Tuning controls on your new 3D plane
Posted by Ben on 10/30/2016 to
Tips N Tricks
One your CG is set, and you have tuned your low-rate elevator response so that you are landing smoothly, you can move on to tuning your controls for performance and optimizing your aircraft for you.
Roll Rate (aileron throw)...
Landing 3D aircraft
Posted by Ben on 10/24/2016 to
Tips N Tricks
1.Landing is a maneuver, like any other. You are the pilot, not the passenger. The very first step to making good landings is to take responsibility for them. If you are at the field, and you see a pilot make a bad landing, and he turns around and says "the plane did..." then you can be pretty sure he's never going to be a landing expert. Once a pilot can say "I screwed that up, I need more practice" (about any maneuver) he is on his way to being an expert.
2. CG...
Setting CG on your new 3D plane
Posted by Ben on 9/22/2016 to
Tips N Tricks
CG has to be set IN THE AIR before you are done!
Most ARF manufacturers provide a "starting CG point" or a "CG range". Definitely, do try to get your new airplane close to this value on the bench, and it's usually better, if the maker provided a range, to be closer to the nose-heavy end of the range for a maiden if you are a less-experienced pilot...
Checklist - Setup on the Bench
Posted by Ben on 8/29/2016 to
Tips N Tricks
Checklist on the building bench before heading to the field:
1.Controls go in the correct direction. Most commonly reversed are the ailerons. When you push the aileron stick to the RIGHT, the RIGHT aileron should go UP.
2...
Checklist - Setup at the Field
Posted by Ben on 8/17/2016 to
Tips N Tricks
After the "Setup on the Bench", the following will ensure you are set up to fly when at the field.
1.Install the wings *DO NOT get distracted by the beautiful people at your flying field*.
Being distracted when fastening wings or plugging in ailerons is one of the most common ways to ruin your day. Make sure the wing screws are in and tight. Make sure the aileron servo plugs are correct and locked (at least with tape). Make sure the battery is WELL STRAPPED IN with a strap that goes AROUND the pack and tray. Make sure the pack is IN THE CORRECT PLACE where you balanced the plane to get your forward CG location.
Set a 3 minute timer on your radio.
2...