Does having a 3 channel plane mean it can bank?

3 Channel planes kind of use the rudder to kick the wing around to a turning attitude. You still need to apply the appropriate amount of elevator etc. to negotiate the turn properly. 3 channel planes also tend to have more dihedral for the reasons stated above. What are you flying, or thinking about flying_bob

Holodoc41,

Usually a 3 channel plane allows the pilot to control the elevator, throttle, and the rudder, where a 4 channel plane would add control of the ailerons. Almost all planes turn by banking, and then using up elevator. On a rudder-only plane, the wings have more dihedral ( the wing tips are higher than than the inboard ends ), which causes them to bank when the rudder is used. On a plane with ailerons ( the flap-like control surfaces on the wings ), the ailerons are used to bank the plane, and the wing doesn't need as much, or any, dihedral. So 3 channel planes bank, but not in the same way that 4 channel planes do. Opinions differ, but I recommend 4 channels, if you have the option.

banktoturn

What an appropriate username to answer this question

thanks alot, Im looking at various 3 channel planes at the moment and couldn't work out how they banked, this will help alot.

Thanks

One other thing if you get a regular 4-6 channel radio and use it in a 3 channel plane connecting the rudder servo to the airleron port on the rx will allow you to use the same stick for turning the plane that you would use on a full house model. this will give your fingers practice when you trade up to a plane with airlerons

If your trainer plane has a tricycle landing gear setup, i strongly recommend using 4 channels and 4 servos. As Crashem said, put the rudder servo to the aileron input (rudder wiggles when right stick wiggles side to side).

The take servo #4 and hook it up to the nose gear for steering. Hook this servo into the rudder port (side to side movement on the left stick)

This way when you graduate to a 4 channel plane, you won't have to relearn about steering the plane on the ground (which will be on your left stick on a 4 channel plane).

Also, it makes it easier on us old, stuck in a rut instructors who are used to steering onthe ground using the left stick. And you will need an instructor to learn to fly (at least eith minimal crash damage).

Take care and let us know how things are going.

If your trainer plane has a tricycle landing gear setup, i strongly recommend using 4 channels and 4 servos. As Crashem said, put the rudder servo to the aileron input (rudder wiggles when right stick wiggles side to side).

The take servo #4 and hook it up to the nose gear for steering. Hook this servo into the rudder port (side to side movement on the left stick)

This way when you graduate to a 4 channel plane, you won't have to relearn about steering the plane on the ground (which will be on your left stick on a 4 channel plane).

Also, it makes it easier on us old, stuck in a rut instructors who are used to steering onthe ground using the left stick. And you will need an instructor to learn to fly (at least eith minimal crash damage).

Take care and let us know how things are going.

If you fly a three channel airplane with a computer radio, plug the rudder servo into the aileron channel as stated above. This gives you roll control on the right stick as with a full house airplane. THen also mix the rudder stick to the aileron channel and remind yourself to use the left stick to steer on the ground and the right stick to bank and initiate a turn in the air.