Does the rudder "self center" when flying in unrestricted (Experienced) mode?

[Flyboy666]

I've been flying my Aeroscout (in Realflight) in the Experienced mode for the past week or so, in anticipation of "graduating" myself from Safe to Experienced mode at the field this week.

I've been working on coordinated turns, where I use some rudder during the turn, in addition to the aileron. In Experienced mode, I realize that I must manually move the aileron/elevator stick back to the neutral (center) position of the transmitter in order to bring the plane back to level pitch and roll. In other words, just releasing those two controls does not return the plane to "level," like in Safe mode. My question is about the rudder.

See the writeup below from the Aeroscout manual. It states that in Experienced mode, "there are no pitch and roll limits, and no self leveling." It does not mention yaw (rudder).

So here is my question, by way of example: Let's say I am making a left turn, with the aileron/elevator and rudder sticks banked slightly left. Now I want to stop turning and fly straight and level. So I manually move the aileron/elevator stick rightward to the center/neutral position. Do I also need to manually return the rudder stick to the center position, or can I just let go of the rudder stick and it will self center?

I have experimented with both ways for the rudder stick (manually returning it to center and just releasing it) while straightening out the plane, and I cannot see any difference. So I am wondering which is the proper procedure to follow for the rudder - just release it, or manually move it back to neutral like the aileron/elevator stick.

I would think that it's better to manually move both sticks, for the sake of consistency and less confusion. But I am not sure.

Thanks

 

[Doom!]

I've been flying my Aeroscout (in Realflight) in the Experienced mode for the past week or so, in anticipation of "graduating" myself from Safe to Experienced mode at the field this week.

I've been working on coordinated turns, where I use some rudder during the turn, in addition to the aileron. In Experienced mode, I realize that I must manually move the aileron/elevator stick back to the neutral (center) position of the transmitter in order to bring the plane back to level pitch and roll. In other words, just releasing those two controls does not return the plane to "level," like in Safe mode. My question is about the rudder.

See the writeup below from the Aeroscout manual. It states that in Experienced mode, "there are no pitch and roll limits, and no self leveling." It does not mention yaw (rudder).

So here is my question, by way of example: Let's say I am making a left turn, with the aileron/elevator and rudder sticks banked slightly left. Now I want to stop turning and fly straight and level. So I manually move the aileron/elevator stick rightward to the center/neutral position. Do I also need to manually return the rudder stick to the center position, or can I just let go of the rudder stick and it will self center?

I have experimented with both ways for the rudder stick (manually returning it to center and just releasing it) while straightening out the plane, and I cannot see any difference. So I am wondering which is the proper procedure to follow for the rudder - just release it, or manually move it back to neutral like the aileron/elevator stick.

I would think that it's better to manually move both sticks, for the sake of consistency and less confusion. But I am not sure.

Thanks


View attachment 195863

Yes, all of your control surfaces should snap back to neutral when the sticks are released, if the servos are all centered and set up correctly. If it doesn't check your trim settings on the transmitter and make sure they are centered. If they are not, center them and manually adjust your surface and then rebind.

It's usually best to not over think it, watch the aircraft and make slight adjustments to the stick to see how it responds before committing yourself. It becomes more about muscle memory the more you fly.

 

[Flyboy666]

Thanks, but I am not clear on what you mean when you say "all of your control surfaces should snap back to neutral when the sticks are released." I know that the sticks themselves snap back to the neutral/center position on the transmitter when you release them, because they are spring-loaded. That's not my question.

But I also know that in Intermediate and Experienced modes, the aileron and elevator control surfaces stay where you have set them until you move the stick in the opposite direction to put them in a neutral position. They don't just snap back to a neutral position when you release the stick. My question relates to the rudder. So I am confused by your answer. Maybe my original question was not clear.

 

[Doom!]

