Transmitter Modes

[jasbury1]

Is there a good reason to use mode 1 or 3 with TD gliders? I am used to mode 2, but now have a Stylus that has the flaps/throttle on the right stick. Should I consider switching the sticks?

[glidermang]

jasbury1:

In my humble opinion, there is a good reason to stick to what you are used to.

I am not familiar with the Stylus, but most radios these days allow mode switching. I used to fly gliders with a gentleman who only used mode 1, but it was entirely his choice. I recall he used to stay up better than me, but so does everyone else.

Unless you are confident in your ability to switch hands, I recommend changing mode.

Yours, Greg

[rogerflies]

I fly sailplanes with the rudder/ailerons (moved left-right) and flaps (moved up-down) on the left stick. The only thing on the right stick is elevator. I use the throttle trim lever to set the flaps for launch, so the stick is all the way forward during the launch

This has at least two advantages. I'm able to have my thumb on the left stick when launching, so there's no delay getting my hand to the stick if something goes amiss immediately after I toss the plane. I'm also better able to hold the elevator steady while turning in thermals.

I flew power planes with regular mode 2 setup, and I was able to switch back and forth with no problems. I was pretty good at using the rudder on the power planes, too. Making crosswind and one-wheel landings with a wing down and the nose pointed straight down the runway using cross-controls was a favorite pastime.

I've never had an aileron sailplane with a separate rudder, so I don't know what I'd do for that. The current setup works well for my Lovesong with linked aileron and rudder, and it worked well with all the poly planes I've had.

Roger

[jtlsf5]

I agree with Greg, stick with what you are used to. Learning a new TX and learning a new flying style is more than you want to do.

Changing the Stylus to Mode 2 is pretty straightforward. You have to exchange the spring and ratchet assemblies on the throttle and elevator sticks, then change the software to run Mode 2.

The spring and ratchet assemblies are straightforward and only require a little patience. You'll have to open the back up to get to them.

When changing the software, you first tell the radio that you are changing modes, then calibrate the throttle and elevator sticks. This is all on the same menu and instructions are located in the Introduction section of the basic manual.

I checked the website and they don't have this section of the manual, though they have everything else (go figure...). If you don't have the manual, I'd be glad to scan/e-mail the relevant pages to you for the mode switch.

JT

[trend.ab]

I would prefer to fly elevator and aileron on the left stick, if I could. When launching your plane, you have immediate control.
Unfortunately I am already committed to doing it the other way round and won't switch.

[aeajr]

If you learned and know Mode 2, then fly your glider in mode 2. There is absolutely no reason to fly using two different modes. It is a great way to lose or crash your plane.

[StevenatorLTFO]

I did just the opposite, I switched to mode 2, at the beginning of last season, after flying mode 1 for 29 years. It was tough, and I still find myself having to think a little, but its getting more natural.

[rogerflies]

I just don't think it's that hard to switch modes or to switch between modes. With all the great simulators on the market, it would be easy to get proficient without crashing.

Roger

[jtlsf5]

I just don't think it's that hard to switch modes or to switch between modes. With all the great simulators on the market, it would be easy to get proficient without crashing.

Roger


Roger,
In theory I agree with you, especially if you find value in the ability to learn and use multiple flying modes. But in the practical world, which makes more sense? To spend 30 minutes to convert a radio (designed for the conversion) to a mode you are already competent and familiar with, or to spend countless hours trying to retrain your brain to function in a new manner, and/or putting expensive planes at risk if the brain doesn't cooperate?

Some people are blessed to be fully ambidexterous and can make the shift from left to right oriented easily. These types are in the minority. For the rest of us switching the tool to our preference makes a lot more sense.
JT

[enrico74ec]

when i switched to spectrum i hadtorelearn to fly in mode 2,justbecause my 8103 had digital trims and was digital trims and no easy way to switch modes. so i keep around my futaba 8uap to fly pattern in mode 1 and jr 8103 to fly sailplanes and helicopters.
If i had my way i would actually switch sailplanes to mode 4, which is oposite of mode 2 (ail - elev on the left) but that is just because beeing right handed it is easier to throw with the right and keep full control with the left. :p
at the end is better to stick with what you know best.
:)

[rdwoebke]

I was self taught on flying RC and I started out on Mode 1. I had a 2 channel AM transmitter that had elevator on the left stick and aileron on the right stick. The sticks only moved one direction. I flew that way for 2 years then upgraded to a JR783 on Mode 2. I had no problem switching between the two modes. I eventually ditched the Mode 1 stuff in 1999, so that is the last time I have flown that way.

Early in the 2000s I did switch my 783 over to Mode 4 thinking I'd try that out (aka, aileron and elevator on the left stick). I could not fly at all that way, but then perhaps I started out on too much of a "needs flying" plane.

Ryan

[Hoot]

I started flying pattern type planes in 1968 and learned on mode 1. I flew very little RC from 1985 until about 1995 and went back to mode 1 with no problems. In 2001 I was flying sailplanes exclusively and tried to switch to mode 2. I flew handlaunch mode 2 for two years. Mode 2 NEVER felt comfortable. I was always trying to remember which stick to move so I finally gave up and went back to mode 1 and have never looked back. I wish I could fly mode 2 so I can have one hand free to flip switches. Since I use one hand for elevator and the other for ailerons, I have to stick a finger out to flip a switch. I use a neck strap and that makes flipping switches a little more comfortable.

