ORIGINAL: dgholmes59

I have heard this at my field as well. I use the Rudder extensively. So much so, I crashed my first trainer when I changed out a rudder servo and did not check the direction of travel. I flew it into the ground before I knew what I did. When I told my buddies what happened, they asked why I was using the rudder. They said they never use the rudder.

For me, Rudder is very important especially when doing any 3D maneuvers. Trainers, due to flat bottom wing, also can have adverse Yaw and the rudder can correct and actually improve the ability to land. Rudder can actually help the novice by removing the adverse yaw and allow them to progress to the next level quicker. One can do this without them fiddling with the rudder stick as well (one less thing for them to worry about. Can bring in rudder stick in later). There are two ways, one is mixing the aileron/rudder in the radio or using a Y-connector and connecting the aileron and rudder servos to the aileron channel on the receiver. When turning left with the ailerons, the rudder turns left to coordinate the turn. Can really improve turning flight and successful landings. The throws are set normally prior to mixing the channels.

Yes, flying can be done without rudder, but the full potential of the airplane will not be reached without it. There are so many factors working against the airplane in flight, that the rudder is absolutely necessary to fly good clean patterns. Just like you can fly some planes without ailerons using the rudder, they can be flown without the rudder using ailerons. The best pilots use all 4 channels, not just 3. But you don't have to bring all of the channels in all at once for the beginner. The easier you can get them to successful flying, landing and takeoff, the better. <br type=''_moz'' />