D/R and EXP settings for Skua...

[mike]

Have rebuilt the Skua from scratch and test flew it today...but the settings are way out and have to re-program the radio...anyone have any advice on standard settings (D/R and EXP) for the Skua 1500???...

[Pij]

From www.wowings.com/instructions/wowings_skua1500.doc

FINAL SETUP

1.Turn on your radio equipment and re-check that everything is functioning correctly and that the elevons are moving in the correct direction. When viewed from the rear, both elevons should move up when your transmitter’s elevator stick is pulled back for “up” control and both should move down when the elevator stick is pushed forward for “down” control. When your transmitter’s aileron stick is moved to the right for “right roll” control, the right elevon should move up and the left elevon should move down, and when the aileron stick is moved to the left for “left roll” control, the left elevon should move up and the right elevon should move down.
2.Re-check the neutral position of the elevons. Their bottom surface should form a straight line with the rear half of the foam section of the wing, measured mid-span.
3.Adjust the elevons’ throw. Too much movement and the glider will become hard to control, easier to stall and generally not very fun to fly. Too little movement and the glider will become unresponsive and also not very fun to fly. The correct amount of elevon movement for the S-15 is determined by its balance point, the pilot’s skill level and the desired flight characteristics. As a starting guide, the trailing edge of the elevons (furthest point inboard) should be able to move about 15mm (10/16”) up and the same amount down from their neutral position for aileron control, ie. total movement of 30mm (1 3/16”). For elevator control the elevons should only need about 8mm (5/16”) up and same amount down from their neutral position ie. total movement of about 16mm (10/16”). Of course actual movements during normal flight will be MUCH less, these just represent the maximum throws you’re ever likely to require for full stick movement.
4.The amount of control surface movement for the elevons can be adjusted electronically via some transmitters. If your transmitter has “end point adjustment” (EPA) then adjust this setting until you achieve the desired amount of elevon movement for both channels. Some computer radios with in-built elevon mixing may require this adjustment to be done in the “dual rates” (D/R) setting instead. If you’re using a separate electronic mixer to achieve the elevon mixing, good ones (like the DigiMix II) will have independently adjustable rates to achieve your desired control throws.
5.Generally speaking, it’s best to have the pushrod connect to the servo lower down on the servo arm and connect to the control horn higher up on the arm. This minimizes the effect of any “slop” (free-play) in the servo gears.
6.Fully charge both your transmitter’s and receiver’s battery packs and perform a “range check” prior to your first flight. Don’t forget to also make sure that no one else is using the same radio frequency as you prior to turning on your transmitter at the flying site.
7.The S-15 is launched by hand. The most powerful launching technique is to grab the wing in the centre at the trailing edge so that your palm is against the wing’s bottom surface and your fingers curled around the trailing edge onto the top surface. The glider is then thrown like a ball, keeping the nose pointing level at the horizon, while your transmitter is held in the other hand ready for immediate use. There are also other techniques where the wing is held by its nose but these are less powerful. If you are not confident in launching a flying wing it’s a good idea to have someone launch it for you, especially for its maiden flight.
8.You will likely want to fine-tune the amount of elevon movement and perhaps also slightly adjust the CG location to best suit your personal tastes. Having the balance point further forward (a couple of millimeters) has a greater stabilizing effect ie. it will tend to hold onto a level flight path stronger and/or return to a level flight path quicker. The trade-off with a balance point further forward than it needs to be is that more up trim is required for level flight, adding to the glider’s drag (reducing maximum flight speed) and reducing the maximum amount of lift the wing can generate before stalling. The glider also becomes less responsive to control inputs (less aerobatic and maneuverable), doesn’t retain as much speed in its turns and doesn’t fly as well upside down. If the CG is too far back it will be impossible to trim for level flight (unstable in pitch) and will become uncontrollable. You can experiment with fine adjustments to the CG by taping a small piece of lead (around 10 grams) onto the centre of the wing and progressively moving it forwards and backwards until you find the “sweet spot”. Presuming it’s trimmed properly for level flight, when optimally balanced the S-15 should tend to pull up only just a little (or hold course) from a 45 degree dive from altitude and require only a very small amount of “down” elevator control for level flight when flying inverted. If the S-15 pulls out quickly by itself from a 45 degree dive and/or requires significant “down” elevator while flying inverted then it is too nose heavy. Conversely, if the dive becomes steeper and/or no “down” elevator control is required for inverted flight than it likely needs more nose weight.

[Pij]

Oops, I assumed it was the S15. Otherwise the manual's here www.wowings.com/instructions/Skua/wowings_skua_construction.htm

[lucky]

Far out pij !

Mike's a good safe pilot.
Mike for my S15 i have expo at around 38% for elevator, and almost none for aileron. After all, when we need roll, we usally really need it!
But then The elevons on mine got the slimming treatmeant in thickness and width for speed sakes. Otherwise with controlling the thing its just very easy on the stick respectfully as usual does the trick, it ain't a lazy CW.

I have D/R programmed for this glider but don't use them coz I'm old school when it comes to easing a glider around with a stick.

Take the bugger up to Mt Coolum or some other big bugger off place for a fly, that will sort her out.

As for the NP of your S15 and its CG+any reflex etc, I've no idea.
They are a fantastic frontsider when sorted out, hope all goes well with her.
Ding has/had an S15, Jake has one he fly's too.
Perhaps they have words to offer.

[ding]

I've found about 20-30% expo is good. Any more than that and it tends to make things too dead around neutral and too sensitive away from them. I usually use 20/25%. Also generally a DR would be 70/80. If it's more than that then you should be looking at the physical throws.

[mike]

Thanks guys..very helpfull...will set it up and hopefully get a fly this weekend..

[chamm37]

where r u gunna take it out

[mike]

Will take it out to SC this weekend if it dosen't rain too much...based on the weather report I saw tonite, great wind, but alot of rain on the way..

[felix]

hey mike i'll hold the umbrella for you! would love to see this ripping around in the winds coming