Originally Posted by
Hydro Junkie
Throttle and ailerons on one stick? I know that's referred to as "Mode 1" but I don't think I've ever seen anyone with a transmitter with that set up. Seems like it would be counter-intuitive, to me anyway. With that said, I have seen single stick surface transmitters set up that way that I found hard to use. Most, if not all, transmitters are set up at the factory for "Mode 2", throttle and rudder on the left, aileron and elevator on the right. It may be possible to get a transmitter to work on "Mode 3", but it may require an internal modification that would require sending it to a repair shop, be it the manufacturer or an independent one like Radio South.
Your Limbo Dancer will need at least a 6 channel radio to really make use of the dual servo aileron set up. The advantages are:
- you can set the throw of each servo up independent of the opposite side where, if you use a "Y" adapter or a "Y" with a 4 channel radio, your adjustments affect both sides unless you make the adjustments using the linkages
- they can also be programmed to act like flaps or spoilers
- unlike using a single servo, of one fails, you should still have a bit of control since the other should be unaffected, other than by a complete system failure in the transmitter, receiver or battery pack
There are a few disadvantages as well:
- the radio must be programmed to operate two servos on channels 1 and (normally on Futaba, IIRC) 6. The instruction book will tell you have to do that
- you will need to use extension cords between the receiver and servos. This gives you an additional point of failure unless you make the connection between the servo and extension permanent in some way
- you need to be very careful and attentive when doing the connecting of the wing servos and preflight at the field. It's very easy to hook the servos up to the wrong channel port(s) on the receiver and have the ailerons move backwards or not at all
Cheers Hydro Junkie.
I am based in the UK, and this was a long time ago so that may be why havent you seen anyone on mode 1, I think it was the 'go to' mode in the 90s over here. I was being taught by a guy in a club so I inherited his style of flying. But I agree with you, it doesnt make sense to me.
Mode 3 seems to the equivalent of Mode 2 but for left handers? I was thinking of an 8-channel radio? That should be enough?