FXD Pegasus Manipulator 4

Last updated 02/11/2011

Overview

The FXD Pegasus Manipulator 4 is one of the more popular 4 channel 2.4 GHZ co-axial RC helicopters in it’s class. Released in 2011, what makes it so popular is it’s performance in this price range.

Its available in shops for around $130 AUD or around half the price on eBay.

As there is a lack of troubleshooting guides available on the net for this new model, I thought i’d compile a list for anyone trying to fix their helicopter.

 

Specs

Model number 68785

3.7V 180mAh Lithium Polymer battery

8 x AA batteries required for controller

Helicopter charges from either controller or standard powered USB socket.

 

Flying tips

I’m no RC helicopter flight expert by any stretch of the imagination, these tips are what i’ve learned flying this model so far. The terminology i’m using may also be incorrect so please go easy on me!

Most of this tips i’m sure apply to all models of RC helicopters as well.

Trim

When I first started flying this RC helicopter, I used to tune the trim each and every time before flight. What I found was that that as the helicopter started to “warm up”, it’s flight characteristics would change and the trim would need recalibration again. This started to get tedious so I got used to flying the helicopter with the trim centred and haven’t looked back. I now spend less time fiddling with the trim and enjoy more flight time since precious battery isn’t being wasted during calibration.

Landing

Landing the helicopter is not as simple as reducing the collective and it settling down by itself. Ground effect comes into play cushioning descent when it’s close to the ground, this causes the helicopter to “bounce” as it nears the ground and then drift sideways which can screw with your carefully placed vertical landing. The best way i’ve found to overcome this is to first get a feel for  how much power you need to apply vs the distance you start to float off the ground. Then when you land, make the helicopter descent, and as soon as it starts to experience ground effect, reduce the throttle to zero slowly and the helicopter should land gently (not drop!). I’m sure some people find dropping the helicopter fine but i’m a perfectionist and want to perform a great landing.

 

Spare parts

As this model is fairly new, there isn’t an easy way to obtain spare parts. As it stands I don’t know of any place that sells parts for this model.

 

Troubleshooting and Repair

This section should grow over time. If anyone has any tips they’d like to see added here for the benefit of all, let me know and i’ll add it.

Part numbers and names of parts can be found in the manual that came with the helicopter.

When spinning up the blades, the whole assembly vibrates excessively and a grating noise can be heard.

I haven’t quite been able to figure this one out yet, but I think it might have something to do with where the cyclic control motors connect to the lower blade. Try fiddling with the attachment ring (swashplate?) and see if that helps.

The main rotor shaft feels loose and I can jiggle it up and down, causing the rotor assembly to lift up during flight and affect the way the heli performs.

This can happen after you crash your heli a few times. The shaft and blades should feel snug, you should not be able to lift the blades and the whole rotor assembly up and down.
The cause of this problem is Gear B (part 32) has slipped too low on the gear outer shaft (part 29). If this happens, lift up Gear B higher so there is no play between Gear B and the top of it. Careful not to push it up too much otherwise the lower blade will not rotate smoothly.