First off to clarify, I am a 3D newbie. But I have a question.

I fly a H9 Cap (1/4) with Moki 1.8. I fly with ailerons and rudder in high rate all the time, easy to manage, in fact I like the quick response. BUT, the high rate (3D) for the elevator is a different matter. It's soooo easy to get a little frisky with it trying to recover from something and snap the plane.

I am making myself learn to fly the plane more with the 3D elevator throws on. I'm working hard on elevators/harriers and would like to start bringing them down. BUT, I don't need to be fooling around with a rate switch trying to recover a fall-out at low altitude.

That said. What do you do? Flip low rates on as soon as you finish a 3D manuever? Or fly out in 3D elevator rates just breathing on the stick to avoid trouble? I'm curious and would like to hear from those who have done a bit of 3D.

YES, I am running some expo in high rate elevator, but I have also found too much expo makes the elevator hit hard about mid stick instead of a better more linear feel. Running 50% now with +/- 45 degree throws on 3D rate.

Your not supposed to be able to fly around on 3D rates at all. If you can you don't have enough throw.

I use a little less expo than you but Expo to me is a personal thing. everyone uses something different.

I guess for me flipping the switch depends on what I am getting out of. If I have some room I may leave it on if not, I flip the switch right away.

Most guys I have seen do the same thing. Flip when you need to get out of all the throw in the elevator.

Chris, I have 45 degrees positive and negative on 3D rate elevator and the plane is quite capable (more so than I am). And yes I can fly the plane around with 3D rate on. It is spooky but I was doing it today. In fact I was practicing flying into an elevator, power to a harrier, hold it, power up and fly out at constant altitude, circle the field and repeat above. All while in 3D elevator rate.

Of course this is done at a nice comfy altitude. As nervous as the 3D rate makes me up there, I got a lot of work to do to bring it down.

Learn to use the switch. After a while you won't even think about it, it'll be 2nd nature. BTW thats why it's there.