Fly Sky FS-i6 Installation manual

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FlySky FS-i6 and FS-i6X Programming for Winch and Rudder Control
Sept 2022 [ Revision 04]
Introduction
These instructions were compiled from thoughts originally found on the internet authored by a David
Flakelar (in Sydney) and intended for DF65 and DF95s. The transmitters (Tx) work well in conjunction with
the FS-iA6B receivers (Rx).
The two FlySky i6 Txs are very similar and adequately control the two primary channels required for most
competitive RC yachts. The use of other “channels” (switches) to moderate the two primary channels aids
the sailor to more precisely control the yacht under various conditions.
Sailors can easily use the one transmitter with more than one yacht by creating a separate model name for
each and installing a separate, extra ‘bound’ receiver in each additional boat.
These instructions are intended to familiarize interested sailors in two major functions of rudder and winch
control of RC yachts that they may not have attempted themselves because the available instructions are
intended for RC planes etc. and written in “chinese English.”
Having become familiar with the principles and use of the Tx menu system, novice users will then be
confident to use additional functions available on the transmitters.
Overview
Sheet Control
The winch stick operation is supplemented by the Switch A immediately above and to the left of the winch
stick on the transmitter. This two-position switch having an up and down position can be programmed to
slightly ease the sheets for both Jib and Main (say 5 to 15 mm) in the Up position and to tighten the sheets
to the normal close-hauled in the Down position. Note that the switch moves in a similar direction to the
stick for easing and tightening.
This function can be used to accelerate out of tacks and to quickly ease sheets in stronger puffs of wind,
and later; recover normal sailing.
[The Tx controller also has one three-position switch, and if this switch could be physically moved to the left
side, some sailors may wish to have two stages of easing, OR one easing (SwA UP), centre-normal close-
hauled (SwA centre), and one tight - for pinching (SwA DOWN) – your choice!]
Rudder Control
The rudder stick operation is supplemented by the Switch D immediately above and to the right of the
rudder stick on the transmitter. This two-position switch can be programmed to narrow the rudder swing
and soften the movement in the centre of the stick travel for smoother, strong wind downwind sailing, by
using the Down position. In normal light wind conditions, the Up position is used to vary the normal
rudder swing.

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Menu Control Buttons
On either side of the screen are two pairs of buttons that need to be fully understood to control
programming of the Tx.
To the left is : -
UP Used to select a parameter to adjust or increase its value upwards.
DOWN Used to select a parameter to adjust or decrease its value downwards.
To the right is : -
OK Used to activate the chosen function so adjustments can be made.
Sometimes this button also moves the selection pointer arrow downwards like the
Down button!
Generally, a quick press,(less than a second) is required, but to access the MENU, a
long, (about one second) press is required.
CANCEL A short press (less than a second) is used to CANCEL any changes and exit up the
MENU system.
A long press (between one and two seconds) is used to SAVE the changes and exit
up the MENU system. This is the most common use of this button.
However, a very long press (say about two plus seconds), some functions will default
to a reset ( – don’t go there yet!).
It often pays to do two presses to go UP the menu two steps and come back down
again to check what you have actually achieved.
Frankly, these multiple duration presses are quite confusing!
For some settings, one of the two sticks are used to move the pointer arrow to the desired column of
percentage settings
Should the screen backlight turnoff, it can be turned back on with any button press without altering a
setting.
Factory User Manuals are available online and generally cover material for model aircraft.
Sadly, radio sailing needs are not specifically covered, hence these instructions may help to bridge the
gap between aircraft and yachts. Try the link below for the FS-i6 manual.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bc852d6b9144934c40d499c/t/5c0787e10e2e721a7f17c998/1
543997593953/FS-i6+User+manual+20160819.pdf

