Tips for Futaba 9C Trainer Features
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Tips for Futaba 9C Trainer Features
I hope this post gives club instructors some good ideas for taking advantage of the 9C's features.
I have an OS .15 powered Schoolboy ARF from Hobbypeople.net, and I use it to teach people how to fly. It is only 3 channel but the rudder is on the aileron channel so you fly it just like a regular 4-channel trainer. The neat thing about the Futaba 9C is the trainer features it has. I will mainly be giving "first flights" on this particular setup so bear this in mind, it's for people that have never flown an RC plane rather than someone trying to solo and complete their training. This plane is very stable and slow, and it's 50 inch wingspan and two pound weight isn't as intimidating for newbies and kids under 12. I have found that upgrading to ailerons is not a big change for more advanced students that actually want to get into the hobby.
The first thing I set up is very low rates, about 45%, and I assigned the low rates to the trainer switch (F) so that when I pull it I automatically give them only the low rate that I set up. When I release the trainer switch (F), I automatically have high rates again. In the Trainer menu in the 9C this is done by setting the aileron and rudder channels to "FUNC". This means that even the simplest four channel transmitter will use all the dual rates and mixers of the 9C when I pull the trainer switch. The rates are slow enough so that it will not roll past vertical with even full control. I set the down elevator travel for low rates to even less, about 35%.
The second thing I did was to inhibit the Throttle from being transferred at all. They have enough to worry about with the rudder and elevator at first, and so I can set the throttle to a perfect slow flight, about 30% power. If I want to give this control over, I'll set the throttle to "Function" so that the end point adjustments transfer properly to the buddy box.
The third thing I did was mix the rudder channel to the aileron channel using a Programmable mixer (Ch4 to Ch1) so that either stick will steer the rudder of my 3-channel ship. This does something really neat, when I pull the trainer switch they get the right stick's controls but I can still steer using the rudder stick, and I have High rate to boot! I don't have to take control back to correct the heading or bank, I can just override their input. Of course this does not substitute for explaining how to do it right.
The fourth thing I did was mix the Aux1 channel to Elevator at 15% mix amount. I assigned Aux1 to Variable Slider (D) and set the mixer's on/off switch to the Trainer switch (F). This functions as the elevator trim whenever I pull the trainer switch, and when I let go of the trainer switch that elevator trim turns off and reverts back to the normal trim. This is nice for when the fuel burns down toward the end of the flight you can trim it down a bit. It also lets you throttle way back and adjust the trim up for level flight. Of course every student eventually has to learn how to manage the elevator trim, throttle, steering, airspeed, etc, but this is one way to allow the student to focus on steering at first.
This should also work great on a 4-channel trainer. Transfer the right stick controls only, mix the rudder to the elevator only when the trainer switch is pulled. This will let you level the wings or just adjust the bank using the rudder stick. Sure it will kick a little rudder in, but it's better than announcing "I'm taking control back" when the bank is too high.
This is the best way to use the buddy box with a helicopter. Transfer over the right stick with cyclic controls only, and give the tail rotor and collective last when cyclic control is mastered.
Since the airplane and equipment is all mine, the AMA covers the flights. This is an excellent way to share the hobby.
-Tom
I have an OS .15 powered Schoolboy ARF from Hobbypeople.net, and I use it to teach people how to fly. It is only 3 channel but the rudder is on the aileron channel so you fly it just like a regular 4-channel trainer. The neat thing about the Futaba 9C is the trainer features it has. I will mainly be giving "first flights" on this particular setup so bear this in mind, it's for people that have never flown an RC plane rather than someone trying to solo and complete their training. This plane is very stable and slow, and it's 50 inch wingspan and two pound weight isn't as intimidating for newbies and kids under 12. I have found that upgrading to ailerons is not a big change for more advanced students that actually want to get into the hobby.
