ORIGINAL: CGRetired

I currently have 8 glow planes, and as you can see by my signature, a few of them are high-performers (Pattern type planes). As MINN suggested, I follow with that suggestion. Not a one of my planes have dual rates. I don't fly 3D.

I set the throws based on the manufacturers recommendations, and leave it at that. I do use Exponential, though, which, to me, is much better than dual rates. You get a soft entry, with more radical if needed... but never exceeding manufacturers settings. And, there is not one maneuver that I can't do with the settings as they are without dual rates. It's just another switch to forget to use propery.

I was at the field a while back. A rather new guy was there with a Something Extra and an OS .55 AX engine on board. Nice plane. He bought it from another club member. The person he bought it from had throws way beyond manufacturers recommendations with dual rates. The guy that bought the plane put it up for "his maiden" and was all over the sky with it. I was totally surprised that he didn't crash it. I ran over to him and asked him if he needed help, and he yelled YES.. YES.. Please!!! He was at the point where he was unable to get ahead of the thing and was just moments from crashing.. he could not coordinate himself to even climb to gain a safe altitude to hand it over to me. So, I told him to give me the transmitter.

I immediately realized that the thing was "out of control" and asked what switch was the dual rates switch. He pointed, I switched it and it calmed down... a bit. I could fly it ok, but it was way beyond what he could clearly do. I flew a few orbits to get the feel of the plane, then landed it.

I helped him take out the dual rates, then I helped him re-adjust his throws to within what I thought was ok (no book with me at that point) and I flew it again. Much better, but not yet there. So, I landed it and removed yet more throw out of all controls, and flew it a third time. I though it was where he could now fly the thing, but I also added about 30% exponential. That did the trick.

I gave him back his transmitter and told him to fly it. So, up he went. The look on his face at that point made it all worth while. He was overjoyed that he could manage to fly it without fear.

If it's a sport plane, and you don't do 3D, then I suggest you leave out the dual rates, set the throws according to the specs, and add some exponential.

CGr.