potenza Aura 8 Operating and maintenance instructions

INTRODUCTION
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CONNECTING A RECEIVER
I. DSM2/DSMX Remote Receiver(s)
TM
Quick Start Guide
FPZAURA08 | Aura 8 Advanced Flight Control System
Mini Port (B)
Mini Port (A)
DSM2/DSMX Remote Receiver(s) Binding
1. A single remote receiver must always be connected to Mini Port‘A’. An additional
remote receiver (optional, of matching type) may be plugged into Mini Port ‘B’.
2. Insert a bind plug(s) in Port S8 on the Aura for DSMX remote receiver(s) OR into Ports
S1 and S8 for DSM2 remote receivers.
3. Power the Aura with a 4.0VDC-10.0VDC power source. The LED on the remote
receiver(s) will begin to blink rapidly indicating that the receiver(s) are in bind mode.
4. Put the transmitter in bind mode as described in the instructions in your transmitter
manual. Binding is complete when the remote receiver LED is solid. Remove and store
bind plug(s) to complete the binding process.
II. Serial Bus / Digital Data Receiver
Below are some representative examples of typical serial bus/digital data feed receivers
from major manufacturers. Please note that any serial data/digital data feed receivers
MUST must be bound and properly setup in the transmitter prior to connecting to Aura.
Consult your manufacturer documentation for proper methods and procedures to bind
your receiver.
GRAUPNER SUM D
T
SET
LED
1
No. S1021
GR-16L
2.4GHz
2 3 4 5 6
B B
7 8
Port 8
(typical)
JR XBUS (MODE B)
XBus Port
FUTABA S.BUS
S.Bus/S.Bus2
Port
DSMX SRXL
AUX1
GEAR
RUDD
ELEV
AILE
THRO
ANT B
ANT L
ANT R
2.4GHz DSM® TECHNOLOGY HIGH-SPEED 9CH RECEIVER 2048
TECHNOLOGY
WITH TM
SRXL
BATT
AUX4
AUX3
AUX2
BIND/DATA
SRXL
Port
III. Traditional PWM or PPM
Traditional PWM and PPM receiver connections are supported with Aura but must be setup
using the Aura PC Programming app and cannot be setup using the Radio Auto-Detect or
Quick Setup method(s) detailed below.
POWERING AURA 8
www.flexinnovations.com/aura
.
WARNING
THE USER MUST PROVIDE AURA WITH A STABLE AND RELIABLE
POWER SUPPLY. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF
CONTROL OR CRASH.
Exercise extreme caution when plugging in any lead that could potentially supply power, or short
power buses. It is possible to 'reverse' or 'short' a power connection by even partially plugging in
a connector. Examples (but not limited to):
Connecting multiple batteries or power leads. Use switches, extensions, and Y harnesses
with extreme care.
DSM2/DSMX REMOTE RECEIVER(S) WITH ESC/BEC
The simplest setup is to provide system power through the ESC/BEC of an electric model.
In the example below, the ESC/BEC is simply plugged into Aura Port S1, making note of the
connection polarity.
ESC/BEC
RECEIVER BATTERY POWER INPUT
If the aircraft is a larger electric or gas powered model, it may need a separate power
source for the motor/engine. In this situation, a receiver battery can be connected directly
to the receiver or the Aura. A matching redundant battery can optionally be added as
shown. If there are not any open Aura ports, a battery may be connected to a servo port
and servo using a Y harness.
ESC
TO RX THROTTLE PORT
TO RX DATA PORT
RECEIVER
BATTERY
TO ANY
AURA PORT
BATTERY
(OPTIONAL)
MOTOR
BATTERY
TO ANY
RX PORT
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ATTENTION
Aura Firmware v1.4+
The Aura 8 Advanced Flight Control System (AFCS) is a powerful, yet flexible flight control
system. This Quick Start Guide provides you with basic information to help to get your
airplane in the air for most aircraft. However, advanced aircraft and fight performance
tuning may require additional programming using the Aura PC Programming Application.
