NEED HELP

[Flying16150]

I was wondering Don if there is a source I can go to for help with 3 D flying and set up , Ive got a hanger full of giants and no 3D knowlege. Help Please lol lol

[don szczur]

Where do you live? If near VA. Come on by. Hang out with your local Hucksters. It rubs off. Maybe I'll see you at DOGs? Also, google 3D aerobaticvideos and you will see a lot of good videos on this site and others. I did a video which does include some 3D setups (referenced at the top of this forum).

[james.l.hill]

If it wasn't for Dons advice on Torque Rolls, I might never be doing that. I forget if it was a post here or an article that I read, but after applying his method, I immediately started getting better TR's, now I am the TR king in my little circle! The Chip Hyde Double Vision does 'em crazy fast!!!!

[don szczur]

Start with two switch rates (or function modes). One is low flying rate, one is 3D. Set the control throw high for the 3D rates, as much as you can reasonable get. See a good read thread on control linkage setups in this forum, also.

Next, set up your expo so that you have a proportional amount of expo between regular and 3D rates. That way the controls feel about the same around neutral but the 3D rates give you more on the edges. If you have 20 percent expo on low rate, then you high rate should be 40 or 60 percent (if you control throw is double or more). Elevator and rudder are most dramatic. I fly about 23 to 30 percent on low elevator rate, and 100 percent on high rate (again, see the forum thread you may want to get the ATV higher to about 130 or more and adjust mechanical linkage to give you the preferred 3 D rate.

Now that the plane is set up like this it's easier to learn and you can switch between rates comfortably without the plan jerking if you are holding inputs when around neutral and changing rates. There is a great article I did on "3 steps to 3D" some years ago. It's probably a great place to check out (Horizon Hobby website). There is another good one from others on that site.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Explore/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1322

Don

[don szczur]

Of interest or uniqueness about this article is the reference to "rudder trim" for 3-D, You see, if the rudder trim is off a bit, it will cause one wing to drop during entry to a harrier or pop up. Its not as pronounced on larger planes but it will snap to one side on smaller aircraft like the Funtana.

This is also a small hint to those flying IMAC- if your plane wants to dump to one side before you are ready, entering to the stall on a spin entry. Use flight condition trim, or better yet, a mix that is activated when you switch flight modes. A bit complex when just starting, but it does make spin entries much more honest.

[don szczur]

By the way the torque roll hint is covered in the rcaerobaticvideo.com. But, to give you a peek, here it is. Use rudder and elevator as if you are slow rolling. That keeps the plane straight up in a torque roll (vertical with the ground) during any kind of wind. You can go from a half turn dropping out to mulitple torque roll turns easily by using this technique. Only took me four years to learn this, now you know (or can see it on the video).

Regards,
Don