Which Way Is UP?

[USA251]

OK! I know this is a stupid question but I've have to ask it. In mode 2, channel 3 on my Futaba is for throttle with planes but what about a heli? Should the stick be pushed forward for UP or pushed forward for DOWN? I don't want to set it up and learn the wrong way.

Also, while I'm here, what is the strongest glue for use on carbon fiber?

Help is greatly appreciated.

Tom

[frebou]

Forward for up. Pitch and throttle, same thing if you have collective pitch

[jgoodwin]

Throttle is setup so that 'forward' is up. Until you get into inverted flight then from middle stick up is up and from middle stick down forces the heli down with reverse pitch.

I don't konw about the strongest glue, but I just use CA (super glue) or CA and thread.

J

[jarosujo]

It's up to you what you prefer - most people are using forward stick=heli goes up. I have friend who is using forward stick=heli goes down :-)
Very easy to reverse proper channel in your TX.

[USA251]

Thanks for the information. I just wasn't sure which way the control should operate. Seems like it is logical in either direction. I will set it for forward being up.

Tom

[Windbreaker]

Regarding glue:

You can use cyanoacrylate or epoxy.

With any glue you need to make sure the surface is clean. 99% isopropyl alcohol, often used to clean electronic gear and video heads, works nicely. Make sure the surface is free of any wax release agents.

You can also roughen the surface with fine sandpaper. I used 1200 grit, only because it happened to be on the table. 600 works, too.

For epoxy you'll want to use something rougher than that. Perhaps 150 grit. People who build full-scale aircraft use 40 grit when bonding with epoxy. Of course at the scale we're working at 40 grit would cut right through parts! Just be aware that epoxy does require mechanical roughening, perhaps more than CA might require.

For anything that demands strength under stress, I'd recommend epoxy. CA might be too brittle and not hold up, especially if it's a point contact bond. With epoxy, be sure to measure the mix ratio carefully, blend it thoroughly, and give it a day or two to fully cure before moving the part. Epoxy is a mechanical connection and needs the time to set properly.

If you're attaching something to carbon and want to be able to remove it eventually, you can try 3M's VHP tape. You can get this from Radio Shack. It's used to attach things like glass panes to high rises under extreme conditions. It's designed to tolerate heat, humidity and vibration.

I use VHP to stabilize servo wires on the airframe, and have attached my video transmitter to the carbon fiber boom braces.