Parameter menu point L
At Parameter menu point L you can choose between five different AttitudeControl operation modes. This is done as usual by selection with the rudder stick. If one of the AttitudeControl operation modes is selected, the AttitudeControl function is enabled and it can be activated/deactivated in operation by using the previously assigned transmitter channel for AttitudeControl. The „AttitudeControl disabled“ option specifies the AttitudeControl is completely disabled and actuating the AttitudeControl channel has no effect (in terms of the AttitudeControl). The assignment to the colors of the Status-LED is as follows:
The choice is made by moving the rudder stick into one direction until the Status-LED lights in the desired color.
| Status-LED | AttitudeControl operation mode |
|---|---|
| off | AttitudeControl disabled |
| purple flashing | Bail out rescue mode |
| purple | Bail out rescue mode with collective pitch |
| red flashing | 3D - Mode |
| red | 3D - Mode with collective pitch |
| blue | Flight trainer mode |
Firstly enable AttitudeControl when all initial settings in Setup menu and Receiver menu have been performed. Otherwise the servos may drive to the mechanical full stop, start binding and may get damaged, e.g. when AttitudeControl gets activated when leaving the menu and the system starts to try moving the heli.
Bail out rescue mode
This operation mode can be used if the pilot becomes disoriented and would like to save the helicopter from crashing. In such case he just needs to let go the stick(s) for aileron and elevator and activate the AttitudeControl by flipping the assigned switch for AttitudeControl function. The helicopter then is rotated back into normal horizontal position by the shortest route over roll or pitch. The pilot must only operate the collective pitch function to control the height of the helicopter. Note that for safety reason there is a stick fading implemented. Even when AttitudeControl is switched on you can control aileron and elevator. The stick movements have priority over the AttitudeControl. The larger the deflection of the corresponding control stick, the less effect AttitudeControl has. On the other hand when both sticks are in center position AttitudeControl takes over full control of the aileron and elevator function.
Bail out rescue mode with collective pitch control
Bail out rescue mode with collective pitch control provides the same functionality as the „Bail out rescue mode“ described above. In addition, here the AttitudeControl also controls the collective pitch function. During the rotation and after reaching the horizontal position, AttitudeControl inputs positive or negative collective pitch, making the helicopter turn (almost) without loss of height and maintain hover position (or slightly climping up) when horizontal position is reached. So the pilot can completely let go all sticks as soon as he activates AttitudeControl and the helicopter is automatically brought into a (relatively) save location by AttitudeControl. Here it is possible to add some collective pitch and let the heli climb up even faster by moving the thrust stick beyond the point that is applied by AttitudeControl. But moving the thrust stick lower is locked as you can never apply less collective pitch than AttitudeControl does. So the helicopter can not be moved towards the ground by giving wrong collective pitch inputs by accident.
3D - Mode
In 3D - Mode MICROBEAST PLUS recognizes the current orientation of the heli (normal or inverted) and always rotates the helicopter to the nearest horizontal position when AttitudeControl is activated. This operation mode is well suited for practicing basic 3D - aerobatic maneuvers such as hovering or back flips. Since in 3D - Mode the stabilization can be fully overridden when actuating aileron or elevator function, it is possible to keep 3D - Mode activated for a longer period of time and to grope at an aerobatic maneuvers by only giving specific control inputs. Rolling and pitching back to horizontal position then does AttitudeControl for you. The pilot must only control collective pitch and rudder.
In addition, you can use this mode as rescue mode to stabilize the helicopter in an emergency situation. It should be noted, however, that the heli is always rotated to the nearest horizontal position. Therefore you must be very careful in controlling the collective pitch function as it may happen by accident that you give a collective input to the wrong direction. If you want to use 3D - Mode exclusively as rescue function, it is recommended to use 3D - Mode with collective pitch control.
3D - Mode with collective pitch control
3D - Mode with collective pitch control provides the same functionality as the „3D - Mode“. In addition, here AttitudeControl takes over the collective pitch function. When reaching horizontal position AttitudeControl gives a positive or negative pitch input, so that the heli is held in the hover position or climbs up slightly. Here, the thrust stick is locked into each „wrong“ direction. Therefore the pilot can only give additional collective pitch input (in normal position positive, in inverted position negative pitch) to increase the climb rate of the helicopter. But he cannot move the helicopter towards the ground by accidentally giving wrong pitch inputs.
Flight trainer mode
In Flight trainer mode you can only tilt the helicopter to a certain angle by giving aileron or elevator stick input. Moving the helicopter even further is impossible, as long as AttitudeControl is active. This prevents the helicopter from being tilted into a lateral position that may cause a big loss of height. As soon as the stick(s) for aileron and elevator is (are) released, the helicopter will be brought back to horizontal position by AttitudeControl. Additionally the helicopter is stablized all the time, independant of any stick input. This together makes the helicopter fly very similar to a multirotor helicopter. The pilot does not have to focus on the constant need of correcting the helicopter‘s attitude and he can not bring the helicopter in a difficult attitude by making violent control maneuvers.
Collective pitch and rudder are not affected by this operation mode.
If you selected Bail out rescue mode with collective pitch or 3D - Mode with collective pitch pushing the button will save the configuration and lead to Parameter menu point M for adjusting the collective pitch for the AttitudeControl mode. Otherwise pushing the button will save the configuration and exit Parameter menu. Then the device is will be back in operation mode.