Is Neon good for V tails?

[wingsnapper]

I'm waiting for my new Big Bird to arrive and have been kicking around the idea of getting a cheep crysalis HLG and a new radio to go with it. I really like the single stick thing so the Neon really looks like a good choice. The only thing I am wondering about is the v-tail mixer. I take it that there is no means of adjusting the mix. Is this correct? Should v-tails have different throws like ailerons do? Is this possible by mechanical means? P.S. I know that this may be more suited for "Radios", but I want the opinion of only sailplane folks. JS

[Allan Wright]

If you have a computer radio, it will automagicly use your elevator and aileron dual rates / exponential for the appropriate movements on the V-tails without you having to wrap your brain around it.

[Jack Hyde]

I have a 4 year old Chrysalis 2m that I fly with an old Flash 4. It flies fine with no differential on the v-tail control. You can produce diff on the v-tail by positioning the control arms on the servo fwd of 90deg to the push rod when the stick is in the neutral position.
I don't think it would produce a detectable effect.
The reason for dif on ailerons is to reduce adverse yaw, ie yaw in the opposite direction from the direction you want to turn. Ailerons are used to roll the plane, the resulting bank causes the plane to turn toward the lower wing. The aileron going down produces increased drag on that wing. The increased drag on one wing causes the plane to yaw toward the rising wing - the opposite direction of the turn. Differential that makes the up going aileron move father than the down moving aileron. This isn't the way the tail turns the plane and diff isn't needed on the tail. Your Chrysalis HG will fly fine without v-tail diff.

[JFarlette]

I have a Chrysalis HLG. I find that a little more down movement than up is beneficial. I think it is do to something called "end plate effect". V-tails are more efficient for the up moving elevator than down because the other elevator works as an end plate blocking the air from spilling off the end and therefore gives more power. There is tons of info on this on the DJ Aerotech web site. You can achieve this differential mechanically by tilting your servo horns back a little bit (assuming you install everything the way the manual suggests).

The new Neon looks pretty good. I am building a glider for my nephew (V-tail also) and am planning on getting one for him to use with it.

Jason

[wingsnapper]

What did you guys think about Chrysalis flight performace? I once had a Lil Bird HLG that really flew well ... even in wind. Does this cheeper, unsheeted kit measure up? JS

[efarmer]

What did you guys think about Chrysalis flight performace?

The Chrysalis HLG flies incredibly well. I've had many over the years (5 I think). My first chrysalis was my first HLG way back when... it was almost 14oz... big 4 cell 700mah pack, standard 8ch Rx, etc etc. Flew great with the conventional tail. I then learned that lighter is better and future Chrysalii were in the sub 9oz range... with one being 7.0oz even. Great airplane... and very sexy. The kit goes together really fast, and is very well thought out. Wonderful airplane all around.

Regards,
Eric

PS: I'm converting one to electric power right now with a Hacker B20 18L and a 12x6 prop. Should go vertical and run for quite a long time. The fuselage is very slim, even on the electric version.