Hi all,
This probably sounds stoopid but I just want to make sure I have it right.
I have my transmitter(eclipse 7) setup as follows: left hand side for elevators and rudder
right hand for throttle and ailerons

Should the elevators and ailerons be on the same control stick(left)? This actually makes more sense to me and have seen it in a set of instructions but it is the opposite to the way mine was setup when I purchased it? Is it a personalised thing?
Any help would be great as this is my first plane build and I want to make sure I have it right.
Thanks

I believe that the European Mode is as you stated. Currently North American Mode is Left stick is Throttle/Rudder, Right stick is Aileron/Elevator. Im sure someone will come along with abit of a more detailed explanation. Hopefully an Aussie, cuz to all us Yanks, your box be bazackwards. Sorta like that whole drivin on the left side of the road thing

spritzen, the radio you have is set up for Mode 1 , which is the predominant mode used in Australia.You can have it converted to Mode 2, but before you do , i would ensure you have an instructor familiar with that mode. Very few pilots use Mode 2 in AUstralia.Once you start your instructions , you will find it is quite easy to handle Mode 1
Good Luck with your flying

Spritzen,

There are 4 different combinations of how to setup the 4 primary control movements on 4 primary stick movements. These are called the control “modes”.

Mode 1 is aileron and throttle on right stick, rudder and elevator on left. This is the mode you currently have.

Mode 2 is aileron and elevator on the right stick, rudder and throttle on the left. This has become the more common in the USA and is the standard way a new radio is supplied in the USA these days. I don't know how the US market effects availability in your area.

Swap left for right above and you get mode 3 and 4.

Before computer radios, to swap modes all you had to do was swap a spring and ratchet on the gimbals. With computer transmitters there are channel assignment software issues to consider.

Both modes are still widely used. Most people use a particular mode because that is what everyone else in their area is using. I started flying on mode 1. Years later I moved to a new area where everyone flew mode 2 so I converted. I also switched because I started flying full scale, and right stick mode 2 works the same as a full scale control stick.

Both have their plusses and minuses. Basically the central issue is precision of finger movement. When you move a stick along one axis, it is difficult to maintain an exact deflection position of the same stick along the other axis.

For example mode 1 is particularly nice for doing slow rolls. On the right stick set airspeed via power and roll rate via aileron deflection. Then that stick doesn’t move any more and your brain can forget it. Then the left stick is moved in a circle. For a right roll apply L rudder then down elevator then R rudder then up elevator, to keep the nose up as the plane revolves. For this maneuver mode 2 requires coordinating movement of both sticks (fingers) simultaneously. It could be argued that mode 2 is easier for just fun flying. The basic controls for maneuvering in the air are aileron and elevator. For maneuvering on the ground it is rudder and throttle. So right stick for flying and left stick for taxi takeoff and landing roll. Brain only has to think about one stick at a time. But since mode 1 separates these primary movements, it could be argued that mode 1 might be more precise overall.

Of course a really good pilot will use all 4 controls all the time in coordination. This ability depends on practice rather than the choice of mode. Having flown both, for many years each, I see no real advantage in the long run. My general advice is go with mode 2, only because it seems to be the more common these days. But for sure it is easier to go with mode 1 if that is how radios are being supplied and how others are flying in your area. Which ever mode you practice is the one you get good at. This subject will however stir up some old old arguments from the die hard competitors.

Multiflyer

Thanks for that guys,

If mode1 is standard in aust I'll stick with it, it just seem that if the elevators and ailerons were on the same stick be it left or right it would be a bit easier to learn.

Could swap the rudder and aileron servo spots I spose? Dont know if thats a good idea or not?

Oh well as our ex prime minister said "life wasn't meant to be easy"

Thx again Paul

How is it set up on you simulator that helped you to learn how to fly ? If you don't have a simulator get one and practice flying both ways to figure out which makes sense. GL.

Hi fiend

Have a simulator on order but its taking awhile to get here, will stuff around and see whats comfortable.
My problem is I have been flying IL2 with a satiek x45 on the pc flying sim for about a year and a half now and have got interested in RC
with the x45 I tend not to use the rudder much except for strafing and the odd real tight turn because of its position.