Downline Snaps?

[JPrc]

I was wondering what inputs are being used for downline snaps. The way I have been doing it is as follows ( bump up elevator then full rudder and aileron, release elevator quickly and then come back to neutral on rudder and aileron). The problem I am running into is after the snap my plane is pitched to the canopy around 10 degree. Should I not use any elevator to keep the plane straight on the downline or should I stay in the elevator longer to bring the plane back from the original offset caused by the bump in elevator? I hope I didn't make this sound to confusing...Jonas

[Kiwi]

Jonas,

You notice when you ask a really hard question on here how quiet it goes. Everyone is in the backroom trying to give you an answer with some simulator time. I am sure someone will be in here soon t help. It is just a matter of keeping this in front of people.

Check back often, the answer will appear.

Kiwi

[yoyosmuggler]

One thing I can tell you that I learned in judging school is that a snap should be given a zero if the plane does not have a change in pitch before the auto roatation. Saying that...I would still give elevator to give you that pitch change before the snap.

[excelpoint]

Jonas, I try and lean on the down elevator in the down line so it tucks slightly then give the standard positive snap inputs, just with a little less elevator. The aircraft must still break before it rotates or ir should be a zero. My way is a little bit of a cheat, but done properly its very hard for the judges to pick up on the deviation of the down line when you lean on the down elevator. If you watch a lot of the vids of sequences most guys do the same thing to some degree. I also found that you need enough rates to make it rotate fairly quickly to minimize the deviation off your line.

[loan4utoo]

Come off the rudder a bit sooner. It's hard to do, but try and NOT neutralize the rudder and aileron at the same time. Bring the rudder out just ahead of the aileron. It has helped me...although I really have to concentrate to do it like that. Most of the time I end up riding the nose up a little because I don't concentrate well enough. Just my .02.

[RightThrust]

Some will argue that you can break and autorotate simultaneously. Personally I'll start hitting the elevator and rudder before the ailerons but not wait until you've reached the max of the rudder and elevator you want to use to start the ailerons. There isn't a definate wings level break before autorotation but it's there. Make sure you are perfectly vertical or slightly pitched torwards the gear before the snap. You can also hit the down elevator really quick and crisp right after the snap to get back on line, this is what I see most good pilots do. Bottm line is if you try to break a downline snap like a horizontal snap you're going to come out offline. Snaps on different lines are flown completely different from each other.

-Kelly Gerber

[JPrc]

Exel, I never thought of tucking the nose before the snap but will definately give it a try. I should be able to hide it since it is on the end. I will also try the rudder suggestion. I have been trying to do that with my snaps on 45's but never incorporated into the downline snaps. I appreciate the help. I might be able to sneak out today and give it a try...Jonas

[rcdart]

Yeah Excel, THANKS MATE

[notorious_benny]

He he, we will be watching you closely now by the looks of it excel!!!

To be honest I also have a similar technique to excel, I find that you need to be breathing on the down elevator all the way on a vertical downline, I was having trouble last week with pitching towards the canopy as well. I think to fix it I started releasing the elevator earlier than I would for a normal snap, but I still give the same magnitude inputs.

I cant give a definite answer, I dont conciously adjust my inputs, just practice it over and over till it looks right. Eventually you will find that your muscle memory will kick in and you will be able to get it right 9 outta 10 times.

[Bunky F. Knuckle]

Downline snaps are a true PITA!!!!! Esp, you start flying Unlimited sequences..... For instance, you are already pushing just a tad of down elevator, to keep your line straight, right... Just give it a tad bit more, perform your snap, and get back into that down elevator, to finish your line, and then exit. Downline Negative snaps I think are a bit easier than the Positive ones. I believe Kelly Gerber, can aid somemore input here, if I'm not 100% correct. I would actually have to go out and fly snaps back to back to see (and remember) how I do them! I've not flown in months!! Been a long, SLOW process in getting my new bird up and going.


What a long nite!!!

Chris~

[RightThrust]

Without a downline mix you're absolutely correct Chris. Most everyone in Unlimited flies with a couple percent of down elevator at low throttle to counteract up elevator trim for a nose heavy airplane. With a downline mix you're not holding any down elevator to hold a vertical downline therefore the work load is much lower before and after the snap. If you break really hard on either pos or neg downline snaps you'll end up displaced off of your line. The best way I've found to start and stop on the line is use alot of rudder for the first 1/4-1/2 and back off a little for the last portion, this works on positive and negative. This takes alot of muscle memory to get used to but works well.

-Kelly Gerber

	Quote: Originally Posted by chrisfry
	Downline snaps are a true PITA!!!!! Esp, you start flying Unlimited sequences..... For instance, you are already pushing just a tad of down elevator, to keep your line straight, right... Just give it a tad bit more, perform your snap, and get back into that down elevator, to finish your line, and then exit. Downline Negative snaps I think are a bit easier than the Positive ones. I believe Kelly Gerber, can aid somemore input here, if I'm not 100% correct. I would actually have to go out and fly snaps back to back to see (and remember) how I do them! I've not flown in months!! Been a long, SLOW process in getting my new bird up and going. What a long nite!!! Chris~

[excelpoint]

I also increased my snap rate a bit in the ailerons and elevators, it helps it get trough the rotation a bit qicker therefore not displacing you of your line