I can't get my Topcap to 'camp out' in a hover. I have to hold a ton of up elevator. I'm falling out to the belly ... or going over backwards with a little throttle goose. Side to side is pretty stable. Do I need a little reflex adjustment in the ailerons? I haven't program flaps to elevator mix yet.. I'm trying with pure elevator input. My CG is aft of recommended and looks to be dragging its butt in flight. Maybe I just don't have the knack. Any input welcome. thanks

Hovering will require constant input. I dont think there is a set up that someone could tell you that will make it do it hands off.
From what you desribed it sounds like your just about right in the way its set up now.....
Just keep at it.

With me the flap elevator mix helps the hover, but the biggest help was putting the Saito .72 and the APC 14x4W on. I can't hover forever but am doing way better than before.

yeh , seems like flaperons help me hover too. You can come in low and slow flaps down nose high and then jockey the throttle and ele to get it to stand on its tail.
Cabane, you got any right thrust in it?. If not put a couple washers underneath the fron to motor mount holes. Just keep working with it....G

No right thrust but I'll install some. I'll try some flap action too. And my expo may be a little hot. Try again this afternoon.... if the migrating dove don't get in the way.

I fly with a futaba 8u I use -35% on the expo....G

OK, I'm back from the fly field and I have to say I'm making progress. First, I have to say that setup is tantamount. I can't see how you's guys can reach out and touch your plane in a hover all the while give constant input. Maybe one sticks worth of constant input... Still, the plane has to have the ability to 'camp out'. That said, I checked my setup. I did put some right thrust on my engine when I built it. The washers had squashed into the mounts and squelched all the angle. I slipped some larger diameter washers in and reestablished the offset. Next, I eased my expo on the radio. I backed off the expo from -80 to -60 all the way around. I have no low rates Futaba 8U. Finally, I moved my battery as far aft as I could go and removed some lead ballast from the tail. WOW, biggest difference. I'm closer but still not there. I think my next move is a 14x4W on the S72. The 13x6 has too much jump for my inputs. No LHS handy to buy a prop so I have that excuse to ride. Oh. The cooler air this evening made a difference too. I'm burning the fuel so bare with me.....

Cabane,

I have caught my Top Cap out of a hover with my right hand. It will hold a hover for 1 (or at the most) 2 seconds. When you say "Camp Out" how long are you refering to?

For me to catch the plane it has to be pretty much calm winds. I let it settle into a hover and just as it seems to lock in I grab it. The lock in part doesnt last long though.

This pic was just as I was going to reach out and grab it.

-60 sounds a little high expo to me. but I guess its all what your use't to flying with. Glad to hear your makeing progress...just keep at it, and soon all the old guys in your club will be cussing you under their breath. I get that alot.....<GRIN>...but HEY>>>> I dont care!.....(evil LOL)....Gator

Aint that the truth!
I love it!!

I guess I'm disillusioned. This is a good place to vent my frustration and curse under my breath. I haven't been around many FF's, mine is the only one in the club of 8. So, the internet is my only source to compare notes. I was thinking the plane would lock into a hover longer than a couple of seconds. The posted pictures certainly make it look that way. lol. The changes I've made really helped. Those huge surfaces and throws made me pile the expo on. Now that I'm getting more comfortable I'll back it down some more. I've also started trimming the plane a little in the hover position based on where it's falling out at. Not good for straight and level. You guys do that?

So what makes the Knife better in hover than the TC? On a smilier note, I just ordered a Laser 3D. The longer tail moment should make a difference in hover stability.

Thanks for all the encouragement.

Hey Cabane if you only got 8 guys to fly with, then maybe they'll see how much fun your haveing and convert and all eight of you will be out there hovering at the same time>GRIN>. I need to come fly with you guys, that OK. grass looks good to me.
I trim most of my planes so that if they are flying straight and level you have to hold a little(very little) up in them. Makes them easier for me to fly inverted that way....Gator

funny i got some of the "old guys" in my club coming up to me and asking on tips on how they could learn hovering and such

unstable...you fly with some COOL old dudes...<GRIN>....G

i need to get my topcap built already lol, i think this weekend ill sit down and get my ass working on the wing and get this baby in the air

Hurry Shortman, you are missing out on a lot of fun! We have some old guys that act like you should be flying the same boring pattern around the field like everybody except ME! hahaha I am crusing around low and slow pulling up into hovers and tumbles and having way to much fun.

Cabane

You have been disillusioned, probably by the pictures in the ARF ads of people "locking planes in a hover". It looks soooo easy in the ad, doesn't it On a very calm day my Morris Knife will "lock" for at most 2 seconds before I need to add some type of correction. I can't imagine how people catch planes out of the air. I guess they have fast hands


Oh, and turn that expo down some or you'll have to move the sticks pretty far before you get any response. The key is to stay ahead of the plane.