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Pre-requisites
These are the important issues to address initially.
Boats with RMG Smart winches (IOMs), need to be initially “Setup” using the winch instructions,
with the default transmitter travel end points programmed into the RMG winch permitting only
about 10 to 20 mm of sheet control travel beyond the normal working end points, yet still within
the safe travel of the sheeting system. These settings will protect the boat from accidental damage
caused by a powerful winch over or under sheeting in the future.
You have marked your normal winch travel points (temporally) on your boat, with your fully eased
and optimal close-hauled settings. Felt pen marks on masking tape will do. Retain measured
records of these two endpoints for later use.
You have set your Subtrim to zero% on Channel #3 for the winch.
You may use your Channel #1 Subtrim to whatever percentage aligns your rudder to the centreline.
(I prefer to set my four slider Stick Trims to zero for normal sailing and do the original
adjustment/correction with Tx software. Should you accidently move these slider controls while
sailing, you can quickly reset them to zero and be confident the Subtrim software settings will still
correctly prevail.)
The Home Screen
The home screen shown above shows several things: -
The Model number – M01,
The boat type and sail number – DF 95 #xx,
The model type – the selection Airplane/Glider also suits RC Yachts,
The Tx voltage – 5.23 V,
It can show (but the photo doesn’t show), the Rx voltage,
All four slider trims set to zero; (spot the one that isn’t!).

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Model Copy
The transmitter (Tx) can store 20 models: each including most of the characteristics
programmed into the Tx.
Sailors with an existing RC yacht and transmitter programmed and functioning satisfactorily should
consider copying their working model (probably #01) to a separate model memory location for safe
keeping. Should the changes to original prove unsatisfactory, then it is a simple matter to copy the
replica back to its original location, over-writing the undesired recent changes.
1. Model Copy
a) At the HOME screen, select the MENU by a long press of the OK button,
b) At the MENU screen, using the UP or DOWN button, select the SYSTEM screen, (Tx symbol) and
select it with quick press of OK,
c) At the SYSTEM screen, using the DOWN button, move the pointer to Model copy field, and select it
with a quick press of OK,
d) At the Model copy screen, with the pointer adjacent to the model to be copied, (the upper one),
using the UP/Down buttons, select its number, (likely to be 01) and confirm it with a quick press of
OK. The pointer will move down to the Copy to field.
e) Using the UP/Down buttons insert a number (say ten more – with 10x’s UP). Note “Menu to copy”
on the screen. [This message is a hint to use a long press next].
Refer to Photo 1 below.
f) Confirm with a long press (about 1 second) of OK.
g) At “Are you sure”, using UP/DOWN buttons, select YES followed by a quick OK.
h) Save the copy using a long press of CANCEL.
Photo 1 Model copy prior to f) above.
If you have given your model a name, it could appear as above.

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This should save a copy of Model 01 to Model 11.
Think seriously about creating a back-up NOW!
When satisfied with any new changes to your working model (#01), don’t forget to update your back-
up model (#11) as well.
Should you ultimately wish to discard any recent changes and return to original settings, just copy your
back-up, (in # 11), to its original working position (#01).
Now go to Model select and examine Model 11 (Name DF95/65/IOM #xy) to confirm it exists, and
prove it replicates Model 01.
If you experience difficulty in copying or selecting a model, I suggest you use the link to the user manual
listed above on page 2, turning to page 18 of the manual.
Most of the settings that follow can be achieved without the Receiver (Rx) in the yacht being turned on.
However, some settings are best set or at least trialled after setting to confirm their effects.
The Display mode is sometimes beneficial and an aid to explaining the result when MIX-ing controls.
2. Set Normal End Points
i) At the HOME screen, select the MENU by a long press of the OK button,
j) At the MENU screen, using the UP or DOWN button, select the FUNCTIONS screen, (Tools symbol)
and select it with quick press of OK,
k) At the Functions screen, using the DOWN button, move the pointer to End points field, and select it
with a quick press of OK,
l) At the End points screen, with the pointer at Ch1 (Rudder), using DOWN button to set the LHS
column to 90%. Now move the rudder stick to the right and set that direction to 90%. These
adjustments of 90 % both sides limit the rudder maximum travel to about 40 degrees. This figure
depends upon your crank lengths for the servo and your rudder. You can experiment here with your
own limits.
m) While on this screen, now set the important winch sheet travel for the Jib and Main. Quick press
the OK button twice to move the pointer to CH3 (winch), using the DOWN button to decrease this
to about 95% (a very loose close hauled), move the winch stick UP and adjust the sheet eased
position to about 115%, fully out with the main boom nearly at right angles to the centreline fore &
aft. Again, experiment with these percentages. Bear in mind you can later simply change both these
limit positions by SubTrim as you can with the rudder.
(These endpoints should be within the travel of the maximum RMG Winch end points.)
When satisfied with the rudder limit settings, these positions can be marked on the transom or the
underside of the hull. Likewise for the winch, the sheet travel limits can be marked on the deck, either
permanently or on masking tape until sheet lengths are adjusted on both Jib and Main booms.
Refer to Photo 2.

