How and when do i use the flaps on my super chipmunk, I have them allocated to the side switch on a futaba FF9. Any advice as to when to deploy them would be welcome.

Partial (half or less) for takeoff, full for landing. When you throttle back after takeoff is the usual time to retract flaps, and just after you throttle back and start to bleed airspeed on approach is the best time to deploy them. Try them at altitude first, to see what characteristics you get. Depending on the plane, some will pitch up a little and some will pitch down when flaps deploy. You can counter this with a elevator-to-flap mix, to help keep the proper attitude.

I built the flaps in my Contender and I generally take off without flaps but when landing I deploy the flaps on the down wind leg of my approach. I did need to apply a little down trim as the Contender would pitch up when the flaps were lowered. Flaps add another dimension to sport flying. They're usually not needed, but they add a degree of fun to flying.

DaveB

i wonder if its possible to design flaps that don't cause pitching.

Any full scale GA I flew would pitch up a little when flaps are lowered,,, more so if you are going a little too fast. Perhaps you should two step your flaps,, partial on downwind and full flaps as you cross the end of your strip.

I love flaps !!! I have flaps on a couple of my scale birds. I generally slow down first. Then start rolling in the flaps. On a switch setup, slow down , then switch in half flaps as you release the back pressure on the elevator. Then slow some more, and do it again as you click in the second half of flaps. This technique, once practiced will eliminate any ballooning.
Another trick is to click in half flaps as you turn from downwind to base. And then click in the other half as you turn from base to final. In this case, you actually use ballooning to make the turns.
I don't use flaps on take off.
If you have a two position switch, and its all or nothing, then you just have to slow way down, then click in flaps as you release the back pressure on the elevator. It might sound tricky, but its actually very intuitive.
I generally slow down and add flaps on the downwind leg. You can do it on base, but you want your speed and sink to be stable by the time you turn final.
If its very gusty, or there is a big crosswind, then I use less flap or no flap. With your Chipmunk, you can use no flaps if needed.

Many Thanks for advice on using the flaps, I will give it a go at altitude and take it from there.

Also remember that fully deployed flaps create not only lift, but a lot of drag as well. Be prepared to steepen your glide path and/or increase engine rpm somewhat to compensate.