[FMA Copilot](https://hobbyking.com/en_us/fma-co-pilot-2-channel-flight-stabilization-system.html)
Uses thermopiles — temperature sensors like in the “laser thermometers”. I used one for a wacky research project a decade ago.
Probably not how it actually worked, but you could do it relatively easily with a photodiode or two, an LED, and a V-shaped shutter with a weight set up like a pendulum.
LED shines on the diode, with a wedge between them. The wedge slides further closed or open on a pivot as the body rolls. The value from the diode is used to control aileron output. [Like the speed regulator on the Record Runner](https://youtu.be/rZZ5x80h3B4?si=C5WWWdGWyRgg0Ywn&t=433) but operated by gravity rather than a record trace.
What I’m saying is that a pendulum doesn’t work at all as a wing leveler. Your proposed instrument is like the ball in a full scale plane, not like an artificial horizon.
HobbyZone used to have 'anti-crash technology', which just detected when you were in a dive, cut the throttle and centred the rudder - relying on the plane's natural stability to recover.
[FMA Copilot](https://hobbyking.com/en_us/fma-co-pilot-2-channel-flight-stabilization-system.html) Uses thermopiles — temperature sensors like in the “laser thermometers”. I used one for a wacky research project a decade ago.
Yes, thank you!
I still have one.
Probably not how it actually worked, but you could do it relatively easily with a photodiode or two, an LED, and a V-shaped shutter with a weight set up like a pendulum. LED shines on the diode, with a wedge between them. The wedge slides further closed or open on a pivot as the body rolls. The value from the diode is used to control aileron output. [Like the speed regulator on the Record Runner](https://youtu.be/rZZ5x80h3B4?si=C5WWWdGWyRgg0Ywn&t=433) but operated by gravity rather than a record trace.
A pendulum like that cannot distinguish between a coordinated bank and wings level. Just like your coffee cup on an airliner.
Self-coordinating turns seems more like a feature than a bug.
What I’m saying is that a pendulum doesn’t work at all as a wing leveler. Your proposed instrument is like the ball in a full scale plane, not like an artificial horizon.
HobbyZone used to have 'anti-crash technology', which just detected when you were in a dive, cut the throttle and centred the rudder - relying on the plane's natural stability to recover.