[rogerflies]

That's one reason I like the Lovesong so much. I fly it with a simple 4-channel non-computer radio. There are no switches, and the trim levers are very user-friendly. You don't have to count clicks, or listen for beeps, or whatever. They are where you set them, and you don't have to take your eyes off the plane to find out where they're set.

Roger

[aeajr]

Whatever feels comfortable and works for you is fine. All modes work.

One advantage of Mode 2 is that you have pitch and roll on the right stick. If you fly R/E - R goes on the right stick as this is your primary roll control. So no matter the control set-up, your right stick is your primary control.

Got to a single stick radio for a 2 or 3 channel radio, pitch and roll are on the one stick. So if you move from single to dual stick radios, there is no transition at all. Pitch and roll always on the right hand, right stick.

Elevons? Pitch and roll on the right stick.

Ailerons? Pitch and roll on the right.

No matter what you fly, pitch and roll are on your right hand.

[wsnowfall]

first im left handed which confounds things.

i have elevator / rudder on left stick and motor and aileron of right stick. this is mode three.

not many tx allow this setting. also get problems with switches being hard wired for certain sticks. changing where you plug servos into reciever gets complicated for 4 servo wings. again the hard wire thing.

my natural inclination is to have the primary functions on the left stick. for slope combat it is all reflex. so aileron and elevator on left stick.

this is why i love my evo for i can have any control on any stick, no other mfg allows that.

i do have to fly two different modes when i have both aileron and rudder plane. it is a mental challenge. this problem became acute when i bought a mode one dx7. i dont think i can use two mixes to switch rudder and aileron.

get an evo and you have no preset problems. changing modes is a mental challenge. particularily under stress of the moment.

good luck

[eissmann]

I know a very accomplished sailplane flyer, (LSF level 5, Hi Johnson award winner), who switched to mode 2 after 30+ years of flying mode 1 because he thinks it's better for precision landing. I'd convert the transmitter.

[Freakflyin]

I started flying pattern type planes in 1968 and learned on mode 1. I flew very little RC from 1985 until about 1995 and went back to mode 1 with no problems. In 2001 I was flying sailplanes exclusively and tried to switch to mode 2. I flew handlaunch mode 2 for two years. Mode 2 NEVER felt comfortable. I was always trying to remember which stick to move so I finally gave up and went back to mode 1 and have never looked back. I wish I could fly mode 2 so I can have one hand free to flip switches. Since I use one hand for elevator and the other for ailerons, I have to stick a finger out to flip a switch. I use a neck strap and that makes flipping switches a little more comfortable.

Same here... I was taught in the early 70's by an old reed pilot who flew Mode 1. I flew so much pattern and pylon that it became automatic. I tried to switch to mode 2 in the mid 90's after a short layoff and couldn't get comfortable with it... the only regret is not being able to share my planes with my friends...


Mike

[jimsoars]

Mike hit the nail on the head...

Jim A is a relatively new pilot and if he wants much help there are plenty of mode 2 pilots in the club to help with both flying and setup. Unfortunately, I don't know of a single pilot in our club that flys any other mode.

Jim

[StevenatorLTFO]

That is why I made the switch over, I knew I was going to be working with complicated (to me) computer radios, and I wanted to be able to have people help me without making it tough on them. By the middle of this year, I have become fairly comfortable flying full house sailplanes on my trusty Futaba 9C, now I just have to figure out how to find thermals :D

Like Mike above, I was originally taught r/c by a guy that flew reeds back in the 60's. He would always tell you to 'give it a blip of up, give it a blip of power.... (proportional is just a fad) LOL

Steve

[Freakflyin]

Oh Yeah... I remember a "bump" here and a "bump" there... I've modified it to a "touch" here and there...

One thing I'd like to add is that, with flight modes and all the options open to us with computer radios, I needed the flying to be automatic so I could react to the flying conditions with launch, camber, reflex etc... and to remember to switch to landing mode!!! Flying RES is an easy, relaxing task that's acceptable for a mode switch... not so (for me) with "full house" stuff...

Mike

...and you should all endeavor to fly Mode 2... it does suck having to get your stuff converted... seems all the good deals are M2!

[RBMartin]

Jim,

http://globalservices.globalhobby.com/ Call them and get the address and send the radio to Global. Have them do the mode change (they should charge around 20 for that. While the radio is there you should have them change the internal lithium battery and check all switches and calibrate the radio. You are prob under 60 for all of it. If you are missing any of the rubber pads on the back they can fix that as well if the battery door does not catch they can fix that to.( common issues on older stylus)

As I said at the field also talk to Lenny about rebuilding the battery pack for you. He charges around 35 for a 2000 mah and I have been very happy.

I think you said you got a glidercard which is essential. If you do not have a memory card you might start checking the forums for one. You will eventually want one. When my radios were stolen that was the only thing that saved me form having to start from scratch on rebuilding the programs.

After you do this you will have a radio you will not have to worry about.

Bruce M

[Doc Data]

A suggestion...
After you get your TX back, go to http://www.hoopesdesigns.com/ and get the document on re-initializing your Stylus. Its not difficult if you can follow instructions and doing so will let you cross program your trims. I have my elevator control on the right stick's y-axis as normal but the trim control for it is on the left stick. I don't have to let go of the stick to adjust the trim. Very comfortable.

Dave