Hello,

I have just finished my first plane, a Thunder Tiger Trainer 60. I installed an OS 61FX engine and my radio is a Futaba 6EXA. My question concerns setting the low rate on my radio. I verified that the control surfaces have the correct amount of travel (per the instructions), which I assume would be MAX. But I see no reference to what percentage the LOW rate should be. One other concern is that it appears that the rudder does not utilize a dual rate setting (The radio only allows me to select ailerons and elevator) , is that correct?


Note: Before you ask, I have found a club and a training buddy. If this rain would ever stop, I could see if this big plane will fly



Thanks

The trainer instructions are assuming that you won't use rate switches (either because many basic radios don't have them, or because it's too much trouble for a beginner). I'd just set the low rate to the same as the high rate for now, and concentrate on flying. That way you can't get in trouble by accidentally hitting a switch on your TX. Later on when you are flying hotter planes (or doing silly things with the trainer), you can look in to using rate switches.

Start out with about 1/2 to 3/4 of the full rates.

Or wind them out completely to 100%.

Dual rates are really not needed on a trainer, and you could find yourself in trouble if you are trying to pull out of a bad spot and only have half of your normal control.

I always tell my students to wind them out to 100% just in case a switch accidently gets thrown.

Wow! Thanks for the quick response. I'll make sure to keep the both at 100%. Is there a reason for not being able to have dual rates on the rudder? (Im not gonna do it, I'm just curious)




One other question for the experts. My engine tends to want to run clockwise (facing the nose of the plane) which is backwards. I am using a chicken stick. I can get it to run counterclockwise like it is supposed to, but this worries me because the nut will come loose if it runs backwards. My training buddy tried his electric starter on it and finally got it to run the correct direction. But the next day i started it up and sure enough it started backwards. I called Tower and OS and they said it was broke, send it back for repair. Others have stated that the bigger 2 stroke engines will run both directions. Is there a trick to keeping the motor from starting in the wrong direction?



Many thanks

Usually an engine running backwards is the indication that you over choked it. Normally, you open the throttle and choke a few times, then close and start. Try only choking half as many times as you did before.

Also, if you are filling from a 3rd line, you may also be pumping some fuel into the carb without realizing it.

If you flip the engine forwards and runs backwards, there is an easy solution I've used.

Flip the engine backwards, it will kick and run forwards. Really.

As for no duel rates on rudder, it's just the choice of the designer of that radio. If you go up a bit in radio complexity, you'll find most do have duel rates on rudder as well. My radio has duel rates and expo on aileron, elevator, and rudder. Some radios have expo on throttle as well.