You definitely dont need exponential for a trainer. You really dont need it for a second plane that has the control surface throws set correctly.


You dont necessarily need it for warbirds that are typically setup with relatively low control surface throws. Warbirds, although somewhat fast are generally pretty tame except landings due to excessively high wing loadings.

But once/if you move on to airplanes that require precise control like pattern , IMAC and 3D planes ESPECIALLY 3D planes, exponential becomes an invaluable tool. I have tried about everything, and I will tell you right now, the more throw you are using and the more smoothly you want to fly the more valuable expo will become.

Also something else that figures into the mix, generally speaking people who fly pinch use a lot less expo than people who fly thumbs.

Here is how expo is supposed to be used.
1. Setup the plane for the maximum throw that you will NEED for your most demanding maneuver on the lowest rate.
2. Fly the plane, if you find that it feels like the slightest correction causes the plane to move more than you want it to you ease in a little expo at a time until you get the desired feel for your tastes.
3. Now switch to high rate, and dial in expo until the plane responds the same right around the center. That is when trying to fly normally, but on the higher rate, the plane is not overly sensitive. If you go too far it will feel mushy, if you dont use enough expo, even the gentlest touch will overcorrect.


Again, you dont need it for a trainer nor do you need it on most FF planes or warbirds. You should not really need it until you start trying to fly really smoothly or start using significantly different dual/triple rate setups.