Control setup question

[mflander]

Okay, I am setting up my Aeroworks 75cc extra, and plan to fly both 3D and Imac with it. My problem is, I spent all my money on this plane, and will have virtually no other planes to fly lol, other then my electrics. This means I want this plane to be set-up for both 3D and Imac... which leads me to my question....

I don't want to have to change the mechanical portion of the throws before imac contests because the majority of my practicing will be done with 3d mechanical set-ups.. this will make it so I can practice at the field and still have some huckin fun too... I don't want to have to switch back and get used to a new feel or radio set-up just before contests..

Do any of you use 3d mechanical set-ups with maybe 2 different programs in your radio? I was thinking that I could have a radio program set-up for 3d or general flying, and have mixes set-up accordingly.. and then have a program with flight modes and throws set-up for imac.

Or do some of you do this with just 1 program off 3 flight modes or anything? I know most of you will say to make sure you have the most mechanical advantage, which I might end up doing...

I hope I am clear on what I am trying to accomplish, and suggestions?

[rcdart]

I used to do excactly that, have a seperate 3D and IMAC program in my TX for the same model, whilst it is not perfect due to loss of resolution on the IMAC setting, it is a very good compromise, it worked well for me for a couple of years, until I just went pure IMAC set up with 1"arms.

[mflander]

do you have seperate planes then for huckin now?

[rcdart]

No, I just fly and practice IMAC.

[whaturi]

Why not set it up with flight modes on one program? All you really need is low and high rates. The mixes will stay the same right? Why over complicate it? Many guys fly IMAC very well with 3D throws and low rates settings. Once you get the money, you could get two planes, but until then, just enjoy the one.. better resolution isn't "to die for" in my opinion.. it's more of a slight improvement.

[mflander]

Exactly what I was asking.

I haven't done this before, but I guess I just assumed the mixes were not going to stay the same. For example, the mix on a rudder at full throw will be different than a rudder at low throw, won't it? On my electric planes, the coupling gets worse the more high alpha you get, and it usually isn't linear.. so you just have to find a middle ground to mix it out. I assumed in IMAC I would want my mixes as close to perfect as possible.... Maybe I am just overthinkin it.

Thanks for the advice...

[whaturi]

Yeah, the mix will change, with more throw. That is what non-linear mixes are for. But, I never use non-linear mixes. I mix for my IMAC settings, and fly it that way for 3d. Most guys do not "mix out" high alpha knife edge. That manuever is usually just flown with little or no mix. that's how I do it.

Also, in the lower classes, mixing is not that important. Once you get into multiple roll elements on a line and rolling circles, it is, but until then, you can get a way with a lot and still do well.

I would mix the rudder to hold perfect knife edge at half throttle and full rudder input. Mix the aileron differential to roll without walking left or right. You may also like a mix that adds a little down elevator with low throttle setting. That is to make downlines track straight. I am not sure if you know about these already, just putting it out there in case you don't. I normally do the mixes I just mentioned, and leave them on all the time. Then I would have low rates and 3D rates. That's it. I am considering adding one more rate, or flightmode, which would be a lower aileron and higher rudder rate for rolling circles. (I am just starting in intermediate, so setup for this manuever is new to me.)

[green@3D]

one other thing to play with

I try to set my dual purpose planes so that on 3D rates, they have enough expo that for most flying they feel the same as my lower IMAC rates. works well for flying a mixed demo, you can huck it then be nice and smooth, whithout flipping the switch.

[whaturi]

Yeah, see what a small stick movement is on low rates, then add enough expo to match that same spot on high rates. Good point.

[mflander]

I typically do that already. Thanks for the advice.

I guess after thinking about it, what I am really trying to ask if it is worth it to go through the trouble of two different mechanical set-ups... sounds like most of you do what I think I am going to do, which is set the mechanical up for 3D, and use the radio for imac set-up.

On the mechanical side of things, I am knowledgable enough to make the most of it I believe. I know to make sure I get the desired throw at 120% or more so that I can obtain that much more resolution when dialing it down. I helped a friend the other day who was getting 3D throws at 80% endpoints lol, This won't be happening.

Thanks for the advice

[mmcconville]

Your on the right track. While setting up the mechanics for 3D rates at max servo travel and dialing it down for IMAC isnt ideal for precision flying because of the loss of servo resolution, but I've found in reality the resolution you get on low rates is very good.
I've never set up an airplane with different mechanics. I always use 3 flight modes, two for different precision and one for 3D. The two precision modes are similar, one is for most everything, and the second has full rudder and a little less aileron and I use that mode for stall turns (where I want max rudder), rollers (where I want more rudder and a little less aileron) and spins (where I want max rudder).
3D mode I use a lot of expo to get the feel someone mentioned above, where the feel around neutral is similar to my low rate feel.