TX Setup Help
 

Ok sorry guys but im new to the heli stuff but here i go.
What are the basic controles for a heli on a basic tx.
I have got my tx setup for FSM.
I just need to know on the left thumb stick what up and down is and left and right
and the same with the right thumb stick.
The TX i have is only 4 channels but i also have an 8 channel but
i am useing the 4 channel for now.
Anyinfo Would be wonderful
Thanks

RE: TX Setup Help
 

The left stick controls three things. Up and down on the left stick is the throttle and also the "collective pitch", the angle of both the blades as they bite the wind. Down is throttle off and flat pitch (no bite.) Up is max throttle and full bite, so you go up. Left and right motion of the left stick is your rudder. Move the stick to the right, the nose of the helicopter will go right. Left stick, nose left.

The right stick controls two things, called the "cyclic pitch", it is almost like the joystick of an airplane. Right motion will bank (tilt) the helicopter to the right, left left, back stick will raise the nose, forward stick will make the ground get closer in a hurry.

The helicopter wants to do things on its own too. The tail rotor is blowing to the right, so it pushes you to the left, so to stay in one place during hover you need to fly slightly right-skid low with the right stick a tiny bit to the right of center. The torque from the main motor/rotor wants to spin your nose to the left, so you need to vary the amount of left stick rudder motion to keep the nose straight as you climb and descend. Many helicopters have gyros to help with this part.

It's kind of complicated but you'll figure it out.

You really need at least 5 channels to fly any helicopter except for the most basic types. Most people use 6 channels so they can adjust their gyro in the air. If you have scale stuff like retracts you need even more channels.

RE: TX Setup Help
 

Oooh! I have made a pic just for this!

RE: TX Setup Help
 

And in Kansas (and in most of the rest of the Western hemisphere) you will want to be using Mode 2.

Great drawing kelvinator9!

RE: TX Setup Help
 

haha why in kansas and most of the wester hemi should we use mode 2?
I have a 8 channel radio just didnt want to mess it up if i screwed up the flight sims stuff lol
Im thinking about getting a E-Sky Lama as my first heli. Is that a good idea?
Thanks for all the help so far and many more questions to come im sure/
Cole

RE: TX Setup Help
 

Yup the lama would be a good starter, so would the eflite cx2.

The Mode 2 thing, I think, is because on a full size helicopter the controls are sort of the same--left stick or handle is collective, throttle can be a twist grip on this stick like a motorcycle throttle, right (center, between your legs) stick is cyclic, feet work the rudder (anti-torque). And the cyclic works like the joystick of a full-size airplane controlling pitch and bank too.
Mode 1 is used in Japan, UK i believe, Australia, elsewhere. I'm not sure why, I think it might be a historic relic--from the days of 2-channel airplanes with single-stick transmitters: throttle up and down, turn left and right.

Most of the good simulators give you the option of using mode 1 or mode 2. In the US or Canada they will default to mode 2, and you may need to special-order a mode 1 version. I'm not sure if you can switch your transmitter, I know mine can't.

And finally (no offense kevinator9!) mode 2 is better.

RE: TX Setup Help
 

Getting into Heli's for the first time, I've wondered what the difference was between Mode 1 and 2 set up.

Now, here's the million dollar question: I fly airplanes Mode 1, so my tranmitters have the ratcheting throttle on the right. DO I LEARN HELI'S IN MODE 2? WILL THAT HURT MY PLANE FLYING?

If I do learn Mode 2 heli's, I will need different transmitters. What to do, what to do?

I like the idea that someone else could fly my Mode 2 heli, if I needed help.

I learned to fly planes just after they invented the light bulb. Scratch that, make it the Light emitting Diode.

RE: TX Setup Help
 

I fly using mode 1 on a heli. It's fine really. I doesn't matter but once you use one mode it is very hard to go changing to another...

