I need advice,

I have finally, really got to grips with my second plane, WM SS40..

I thought I knew what I wanted as my 3rd. It was going to be WM Groovy 3D 90. However, reading the threads on RCU, I feel a little put off. Not about the ARF, just the 3D. My radio has no EXPO on it, so even on low rates it would be extremely twitchy around neutral on the gimbals.

I want to step up from my low wing trainer to something more flexible, if thats the right word.

I love throwing my planes about a bit, not particular about speed but I like to fly, I suppose you would call it free style.

I want to go to a larger size plane, I have acquired a ASP FS120 to go in the 3d 90 but if the plane does not suit, what to put it in.

Would I get away with the 3D on low low rates initially and see how it handles.

I need some direction.

For true 3D you'll need extreme throws, especially on elevator and rudder. Most set up around 30+ degrees of elevator (and ailerons) and 40 degrees of rudder.

With those throws and no expo, landings would be especially difficult. It may be possible to tame the throws substantially with low rates, but I don't know your transmitter's capabilities.

WHat IS possible, is to set your throws for more normal flight parameters and fly the plane as you would a sport flyer. Say 10 degrees of elevator and ailerons, 20 for rudder.

It's the massive control throws that "make" a 3D plane, combined with the size of the control surfaces of course. So, you should be able to tame the plane enough to fly it with your existing equipment.

Good luck,
Dennis-

Oh, by the way, mixing is not a necessity for 3D. There are times when you might want to mix say ailerons and elevator for a particular manuever, and assign that mix to a switch, but generally you don't want things mixed, because you need independant control of all surfaces to fly 'beyond' a stall.

Others who actually fly 3D may have other opinions.
Dennis-

We fly with no expo and no mixing.. You just have to really be.... very... percise with your thumb movements..

EXPO is nice to have to.. since I stepped up to a 1.20 sized bird it's very hard to fly on high rates with no expo.

Also with the 1.20 I set it up with flaperon mixing.. This way I can experiment with short fields and such...

So NO you don't HAVE to have mixing and expo but boy it sure is nice.. Just save up some cash, sell some stuff.. and get yourself a nice 6-7 channel comp. radio

On high rate I use up to 70% expo. On my 40% I may end up with as many as 5 or 6 mixes. The AMA mag this month as a article on different mixing. The set up for IMACC is different then 3-D. Buy the best radio you can afford. The radio is the heart of the plane. Then burn a lot of fuel. Dennis

If you're looking for a great plane to begin 3D with, buy a Hanger 9 Twist. This plane can perform 3D with ease and you can forget about the expo too! Huge barndoor throws plus, Futaba 3004 servos are fast, strong and cheap enough to do the job. All this for $99! You can build yourself a SPA3DT for around $15 too, but the Twist looks and performs outstandingly.

Thank's for the help,

Unfortunately I am limited to World Model ARF's, thats all my local model shop (3 hours train ride away in central China) can get hold of
. I have got Futaba S9252's to go in her. Will they be OK??

I feel a lot better now. I feel I am prepared for the step up. I will set her up quite tame to start, and see, then make small changes to suit. Probably more like an extream sport flyer than 3D

My radio gear is not good for this, I know. The problem is, I am in China, and I can not get hold of Radio equipment that will be legal back in the UK. The freqencies used here are illegal in the UK. I have 8 week's left on my contract, then I can go home and join a club and get some serious radio gear. With that in mind I don't want to waiste too much money on equipment I will be leaving behind.

I have talked to the World Models sales rep in the UK and he said the Groovy 90 3D is getting vary good feed back his customers. It is a relatively new ARF, so there is not too many about.
Should be interesting.

Thanks for the help gent's

BTW. The ASP FS120AR is SO SWEET

I fly 3d with no expo and no mixing. On the right plane, this is quite possible. My 3d plane is a wasp-like home-design (profile fuse with thick symmetric wing). it weighs under 4 pounds and has an OS .46 for power. Because of the low wing loading, it is easy to land, even with no expo or dual rates. I use only 4 servos, so no flaperons or spoilerons either. Don't be afraid to do 3d with a simple 4 channel radio. it can be done.

DMcQuinn,

Thanks for the support I am feeling pretty good about giving this a go. It is a bit dawnting at moment, it's a 120 size plane[X(]. But I am told it is very stable at any speed