What are the normal things to do when setting up your radio? Do most of you run negative expo on the ailerons to slow the servo's response?

If you are setting up your radio for your first plane, it is recommended by many (including myself) to not use any expo, nor worry about dual rate settings. You want to get an idea of what 'raw' flying feels like. For example, picture yourself next summer when someone asks you to check out their new plane, and they haven't used any expo, and all you know is expo, you will find the plane incredibly 'twitchy' and not have the experience of flying a plane that way.

Now if you have been flying already, common settings for expo are around -20 (futaba) for low rates and around -50 (futaba) for high rates. Other radio manufacturers use positive to 'soften' the sticks about the neutral axis.

I use expo on all available channels (not offered for the throttle channel for obvious reasons). I set the plane up mechanically for max throw on the control surfaces, then tone down the end points using low rate function, the amount depending on your personal preference with that particular plane. You can start maybe at around 75% for low settings, and change according to how it feels to you. 75% should be enough to have enough throw to get out of a jam, yet be mellow enough for you to handle on a new plane with more throw than you're used to. Figure in the expo and you'll be fine. My rudder seems to have a lot of effect when I land, yet I like the plane on high rates, so I am at maybe 85% aileron and elevator, and 60% rudder on low rates, and 100% all on high rates. My expo is a little higher on my rudder on high rates, and I actually don't use low rates too often, maybe at the end of the day when I'm getting tired from the sun and trying to land low on fuel. If on high rates you still want more action out of the plane, you can increase high rate to 120 or so on the radio.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for all the info. I see what you are saying about learning to fly with no expo. However, if it reduces my chances of crashing I think it would be worth it personally. I am going from my first plane (Flyzone Skyfly) to my second. (Hobbico Superstar EP)

Then what I suggest is use some expo, and when the jitters subside a bit, turn down your expo to see what your plane flies like without it. You can also have expo on one set of rates, and no expo on the other.

Anyway you get the idea I'm sure. Good luck and have fun

Thanks again. Considering that I learned using rudder for turning would it be a good idea to set up the Superstar EP for rudder only turns to begin with or do the ailerons feel much different? Different enough to throw you off?

Heh, on JR radios, "negative" expo makes things WORST! We use positive Expo to soften control around center.

Basically the servo is trying to move a pushrod via a circular link, in a straight line.

This means that there is the most movement around TX stick center, as the circle described by the servo arm moves the most in a linear direction as the servo is close to center.

Expo acts to even things out.

I've seen many people really overdo it with expo. IMHO over 50% causes you MORE problems, because once you are past a certain point on the stick, movement accelerates.

Try this on a rudder and you'll find that you'll be unable to keep your plane running down the centerline, as you'll always be overcontrolling.

Yeah the first time I used expo I was told to use 60% on high rates, and it felt like nothing was happening, so I used some more input, and next thing I knew the plane was sideways! 50% seems to make enough of a difference. Now that I'm looking at my radio, I have -20, -15, -25 on aileron, elevator, and rudder on low rates, and -50% for all 3 on high rates, though that might change after a few more days of getting used to my plane. Just for example, my dual rates are 100%, 70%, and 60% on low rates for aileron, elevator, rudder, and 120%, 115%, and 100% on high rates. I forgot I changed some stuff around the other day.

I don't know anything about 'setting up a plane for rudder only turns'. I would just set it up as the manual states, and fly like you know how to fly. Get some altitude and start playing around. If you want to learn to use ailerons, get really high and don't use your left thumb unless you get in trouble. For left turn, bank with a little left aileron input, back to center with some up elevator, level out with some right input, etc. Play around with it and see what you like or what you feel should be changed.

Again, start out with low rates using maybe 15 to 20% expo.

expo and rates all depend on the plane. But generally you try and keep the low rate at half the full. Its kinda trial and error. On my minnow I have small control surfaces and on low rates my ailerons dont move much but it still turns hard. I always leave my rudder on high rate with a 50% expo. I coulldnt turn taxi'ing the thing on low rates. But it is a tail dragger. My low rates are generally 30% expo. I had it higher when I first started flying the plane and it was just to mushy feeling. Im not even sure I have used the high rates on ailerons or rudder yet. And the are set at 75% travel/50%expo. My low rates are around 50% travel/30%expo. Oh and Im on a JR

opjose made a good point but didn't finish it. On a JR radio, you want to add POSITIVE expo, but on Futaba, you want to add NEGATIVE

In either case, don't add more than 30% for your first time out.

As for learning aileron vs rudder, the one thing to watch out for is that turning with ailerons is actually a balance of aileron and elevator. You BANK the plane with the ailerons, then hold the nose level with the elevator. NOTE - to tighten the turn, you need to increase the aileron input AND the elevator input!

One of the biggest rookie mistakes is trying to tighten a turn using only aileron - Remember that the ailerons control ROLL, not TURN. What happens is, they roll the plane inverted, then panic and pull UP (Which, when inverted, is DOWN) resulting in a pile of splinters.

[ul][*] First thing I do is double check I have all the servos plugged into the correct receiver port. Nothing worse than moving the elevator stick and getting throttle response.[*] For a computer radio, I select a memory location and clear it out, then name the model.[*] Third thing I do is to adjust the proper direction of all the servos. You'll likely have to do this on the transmitter. Even non-computer radios have servo reversing.[*]Fourth task is to adjust the end points (total servo travel) and proper neutral via mechanical control linkage.[*]Next item is to set up high and dual rates. I consider this as a non-option.[*]Final item is to dial in expo and any special mixes. For trainer/sport models, this isn't required. For 3D airplanes, it's very difficult to fly without exponential
[/ul]

And Pipe just answered the question. It sort of went into an Expo thing.
Cool, I like Expo, I like it A lot. My hands shake A bit and most of my planes will show it if I don't add Expo. I put in MINUS 40% right away and none at all on my rudder then I put in pos 25% or so on my throttle, sometimes more on A gasser.
I like my planes soft at the center but want that rudder to be very active. The throttle I want to do something when I go click click. Nothing quite so nasty as having to be running that throttle stick around on A windy day when you are trying to land and get the plane to fly in.
Pipe told you the steps to setting up A radio but it takes A few years to figure out what you as A pilot likes and needs.
I set up A plane I built for A friend with my radio, when he came to pick it up I programed his radio with all the same set ups. One difference was I had Expo in mine, he is A racer and doesn't like Expo at all so none in his.
I maidened the plane, it took two beeps of aileron, flew really smooth, I only use high rates but program in lows. I took it up with his radio, at this point it had the same Expo, took the two beeps of trim. He flew the plane and didn't like the Expo, landed and removed it. Next flight he had to go to low rates because it was so touchy.
Different strokes.