Hi Guys,
Another question for the more experienced among us. Can someone explain Aileron differential please. I thought I read somewhere that idealy when each aileron goes up the corresponding down Aileron should be less, is that how it goes?

The reason I ask is that I recently hooked up my plane using the flaperon setup on my JR radio, a lead for each aileron servo, one to the Aileron channel the other to Aux 1 as shown in the manual. Apart from giving flaperon capability it is supposed to provide Aileron differential.
When first set up with a "Y " lead I had 10mm travel up and down, when changed to the flaperon setup I had 10mm on the up but only 5 to 6mm on the down aileron, is this about right or am I way off the mark?

Any explanations would be most appreciated, thanks.

Rod.

Loupus, I am not the expert in theoretical aerodynamics, but I can tell you that most models I've flown will roll more axially with some amount of differential. I have got to the point where I routinely set up my aileron linkages with some built-in differential (both aileron servo arms rolled forward 5-10Ëš from perpendicular with ailerons set at neutral). What theory tells us is that lift induces more drag, so that the lifting wing with the aileron going down will pull the plane off axis in a roll. What you will see is, as you roll the fuselage does not stay on the flight axis, but wanders a bit as it goes around. When I set up a new model, I look for some visible difference between the two ailerons at full deflection, the up-going aileron somewhat more displaced than the down-going. Then I fly it and see if I think it needs adjustment.

This never concerned me at all until I started flying pattern, in which rolls that are anything other than axial will be downgraded. Now that I know about it, it bothers me when I see any of my planes rolling with a wobble. Before I knew about it, I would just throw the aileron stick over, the plane would roll, and nobody ever said to me, "Hey, you wobbled."

So if you have 10 mm up and 5 down, that could be OK, although it sounds to me like a bit much of a difference--but maybe not. Best way to know is fly the plane. My Futaba TX provides for adjusting differential by pushing buttons, and I don't know exactly how JR's approach may differ. If you're off, it's not going to be a crashing problem, so don't lose any sleep over it.

I will say, once you're sensitized to the axial roll business, it is a lot better when your rolls look like you're on a rail.

Thankyou Majortom, your explanation has helped considerably and I do understand what you mean. I will start setting up the Ailerons as you described and take it from there, Thanks again.

Rod.

if you have a plane with servos mounted in each wing in the old days before computers you would use a y harness to link the servos together to function in the same manner as a single servo.but thank god for computers..now you plug the wing servos into different channels on futaba channels 1 and 6 and program the transmitter so when you move your aileron stick both servos will operate travelling in opposite directions for left and right.the travel of each wil likely need ajusting but its a great feature for linking ailerons without harnesses ..I am using wing mixing on my 3D and giant plane..you can add flaperons with it as well ..then you can slow that fast bird to a slow landing somewhere on the club field and not the tall grass.lol..