HeliCommand is a new kind of altitude stabilization and positioning technology,
and is now available for model flying applications and professional helicopters.
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Threefold technical superiority:
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Positional stabilization, i.e. far more than "inertial control"
or tilt stabilization.
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System functions independently of the horizon; i.e. close to
trees, at sloping sites etc.
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Multiple instrumentation for increased security
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Some good reasons for the HeliCommand:
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Greatly reduced expense due to crashes
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Variable degree of stabilisation and inverted flight mode ("3D"
version and above) ensures faster progress when learning
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Integral mixers render programmable transmitters superfluous
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Integral tail rotor gyro (with heading lock) as standard feature
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Expert
model pilots: |
Improved
precision and security, with optional 3D support.
Stabilisation for flybar-less helicopters and scale models (optional
"RIGID" version). |
Helicopter beginners: |
Stress-free hovering and circuits right from the outset. Reduces the
incidence of crashes, and therefore costs. |
Commercial pilots: |
Precision
flying for aerial photography, film, surveying, surveillance etc.
Ideal support for long-range flying. Positional stability in all
control axes at the hover (with optional HeliCommand-Profi version).
Fail-safe with fully automatic landing. |
Practice and fun: |
Immediate
success and learning - instead of frustrating and expensive crashs.
Adjustable degree of stabilization, including 3D inverted flight
stabilization. |
Stress-free helicopter flying
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Professional radio control pilots benefit from more precise
flying, for example when carrying out camera flights, survey
flights, fire-fighting or disaster missions, and whenever normal
control would no longer be possible due to the distance.
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The
full version stabilises all three axes, and provides almost
autonomous hovering.
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Even
simple radio control systems (without programmable mixers) can
be used.
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The Breakthrough....
Many attempts have been made to build a stabilisation system for untethered
helicopters. Existing control aids designed for models are either just a
supplementary x-y gyro system, or a circuit based on simple light or
infra-red sensors, which only work if the horizon is absolutely level, and
there are no visual obstructions. Until now it has only been possible to
provide genuine autonomous control at great expense whilst incurring
considerable compromises. The unavoidable fact is that inclination
measurement with gravitation is impossible when we are dealing with a
helicopter; with conventional systems at least one GPS system has to be
included in the on-board equipment if geographical stability is required. If
a normal helicopter is left alone for just a few seconds, it quickly drifts
off in an arbitrary direction, accelerating continuously - which means, it
would not survive for long.
The HeliCommand unit stabilises the helicopter's position as well as its
attitude.
It incorporates a new form of ground sensing
which works incomparably more accurately than a GPS system when at very low
altitude, i.e. the helicopter's movements can be measured and corrected more
finely. In contrast to GPS, the new process also works even when there are
buildings or trees in the immediate vicinity, and in indoor locations -
provided that the lighting conditions and contrast are adequate.
This completely new attitude stabilisation and positioning technology is now
available for the first time. It was developed primarily for professional
and industrial applications, but now includes a version specifically for
modelling use. The system contains multiple control and measuring circuits
which provide impressively reliable results.
Characteristics are not previously achieved
quality of regulation, compact architecture and low weight, and all this for
an affordable price.
Technical features:
- Dual independent instrument systems and sophisticated software for
excellent reliability
- New type of sensing process provides stable positional monitoring,
completely independently of the visible horizon
- Electronic triple-axis gyro with accurate attitude control and artificial
horizon
- Instruments can be activated individually; variable stabilisation level
Method of working:
The
system contains two independent instrument systems for excellent reliability
in conjunction with the sophisticated software. The professional version
contains additional instruments which provide autonomous control of all
functions.
The position is measured by sensing the ground,
using a principle similar to that of the optical computer mouse; the
difference is that the positioning system continues to work at altitudes of
up to 3 meters or more depending on lighting conditions even at the onset of
dusk. A movement sensor senses the ground in flight, i.e. it virtually
replaces the eyes of an airborne pilot. Almost every ground surface exhibits
contrast, and this allows the system to detect all relative movements in the
horizontal direction, just as accurately as a computer mouse on its mat. The
supplementary attitude stabilisation features an artificial horizon and
three electronic gyros, and works completely independently of the prevailing
visual conditions.
As a result, the HeliCommand is capable of
stabilising the helicopter in the horizontal attitude independent of the
visual circumstances (in contrast to previous types of stabilisers). When in
Position mode it can also stabilise the machine's position above the ground.
Of course, in exceptional visual conditions,
e.g. in the dark, above water, over smooth floor coverings or a featureless
snow blanket, the visual sensing systems are unable to supply a signal. If
this should occur, the other airborne instruments automatically assume the
stabilising role. Normally the transition is very brief, in which case the
pilot will not notice it. If it lasts longer, the stabilisation
automatically switches from "position mode" to "horizontal mode". In this
case the pilot will notice the difference, as he has to compensate for any
slow drift by giving straightforward control commands. Even in this
situation the level of stabilisation is equivalent to that provided by
conventional "inertial control" technology, i.e. it provides tilt
stabilisation.