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Photo 2 End Point setting
3. Programming the Transmitter Primary Channels for Switch Control
Firstly - Select & Assign the Switch A to Channel #5 and Switch D to Channel #6.
a) At the HOME screen, select the MENU by a long press of the OK button,
b) At the MENU screen, using the UP or DOWN button, select the FUNCTIONS screen, (Tools
symbol) and select it with a quick press of OK,
c) At the Functions screen, using the DOWN button, move the pointer to Aux. channels field, and
select it with a quick press of OK,
d) At the Aux. channels screen, assign Channel 5 to SWA (not the default Vr-A) and Channel 6 to
SWD (not the default Vr-D) by using the UP/DOWN buttons and field changing with the OK
button.
e) SAVE the assignments with a long press of CANCEL!
f) Now check your work with an OK to see if you have saved the assignments.
Refer to Photo 3A.
Photo 3A Assigning Channel 5 & 6 to switches A & D

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Secondly - Assign the Switch D whilst In Fly Mode, to “Normal” and “Sport” Descriptions
g) At the HOME screen, select the MENU by a long press of the OK button,
h) At the MENU screen, using the UP or DOWN button, select the FUNCTIONS screen, (Tools
symbol) and select it with a quick press of OK,
i) At the Functions screen, using the DOWN button, move the pointer to Switches Assign field,
and quick press of OK,
j) With Switch D (SwD) upwards, the pointer at Fly Mode using UP/DOWN buttons select SwD.
k) FOR FS - i6 Users
Set both Idle Mode and Thro. Hold to SwB, (any switch we won’t want to use),
Refer to Photo 3B.
FOR FS – i6 X users. Note this screen is called “Assign Switches”
Set both Idle Mode and Thro. Hold to NONE,
Also see Section 10)
Photo 3B Assigning Switch D whilst in Fly Mode to “Normal” & “Sport”
l) SAVE these assignments with a long press of CANCEL!
Do not hold the press for 3 seconds or more or it will reset to a default setting.
m) Now check your work with an OK to see if you have saved the assignments.
Refer to Photo 3B.
These switch descriptions of “Normal” & “Sport” could be associated with various sailing conditions. My
guess could be: -
Normal (SwD - UP) – sailing upwind in the light/middle of A Rig wind range and
Sport (SwD – DOWN) - sailing downwind in the upper end of A Rig wind range.

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Now Switch A (SwA) will be used to ease the sails a programmed amount and Switch D
(SwD) will be used to soften and limit the rudder action in strong winds downwind.
4. Starting with the Rudder (Channel #1)
a) At the HOME screen, select the MENU by a long press of the OK button,
b) At the MENU screen, using the UP or DOWN button, select the FUNCTIONS screen, (Tools
symbol) and select it with quick press of OK,
c) At the Functions screen, using the DOWN button, move the pointer to Dual rate/exp field, and
quick press of OK,
d) With switch D (SwD) upwards and the pointer on Ch 1 note the word Normal.
Using OK select Rate and adjust to 100 using the UP/DOWN key if necessary
Using OK select Exp and adjust to -70 using the DOWN key.
e) Now Save a with long press of the Cancel key.
These settings will apply with SwD upwards, the Rate setting permitting full 100% swing of the
rudder set in End Points above as well as softening the rudder movement in the central region
controlled by the negative (-70 %) exponent.
f) Now switch D (SwD ) downwards and the pointer on Ch 1 note the word, Sport.
Using OK select Rate and adjust to 60 using the UP/DOWN key if necessary
Using OK select Exp and adjust to 70 using the DOWN key.
g) Now Save a with long press of the Cancel key.
These settings, with SwD downwards, will apply the Rate setting reducing the swing of the
rudder set in End Points above now to only 60%, as well as softening the rudder movement in
the central region.
Refer to photos 3 & 4 controlled by the negative (-70 %) exponent.
Observe the two graphs on the screen when you operate switch D up and down.
Photo 3 Normal mode SwD UP