The first thing I set up is very low rates, about 45%, and I assigned the low rates to the trainer switch (F) so that when I pull it I automatically give them only the low rate that I set up. When I release the trainer switch (F), I automatically have high rates again. In the Trainer menu in the 9C this is done by setting the aileron and rudder channels to "FUNC". This means that even the simplest four channel transmitter will use all the dual rates and mixers of the 9C when I pull the trainer switch. The rates are slow enough so that it will not roll past vertical with even full control. I set the down elevator travel for low rates to even less, about 35%.
The second thing I did was to inhibit the Throttle from being transferred at all. They have enough to worry about with the rudder and elevator at first, and so I can set the throttle to a perfect slow flight, about 30% power. If I want to give this control over, I'll set the throttle to "Function" so that the end point adjustments transfer properly to the buddy box.
The third thing I did was mix the rudder channel to the aileron channel using a Programmable mixer (Ch4 to Ch1) so that either stick will steer the rudder of my 3-channel ship. This does something really neat, when I pull the trainer switch they get the right stick's controls but I can still steer using the rudder stick, and I have High rate to boot! I don't have to take control back to correct the heading or bank, I can just override their input. Of course this does not substitute for explaining how to do it right.
The fourth thing I did was mix the Aux1 channel to Elevator at 15% mix amount. I assigned Aux1 to Variable Slider (D) and set the mixer's on/off switch to the Trainer switch (F). This functions as the elevator trim whenever I pull the trainer switch, and when I let go of the trainer switch that elevator trim turns off and reverts back to the normal trim. This is nice for when the fuel burns down toward the end of the flight you can trim it down a bit. It also lets you throttle way back and adjust the trim up for level flight. Of course every student eventually has to learn how to manage the elevator trim, throttle, steering, airspeed, etc, but this is one way to allow the student to focus on steering at first.
This should also work great on a 4-channel trainer. Transfer the right stick controls only, mix the rudder to the elevator only when the trainer switch is pulled. This will let you level the wings or just adjust the bank using the rudder stick. Sure it will kick a little rudder in, but it's better than announcing "I'm taking control back" when the bank is too high.
This is the best way to use the buddy box with a helicopter. Transfer over the right stick with cyclic controls only, and give the tail rotor and collective last when cyclic control is mastered.
Since the airplane and equipment is all mine, the AMA covers the flights. This is an excellent way to share the hobby.
-Tom
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RE: Tips for Futaba 9C Trainer Features
This is an excellent post that shouldn't be buried without replies. This technique gives the instructor instant control at high rates while the student only gets low rates.
Probably applicable only to people who train with their own plane and radios though.
Incidentally, Tom say that in the 9C radio AUX1 is channel 7 and is assigned to VR(E) from the basic menu. It is very useful for giving the instructor real time elevator trim.
Probably applicable only to people who train with their own plane and radios though.
Incidentally, Tom say that in the 9C radio AUX1 is channel 7 and is assigned to VR(E) from the basic menu. It is very useful for giving the instructor real time elevator trim.
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RE: Tips for Futaba 9C Trainer Features
It also lets you steer it and help keep it straight using your rudder stick without taking control back many times. It's the best way to let kids get the feel for it.
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RE: Tips for Futaba 9C Trainer Features
I am a trainer and have been giving thought to using my 9C for training. A lot of Futaba transmitters have the push button, which is a pain in the thumb. Especially if I have several trainees in a day. Your setup sounds like a good one and all or part of what you describe can be used. My thought is to get the synthesized module and use my 9C instead of the transmitter for the plane, so I can use my trainer switch-F which is a lever type instead of the push button. I can set up each plane - I have 6 planes that I can set up on a memory chip which is about as many as I have training at any one time, or get more memory if I have more training. I have a timer which is activated by throttle position and a low battery warning(I have extra packs). All trims will be remembered so that I don't have to worry about retrimming each time we start out and the student gets to use his own transmitter so he gets the feel of his own box right away. I have heard the synthesized module called 'dial-a-crash'. Am I on the wrong track? Any thoughts?
