I own a Tower Hobbies System3000 and I was just wondering . . .

Are the System3000 controls different from my Futaba TXs or did I hook up my controls wrong on the Futabas?
On the System3000 the rudder control is on the LEFT stick (ch#1) instead of the RIGHT stick (with the elevator control) as I have it on my Futaba's, and the aileron control is on the RIGHT side (ch#4 I believe) unlike my Futaba's which are on the LEFT stick (ch#1).
Are the controls supposed to be reversed on the two brands or are the rudder controls supposed to be on the LEFT stick (ch#1) on my Futaba airplanes?

Please let me know ASAP as I will need to bring my Kadet LT-40 and Senioritta up from the cellar to change to the left stick.

I don't believe I have the channels wrong on the Futabas because I have that booklet and that is how they are displayed:
Elevator and rudder = right stick, Ailerons and throttle = left stick

As I have them hooked up now for the System3000: Elevator and ailerons = right stick, Rudder and throttle = left stick

Please straighten this out for me.

Thank you

It sounds like your Futaba transmitter is Mode 1 (Europe) and your Tower Transmitter is Mode 2 (North America). You can have either converted to the opposite mode by sending them in for factory service.

Tiger,
Have you double checked the channel assignments for the radio?? Because the rudder should be on the left stick for both radios.

Ken

G'day Mate,
Depends on what type of aircraft you are flying, & what mode you fly, if you fly mode 2, & the primary control is the rudder, (3 channel) then rudder would be on the right stick, if ailerons are your primary control, then ailerons would be on the right stick.
More info please, would be helpful.

Which one is the correct AMERICAN way? I don't want to ship any away for factory work so what are the chances I will remember this difference when flying the different planes?

Should I just keep them the way they are and hope I remember?

So the System3000 is correct and the Futabas are wrong.

Another beginner's question. The Futaba TX which the rudder is on the right is a computer radio. Is there an option on computer radios that can switch it to MODE 1?

There is no "correct" way in America. But the majority of people here in the US fly Mode 2. If you decide to fly Mode 1 then you're probably going to wind up having a hard time finding an instructor to help you out.

Ken

It's not really "right" or "wrong" as much as it is simply a matter of what you're used to. Like driving on the left side of the road, or drinking your beer at room temperature...

I can set up the System3000 to have the rudder on the right side and ailerons on the left. BUT: The reverse switches on the radio will not match the channels anymore.

What should I do? Leave it the way it is and hope I remember the difference when I fly the Tower Hobbies Trainer 40 OR switch it as mentioned above and just not have the reverse switches match the channels?

I am used to having the rudder and elevator on the right stick and the throttle and ailerons on the left stick, but I don't want to send to manufacturer to change.
Beer at room temperature [:'(]

It sounds like you've already logged a fair amount of flight time with your Futaba transmitters set up for Mode 1. If that's the case, I'd recommend you fly with your new Tower transmitter set up the same way that you've been used to.

Actually I have not flown any planes yet [:@] I am too scared of crashing I guess. I just want all my TXs the same mode.

You need to decide what will or won't work for you, but setting up different modes for different planes is simply begging to crash. Send in the Futabas for conversion to mode 2, send in the Tower for conversion to mode 1, or simply reverse the setup on the Tower to match the Futabas. Just don't have different transmitters set up with different stick assignments.

If you haven't done any flying, sell your Mode 1 gear. Flying is based on muscle memory. Once you've got the movements down, you don't think about them when you fly. Mix your modes, and you're likely move the wrong control at the wrong time. If you stick with Mode 1, you'll always have to buy it--and it's uncommon here, which will limit your options. You won't be easily able to fly other peoples' planes, either.

In my opinion, keeping what you have at this point makes very little sense.