If I release the sticks on my transmitter, all of the control surfaces return to neutral position on the aircraft. Elevator, ailerons, rudder. Only flaps stay where you set them until you flip the designated switch. I just checked on my UMX Turbo Timber to make sure I wasn't misinforming you. Now I don't use safe mode at all, but experienced mode should be the same.

Thanks, but I am not clear on what you mean when you say "all of your control surfaces should snap back to neutral when the sticks are released." I know that the sticks themselves snap back to the neutral/center position on the transmitter when you release them, because they are spring-loaded. That's not my question.

But I also know that in Intermediate and Experienced modes, the aileron and elevator control surfaces stay where you have set them until you move the stick in the opposite direction to put them in a neutral position. They don't just snap back to a neutral position when you release the stick. My question relates to the rudder. So I am confused by your answer. Maybe my original question was not clear.

 

[tudordewolf]

in Intermediate and Experienced modes, the aileron and elevator control surfaces stay where you have set them until you move the stick in the opposite direction to put them in a neutral position.

That may be a result of the plane attempting to take on a certain heading, in flight it won't keep rolling once you release the stick.

The experienced mode still has a lot of "assist" built in, that makes the plane fly more like a simulator, automatically countering roll or pitch changes that didn't come from the control, that's probably why they're not re-centering when you release the sticks on the ground.

 

[Flyboy666]

Either I didn't explain my question clearly or I am not understanding the answers here.

I know that the plane won't "keep rolling" once I release the stick in Expert mode, but won't it stay on its present banking that I have set with the stick? Because there is no self-leveling in Expert mode. The manual clearly states that Safe mode has self-leveling, and Intermediate and Expert modes do not. (See my original post and the copy of that page in the manual.) So that is why in Intermediate and Expert mode, I will have to move the stick in the opposite direction to level the plane, right? At least, that is what is happening in Realflight.

So I am just asking if I will have to do that with the rudder stick as well, or if it "self-centers" even in Intermediate and Expert modes.

 

[Doom!]

Ok, yes it is always best to point the plane where you want it to go, if given enough time the plane will self correct when you let off the sticks, but that is a dangerous game depending how steep of a bank you were in. If I understand correctly it is best to manipulate the sticks to get your plane back into the neutral position rather than just releasing the sticks, the faster yu are moving the more important this becomes.

 

[tudordewolf]

Either I didn't explain my question clearly or I am not understanding the answers here.

I know that the plane won't "keep rolling" once I release the stick in Expert mode, but won't it stay on its present banking that I have set with the stick? Because there is no self-leveling in Expert mode. The manual clearly states that Safe mode has self-leveling, and Intermediate and Expert modes do not. (See my original post and the copy of that page in the manual.) So that is why in Intermediate and Expert mode, I will have to move the stick in the opposite direction to level the plane, right? At least, that is what is happening in Realflight.

So I am just asking if I will have to do that with the rudder stick as well, or if it "self-centers" even in Intermediate and Expert modes.

Yes, it will work the way you are describing with regards to roll and pitch, in the sense that it will remain canted over if you roll it 45 degrees, or upside-down if you that's how you've oriented it. Rudder doesn't really work that way since it can't "hold" a rudder command, that would have it going in circles. It always flies straight when you let go. I have an Aeroscout with Safe myself, great trainer and practice plane for sportier flying. I swapped the receiver to one without any assists at all, so the servos just do exactly what the sticks command. It's still a very stable plane. I swapped the propeller to a 6x4, seems to perform a bit better than the stock 5" prop. I run a 2200mah 3s and can easily count on ~12 minutes of flying with power left over.

 

[Flyboy666]

Thanks Doom, now you are understanding my question. So ... when you say "it is best to manipulate the sticks to get your plane back into the neutral position rather than just releasing the sticks" ... are you talking about manipulating BOTH sticks (rudder and aileron/elevator)? That is the crux of my question -- Does the rudder stick self-center when released in Expert mode, or does it behave like the aileron/elevator stick, which you correctly state needs to be manipulated to get the plane back to a neutral position?

