I finally got around to getting a pitch gauge for my raptor 30. I'm using Jr xp8103 radio.
I know how to set up gauge on blades and how to read it.
Radio has a pitch trim knob. What setting should knob be set at before setting pitch. I have done alot of hovering and will be taking small steps towards piroette. Tail in..tail at 4:30,,3:00 oclock
nose in, forward flight etc etc. I understand there are 3 settings.
The middle setting?? is set at half throttle??
If this is all correct what setting should blades be set at.
Pitch trim knob on radio set at ??
Thanks for replies.[8D]

Most guys never use the pitch trim knob, unless its some of the FAI guys, its used to trim hover pitch when flying in the wind, just put it in the middle and forget it, most of the time its only gonna work right around hover anyways.

In beginner's (normal) mode typically the heli instruction manual will tell you what hover (mid-stick) pitch should be. For example, my Raptor30 calls for a hover (mid-stick) of +6°. While in normal mode, move the stick to mid-stick and adjust your pitch curve setting at the mid-stick point to achieve +6° (or whatever your heli calls for). Do this for both blades by the way. Once you've established your pitch at hover ... all you need to do is vary your power (throttle) curve setting at mid-stick to maintain the hover. If the curve setting is too low, the heli will settle at mid-stick ... a setting two high and the heli will climb. Once the heli's power (throttle) is set to match the load (pitch) at hover ... your heli will hover. A relatively good starting point for power (throttle) at mid-stick is half throttle. Assuming that your throttle servo response is fairly linear ... that would equate to about 50% in the throttle curve settings. It's a good starting point but don't feel bad if you have to go back into the curve and adjust it.

As for the knobs ... set them to mid-range and leave them. By the way ... once you have everything set up ... be sure to check their postion before starting your heli (among 1000 other things).

Good Luck,
d.tipton

Depending on your radio you can inhibit the pitch and throttle trim knobs. If you can, please do so. The other thing is they only effect pitch curves around center stick, most of us, once you get into mild aerobatics and start running a 3D pitch curve, hover at 3/4 stick and not half stick, which I reccomend learning early on, and if you hover at 3/4 the pitch trim is useless.

Center your subtrims and set your endpoints to 100%. Make sure your servo horn is as close to 90 degrees as possible. Try different horns in various positions to achieve this. Now use a max of 5 points of subtrim to get exactly 90 degrees on the servo horn. Install the link and confirm 0 pitch at mid-stick, and equal positive and negative pitch at full stick deflection with no binding. If you need more than 5 points from 100 on the ATV to achieve this at full pitch + or - you need to play with some link lengths. Then setup your curves.

Do the same with elevator and aileron and use your pitch gauge to confirm your zero pitch and your travel limits on these too.

Make sure your blades are at equal pitch too, and always mark a master blade and grip to work from.

Thanks for the replies. I'm almost done setting the pitch[8D]