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Futaba 9Z WCII for Dummies - Setting up a Helicopter
Simon Lockington
The Futaba 9Z is an awesome piece of equipment, it's able to do just about
anything you can think of with a model at the moment, however it's sheer flexibility
also means it can take a little while to get used to. One of the most common
remarks about the 9Z is that it is so hard to use. It's not hard, it's just
different. Sure it takes a little while to get used to, but once you've got
the hang of it, you'll wonder why you didn't make the change sooner!
This article describes the basic setup of a model. If you have any questions,
please email me!
CREATING THE MODEL MEMORY
1. Turn on 9Z and select [Q] for SYS menu.
2. Click [B] then [F] for MSL (Model Select) menu.
3. Select the memory position that you would like to store this model on. Click
'Yes' to 'Load Model Data'.
4. Click [P] for MDL menu.
5. Click [C] then [J] for MNA (Model Name) menu.
6. Enter a name for your model and click [N] for END.
7. Click [C] and [H] for TYP (Model Type).
8. Select [F] for Helicopter (by default this is already selected).
9. Click [D] then [F] for SWH (Swash) menu.
10. Select the swash type. This is where you select what type of CCPM or standard
mixing you use. Input the suggested CCPM (Ail, Ele and Pit) values.
11. Select [B] and [I] for the PMD (Pulse Modulation) menu to define either
PCM or PPM.
12. Select [B] and [J] for Servo Reversing.
13. Select [B] and [H] to set fail safe.
CREATING THE INITIAL CONDITION
The 9Z uses 'Conditions' instead of flight modes. Each condition is fully customisable.
It is best to set up one condition first, then once complete, copy the condition
to the other condition memories and fine tune each of those new conditions.
SETTING ATV'S AND AFR'S
1. Select [O] for CND menu.
2. Select [B] and [F] for ATV menu.
3. Select [B] to select which function you're going to work with.
4. On a CCPM machine, only use ATV's to manage throttle limits. Do not use it
to manage the cyclic/collective controls.
5. Select [B] and [J] for the STM (Sub Trim) menu. Adjust the subtrim values
as necessary. Remember sub trim is on a PER CONDITION basis.
6. Select [B] and [G] for AFR (Adjustable Function Rate) menu.
The difference between AFR and ATV
ATV limits the individual servo travel. AFR limits the FUNCTION (ie on a CCPM
machine, elevator control is managed by three servos instead of one). The same
result can be achieved using the SWH menu in the MDL menu, but AFR allows you
do change AFR values per condition which is why you should use it.
AFR also allows you to use it as a substitute for Dual Rate and Exponential.
7. Select [B] to define which control you want to work with. Adjust the values
until you have the amount of control throw that you need. For example, in hovering
mode, I only have 80% on Elevator and Aileron controls, in ID1 I have 100%.
8. Click [A] to select the AFRrate Mode.
9. Select [L] for NXT.
10. This is where you can define the amount of Exponential on a control. I suggest
using values of around -20% to start with.
PITCH CURVE
11. Select [C] and [F] for the PCV (Pitch Curve menu).
12. Select [O] for the Pitch Curve volume. By default, the system assigns the
sliders functionality to increase or decrease the top and bottom points of the
pitch curve so you can adjust it while you fly. It's a good idea, but a pain
in the ass for setups.
13. Select [A] for the High side and click [E] to NULL the value. Do the same
for the Low side.
14. By default the left slider is assigned Hover Pitch functionality. To disable
this, exit out of the Pitch curve menu and click [C] and [G] for the PHV (Pitch
Hover) menu. Click [G] to INHibit this functionality at the moment.
15. Return to the Pitch Curve menu.
16. Adjust points on the pitch curve (13 of them) by using the [R] and [Q] buttons
to select the points and the bottom buttons to adjust.
THROTTLE CURVE
17. Set the throttle curve (TCV) in the same way, be aware that Throttle Hover
(THV) is also activated by default.
GYRO
18. Set the Gyro Sense (GYR). Select DUO.
19. You can have two gains for each condition. By default Switch F changes these
values. I generally NULL this switch (do this by going into the Model menu,
then FNC, press button [I] and [P] for control, then [M] for next (twice), then
[E] for NULL).
20. Once you have nulled switch F, go back into the gyro menu and adjust the
gain on the value that has the arrow pointed beside it (the active gyro value).
In my GY601 equipped helis I generally fly at a value of 70% (this will differ
depending on your gyro setup).
TEST FLY
At this point, I suggest you go and fly the heli to set the trims (trims are
condition specific also). Once you are happy with the setup of this condition,
copy it to the other conditions for this model.
1. If the helicopter is on, make sure you use 'Condition Hold' (CHD). This
will ensure that the helicopter won't react or take off when you're flicking
switches. Click [R] to return to the home menu and select CHD. Click ACTivate,
the 'Max Thr' value sets the maximum amount of throttle the engine can operate
at while in Condition Hold.
2. Click on [Q] for the SYS menu.
3. Select the CPC (Copy Condition) menu.
4. From here you copy the condition you have just setup to the next conditions
for this model (Idle1, Idle2 and Hold).
5. Click [R] to list all the conditions. You will see that the first pages are
all the 'Normal' conditions for all the models. Identify the one you've been
working on (in the top row of the LCD you'll see a number by the model name,
this is the model number).
6. Click END to return to the Copy Condition menu. Input the value of the condition
you've been working on (ie 1) in the 'Copy Condition' window.
7. Click [Q] to set the value. Click LST to see the available conditions again,
scroll through the pages until you find the next three conditions for the model
number you've been working on.
8. Go back to the Copy Condition Menu and enter the Idle1 condition number into
the 'TO' window.
9. Click 'SET', click YES when prompted then CNT.
10. Repeat this process for the Idle2 (which will be the next incremental number)
and the Hold conditions.
ACTIVATING CONDITIONS
Now that you've copied all the conditions, you need to tell the 9Z how to activate
them. You can use any switch you like to activate conditions, however, most
use Switch E.
1. Click on [P] for the MDL menu.
2. Select the CSL menu.
3. You should see all the conditions for this model listed.
4. Select '2' for Idle1.
5. Click on SWT.
6. Here you define which switch will activate Idle Up 1. Click [E] for Switch
E.
7. Repeat this process for Idle2 and Hold, selecting Switch E (or any other
switch). For HOLD, select Switch G. On the right of the switch set, determine
what position you want things to activate at.
8. From now on to change settings in conditions, use whatever switch (in this
case Switch E), to move between conditions.
SETTING THROTTLE HOLD
1. To activate HLD (Hold), select the Hold condition (toggle Switch G).
2. Click the CND menu.
3. Select the HLD menu.
4. Activate the setting by clicking [G] for manual.
5. Select [P] for Switch, this will tell the 9Z what switch to use to activate
throttle hold. Once again, select Switch G.
6. Return to the Throttle Hold menu.
7. Select the throttle hold position, normally around 10-15%.
8. Test to ensure the setup works by flying Switch G, you should see that Mode
= OFF when the switch is down, and ON when the switch is up.
SETTING THROTTLE CUT
1. Set throttle cut by going into the MDL menu.
2. Select CUT.
3. ACTivate the feature..
4. Set the Throttle position by moving the throttle stick to the highest point
that you want the feature to activate at (ie so that you can't accidentally
hit the switch when you're flying and cut the motor).
5. Once the throttle is at the position you want, click SET.
6. Select button [C] for the rate. This will determine the position and direction
the throttle servo moves when activated, generally, set at -100%.
7. Once again, use SWT to select what switch to use to activate this feature,
generally Switch H.
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