get flaperons while having kopilot stabilization? Or will it interfere with the kopilot system? Thanks!

[@AndrewNewton]

You can do mixes but they must only be active when the switch is in Manual mode. Not flaperons because Kopilot only provides one aileron channel.

[@quilllooo]

@@AndrewNewton ahhh that is completely true!! :( thank you Andrew, love your videos!

[@biscuitbassbroom7306]

Hi thanks for the video it has helped a lot......I have two questions for you ....well three actually....with a 2 c battery I found I had to ad weight to the tail and the three bladed prop is a bit laim on thrust power...so if I put the two bladed prop on with a three c battery the c g is going to go more nose heavey....so I'll need to add more weight...so . Can I put the two bladed prop on with the 2 c battery ....can you advise please.

[@AndrewNewton]

Sounds like you batteries are oversized. Yes you can use that prop setup with 2s or 3s

[@biscuitbassbroom7306]

@@AndrewNewton thanks again 👍

[@karlc9773]

Good video but I'm loosing all the green lights on the kopilot its self, I get flashing red light for gps, is it the radio not set correct

[@AndrewNewton]

Manual mode has no green LED according to the manual

[@RichardFAdams-kt9ux]

Another great video thank you so much. I do have one question about the Failsafe settings. I have the QX7 love my radio so when I go into the setup screen for the Failsafe I see that I have -100 for my Throttle Channel I believe that because I have a Safety Switch setup for that. So all I have to do is go down to Channel 5 with the dial and select just that Channel?

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes with the switch in the RTH position

[@RichardFAdams-kt9ux]

@@AndrewNewton Thank you very much!!!!!

[@Bill-NM]

Hi Andrew. Pardon me if I missed it. Does stability mode maintain altitude? Thanks.

[@AndrewNewton]

Just tries to keep it level, not at a set altitude as far as I know.

[@Bill-NM]

@@AndrewNewton Thanks

[@carlboulianne3480]

Hi M. Newton, my controller is a flysky fsi6 and I was wondering how to programme the failsafe incase of lost communication with the zohd Kopilot or if you can send me on one of your videos for reference. Thank you again and have a nice day.

[@AndrewNewton]

In the failsafe screen Ch 5 needs to be saved as -100, that's all. I do have a video for FS-i6 and Kopilot coming out in a few days.

[@carlboulianne3480]

@@AndrewNewton Thank you M. Newton, I will look at it and if I'm not sure, I'll wait to watch your video, have a nice day.

[@kenfeagin9803]

Hi there Andrew! Very nice tutorial. I am trying this device on a fixed wing FT Arrow. Everything went very well and all "appeared" to be working correctly. The only thing that doesn't appear to work for me is the "calibration " step of holding the sticks down and inwards. I don't get the flashing lights on the Kopilot. One user had mentioned that it doesn't work in the "wing" mode? Have you heard such?

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes you've worked it out. Rudder channel is essential for any flight controller that needs stick commands to achieve something.

[@jcfpv3454]

Thank you so much

[@Bill-NM]

Really dumb question (I've always used Pixhawks and such) - how is the flight controller powered?

[@AndrewNewton]

5V (red wire) from the ESC plugged in to the THR pins on the Kopilot

[@timtheplaneman]

Hi Andrew, thanks for all the amazing info, but after watching and reading, I'm having a hard time getting the drift to connect to my FlySky A8S receiver using S-Bus. I've connected everything and the Copilot fires up, but I just get a red flashing GPS LED and nothing on LED1 or LED2, which I think means I am in stabilize mode. My mode I've set up as a 3Pos switch on Channel5 does nothing, which makes me think I am not getting an sBus connection. Any thoughts?

[@AndrewNewton]

Dont know about SBUS on FlySKY. Is there SBUS setup in the radio? It does seem like SBUS is not working, or the Rx is not bound

[@timtheplaneman]

@@AndrewNewton There is something wrong with the A8S (mine? generally?). I switched to a FS-X6B and I'm cooking with gas. Ta!

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@@AndrewNewton The newer versions of the Flysky A8S require the output from the receiver to be set to S-bus after binding. There is an add-on bit in the manual on how to do it. That caught us out for a while also!

[@waltercreuco5520]

Just a question. When I put the kopilot into return to home mode the ailerons move up and down. If I put it into fence mode it's ok. Everything else works fine. What do you think the problems is

[@AndrewNewton]

Normal behaviour on the bench.

[@waltercreuco5520]

@@AndrewNewton it does it at flying field. Does the flashing light on the GPS on top of the plane stop flashing or does it continue to flash.

