Fly Wing H1 Autopilot Review & Flight Test

Fly Wing H1 autopilot review. An RC Helicopter GPS flight controller giving a true hands off, easy to fly collective pitch RC heli experience.
Yes, this GPS enabled flybarless autopilot flight controller really will make a collective pitch RC helicopter as easy to fly as a GPS enabled quad-copter and take all the skill required to pilot a CP helicopter out of the equation. It therefore takes most of the fun and engagement out of flying a collective pitch RC helicopter as well.

There are pros and cons to be aware of, and the Flywing H1 autopilot isn't perfect; but for the price and performance with features such as return to home auto land, two pre-programmed circuits and even hands off inverted autopilot flight - the technology crammed into the H1 is very impressive. Especially considering it's priced below many higher end traditional flybarless RC helicopter flight controllers.

The biggest benefit I see with GPS autopilot RC helicopter flight controllers like the Fly Wing H1, is for RC helicopter enthusiasts, that due to an injury or health reason, have been forced to give up their beloved hobby & past time. The H1 will allow many such folks to get flying again.

IMPORTANT WARNING! Do not attempt to engage the automatic circle or figure eight activation while in an inverted GPS stabilization orientation. The H1 will lose control of the helicopter and unless you have enough altitude to save it by quickly switching to 3D mode and correct yourself, your heli will make a smoking hole in the ground. Fly Wing has confirmed this with me even though there is no warning of this in the manual (yet). Again NEVER ENGAGE AUTO FLIGHT CIRCUITS WHILE INVERTED.

Product & Instruction Links below:

1. Fly Wing H1 RC Helicopter GPS Flight Control System 45cm GPS wire:

2. Fly Wing H1 RC Helicopter GPS Flight Control System 13cm GPS wire:

3. My Fly Wing H1 Setup Tutorial & Tips Video:

4. Fly Wing H1 Instruction & Setup Software Download Page:

5. RC helicopter autopilot concerns & cautions article on my website (about 2/3rd down the page):

6. ALZRC Devil 505 helicopter used in this video:

Two most common Fly Wing H1 question answered:
1. "Were you able to get rid of the cyclic pitch oscillation?"
Yes, but it's a compromised gain setting (either flies well in GPS mode or in 3D mode, not both). Experiment with your gains. Fly Wing at minimum MUST separate the two axis of cyclic gain to give us better tuneability. This is a helicopter after all with different mass and inertia components along the roll and pitch axis, not a simple quadcopter.
Of course, try the usual helicopter pitch bobbing fixes as well that work with all collective pitch RC helicopter such as bang on center of gravity, softer head dampening, higher head speeds, or loosen blade bolts slightly for easier blade lead/lag.

2. "Do you still fly the H1 on that helicopter?"
Nope, it was developing bad habits and was undermining decades of RC helicopter flying & instructing experience. I was actually amazed at how quickly, only several flights with it and how it had such a negative impact when I then switched to another helicopter with normal flybarless stabilization. It would take almost an entire flight on the other helicopter to get the feel back. The unit itself however worked fine so no issues with it from an operational and technical standpoint.

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[stanwerner]

Amazing---the hobby came a long way since I was flying some 30 years ago.

[FlyingPanMan]

Putting aside the gimmicky circle, figure 8, and inverted functions, I think the real advantage this unit gives is the ability to RTH at the flick of a switch. I tend to fly too far sometimes and become disorientated occasionally. So far, I've been lucky and managed to sort things out. However, I wouldn't need to wash so much underwear with a Return To Home switch!

[keithdriggers]

Beautiful scenery John, man oh man to be able to have that view waking up in the morning gives one a sense of reverence for the all mighty!

[brianheaton]

"hangs in the air like dirty odor." Nice, gonna have to use that.

[Leimin]

“Sh!t is about to get real” 😂
Been reading your website from 10 years ago when I first learnt to fly. Came back to flying recently and found your videos. Awesome stuff as usual. Thanks John. 👍🏼

[doboy]

That video was awesome! You have more Guts than I would I guess if I flew as long as you have I would try it. But to hear you laugh so hard was great. Also the idea that someone with a disability could be able to fly again would be awesome. The feeling of doing what they used to it would get them back outdoors. Great video.

[Fran]

Thanks John, really enjoyed the review! Reminds me of the "invert switch" we had back in the 80s. I think I might try one of Cheers

[chrisrenek]

I`m a scale flying pilot I think this would help me. And I have poor arm and hand movement .Thank you for such a good video. I am thinking about getting this. Have a good day...

[charlesstevenson]

Yes I want to learn more about setting it up. I have a Align 500X.

[AboTurkiPro]

15:58 now that's a badass Radio control 😂😂😂

[steveblackbird]

Very, Very late to the party but Thank You for sharing your setup tips with us mate. Very appreciated.
I flew RC helis 15-20 years ago and despite being a scale flyer it just got too expensive when I inevitably crashed and watched my heli beat itself to death before I cut throttle.
I recently got back into the hobby after learning about the H1 flight controller and as an semi experienced quad flyer, including the very easy DJI camera drones I couldn't resist. Though I will add my PC sim 3D time has been substantial and I've got my thumbs back flying the proper old school way.
I'll throw in one small feature, I've seen discussed... if you are flying in 3D mode and fluff things up in a major way and are still a mistake or two high you can flick the switch to GPS mode and your model will become an obedient hovering heli once again waiting for your next input.
That alone I thing is a huge bonus.
Again Thankyou for sharing your expeience.

[HayabusaGSXR-cvig]

John Salt
I've suffered excessive laughter 😃 watching your video you have put so much time & effort 👌 with great knowledge into this video keep them coming Topman 👍 just excellent work

[andersonjuniodossantos]

Congratulations for your work!!! it was the best tutorial I found so far, I already have my controller in hand and I didn't start the assembly for lack of a better explanation, now I'm going to follow your guidelines and assemble on my T-rex450, I liked it and I'm subscribed !!!! thank you friend!!!

[johnclarke]

Hi John. Please, please do a full setup video.

[GeorgePapadopoulos]

Man you live in the paradise, thanks for the video.

[TheBeastFPV]

Yes we whould love you to do a video on setting it up please

[paulclarke]

Would love to see a full setup video please

[carlos]

That is a freakin' amazing piece of tech for an extremely cheap price! Great video, John.

[RCredman]

Great video John. A no brainer to fly with the H1. But I think it's great for scale flying. Maybe I will put this H1 gyro in my 600ESP Airwolf. Can't wait to see the set-up tutorial.

[vauny]

Can you please do a full tutorial set up,