ORIGINAL: flaphoto
So, if I setup the flaps to help out the ailerons, I don't set them up to align with what the ailerons are doing, I set them up to follow them, but with about 50% of their throw? Though I will eventually want to get this thing to roll nicely and do similar aerobatics, occasionally, for now I just want enough control authority to get me out of trouble as I become more comfortable flying into landing patterns...currently my weak point I am working on (got 5 landings now to my credit[X(].
Any good books out there for this sort of setup detail? Maybe its time for me to invest on one or two of the setup videos that are out there for sailplanes.
The purpose of having the flaps follow the ailerons, in a thermal duration glider, is to be able to get the same amont of roll force using less throw on the ailerons. This produces less drag allowing the plane to fly more efficently. In addition the smaller throws, produce less adverse yaw which will then require less rudder input to create an efficent turn. Again, this reduces drag. Testing has shown that the flaps should move less than the ailerons, say about 25% to 50% of aileron throw.
In order to do this you need the flaps to each be on separate servos and you need a computer radio that can address all four wing servos independently as you are changing the behavior of the flaps. Now, the flaps move opposite each other rather than together.
So, for example, a Futaba 6 EXAS or 7C, Hitec Flash 5SX or Optic 6 could not do this. Hitec Eclispe 7, Futaba 9C, Jr 9303, Airtroncis Stylus, Multiplex EVO 9 can. There are others, I just use these as examples.
When I am advising people on radios, this is one of the key features I talk about as I feel this is a very important feature for the "serious" sailplane pilot. This is referred to as 4 wing servo capability. There can be a significant jump in price in order to get into a radio that has this feature.