RE: TX Setup Help
 

I think the ratchet on throttle will be more of a burden flying helis than deciding on the right mode ... helis need the smooth throttle action not the bumpity action found on airplane TX's. Find a heli TX (ala 9CH ... not 9CA) and feel the throttle action.

Once you learn on ANY mode, it's difficult to get your brain to switch mid-stream between modes. The reason the heli's are flown mode 2 is that mode 2 closely simulates real heli controls ... ie your right hand is on the cyclic stick and your left is on collective. Of course, on a real heli your feet are on the YAW pedals but that's kinda hard to do on a TX ... so YAW control ends up on the left stick. This means mode 2.
http://dtipton.home.att.net/img/modes.jpg

RE: TX Setup Help
 

I have read magazine interviews with 3d competition pilots who have started in mode 1 because of their country of origin, and then found that 3d was easier with mode 2 so had to relearn from scratch in order to remain or become competitive.
PilotLight, my suggestion to you (as if I know what I'm talking about, sheesh...) is to stay with what you already know. Some people somewhere must fly helicopters in Mode 1, so it probably can be done by ordinary mortals, even though I would never attempt it myself.
Helicopters have certain functional needs that can only be met by a specialized helicopter transmitter, though, like adjustable pitch curves, idle-up and throttle-hold, and stuff like that there, so you probably will want to get a fancy new radio like the DX7, and I just don't know if it is available in a Mode 1 helicopter version.

RE: TX Setup Help
 

I'd like to see you try a chaos on a mode 1 transmitter :D

RE: TX Setup Help
 

You definately can get mode 1 on a helicopter tx. I have a mode 1 9chps. I hope to be able to do stunts on mine and I don't have any intention of changing my mode...

RE: TX Setup Help
 

Think I'll fly planes in Mode 1 and learn to fly heli's in Mode 2.[8D]

RE: TX Setup Help
 

Well, Kevinator9, no need to get all huffy, I'm not mode-o-phobic at all, I apologise, some of my best friends fly Mode 1, to tell you the truth I've been sort of leaning that way myself, but I wouldn't want my mother to find out...[sm=wink_smile.gif]

RE: TX Setup Help
 

I wasn't trying to get all "huffy" about it. I just really don't want to go buying a new/other tx when it comes the time when I would like to learn 3d. That would be a bit of a big hole in my pocket (one that is already big enough for africa to fit into). I'm sorry if what I said came out as if I was being offended.

RE: TX Setup Help
 

Just kidding, lighten up, I'm sure you'll do fine! I'm sure you can find other Mode 1 3d'ers who can help you out. It would really be interesting to know if anyone can do 3d in _either_ (that is both) modes, and what that person might have to say about it.

Now there's a much more important question to consider: Pinch or Thumb?
;)

RE: TX Setup Help
 

A guy at my club does 3d with mode 1... He is quite impressive with his stunts.
I go with thumb...

RE: TX Setup Help
 

I pinch, myself...(OUCH!)

RE: TX Setup Help
 

:)

RE: TX Setup Help
 

Mode 2 is going fine so far. Just about got the hover down. Maybe once I get more batteries set up I'll give her the throttle up to go 6 feet up and see how I do. Been up to 4 feet and kept it there for about 20 seconds.

Only thing I wish I had was Expo. Only breathe on the sticks to change orientation.

RE: TX Setup Help
 

I Fly with a single stick JR PCM 9, does any any one still fly single stick? All this mode 1 and 2 talk is crazy use what you want but learn with it cus changeing is hard.
I fly some helis like my Walkera with a standard two stick and it's kind of hard to transfer, takes getting used to.

RE: TX Setup Help
 

What is expo?

RE: TX Setup Help
 

Exponential rates or expo softens the control feel around the mid stick range (or can tighten it up) so the movement of the servo happens slower around the center and faster at the ends.

RE: TX Setup Help
 

I'm a pincher, tried thumbs. Brain can't handle it, been pinching for a lot of years.

RE: TX Setup Help
 

Single Stick! Would you be able to post up a pic of that tx and possibly descriptons on what controlls what?