Question about S8R Stabilization Receiver with Taranis X9 Lite S Transmitter

[minimoa]

Are the S8R Stabilization Receiver and the Taranis X9 Lite S Transmitter compatible? The X9 Lite S transmitter was not named in a flyer about the S8R or S6R stabilization receivers.
I use the G-XR8 receiver because I am a glider pilot and I enjoy the built in vario, but I was hoping to get a stabilization module next. I didn't see any stabilization modules with vario functionality, so I'm guessing if I get the S8R or S6R I'll also need to buy a standalone vario.
Is it possible to get a stabilization module without the receiver that could be plugged in to my existing G-XR8?
Is it possible or advisable to use non-Frsky flight stabilizers while using other Frsky components (receiver and transmitter)?
If I get the S8R stabilizing receiver, would it be possible to use my existing G-XR8 as a redundant receiver, and also have access to its vario?

Whole bunch of questions - thanks!

 

[Konrad]

As I glider pilot why, why would you want stabilization? It is the air upsetting the airframe that signals to you the ground based pilot what type of air the aircraft is in. (This is key to flying thermal duration ships). The gyros will dampen this out, making all but impossible to read the air around your sailplane.

Are the S8R Stabilization Receiver and the Taranis X9 Lite S Transmitter compatible? The X9 Lite S transmitter was not named in a flyer about the S8R or S6R stabilization receivers.

Yes the Taranis X9 Lite S wasn't available at the time the flyer was published.

I use the G-XR8 receiver because I am a glider pilot and I enjoy the built in vario, but I was hoping to get a stabilization module next. I didn't see any stabilization modules with vario functionality, so I'm guessing if I get the S8R or S6R I'll also need to buy a standalone vario.

Other than some ill advised set ups from Horizon Hobbies you don't want the mix gliders and gyros. But if you do the FrSky precision vario works ok.

FrSky High Precision Vario ADV

FrSKY High Precision Vario Sensor monitors atmospheric pressure and reports altitude and changes in pressure, indicating lift for glider pilots.

alofthobbies.com

Is it possible to get a stabilization module without the receiver that could be plugged in to my existing G-XR8?

Yes you can add gyros to your G-XR8. But again if used in sailplanes why?

Is it possible or advisable to use non-Frsky flight stabilizers while using other Frsky components (receiver and transmitter)?

Yes there is nothing magical with FrSky components that would lock out aftermarket gyros as long as the protocols (S-bus, inverted S-Bus etc. are adhered to).

If I get the S8R stabilizing receiver, would it be possible to use my existing G-XR8 as a redundant receiver, and also have access to its vario?

Not with ACCST as the redundant rx needs to have the telemetry turned off.

Whole bunch of questions - thanks!

 

[minimoa]

Konrad, you make a really good point about why would I want stabilization in the first place if I'm a glider pilot. I'm not very good at piloting yet, having just gotten into the sport about 6 months ago. I depend on the vario tones rather than visual cues. You said it is possible to add gyros to my G-XR8 - Can you recommend a make/model? I didn't see anything on the Frsky website that wasn't also a receiver, but then again the Frsky website can be hard to decipher for a novice.
Many, many thanks -

 

[Konrad]

Please please stay away from gyros. I think there are some threads here where guys have made recommendations.

Aura 8 Flight Stabilizer and FrSky x10

Does anyone run this setup or know anything about pairing the two? Looking for a good stabilizer for a gas powered fixed wing.

forum.alofthobbies.com

Varios are another idea that somebody looking into the hobby from the outside would think is a good idea. Vario are again something to be avoided if learning the read the air. I hate flying with varios! When I first started out flying thermal duration sailplanes, I too purchased varios (Ace Thermic Sniffer). I tore them out of the airplane after about the tenth flight. I found myself flying the tone rather than the sailplane. A few years ago I again revisited the vario and really hated the experience, the lag was horrible. So much so as to actually be counter productive!

Please avoid the FrSky site for everything other that FrSky firmware down loads. (You might have gathered I have a low opinion of FrSky. If it wasn't for OpenTX I don't think I'd have made the jump from Multiplex to FrSky. Multiplex has surrendered the USA market to Hitech, a very bad move from my perspective)

Again, in my opinion the worse thing you can do while learning, is to the rely on the gyro's and varios. They will only slow down your progression to becoming a competent pilot. In fact I'll argue they will adversely hinder your enjoyment!

All the best,
Konrad

P.S.
Varios are used when flying at the edge of sight where it is difficult to see the attitude of the sailplane. Such flying is done while cross country flying. Gyros are some times used for Return To Home (RTH). With gliders (unpowered models) this rarely works!

 

[Flying Dutchman]

Konrad, you make a really good point about why would I want stabilization in the first place if I'm a glider pilot. I'm not very good at piloting yet, having just gotten into the sport about 6 months ago. I depend on the vario tones rather than visual cues. You said it is possible to add gyros to my G-XR8 - Can you recommend a make/model? I didn't see anything on the Frsky website that wasn't also a receiver, but then again the Frsky website can be hard to decipher for a novice.
Many, many thanks -

Minimoa: while I generally agree with Konrad's philosophy on the use of Vario's and Gyro's on gliders, I do like Gyro's on some of my power planes. Especially the small or mid-size foamies, which get bounced around a lot when it's gusty, can benefit a lot from some level of stabilization. If you fly those, I recommend the S8R.

I have a couple of S8R's, which have saved me on windy days that made landing very hazardous. Note that you can dial in the amount of stabilization authority from the Gyro with a pot on your Tx, so you can 'cheat' on a sliding scale. When I use it, I leave it at 50% ('assist' level.) You can switch it (in flight) to Off, Variable, or PANIC mode. The latter (full auto-leveling) is not particularly useful, unless you frequently completely lose control of your plane.

BTW, the S8R is only $3 more than a regular X8R, so you could just get the S and not use the stabilization feature if you don't need it (which is what I do now). If you do have your heart set on a separate non-Rx unit, Aloft has a couple: look under Radio/Flight Stabilization. I don't have experience with them, but DualSky appears to be a reputable brand (in ESC's and motors).

But these days I fly mostly gliders, and on those I really can't see any benefit to stabilization. And as Konrad pointed out, there is a big downside: your glider won't be able to signal up/down drafts, as the stabilizer will dampen out those moves. Good luck!

 

[minimoa]

Thanks much for the advice - I great value both of your opinions! I am a licensed sailplane pilot and I guess I've just gotten used to using a vario, but there is definitely a thrill in getting one of the wings kicked up by a thermal and then turning into it! I just haven't been able to really detect that in a model, but hopefully will acquire that skill eventually. I built the smallish TMRC Schweizer 1-26B (my absolute favorite full size sailplane) and added a motor to it. Due to its small size and short wingspan, I am finding it very difficult to control, which is why I was looking for a gyro stabilizer - but I agree that in larger and slower gliders this would not be needed or even desirable. By the way, I posted a photo of that model in the "What people are working on now" section (or it's called something like that).
Thanks again for the great advice!

 

[Konrad]

That's a proven classic scale sailplane model. If you are having control issue look for wash in at the tips or a center of gravity issue. Gyros should not be used in place of a properly trimmed ship.

Scale models often dom't fly as well as models designed as models. Give a non-scale glider a try while learning.

BTW that is a good looking model

 

[minimoa]

Thank you!