Crashing an RC plane is never fun, but it’s often a part of the hobby—especially when pushing limits or trying something new. Recently, I had an unfortunate crash with my new OMPHOBBY 60” Edge 540, a stunning 3D aerobatic plane with Kevlar-reinforced balsa and ply construction. But like any good RC pilot, I didn’t let it end there! In this blog, I’ll share the process of repairing the Edge 540 and installing the Hobby Eagle A3 Super 4 Gyro to test if it could enhance stability and control. Spoiler alert: it was worth it!
The Crash: What Happened?
The Edge 540 is built for precision and agility, but even the best planes aren’t crash-proof. While attempting some low knife-edge passes, I misjudged the speed, leading to stall and cartwheel. The damage was significant, with bent control surfaces, cracks in the fuselage and the horisontal stab pushed through, but the plane’s Kevlar-reinforced construction proved its worth, keeping the damage manageable.
This crash provided the perfect opportunity to test out the Hobby Eagle A3 Super 4 Gyro, which I had been planning to install. Could this gyro help make flights smoother and more controlled, even during demanding 3D manoeuvres?
Repairing the OMPHOBBY 60” Edge 540
Repairs began with assessing the damage. The Kevlar reinforcement and robust build quality of the Edge 540 meant I could focus on replacing and reinforcing a few key areas:
1. Fixing the Fuselage: Using adhesive and reinforcement techniques, I repaired cracks in the fuselage and ensured the structure was as strong as before.
2. Straightening Control Surfaces: Damaged control surfaces were carefully realigned, and linkages were inspected for functionality.
3. Fixing the horizontal stab: The worse damage was to the rear of the fuselage around the horizontal stabiliser. I used more super glue and reinforced with epoxy glue.
4. Inspection and Testing: After repairs, I tested all servos and control responses to ensure everything was working perfectly.
With the plane back in flying condition, it was time to enhance its performance with the Hobby Eagle A3 Super 4 Gyro.
Installing the Hobby Eagle A3 Super 4 Gyro
The Hobby Eagle A3 Super 4 is a high-performance 6-axis gyro that’s perfect for fixed-wing models like the Edge 540. Here’s a quick overview of its features and why I chose it:
• Intelligent Stabilisation: The A3 Super 4 offers six flight modes, including normal stabilisation, lock, and angle mode.
• Remote Master Gain: Allows in-flight adjustments to gyro gain for fine-tuning stability.
• Versatility: Supports multiple receiver protocols and offers flexible configurations for various setups.
Setup Process:
1. Mounting the Gyro: I mounted the gyro securely near the plane’s center of gravity, ensuring minimal vibration.
2. Connecting the Receiver: Using the supplied wires that came with the gyro’s, I connected it to my receiver, ensuring proper channel mapping. This was covered nicely in the Gyros instruction manual.
3. Configuring the Modes: I programmed the gyro to include a normal stabilisation mode for smoother flying and the hover mode which helps you in a prop hang, just for fun. Worth noting that I set all my gains to 30 for the test flight.
4. Assigning Remote Gain: A dial on my transmitter was configured for real-time adjustments to the gyro gain. However I did noticed it would only work if I used channel 7 on my RX not the recommended channel 8 – not sure why!
The Test Flight: Did the Gyro Make a Difference?
With the Edge 540 repaired and the A3 Super 4 installed, it was time to hit the skies. The results were impressive:
1. Smoother Flights: The gyro’s stabilization made the plane feel more predictable, particularly in turbulent air. Transitions between maneuvers were much cleaner.
2. Improved Confidence: With the gyro assisting in stability, I felt more comfortable pushing the Edge 540 to its limits, especially during 3D manoeuvres and the low and slow knife-edge pass that caused the original crash.
3. Fine-Tuning on the Fly: The remote master gain feature let me adjust the gyro’s sensitivity mid-flight, which was incredibly helpful for dialing in the perfect balance between stability and maneuverability.
Final Thoughts
The crash was frustrating, but it became an opportunity to improve both the plane and my flying experience. The Hobby Eagle A3 Super 4 Gyro proved to be a fantastic addition, enhancing stability and control while allowing for real-time adjustments. Combined with the sturdy, repairable design of the OMPHOBBY 60” Edge 540, this setup feels better than ever.
If you’re looking for a way to boost confidence in your flying or refine your maneuvers, I highly recommend giving the A3 Super 4 a try. It’s versatile, reliable, and a great investment for any RC pilot.
Watch the Video Review!
Want to see the repair process, gyro installation, and test flight in action? Check out my full video on YouTube:
Let me know if you’ve used the Hobby Eagle A3 Super 4 or have tips for making the most of it. I’d love to hear your experiences!
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