Guys, had a guy tell me I should be using high rates on take offs and landings with my warbird?
I thought you were supposed to use low rates on take offs and landings?
Please explain fellas.

P.S. The new Futaba 9C I have on order will have triple rates. Thoughts? Thanks.

i guess that would depend on how high you have your high rates set.Most of my planes have the high rates set so high that it would not be good to taker off and land with them but a couple of them are set on the tame side and i never take them off of high rates.hope this answer helps you have fun as for the triple rates i dont have a radio with that feature yet

Pardon my ignorance.

Could you explain what these rates are, low, high, triple?

High and low rates refer to the throw limits of controll surfaces on model aircraft.
These rates are adjusted with computer radio transmitters.
Low rates are generally used during takeoffs and landings to help you not overcontroll, banking or pitching.
High rates can be used to cause extreme travel in ailerons, elevator, ect to perform aerobatic maneuvers and tricks while a safe distance above ground.

Paul,
I like to use low rates on takeoff and medium rates on landings with my new Extra. The reason for low rates on Takeoff is so I don't accidentally overcontrol the aircraft by using too much elevator or rudder. I like using medium rates for landings because you don't have as much airflow over the tail due to the lower engine speed, and you need enough control to keep the nose up when flaring. In addition, you are already in the air and have adjusted to the high rates, so you shouldn't be worried about overcontrolling the plane. I think you probably won't need three rates for Warbird flying, but it is nice for aerobatics. I have a 9C and absolutely love it, and so will you.

Backwing, a Rate basically means how much the control surfaces move when you move the sticks on the transmitter. Low rate = little movement, and high rate = lots of movement.

"Rates" actually refers to the total amount of movement that is available from a control surface (rudder, elevator, aileron). Low rates would mean that with the control stick on your transmitter moved to its limit, the appropriate control surface moves a small amount. Smaller movements of the surfaces mean aerodynamic force is available to make whatever maneuver you are trying to do happen. Maneuvers are slower and gentler. Higher rates mean that the control surfaces move more for the same input from the transmitter. Maneuvers are executed more quickly and more advanced maneuvers become possible.

The term dual or triple rates means that by flipping a switch on your transmitter you can change from low rates to high and possibly even one setting between while flying. You may want low rates for take-offs, landings and smooth high-speed aerobatics, mid rates for more aggressive aerobatics like snaps and spins, and high rates for 3D stuff like hovers, harriers, blenders and stuff.

Different types of flying require different "rate" settings. I've seen pylon racers with so little control surface movement that you'd swear they had none, and I've seen 3D planes that wag their tails like a happy puppy when hovering.

If you have a relatively fast Internet connection, go to scaleaerobatics.com and have a look at some of the videos from the 2002 Tournament of Champions, if you watch the airplane, you can see a TON of movement on the control surfaces during slow maneuvers.

If you have a 6 channel radio, you can set rate travel (dual rates) for your ailerons / elevators.

Okay, what do we mean about Hi/Lo rates? By default, the plane manufacturer will give you a range of travel for the aforementioned; say 3/8” up/down for both aileron/elevator. Let’s say that’s your Hi rate, meaning typical controlled/snappy flight. This can be a problem for the beginner or someone that doesn’t want a very touchy control stick.

So, this is where the dual rates come in. We now set our low rates to 50% (or whatever you like for throw deflection) of the 3/8” travel, let’s say 1/8” of travel for Lo rates.

Lo rates are more forgiving, as you can input more stick throw and not affect the plane as drastically compared to Hi rates.

Hi rates are great for aerobatics, tight responsive reactions to your controls.
Lo rates are great for smooth scale flying, landing, and takeoff.

Best thing I’ve found, personally, set Hi rates to manufacture’s recommended throws, and set Lo rates to ½ of those throws. Take off at low rates (unless you’re limited with runway and if you are, gain speed first!) fly your plane, gain some altitude and then switch to Hi. Keep in mind; the throws are going to be more sensitive.

Keeping a safe altitude (say 200 ft.), play around with the Hi/Lo switch and watch how your plane responds. If the rates are to HIGH or to LOW, adjust AFTER you land. Keep testing the rates, fly, land, adjust, etc.

As for the Warbird, I have a P-51 and it really depends on how much runway you have. You don't want a high angle of attack at takeoff, as you might stall the plane. Just let her gain speed and slowly feed up elevator. Don't force the takeoff, you'll be pleasantly surprised how they handle. When your airborne, feed a little more elevator (this is NOT a stunt plane) as you gain speed.

Again, this is where Lo rate will come in handy. I use 70% throw for Lo rates, but that's just me talking.

WOW! Thanks for the info.

Personally, I never use them. I would if I had a "Fun Fly" type plane, but otherwise, I just leave everything on high. I've seen too many planes plow in at the bottom of a loop because someone forgot to turn off their low rates.

Whilst I agree with low aileron rates, I'm not sure about low elevator rates for landing.

In one session my instructor broke two of my props before I discovered that he couldn't flare the plane enough on landing due to the low rates......

You can have your control movement too small to control the aircraft. I took a guys Bipe up and I had one difficult time adjusting the elevator. One benefit you have if you are using a computer radio is to change your control limits while the plane is in the air. If your instructor or test pilot is taking your plane up, you should be right there ready to make adjustments to the radio. You should have been able to adjust the throw on your low rate setting to improve aircraft performance.

I guess that this brings up the topic of expo....if you have a radio that does multiple rates, then it probably does expo too. Use high rates with expo, then you have nice easy maneuvering in the middle of the TX sticks with all of the deflection you need when the sticks are in the corners.

Not true David. Most radios above a basic 4 channel will give you dual rates, but (as far as I know) only computer radios give you expo. (Which is the best of both worlds IMHO)

I stand corrected! If my Airtronics 6 channel radio had dual rates though I probably wouldn't have spent the money on a new 9C.

Really? I'm not very familliar with Airtronics, but I'm really suprised that there's a 6 ch radio out there w/o DR.

Ya learn sumpin' new every day.

Just one thing???? My wife makes sure she "teaches me a thing or two" every day!