ORIGINAL: hon
Which is the best controller mode for gliders? I am a beginner and most guys in my club fly mode 1. I am a pilot myself and find mode 3 (pitch/roll on left stick and throttle/yaw on right stick) the most natural for me. However, will I find this a disadvantage if I move onto more complex glider in the future?
Mode only matters in two instances:
1) you want to teach someone else ( you know mode 3 and their equiment is mode 1 or 2)
2) you want to let someone else fly your plane (No good if they know mode 1 and you are set-up Mode 3)
Mode 3 is one of the less commonly used formats as far as I can tell. Seems mode 2 is most popular globally followed by Mode 1 outside North America. I have never seen a radio advertised in Mode 3, though some can be reconfigured to Mode 3.
Many of the more advanced sailplane radios offer a software setting for modes. You can select mode 1-4 from a menu. Look for this feature when you look for a new radio.
I am not sure, but I think these provide software Mode select,but you need to check before you buy..
Hitec Aurora 9
Airtronics SG10
Futaba 8FG
JR 9503
Multiplex EV0 9.
These are US names and may differ in your country.