To learn about the full capabilities of the Aura 8, as well as access the latest information
and guides, please visit
The Aura 8 supports three separate connection methods - direct connection of up to (2)
DSM2/DSMX remote receivers; data connection for Futaba S.Bus, JR XBus (Mode B),
Graupner HOTT SUMD, Spektrum SRXL; and traditional PWM and PPM connections.
Quick Start programming only supports DSM2/DSMX remote receiver and serial
bus/digital data feeds. Traditional PWM and PPM connections must be configured with
the Aura Config Tool on a PC.
Powering the Aura is very flexible. The Aura Servo Bus (S1 - S8 and Servo Port B) must be
powered with 4VDC-10VDC. Simple electric models can power the Aura by plugging in the
BEC directly to an Aura Servo Port. Power may also be passed directly from the Receiver to
the Aura. More complex models may use additional connections or flight batteries for
additional redundancy. Several examples are shown below. More examples can be found
at
Check the polarity of each connection carefully. Consult your radio manufacturer's manual for
information regarding appropriate power supply connections.

RADIO AUTO DETECT
Entering Quick Setup Mode
1. Setting Model Type
LED Indication
2. Enabling Master Gain (Optional)
Requires a transmitter proportional input assigned to transmitter Ch8/Aux3
LED Indication
3. Setting Orientation
Two orientations are available in Quick Setup mode: 'Pins Up' and 'Pins Down'. Both
orientations must have Mini Ports A and B toward the nose of the aircraft. The Aura must
be aligned coincident to the axes of aircraft as shown below. After completing steps 1 and
2 above, place the Aura in the orientation it will be in upright flight before proceeding to
Step 4. Check the Blue LED to confirm the intended orientation.
LED Indication (with aircraft right-side up)
WARNING
DO NOT ATTEMPT RADIO SETUP WITH PROPELLER INSTALLED.
INADVERTENT POWER UP COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.
CAUTION
AURA LED LIGHT LAYOUT
RED
GREEN
BLUE
ORANGE
PINS UP PINS DOWN
REDUNDANT DSM2/DSMX POWERSAFE SRXL POWER
For redundant power input using a DSM PowerSafe SRXL receiver, simply connect a
two-wire lead from any servo port to any Aura port (S1-S8).
PARALLEL BATTERY POWER
If Aura has no additional ports available for battery power, parallel power may be supplied
by plugging both a servo AND a battery into a single Aura port with a Y-harness. The signal
wire should be removed from the 'power' lead in order to prevent any signal interference.
SIGNAL
POSITIVE
NEGATIVE
NOTICE
If only one aileron servo is being used, it should be connected into Port S3.
If only one elevator servo is being used, it should be connected into Port S4.
Throttle (optional)
Left Aileron
Right Aileron
Left Elevator
Right Elevator (reversed)
Rudder
CH6/AUX1
CH7/AUX2
Any open ports (S1-S8) on Aura
may be used to receive/supply
battery power as required.
CONFIGURE AURA
AURA QUICK SETUP (VIA TRANSMITTER)
Quick Setup Servo Connections
2.4GHz DSM® TECHNOLOGY
HIGH-SPEED 12CH RECEIVER 2 048
AUX 6 SRXL SWITCH AUX 7
TM
BND/DAT
AUX 5
AUX4 AUX3 AUX2 AUX1
GEAR
RUDD
ELEV
AILE
THRO
BATT1 BATT2
B
R
A
L
TO ANY AURA PORT TO ANY RX PORT
OPTIONAL CONNECTION FOR REDUNDANT POWER
TO SRXL PORT
Linking the Aura to the receiver is simple for supported radios. The Aura will Auto
Detect the radio and adjust the correct input reversing (servos may still require
reversal depending on the linkage geometry of that particular setup), channel
order, etc. Make sure your receiver is bound or linked to your transmitter.
For Aura to receive digital channel data in the correct slots, transmitter Wing
Type must be set to conventional (single aileron) and transmitter Tail Type
must also be set to conventional (single elevator and rudder).
For retrofit setups in complex aircraft, it is necessary to change these values
back to default values (as they are in a new/reset model memory): Wing Type,
Tail Type, Servo Reversing. These changes should be made before Auto
Detect has configured Aura to your receiver.