So Mode 2 if using an instructor. It is my understanding now that RC clubs fly in mode2 then? Mode 2 (which is what the System3000 is) is as follows: Please fill in the correct ch# for me . . .
LEFT stick = Rudder, channel #____; Throttle, channel # ____
RIGHT stick = Elevator, channel #____;Ailerons, channel # ____

I do occassionally have a problem with elevator and rudder being on the same side as sometimes when I move the rudder stick the elevator moves also (that could probably be a problem during flight but wouldn't that also cause a problem with elevator/ailerons?

So back to my other question as well: Does my 4EXA Futaba computer TX have the option of changing the mode to 2?

I love this quick responses. You guys are awesome. Thank you!!! I am comfused, but thank you

Here are the modes.

Any radio can be changed between modes, but you want an authorized service center to do it. It's not something you want to mess with yourself.

Ken

Futaba's mode two channel assignments are
Channel 1: Ailerons
Channel 2: Elevator
Channel 3: Throttle
Channel 4: Rudder

Look at your Futaba radio. From right to left are the trim adjustments. On the right side gimbal you have Aileron (Channel 1) that slides or clicks left and right. You also have Elevator (Channel 2) going up and down.
On the left side gimbal you have Throttle (Channel 3) going up and down, and Rudder (Channel 4) going left to right.

The trim switch layout matches how Futaba assigns their channels. Kind of like and arch going right to left in ascending channel number order. I came across this little mavel of engineering by accident. Knowing this little trick really makes it easy to setup an aircraft.

What it really sounds like, is you set up your servo connections wrong. The Tower System 3000 is made for Tower by Futaba, as Tower has a vested interested in Great Planes and Futaba. Change the connection of your ailerons and rudder at your RECEIVER to match the layout I gave you above, and you shouldn't have any more mix up problems.

This should also keep you from spending any money on shipping your radios back and allow you to spend it at the LHS instead.

Please PM me if you have anymore questions.

I am checking my Futaba booklet right now: Maybe I could have gotten it wrong.

I will get back to you on that:

So you can't just simply tell the computer radio to switch to Mode 2 in its memory?

How about my Futaba 4YF? Has anyone used one? Will that read mode 2 correctly?

Was not expecting this, so I will ask the question some of you are dying to ask: Why do I have so many radio systems?
I don't really have an answer to that, I am a shop-a-holic when it comes to RC. I need help [&:]

I've got a 4yf I use for a buddy box and on my sim. My flightline radio is the Futaba T6EXA (FM). Both are mode two. The computer does not have the ability to change modes. Contact me at vertigo72480 on Yahoo Instant Messenger. I'll be glad to help you out.

So I have the Futaba channels messed up. I am studying the booklet now, I will be back later. Thank you.

The System3000 uses Futaba's layout. It's made for Tower by Futaba.

Tigerdude, which stick on the futaba radio in question radio has the racthet action,(isn't spring loaded) the left or right?

Well don't I feel stupid now [sm=bananahead.gif]. I just pulled my LT-40 out and took a look at it. IT IS SET at mode 2 -
Channel 1: Ailerons (right stick)
Channel 2: Elevator (right stick)
Channel 3: Throttle (left stick)
Channel 4: Rudder (left stick)

I need a vacation. Sorry to waste all of your time asking something I shouldn't have forgotten about setting up the first plane I built. Another reason for getting out and learning to fly. If I had been flying the plane I would have remembered.

I would rather you waste my time when it is 10 degress above 0 and dark, then have you get to the field and hurt yourself or someone else. There is nothing wrong with asking questions. How do you think I figured this all out?

Get in touch with me in the future if you have questions. I'll see what I can do for you.

But now I have another question regarding radios.

On my Senioritta - I use the same Futaba T4EXA radio as my LT-40 uses (flight pack with same frequency, same type of receiver and servos, etc.) and when the antenna is extended all the servos work great and smooth. But when the antenna is collapsed the servos jump around in a terrible frenzy out of control, and stop again when I extend the antenna.

WHY?

EDIT: No I do not have the LT-40 turned on at the same time. I make double-sure the RX is off. And everything works beautiful on the LT-40 with antenna extended and collapsed. So its not the TX.