[@jakegriffiths2k]

Andrew, in stabilised mode, is my kopilot meant to have 100% throws?! I have made dual rates down to 60% on my flysky transmitter in sport mode (high rates). When I click to stabilise mode it goes to max throws and my rates switch becomes inactive and doesn’t change the amount of throw... is this meant to be?

[@AndrewNewton]

Kopilot gives reduced rates in stabilise mode. I have 50% rates just for the Manual Mode switch position (OpenTX)

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

That sounds like the perfect set-up as you only need to move 1 switch (the Mode Switch) to get the required 100% on Stabilized but the toned down throws on Manual. Just to be clear - which Tx/Rx pair are you using and are there any other set-up steps necessary?

[@meljones7066]

Thanks for a informative video, I have a question if I buy the fpv version of the Drift, do you know if it possible to save the camera video to an sd card without the need for a set of fpv goggles?

[@meljones7066]

I think I can answer my own question, no you can`t but maybe with some extra bit of kit?, which kit is my next question?

[@AndrewNewton]

Need a DVR and Video receiver (and screen or goggles to check it's on the right channel) Or all in one like the Eachine EV800D screen / goggles would be cheaper

[@meljones7066]

@@AndrewNewton Many thanks for your advise.

[@skyhookphotography1546]

I've a weird issue when setting up on my dart 250 . I have everything working as it's supposed to but in stabilised mode it raises the elivators when I throttle it. if I'm holding elivators down and throttle it then it cancels the elivators. in manual it's fine. don't want to fly it until I've figured out what I'm doing wrong. any ideas

[@AndrewNewton]

Might be normal bench behaviour. As long as the elevons are moving in the right direction it's likely to be fine. Maybe turn the stabilisation gains right down for your first flights.

[@urfavpreppyaussie]

I purchased a drift a month ago and installed the Kopilot and the RTH had saved me a number of times while I was learning. However my drift just disappeared into the horizon. I had used the RTH function a couple of minutes earlier in the flight and it work. When I lost sight of the plane behond a small tree I clicked the plane into RTH, but the plane disappeared. Is there any reason why it would work and then during the same flight fail. Any advice would be good before I try again with another plane.

[@AndrewNewton]

Did you have the RTH setup for signal loss? That's the only thing I can think of.

[@urfavpreppyaussie]

Under failsafe in the on the FLYSKY channel 5 set to -100% ?

[@emilgabl9069]

Hello, can the kopilot be mounted upside down...under the belly of the plane.

[@AndrewNewton]

No. You would need a programmable board like the Matek F411-WSE

[@emilgabl9069]

@@AndrewNewton ok thanx

[@UncleTeddy314]

i have this kit but i am a bit tired of the lack of OSD information available with Kopilot. Can I simply replace this controller with the F411 WSE and all of the other components work with it? will i need anything extra?

[@AndrewNewton]

The GPS would work with some cable soldering, but not the VC400 AIO camera. You would need separate camera and VTX

[@UncleTeddy314]

@@AndrewNewton what about zohds esc? should i throw one in my cart or can i just rewire it to the f411?

[@AndrewNewton]

Any ESC will work. Of course you will need to master INAV, but it's worth the effort.

[@mikegriffiths7487]

Hi Andrew, I am having great fun with my Drift which I find is so easy and quiet that I can fly it in a field right behind my house - something I couldn’t do with anything else. I have set my Orangerx failsafe to engage RTH as you suggest but so far I haven’t had the nerve to try it out in the air! Presumably the Kopilot would keep power on the motor to maintain altitude even though I had throttle set to minimum on the Spektrum Tx when I bound for failsafe - as required by UK rules. Am I effectively letting the Kopilot break the failsafe rule by setting it this way? If a Tx connection is not re-established would the plane keep circling until the power ran out? Food for thought 💭

[@AndrewNewton]

Hi Mike. The only item you set on failsafe is the mode switch position to RTH, nothing else.

[@jagwal1]

I pretty much had the setup figured out before I watched your video Andrew, there was just this ‘thing’ with the mode switch on my taranis, annoying with the manual mode in the center... I’m so rusty as well with my tx programming, how the #&*% do I fix that? Then I watched your vid and right at the end, Eureka! Thanks so much, keep up the good work! Made my day

[@AndrewNewton]

Great to hear it helped

[@carlboulianne4284]

Hi M. Newton, I hope everything is good for you, I was wondering if you can help me with a small issue. I have a motor D2830 1300kv and it shake when giving some throttle at the beginning and after everything is ok. I calibrate de throttle and the esc, a zohd 30A lite but still having the same problem, so if you have a idea it will be apreciated, thank you again and have a nice day.