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Photo 4 Sport mode SwD Down
You can experiment with both the Rate and the Exponent settings to achieve your own preferences.
5. Continuing with the Winch (Channel #3)
a) At the HOME screen, select the MENU by a long press of the OK button,
b) At the MENU screen, using the UP or DOWN button, select the FUNCTIONS screen, (Tools
symbol) and select it with quick press of OK,
c) At the Functions screen, using the DOWN button, move the pointer to Mix field, and quick press
of OK,
d) At the Mix screen, ensure the pointer is at Mix #1 field, and quick press of OK,
e) With the pointer at Mix is, use UP/Down buttons, set Mix is ON,
f) Continue as above setting Master to Ch5,
Continue again, setting Slave to Ch3,
Continue again, setting Pos. mix to 0%,
Continue again, setting Neg. mix to -12%,
Continue again, setting Offset to 0%,
Now Save a with long press of the Cancel key.
Refer to Photo 5 and replicate all the fields.
As usual, you can experiment with these settings to achieve your own preferences.
Some DF winches have been found to not react to small Mix settings between about -8% & zero %.

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Phot 5 Mix #1
Applying a Mix will permit Switch A (SwA), now (channel 5), when UP, (the same direction as the winch
stick when easing), to instruct the winch to ease the sheets (- 12%).
When SwA is DOWN, and the stick is down (close hauled), the 95% end point set above will prevail.
Now, you have become very confident in use of the buttons, try the following
in an abbreviated form: -
6. Home > Functions > Display > OK and prove the following.
All switches UP & Winch stick DOWN,
Move the rudder stick left and right noting the Ch1 swing is to 90% each side,
Switch SwD Down, CH6 moves from 100% left to 100% right,
Rudder left and right noting the swing is now only 60% each side.
Again, all switches UP & Winch stick DOWN,
Note CH5 is 100% left, Switch SwA Down moves Ch5 from 100% left to 100% right, as well as
Ch3, the winch tightening to 95%.
With the winch stick fully UP, Ch3 moves out to 115%.

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7. Throttle Curve – Precision Increase in the Bottom 25% of the Winch Stick
movement.
Try this: -
Home > Functions > Throttle Curve > OK and replicate the screen contents in Photo
below. Now SAVE.
This improves precision of the winch stick giving only 7% easing of the sheets for the first 25% of
the stick movement upwards and a linear response thereafter.

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8. Model Type Selection
Model type selection is important when a new yacht is to be ‘Bound’ (with a second Receiver Rx)
using the same Tx. RC yachts are normally set on Mode 2, normally given a unique Number & Name
and given the model Type of Airplane/Glider. Once bound and selected by name from Tx memory,
all their characteristics will be correctly adopted by the Tx.

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9. SubTrim Adjustment to correct rudder and Winch Trim
SubTrim can be used to semi-permanently correct minor mechanical imperfections in rudder and winch
trim by Tx software. This, however, relies on the sliders adjacent to the rudder and winch sticks to be each
set at zero. These sliders can be accidently knocked without the sailor’s knowledge and affect the yachts
performance during a heat. When the sailor feels something is no longer normal, a glance at the screen
slider’s positions promptly shows him all is/isn’t correct.
In the above photo the rudder (channel #1) has been trimmed to set the rudder dead centre whilst ashore.
The winch has been set to ease the sheets about 5mm because the wind strength is at the top end of the
Rig’s comfort zone, without coming ashore.

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10.Extra switch Assignments for FS – i6X users only – Aux Switches
This function has been added to the FS – i6X only and is not available in the older FS – i6.
For only those FS - i6X sailors try this : -
HOME > System (Tx Symbol) > down to Aux Switches > OK and replicate the screen shot above.
Concluding Notes
1. Drums of different diameters will consistently use different percentage settings through-out
the programs and require more or less turns.
2. In setting the winch try using an easing of say 5-15 mm of the sheets from the normal close-
hauled position.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Dave Odlum, Brent Field, Barry Martin and Bruce Robins for their suggestions, corrections
and contributions.
Hunter Gillies September 2022