RADIO AUTODETECT WILL NOT DETECT TRADITIONAL PWM OR PPM CONNECTIONS.
The Aura must be configured to properly set the servo ports (S1 - S8), gyro gain, etc.
Complex aircraft should be configured using the Aura PC Programming App, however,
many airplanes can be configured at the field with only a transmitter using the Aura Quick
Setup feature. To use the Quick Setup feature, the airplane must meet the following
criteria:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Digital receiver data feed, including any of these:
Conventional tail type (single elevator/rudder servo or matched pair with single input)
OR dual elevator servos with reversed mounting direction for each servo.
Conventional wing type using one or two aileron servos (or more if one or two inputs
are used with Y-harnesses or servo matching device such as JR MatchBoxes)
Aura mounted with Mini Ports A & B oriented towards the nose of the aircraft. Pins for
Ports S1-S8 may be oriented upright or inverted. (see instructions below)
CH5/Gear assigned to a 3-position switch (preferred) on the transmitter. A 2-position
switch may be used, but Aura will be limited to (2) fight modes.
If your airplane adheres to the criteria above, follow the steps below to setup your
airplane with the Aura 8 quickly at the field using Quick Setup mode and your transmitter.
Quick Setup mode is not recommended for retrofitting your Aura 8 into complex
aircraft such as those with multiple servo wing types or flaps. The Aura PC Config
Tool is more flexible and effective for complex aircraft.
If Aura has not detected the radio system being used, Auto-Detect will run, then Quick
Setup will begin. If you did not intend to enter Quick Setup Mode, remove power
BEFORE unplugging the bind plug to prevent any changes from being saved. Steps 1 & 2
may be adjusted back and forth in any order before continuing to Step 3 & 4 and saving
in Step 5. The orange LED will flash in Quick Setup Mode. The blue, green, and red
LEDs will illuminate to correspond to the current settings being set in Quick Setup.
1. Turn on transmitter. With the throttle low, center the aileron/elevator/rudder sticks.
2. Insert bind plug into Aura Port S2.
3. Apply power to Aura and receiver.
Two model types can be selected with pre-configured profiles that have been crafted
over hundreds of test flights. CH5/Gear switch is used to toggle the model type; high
position will select Sport/Scale Mode and low position will select 3D Mode. Check the
green LED (second from the right) to confirm you have selected the desired model type.
Master Gain is OFF upon each entry to Quick Setup Mode. Master Gain on CH8/Aux3 may
be enabled by sweeping the CH8/Aux3 knob or slider. Check the RED LED (at the far
right) to confirm you have master gain set as intended. If no adjust is made, master gain
will remain disabled.
DSM2/DSMX Remote Receivers or SRXL connection
Futaba S. Bus
JR DMSS XBus (Mode B)
Graupner HOTT SUM D of 8
Blue LED On - Aura Normal orientation (pins up)
Blue LED Off - Aura Inverted orientation (pins down)
Red LED On - Master Gain Enabled
Red LED Off - Master Gain Disabled
Green LED On - Sport/Scale Mode
Green LED Off - 3D Mode
Transmitter travels may be adjusted as required. For good results, transmitter
travel is expected to be between 90% and 140% with 125% being ideal.
Make physical connections per the connection diagrams in CONNECTING A
RECEIVER.
With the propeller removed (on electric models) and all Aura connections in place,
power on your transmitter, then power your airplane with the flight battery and
keep it stationary. After several seconds, the LEDs will sweep back and forth as the
Aura searches for a valid control signal. Once found, you will see a solid orange
(Aura and sensors are running) and a solid green (Aura is receiving a valid signal)
LED, and you will have control of the model.
1.
2.
3.
While there is no throttle signal present in quick configuration,
keep the throttle fully idle during setup to avoid damage or injury.

Aircraft
Movement
Proper Control
Surface Def ection
© 2015 Flex Innovations, Inc.
Premier Aircraft™, Potenza™, and Top Value RC™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of Flex Innovations, Inc.
Android is a trademark of Google Inc. iPhone® is a trademark of Apple Inc registered in the US and other countries.