[@AndrewNewton]

Motor shakes with low throttle? I'm just guessing but I would think about redoing ESC calibration, but dont push the throttle down 100% and hard. Or it could be poor connections o soldering on the 3 ESC cables.

[@carlboulianne4284]

@@AndrewNewton Thank you for your advise, I’ll try it and have a nice evening.

[@rfvbnrm]

Andrew, How did you set Aileron direction for each of the servos on Chan 2, was it with the Mixer Chan? regards Ray. (Age 81)

[@AndrewNewton]

That's right Ray. Aileron direction programmed in the transmitter mixing and aileron stability direction using the Kopilot adjustment pots.

[@screamingwingsrc8917]

Great video as always Andrew. Wondering if you could give me your thoughts on somethin. I went up three times today with the drift on the 3s setup. I am using a Tattu 3s 850 75c Batt. If I hammer the throttle it will go good but after about 5-10 seconds the bird would just spiral to the ground with no controls it seems. I walk over to it and there is still control of the servos. But i know i lost all power up ther ( or maybe just power to the motor ). Now if I stayed at 75% throttle or less then no problems. Hope you have an idea on what may be going here. Thank you Andrew and keep up the great work.

[@AndrewNewton]

ESC might be set for low voltage cut off, battery might be breaking down or sagging a lot under load, heat affected connection fault.

[@screamingwingsrc8917]

@@AndrewNewton Thanks !!!!

[@screamingwingsrc8917]

@@AndrewNewton Can you please send the link for the esc programming as I cannot seem to find it online for the life of me. Thanks...

[@LVOVINTONM]

Hello Andrew. I have built two C160’s after following your videos. Thing is that I have spent a lot of money and am frightened stiff of flying them. Can you help?

[@AndrewNewton]

No problem, what have you flown before?

[@LVOVINTONM]

Andrew Newton Hello again Andrew. S far I have only flown cheep toys from China like the little mock up of the a 380.I have followed your videos for quite some time now and you really do know your stuff when it comes down to R.C.aeroplanes. I have always been an avid model maker from childhood and love watching your videos and love to see all your aeroplains fly so well. Your camera work is brilliant and I have tried a similar kind of technique with some just about acceptable results. Seems that I can fly mode helicopters better but would love to be successful with aeroplanes.

[@benwedgwood1766]

@@LVOVINTONM Have you tried a computer simulator like Real Flight? There's lots of different aircraft to fly and you can use your normal TX. I have an old version of RF and use it if I have been able to fly for real.

[@husky041]

The Phoenix Flight Sim is also very good and its now a free download. You also need the dongle .. not sure where you get that from, i've had mine years

[@bobfin4291]

Andrew HI mate : Do not know how to contact you . But can I use Aux channel to switch power on and of, for camera powering? If so how to switch Taranis switching . Cheer's Bob Fin

[@AndrewNewton]

KZbin comments or email are all I use. You can use the Aux (channel 6) if you connect by SBUS. Just assign a switch to Ch6 in the mixer page. But it would be switching signal from high to low, not power on and off. Need a camera that understand that.

[@bobfin4291]

@@AndrewNewton Thanks many for your time. Have ordered Dr Mad switch HK Cheer's again Bob PS don't know your Email...

[@bryanbailey9208]

hello mr newton,,,,, set up my kopilot in my drift,,,,, followed your instructions and video to a tee, all gone well except when i put it into rtl mode on the bench all the sevos twitch ,,any ideas

[@AndrewNewton]

Normal behaviour, mine does the same

[@markhowe5529]

Andrew or anyone else can you tell me which lipo i should use for lightness on this model and what voltage. I will not be using the model for fvp. It will just be a sub 250 gram trainer to hone my flying skills. Best Mark UK

[@jonnyBgood3]

Something I've noticed with my radiomaster is when telemetry is lost when the radio is near my frsky x8r my zohd Kopilot does not put itself into return to home, works when the radio is switched off though and on a switch, is this anything to be concerned about?

[@AndrewNewton]

Telemetry and RC signal are separate so nothing to worry about.

[@k1ortia]

Any idea why the motor shuts off as soon as I switch from manual to stabilized mode? I'm still on the bench and not attempting any flight until iv got everything working perfectly. Cheers mate

[@AndrewNewton]

Probably no GPS yet.

[@k1ortia]

@@AndrewNewton it was.

[@pierstaylor7780]

Please excuse my ignorance but is the kopilot an actual flight controller?

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes but only with manual, self level and RTH modes

[@pierstaylor7780]

@@AndrewNewton thank you

[@alyssonsmiranda]

my sky surfer plane gave 960g with fpv battery and controller. will it be if it will not give an error due to the weight?

