Aileron servos

[jumpinj]

I've seen pictures of some planes on various RC groups that seem
to have one servo for each aileron (the particular plane I'm thinking
of has no rudder but does have an elevator on the tail). I'm not
sure how I would get my radio to control something like this.

I assumed that an aileron system is usually controlled by a single servo
on channel 1 (elevator on channel 2). Can anyone enlighten me?
This isn't a V-tail or Elevon mixing situation as far as I can tell.

The particular plane I've ordered that looks like this is the
www.instantrc.com A10.

Thanks,

Jon

[jgallone1801]

To use dual servos with my Hitec Flash 5 radio, one servo gets plugged into channel 1 on the receiver, the second servo gets plugged into channel 5. Just have to be sure to set the radio to the correct mode.

I believe you may also be able to use a Y-harness to use two servos with only plugging them into one channel.

-jg

[ImaBiggles]

Originally Posted by jumpinj

I've seen pictures of some planes on various RC groups that seem
to have one servo for each aileron (the particular plane I'm thinking
of has no rudder but does have an elevator on the tail). I'm not
sure how I would get my radio to control something like this.

I assumed that an aileron system is usually controlled by a single servo
on channel 1 (elevator on channel 2). Can anyone enlighten me?
This isn't a V-tail or Elevon mixing situation as far as I can tell.

The particular plane I've ordered that looks like this is the
www.instantrc.com A10.

Thanks,

Jon

One servo for each aileron is typically called flaperons - can be programed by radio to act as flaps (also as airbrakes) as well as ailerons. It is typically called flaperons mixing, or if your radio has custom mixing, you can do that. Most decent 6 channel computer radios support this (IMHO, the Optic 6 is the best bang for the buck radio you can get for beginner/intermediate flying).

That being said, flaperons on a small (<40") wingspan plans are really not needed - a one servo setup with std hookup, bell crank, or aileron link works as well, saves weight, and easier to hookup. For your A10, I would only use one servo for ailerons as you really dont need flaps or an airbrake.

I would add ailerons, not subsitute them for a rudder. The rudder allows for coordinated turns, tigher turns, control on rolls, and some other neat arobatics that you would lose with just ailerons.

If you really want two servos, and your radio doesnt support flaperons, you could use a mixer off the RX, but they are sort of a PITA to set up.

[Sparky Paul]

Use a Y-connector for two aileron servos..
The receiver end plugs into channel 1.
You won't have flaperons, but you don't need those.

[ImaBiggles]

Originally Posted by Sparky Paul

Use a Y-connector for two aileron servos..
The receiver end plugs into channel 1.
You won't have flaperons, but you don't need those.

Holy crapski! Did you just make that scan for this thread? If so, way to go the extra mile!

[deSelby]

In addition to flaperons, there's another common reason to use two aileron servos/channels - aileron differential: basically, the downward movement of ailerons is reduced, which helps lower the induced drag associated with a lot of aileron. When rolling left, for example, the right wing aileron won't move as far down as the left wing aileron moves up (and vice versa when rolling left). The main effect of this is that the plane won't yaw away from the turns so much. Aileron differential can be very effective on high performance planes where precision is necessary, as well as on slow flying planes where induced drag effects are exagerated.
There are other, clever ways to set up aileron differential, but the vast majority of times it's done with two servos and a computer radio.

If you haven't heard of aileron differential or flaperons before, chances are you don't need them on your model and one aileron servo will do.

[Sparky Paul]

Originally Posted by ImaBiggles

Holy crapski! Did you just make that scan for this thread? If so, way to go the extra mile!

.
The wonders of digital photography!
Sometimes a picture forestalls a 1000 words..
Nikon Coolpix 7600, 7.2M image, resized to fit here.