Radio Settings

Below is an xls download and in it are the settings I use for most the current kits, note this is using a Spektrum DX-8 Gen2, earlier gens or other DX systems may not have the exact same naming of the settings.  This version of the radio takes a removable Memory card for model storage.  There are only a few settings to adjust.  These all assume you have used the servo subtrim setting to zero out your control surfaces to be perfectly aligned wth the wing for boost, then you add in these settings and verify throws and movement are correct before flying.  There are only a few settings to adjust, aircraft type is Elevon for all models.  Set the servo directions.  I use a timer set up the same for all planes, on Switch D to start on position 2(down).  That way when I activate my glide trim, the timer starts and I can time my glide duration.  This is not required.

I set my flap setting to be active on switch D.  After that you are just setting D/R % and Flap/Elevator boost/glide trim %, that’s it.  Nearly all of my kits with will use nearly identical setup with minor adjustments to D/R % settings and Boost/Glide trim settings. Boost trim is what I needed, depending on your build this setting will need to be adjusted.  If in doubt or if nothing is mentioned in the instructions use a neutral boost setting, the glide trim setting noted should be pretty close.  If you have a radio that allows flight modes, you can usually set trim settings per flight mode and set those to a switch.  You can use this alternatively or in addition to the elevator flap trim.  For each flight mode you can set the elevator trim to be what you want and select a flight mode for boost and glide.  I turn on the audible flight mode as well so it tells me what flight mode it is in so that I don’t accidentally launch in glide mode!

Note 1: I use the D switch for elevator/flap trim for boost/glide it is the long switch at the top left front and is a three position switch, I use up switch position 0 for boost and down switch 2  postion for glide.  I also set the D switch to select between flight modes, I have one for Launch and one for landing and can adjust my boost/glide elevator trim and aileron if necessary.

Note 2: I enable my timer to count when the D switch is moved to position 2(down) this is for keeping track of my glide time, when I pitch the model over and flip the elevator flap trim switch down it will start.  It will stop when the switch is moved to the boost position.  I can clear it using the xmitter button.  I turn on voice to activate each minute and when the timer starts, stops and resets, this helps me make sure the switch is in the boost position when I switch it up it will say timer off.

Note 3: These settings are assuming you use the long servo arm(one end trimmed off) on an HS-65HB hitec servo, any other servo may not have the exact same movement amount with these settings.

Note 4: I do not use the servo Travel adjust to set the movement, I leave those at 100% and prefer to use the dual rate elevator/aileron permanently enabled(ie setting is the same for any switch position) and reduce/increase the throws for elevator or aileron using the dual rate %. I do not use different dual rate settings on a switch position, I set them to be the same for either switch position and am only using dual rate to control the throw.  I do not use expo either, I find I can adjust easily for sensitivity and have never found the need.

Note 5: For the flap elevator trim, flap % is not applicable because you aren’t running flaps, you are just using that switch/mix  for the elevator trim function to allow you to set a boost and glide trim setting.

Note 6: Boost/glide trim settings are dependent on how straight you have built your model and your actual boost and glide CG, they may be slightly different than what is here, you can see that boost/glide trim settings are fairly consistent accross the models, but D/R % may be quite different depending on the size of the control surface and the model. A few needed a minor bit of down trim for boost, most needed nothing.  I like the model to boost slightly away from me, so not quite straight up to allow me to see the model and go up wind.

You can also use flight modes to accomplish the same thing, you need to go into flight modes in the system menu, I selected switch d, then you can go into voice and program “launch” and “landing” voice for the different switch positions, then you need to go into trims and make elevator Fmode not common.  You then use the trim lever on the front of the transmitter in each switch position/flight mode as needed and you are good to go.

As you look at the xls you will see that nearly all models have identical servo direction settings and basic setup, the only differences are the % of dual rate for aileron and elevator and the boost/glide trim.  If you don’t find your model you can start with any of the models here and then measure your throws/trims as per the instructions for your kit and adjust them from there.

Note the choice of servo and servo arm length impacts the throws so these may be off if you blindly copy them, they are a good starting point, I typically use Hitec HS-5055 Digital metal gear servos with the long solid control arm in my setups.

XLS with my trim settings is HERE: Radio Settings

I have a video here which shows/explains flap and flight modes.