RADIO FEATURES
You can fly aerobatics with any standard 4-channel radio, but it is much easier to use a computer radio to set up your model so that it flies true without the need for constant correcting. The basic programmable features that you’ll find useful are:
AILERON DIFFERENTIAL: This function causes the ailerons to move more in one direction than in the other (more up-travel than down-travel). This minimizes unwanted adverse yaw while setting up near axial roll response. To test your plane for adverse yaw, dive into a vertical downline and hold full aileron without adding up- or down-elevator. If the plane’s nose veers off the downline, some aileron differential is required. Start with about a 20 percent differential, and try again until the nose stays on track. EXPONENTIAL: This setting makes response softer around the control stick’s center neutral position. It is especially useful when you’re flying fast maneuvers and when you want your airplane to respond smoothly and gracefully. Start with 25 to 30 percent expo, and see how you like it.
HIGH/LOW RATES (OR DUAL RATES): This function allows you to set up more/less control authority for a given control surface. Low rates (less authority and control deflection) are used for normal flying, and high rates (more controlled travel) are used for aggressive aerobatics. Find a comfortable setup by test flying your model and adjusting the rates accordingly.
SERVO TRAVEL (OR TRAVEL VOLUME): This allows you to adjust each of your main controls so that you have 100 percent throw. Most computer radio menus offer up to 125 percent throws, but to start, limit it to 100 percent. This prevents you from overdriving your servos, especially when you have some control mixes dialed in. Be sure to adjust the travel percentage for each direction of control response. SUBTRIM: Before you use the subtrim function, try to center all of your control linkages mechanically. Set up your servo arms so that they are 90 degrees to the pushrod, and make sure that the control horns are directly aligned with the control surface hinge lines. Then, only use subtrims to fine-tune control-surface neutral positions.