JR and DMSS are registered trademarks of Japan Remote Control Co., Ltd.
DSM®, DSM2™, and DSMX™ are trademarks of Horizon Hobby, Inc.
Futaba is a registered trademark of Futaba Denshi Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Corporation of Japan.
HoTT is a registered trademark of SJ, Inc.
Rev 1.4.0 - 2/22/2017
INNOVATIONS
TM
QUICK TRIM
NOTE:
Fly the airplane in manual (gyro off) mode. Trim the aircraft with the transmitter
and land. Do not change flight modes.
Power off the Aura. Insert a bind plug into Aura Port S3. Check the transmitter is
on and re-power the Aura.
Wait 5 seconds for the Aura to completely initialize. Confirm Quick Trim mode is
active by checking the Blue LED is slowly flashing.
Remove the bind plug from Aura Port S3. Removing the bind plug stores the
current trims in the Aura. The Blue LED will flash quickly after control surface trim
values are stored. While the trim values are stored in Aura, they are not applied to
the control surface until the Aura is re-powered.
Remove power from the Aura and center all control surface trims on the
transmitter.
NOTE: QUICK TRIM MAY BE REPEATED AS NEEDED FOR FINE
TUNING, OR IF CHANGES TO THE AIRCRAFT ARE MADE.
NOTE: ENSURE AILERON/ELEVATOR/RUDDER SUB TRIMS
ARE ZERO BEFORE FLYING FOR QUICK TRIM PROCESS.
Throttle is not reversible in the Aura. If your model requires throttle
channel reversing, it must be done in the transmitter.
AILERONRUDDER ELEVATOR
6. Sensor Check
AILERONRUDDER ELEVATOR
7. Exiting Quick Setup Mode
TMTM
Quick Start Guide (Continued)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
To setup Quick Trim:
Exit Quick Setup mode by removing power from the Aura. Confirm the bind plug has
been removed from S2 prior to repowering the Aura. You must power down the Aura
to exit Quick Setup mode before flying.
Repeat all control direction and sensing direction tests in normal mode (in highest
gain setting) before flying. If any anomalies exist, correct before attempting flight.
Aircraft
Movement
Proper Control
Surface Deflection
Stick Left
Stick Right
Stick Forward
Stick Aft
Stick Left
Stick Right
Transmitter
Command
Proper Control
Surface Deflection
1. Perform the transmitter command check to verify control surface movement
corresponds to the control direction test chart below.
2. If reversing is required on aileron, elevator, or rudder, hold full stick defection for that
channel in any direction for a minimum of four seconds, at which point the channel
will reverse. This process may be repeated as required for each channel. Servo
reversing changes are saved automatically.
Rotate the airplane about each axis, 15° minimum. Use sensor check diagram below to
verify that control surface moves in the correct direction to counter the motion. During
Quick Setup mode, a special control mode executes and makes checking the sensor
direction easier. Moving the sticks will reset the control surfaces to center, if required.
In Quick Setup mode step 6, if the airplane and transmitter are left unattended for a
period of time, the sensor may accumulate errors and may move the control surfaces.
Simply move the transmitter sticks to reset. NOTE: This only happens in the Quick
Setup mode and will NOT occur in normal (flying) mode.
If any of the axes fail the control sensor check but responds correctly to the transmitter
commands, check the transmitter's programming and ensure that all the directions are
set to NORMAL. Repeat the transmitter command test and sensor check until all surfaces
move as intended.
5. Saving Quick Setup Settings
With the aircraft upright, remove the bind plug from Aura Port S2 to save the
settings from Steps 1-4. All the LEDs will go solid will saving, then return to normal
after the save is complete. If saving the settings for these steps is not desired,
remove power before removing the bind plug.
4. Reversing Servo Direction
The Aura 8 features a Quick Trim Mode that eliminates the need for mechanical
linkage adjustments during test flights. Aura will learn the trim values and apply
them to the control surfaces at power up when enabling quick trim mode. While it
is always best to mechanically trim your aircraft so no transmitter trims are required,
sometimes electronic trim is unavoidable.
Quick trim can also be used BEFORE flying to make small changes to
center the control surfaces before flight.