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RE: Tips for Futaba 9C Trainer Features
You're on the right track. That 9C synthesized module is going to be real nice, and what a nice guy you are for taking on 6 students at one time and putting in the effort to train them using your 9C. The lever on the 9C is nice, I could hold it for a long time. I'm sure the syn module will cause a crash sooner or later, but everything causes a crash sooner or later so just add that to the long list of possible problems.
-Tom
-Tom
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RE: Tips for Futaba 9C Trainer Features
This is an outstanding post.
I am not an instructor in the truest sense. I do coach new flyers, but typically not on a buddy box system and I did not learn on a buddy box.
I did pick up an old 4 Ch Futaba conquest so that I could introduce friends to RC using my planes. The 9C is the first radio I tried to use with a buddy box. I had no idea that other radios did not have this ability of selective pass through.
The abiltiy to selectively pass mixes and such to the buddybox is great. However you have taken it way beyond anything I tried to do. This is a really fanstic post. This one I will book mare AND print so I can tape into my 9C manual.
I may not take it to the degree you have, but you have given me all kinds of ideas on how to use the 9Cs trainer features.
Thanks so much!
Thanks for taking the time to documet you work[8D]!
I am not an instructor in the truest sense. I do coach new flyers, but typically not on a buddy box system and I did not learn on a buddy box.
I did pick up an old 4 Ch Futaba conquest so that I could introduce friends to RC using my planes. The 9C is the first radio I tried to use with a buddy box. I had no idea that other radios did not have this ability of selective pass through.
The abiltiy to selectively pass mixes and such to the buddybox is great. However you have taken it way beyond anything I tried to do. This is a really fanstic post. This one I will book mare AND print so I can tape into my 9C manual.
I may not take it to the degree you have, but you have given me all kinds of ideas on how to use the 9Cs trainer features.
Thanks so much!
Thanks for taking the time to documet you work[8D]!
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RE: Tips for Futaba 9C Trainer Features
One of the biggest problems at our field is people moving up to more capable airplanes when they really should be building skills with the trainer. I presume this occurs at most fields.
I hot-rod a PT20 around the field now doing every maneuver I can think of then use this technique to train with. The implication to new fliers is not to move up until they can hot-rod too. Trainers can do more than circles but people need inspiration to expand their skills. This technique is ideal for both inspiring and training.
I hot-rod a PT20 around the field now doing every maneuver I can think of then use this technique to train with. The implication to new fliers is not to move up until they can hot-rod too. Trainers can do more than circles but people need inspiration to expand their skills. This technique is ideal for both inspiring and training.
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RE: Tips for Futaba 9C Trainer Features
Hey Guys,
My instructor is big on practicing emergency procedures. The other day he told me that one thing he wants to try is to simulate a dead aileron servo. He wanted to unplug the servo from the receiver. I told him that instead we should just setup my 7c with dual rates on the ailerons with high being normal and low being zero. Set the transmitter so that mixing gets passed to the buddy box and "whammo" at the flip of a switch no ailerons. Could also be used to force the throttle to idle, funky trims could be set with offset mixes, etc. It's only limited by your imagination.
Chris
My instructor is big on practicing emergency procedures. The other day he told me that one thing he wants to try is to simulate a dead aileron servo. He wanted to unplug the servo from the receiver. I told him that instead we should just setup my 7c with dual rates on the ailerons with high being normal and low being zero. Set the transmitter so that mixing gets passed to the buddy box and "whammo" at the flip of a switch no ailerons. Could also be used to force the throttle to idle, funky trims could be set with offset mixes, etc. It's only limited by your imagination.
Chris
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RE: Tips for Futaba 9C Trainer Features
I have done something like that for people who want to fly a big plane (H9 Cap 1/3 scale). I change the expo and rate when the trainer switch is on. This allows the new giant scale pilot to have fast throws with minimum defection.