[@AndrewNewton]

Which SkySurfer?

[@alyssonsmiranda]

@@AndrewNewton he is a copy of bixler

[@AndrewNewton]

That will fly OK

[@isaacshultz8128]

Thank you andrew

[@bullitanaconda]

When i switch to return to home while the plane is not flying (just testing on the ground) my control surfaces keeps moving, is that normal? I kind of realised yours did the same but maybe you fixed it which i dont know how to.

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes, normal behaviour

[@samcollins6394]

Andrew have you tried sloping it since adding the additional weight of the Kopilot?

[@AndrewNewton]

Extra battery weight did improve the sloping performance. Haven't tried it with the Kopilot fitted but it would be that same.

[@drontecnic]

hi Andrew, thanks for your videos, they are very good. I have two fixed wings of 800 and 1000mm approx with kopilot with the same problem, they fly perfectly in stabilized mode but when I use the semi-autonomous take-off with the RTH or when in flight I put the RTH it goes like sudden jumps entering a loop that if I don't change to stabilized or manual sure it would end very badly. I have changed gains going down to the maximum elevon, but I do not correct it, I repeat it happens only in RTH mode. What do you think could happen? Thank you

[@AndrewNewton]

That's very odd. Gyros are ok, maybe GPS problem. Is your board facing forward, and GPS antenna facing up? Correct plane type selected?

[@drontecnic]

Hi, everything is well installed and works perfectly in stabilized mode, the problem is only with the RTH mode. I am afraid that the algorithms in this mode are fixed and do not influence the gains of the stabilized mode, and in the case of fixed wing they cause this problem. this occurs with two different wings with two different Kopilot, Thanks

[@OZSCQUADS]

When you take off the settings device, do you have to do it when powered up or not? Does it make a difference?

[@AndrewNewton]

I have done it both ways with no problems

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@@AndrewNewton Nope. Disconnecting the setting board BEFORE powering down is the ONLY way to guarantee that any new settings added are stored! Spent an afternoon testing it. 🙂

[@marhar2]

I thought you were going to add automatic drifting to your RC buggy! You should do it!

[@AndrewNewton]

That would be cool!

[@wingsmh27]

No need of laptop to upload firmware, pid tune, no setup windows, best tutorial, yes on field we need kopilot

[@AndrewNewton]

Yes it's simpler, but still a bit tricky

[@jimmchewy]

can the kopilot work with dji fpv?

[@AndrewNewton]

Nothing stopping you using both on a plane, but they are totally separate units that don't connect in any way. Kopilot has no FPV function.

[@bernard1675]

bonjour, faut il un recepteur spécial ?

[@AndrewNewton]

No. Can use any normal PWM or SBUS receiver

[@husky041]

Regarding the failsafe settings, if i remember rightly, Painless360 said the throttle should be set to zero (-100), as the Kopilot will manage the throttle in a RTL situation. Can anyone confirm what it should be?

[@AndrewNewton]

Just set Ch5 RTH switch for failsafe. Dont set throttle

[@husky041]

@@AndrewNewton OK thanks

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

🌟 Andrew Newton replied: "35 or 70m?" (Edited??) 2 hours ago Never seen it checked. 35m is the only figure quoted in the usual manual gibberish. Someone with a reliable DJI-type quad care to track the RTH pattern and give us a confirmation or rebuttal? :D

[@AndrewNewton]

Oh yes, I thought I should confirm that first. It certainly looks like 70m and not 35m in the air with a radius of 50m (not 100m like the manual says)

[@AndrewNewton]

Actually I can test it myself on the next calm day, I have a Mavic Mini!

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@@AndrewNewton Thanks Andrew. It would be appreciated. And I was aware of that. ;-) Bit like the kid at the lower end of the class who finally sees the teacher make a mistake in a maths problem. Can't resist the 1 and only chance to take the mickey! :D

[@AndrewNewton]

The results are in! 70m

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

@@AndrewNewton Bewdy! Thanks mate. And we're thinking of you all down there in the current ballooning madness!

[@tcz7742]

I thought for sure it would have a rudder by now.

[@AndrewNewton]

I have two now so maybe I'll do an aerobatic sloper mod

[@landid1986]

do not buy the zohd kopilot lite system, it has problems with returning home, it does not always work, tested in first person!

[@AndrewNewton]

No problems with mine so far, but I will keep an eye on it.

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

What is your full set-up? What problems did you have? Can you post a link to any post or video?

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

No reply yet. I hope the poor fellah hasn't become a statistic of the Covid pandemic!