Posted: 6/12/20
AS3X® — The Foundation Of Stability
Spektrum AS3X® technology is a part of the groundbreaking SAFE® assisted flight envelope protection system found in many Ready-to-Fly and Bind-n-Fly® airplanes and helicopters offered from Horizon Hobby brands such as HobbyZone®, E-flite® and Blade®. Every SAFE system has AS3X technology at its heart. AS3X technology has proven so versatile, that different versions of SAFE technology, such as SAFE Select and SAFE Plus, are now available so a better flying experience can be enjoyed for a wider range of RC pilots.
WHAT IS AS3X TECHNOLOGY AND WHAT DOES IT DO?
The purpose of AS3X technology is to enhance the flight stability of all model types. AS3X technology works behind the scenes to help stabilize the aircraft in whatever attitude you command. It does so using a sophisticated combination of sensors and exclusive flight control software. Every BNF® airplane or helicopter with an AS3X system is custom tuned by RC product development experts to deliver the best flying experience possible.
An AS3X system counters outside forces such as wind, turbulence, torque, tip-stall, control sensitivity issues due to CG position or aircraft design to make your flight smoother. As a result, a model custom tuned with AS3X technology is easier to fly and performs with greater precision. AS3X does not fly the aircraft for the pilot. It's not autonomous, nor does it interfere with pilot commands. The beauty of AS3X technology is that it takes advantage of onboard sensing to react perceptively faster. Behind the scenes, AS3X is following along with you, calculating an infinite number of possible corrections. All you see is an aircraft that flies smoothly and goes exactly where you point it with greater accuracy. Ultimately, pilot workload is reduced, making it easier for the pilot to focus on aircraft position and maneuver symmetry for a better flight experience through a wider range of conditions. A model equipped with a well-tuned AS3X system actually gives a pilot more control.
AS3X GIVES YOU MORE CONTROL
For a 3D aerobatic model, an AS3X system can make slow speed and knife-edge maneuvers feel much more stable and precise even when the pitch and roll rates are set extremely high. In a scale park flyer or ultra-micro, it will counter the effects of turbulence on windy days so the plane will track smoother and give the pilot a “locked in” feeling. Maybe you're a scratch builder who finds that scaling and CG limitations make it tough to create an agile or realistic looking model that isn‘t a handful to fly. AS3X technology can help by battling the conditions that interfere with having a smooth flight. The AS3X system never limits your control or interferes with your commands. You always have control. The AS3X system simply gives a higher-level of stability which makes a more enjoyable flight possible.
When you buy an "Open Stock"* receiver with AS3X technology such as the Spektrum AR636 and AR9350 units, it operates very similar to a standard DSMX® receiver out of the box—the AS3X system is inactive. Setup of the AS3X system is accomplished though the AS3X App and/or PC Program interface. Each requires a cable or Bluetooth module to establish a link with your device and the AS3X system. The interface makes it possible to easily setup many of the features found in computer radios such as travel adjust, sub-trim, mixing, wing type and more. You don't have to have a computer radio to enjoy AS3X technology. Gain adjustments for each axis allow you to fine tune the appropriate amount of AS3X assistance desired, just like the way Horizon Hobby product developers do. One of the coolest features is the flight mode capability that allows you to program different AS3X settings on a transmitter switch position. That way you can experiment with different AS3X settings in flight. Always follow the specific recommendations for the AS3X receiver model you choose. A number of tutorials on using these features with success are available online