The whole reason I asked my original question was that the manual only says that the pitch and roll do not self-correct in Intermediate and Expert modes. It does not mention yaw (rudder.) So that led me to wonder if the rudder DOES self-correct and self-center, even in Intermediate and Expert modes. Maybe it's just a poorly worded statement in the manual.

In any case ... It sounds like you are saying that I should treat the rudder stick similar to the aileron/elevator stick when in Intermediate and Expert modes, and manipulate BOTH sticks to get the plane back into a neutral position. Which sounds logical to me, and will probably be easier for my muscle memory to develop.

Do I understand you corretly?

Thanks again.

Yes, it will work the way you are describing with regards to roll and pitch, in the sense that it will remain canted over if you roll it 45 degrees, or upside-down if you that's how you've oriented it. Rudder doesn't really work that way since it can't "hold" a rudder command, that would have it going in circles. It always flies straight when you let go. I have an Aeroscout with Safe myself, great trainer and practice plane for sportier flying. I swapped the receiver to one without any assists at all, so the servos just do exactly what the sticks command. It's still a very stable plane. I swapped the propeller to a 6x4, seems to performs a bit better than the stock 5" prop. I run a 2200mah 3s and can easily count on ~12 minutes of flying with power left over.

OK thanks. That answers my question. So the rudder does not need to be moved manually back to center, since it will not hold a command and will self-center. That was the crux of my question. So now I am clear. Thanks again.

PS - I am using the DXS transmitter that came with the plane and the same batteries that you are. I usually end up landing after about 9-10 minutes, when I have one (of the four) battery indicators still lit. I am still new enough that I don't want to run out of power and crash, so I like to leave myself some leeway. But good to know I might be able to squeeze out another minute or two if necessary.

 

[Doom!]

Thanks Doom, now you are understanding my question. So ... when you say "it is best to manipulate the sticks to get your plane back into the neutral position rather than just releasing the sticks" ... are you talking about manipulating BOTH sticks (rudder and aileron/elevator)? That is the crux of my question -- Does the rudder stick self-center when released in Expert mode, or does it behave like the aileron/elevator stick, which you correctly state needs to be manipulated to get the plane back to a neutral position?

The whole reason I asked my original question was that the manual only says that the pitch and roll do not self-correct in Intermediate and Expert modes. It does not mention yaw (rudder.) So that led me to wonder if the rudder DOES self-correct and self-center, even in Intermediate and Expert modes. Maybe it's just a poorly worded statement in the manual.

In any case ... It sounds like you are saying that I should treat the rudder stick similar to the aileron/elevator stick when in Intermediate and Expert modes, and manipulate BOTH sticks to get the plane back into a neutral position. Which sounds logical to me, and will probably be easier for my muscle memory to develop.

Do I understand you corretly?

Thanks again.


OK thanks. That answers my question. So the rudder does not need to be moved manually back to center, since it will not hold a command and will self-center. That was the crux of my question. So now I am clear. Thanks again.

PS - I am using the DXS transmitter that came with the plane and the same batteries that you are. I usually end up landing after about 9-10 minutes, when I have one (of the four) battery indicators still lit. I am still new enough that I don't want to run out of power and crash, so I like to leave myself some leeway. But good to know I might be able to squeeze out another minute or two if necessary.

Sorry ittook me a minute to get it. glad things are clear now, it's so much easier to explain in person than on a keyboard.

 

[Flyboy666]

Sorry ittook me a minute to get it. glad things are clear now, it's so much easier to explain in person than on a keyboard.

NP. And you are sure right about in-person vs. a keyboard. I was thinking the same thing. Thanks again all.

 

[Hobbydude2]

The way I see it, I think foamies should be in safe mode, those birdies are squirrly, light and easy to crunchify. The Petrofsky Bros say stay in safe mode to keep from buggering up your investiment. If you want to feel the bird. Get a nitro monster bird and have at it.