Using mix for 3..

[zaboaa]

Sorry title should say 3D...

Tried to do a search, all the threads that come up are for swash mixing. I just got an 11X, love the radio BTW. But I was thinking of experimenting with some mixes. I thought I would start with some mixing for Tic Toc's. I can keep them level, but I always drift left and am constantly having to fight the nose from going right (or tail kicking out left). I was think of having a cyclic to tail and cyclic to aileron mix to counter this. Btw I have a 500 and use a gov mode for 3D. Anyone try this? Any other cool mixes for funnels and such...

[=\TICxTOC/=]

Mostly transmitter mixes like that are targeted at airplanes as far as I know. I could be wrong here but I think this type of mix is frowned upon with helis as it indicates either a faulty setup or generally inaccurate stick inputs ( easily the cause). Because it sounds more like you could dial-in/tweak your setup a bit more or sim the maneuvers you're practising, I would try that first before applying any type of mix. Make sure your tail and gyro settings are optimized before mixing the rudder to any other channels or you will never get it sorted out. If you are really progressing towards 3D, you should confirm that the movements you are worried about are not arising from erroneous stick inputs even if you think that's impossible, as more often than not it seems the brain does not really know just exactly what our fingers are doing. For instance you might have a slightly asymmetrical pitch range which would cause a tictoc to drift in the direction of the reduced end of the pitch range.
Good luck and hopefully you can get your heli flying just how you like it

I will also admit, that although I have a screen name that would indicate daring-do I am just doing flips and rolls so far no tictocs yet

[Rªzª]

If your tail is drifting during tic tocs (or during any significant load on the head) check that your gyro is set up properly. Bad drift can come from not setting the gyro up in rate mode properly. I.E. switch your gyro into rate mode (non heading hold) and adjust the links from the servo to the pitch slider until the heli does not drift at all when hovering. You'll get less drift on tic tocs for sure.

As for any other drifts, make sure your head is level at mid, top, and bottom pitch. An unlevel swash will reek havoc on cyclic moves like tic tocs.

As for mixes? No I don't recommend any type of mix to compensate for drifts during a maneuvar. A properly set up swash, and tail will do you much better. That and practice to make sure you're not causing the "drift" yourself

[Ah Clem]

I have been in contact with some of the FAI guys, which has proven to be quite interesting. They are masters at getting helicopters to fly both straight and smooth (some of which, they do through mixes).

One mix I have found useful, is a bit of left aileron mixed into down elevator-this is to help the machine track through large, forward outside loops better. It counteracts the small amount of right cyclic that is usually trimmed in for a "hands off" upright hover.

It might do some very strange things during Tic Tocs, but it is very nice for the outside loops (I may be the last one living that still likes to do outside loops).

[Rªzª]

No way I love outside stuff. Almost like making your heli ride a rollercoaster. Not for the feint of heart, as you'll easily get into a bad situation if you are not comfortable at the bottom of the loop.

Yeah the problem with mixes that fix one thing will inevitably break something else heh.

[zaboaa]

I'm pretty experienced flying and setting up heli's, so I'm pretty sure my set up is good. I'm sure it's pilot induced, but I also know it's pretty consistent. When I do Tic Toc's the tail kicks out left. A heli has a lot of torque, which can do weird things in various stages of flight. I do a lot of fixed wing also, and you can use mixes for different aerobatic/3D manuevers. I was just thinking why not with a heli. I'm not talking a full time mix, Im thinking with the 11X assign a pitch-rudder and pitch-aileron mix to a switch that can be turned on and off. About to enter a Tic Toc switch on, finished switch off. Good disscussion thanks...

[clicky]

Hm. Why don't you do it and report back here?

With all the pros/cons we can debate until late, but the best way to see if it works (or by most of us here doesn't) is to give it a go. Switching mixes on and off is easy (the worse case scenario is that you need to land and switch it off in menu of your Tx).

I'm curious to hear if there is any positive side effects of such mix. And possible negative so we can use it for further reference!

So - go - do it and let us know!

[Rªzª]

I always felt that 3d flying needed more complexity. Custom mix switches for maneuvars is a good start!

[zaboaa]

Originally Posted by Rªzª

I always felt that 3d flying needed more complexity. Custom mix switches for maneuvars is a good start!

Lol, since I left the navy and started flying buses for a living ( airline pilot) I guess I have developed a strange need to flip switches when I fly things...