In the Wind thread I commented on an individuals question regarding setting up flaps on their model:


I responded that I use them on my E-Motion and sparked a debate so I thought rather than sidetrack the Wind thread further I'd take it to it's own new thread. So feel free to chime in with your experiences and thoughts in using or not using the flap setting on your transmitter.


As is nearly always the case my first response on the earlier discussion did not accurately describe my feelings on the topic. For me I find "Flaperons" to be helpful in setting up an "autoland function" Consistent landings were an ongoing problem for me because my E-Motion needed considerable up elevator force during the final approach to hold a nice landing attitude that was not too nose high or too nose low. I used the flap setting on my 12X and experiemented with Spoilerons (flaps deflected up for landing) and Flaperons (flaps deflected down for landing) After some time I found that about 30% down aileron and 15% up elevator created an ideal nose up attitude that made landing at a constant speed almost trivial. Now when I am on final and pull power off I get a gentle descending glide with a slight nose high attitude with absolute hands free on the transmitter. If I blip the throttle one or two clicks then I can extend the glide indefinitely. Additionally since the flap switch is a 3 position switch I have an intermediate setting with slightly less flap and elevator input for windier days. For me this has helped me make much more consistent landings as I always get the same speed on final. Clearly, positively this NOT required on any RC model I have ever flown to date, but it certainly makes my life easier, and that is part of my Pattern philosphy. I use whatever trick I can to make my life easier. This is NOT for everyone, but it works well for me and that's the point I wanted to make originally: Flaps/flaperons/spoilers/spoilerons can be used to great effect to make landing simpler if you want to try, but you certainly do not need them.


Joe

G'day Joe,

I used to use spoilerons on my glow powered Pinnacle. This was only because of the variation in idle could cause the model to fly right past you if the idle was slightly high. On my Spark, I don't use any flaps or spoilers because the motor can be controlled very consistently. Having said that, just before touch down I'm usually at full up elevator....

Cheers,
Jason.

G'day Jason,

That's my problem landing the E-Motion. I have a hard time holding 1/2 up elevator consistently during the final approach and mixing that with power changes so for me the flap switch was a nice solution 'til my reflexes get sharper . . . assuming they ever will Good-news is I think I'm seeing steady improvement year over year so I have high hopes of moving up to Advanced next year as well as learning to land without a flap switch.


Joe

The key to flaperons is to only use them on the final leg and wings level.
Also as you have done is setting up them proper amount of elevator is necessary too.

Critics of flaperons generally have failures because they are banking the plane with them deployed and don't know how to steer with the rudder.

I use them on a few of my planes and like yourself it is a hands off approach except for throttle.

I wish my Supra Fly had them but is a single aileron servo wing so she just eats up runway when landing.

I use spoilerons on just about every aircraft that has dual aileron servos.

I tend to use the flapperons for landing as well with a bit of elevator mixed in. The landing condition also runs increased elevator and aileron throws.

I tried mixing the flapperons ala control line style but found the Aries didn't respond well to it, but that may have been me not finding the sweet spot with my mix percentages before giving up on it. Another ship I have responds well to it.

Since I tend to land 3-pointers and occasionally tail first, I go the flapperon route as I'm chasing more lift at slower speed rather than less lift and more drag (spoilerons).

I use spoilerons on my pusher prop jet. It needs to get the nose up pretty high to help slow it down and dumping the lift does this. Also is useful for keeping the RPM's a little.

I actually have 2 stages of spoileron for it. The first stage is for the approach and once its down the second stage the ailerons go full up.

For the other planes I like flaperons better.

Just my preference.

I use flaperons for brake the plane in spin start entry. This is very helpful in calm days when the plane float, and float, and float... and you pass 3 pattern windows with nose up attitude and plane keep fliying.lol.
Airbrake or spoilerons does the spin stall less predictible.

I like the idea of using flaperons to get a decent spin entry, and it also sort of proves the point about increased propensity to tip stall at slow speed.