I have a futaba 7CAP radio. I just hooked up the control rods on my plane. The problem is, in order to get the control surfaces to center to the neutral position, I have to deflect the stick around. When I release the stick, the control surfances deflect. Is there a way to center the surfaces by deflecting the stick, then electronically tell the radio that that position in the neutral position?

I'd rather not have to go back and change the Z bend in the push rods.

Thanks.

If it is not off too far you could just use the trim to get it centered. If its off a lot just turn the threaded clevis in or out for the control horns. (assuming you have threaded clevises).

I guess the 7CAP radio is a computer radio?? If so you should
have a center type adjustment from your radio for the control
surfaces.. But get the rods as close as possible before..

You know how to do this with the 7CAP?

I think that this is what the sub-trim menu on the 7C is for.

I don't have a futaba, So I can't help.. You should be able to find
it in your manual.. If you don't have one, You may be able to
download it from the futaba site..

You can center the surfaces from the sub-trim menu. Or you can just use the trims on the radio to center them. But I will stress this, get them centered as much mechanically as possible FIRST! Use the radio as a last resort. Between centering the servo horns, and adjusting clevises, you should be able to get very close. Mechanically first! If you get in the habit of centering with teh radio, then you will wind up loosing travel in one diretion or the other. Not a big deal on a trainer but when you're trying to fly a 3D plane it can become and issue. Mechanically center them as close as possible FIRST!


Andy

The problem is that the servo when deflecting over the rudder, won't throw it far enough.

If you have enough servo are travel, just increase the ATV. That will increase the throw amount. If the servo arm wont throw it far enough, before it starts the other way, then you need to get larger servo horns.

To increase travel at the surface, you would move the linkage out on the servo arm and in on the control surface. Once again, get it close mechanically then set your limits with the radio.


Andy

Listen to Andy about mechanically setting first, and about using the locations on the servo arm and control horns. You may need longer servo arms if you can't get enough throw.

Your best bet is to pretend you have a non computer radio until you get everything almost perfect, then use ATV or End Point Adjustment for fine tuning. Once the plane is trimmed in flight, use the clevises again to reset trim settings and only use electronic trims to fine tune if you can't get exact.

Computer radios are great, but they aren't magic.
Dennis-

I'm not sure if anyone has covered this, but there is a very important 1st step when programming all computer radios.

1. The first thing you should do is to perform a "Model Reset." At least, that's what it is called on JR radios. There is a similar function on Futaba radios. What this does is to clear out all the old programming and reset all the channels to neutral. Neglect to do this and you are courting disaster. You could have an old mix left in that will bite you later when you least expect it. Don't tell me it's a new radio and never been programmed. It may be one that was checked for functionality during assembly and could still have some type of programming left in.
2. Next, install the servos and put the control arms on. If they aren't exactly centered, 90 degrees to the servo, go to subtrim for that channel and center them.
3. Hook up controls and adjust mechanically as close as possible to where you want them.
4. Now go back and make minor subtrim adjustments for centering as necessary.
5. Adjust your end points and dual rates.