RC Glider Basics | DLG Flight Modes

Рет қаралды 31,122

3 жыл бұрын

RC discus launch gliders (DLGs) / F3K gliders require careful setup of different flight modes to get the best performance out of the glider. But, what are flight modes? What are we trying to achieve with the radio programming? And what do I use to get the most launch height? We'll go over the basics in this video with the ArmSoar BAMF 2 DLG.
While this video specifically explains flight modes for DLGs, a lot of the principles also applies to other RC gliders.
ArmSoar: www.armsoar.com
ArmSoar USA: www.armsoarusa.com
Deviant DLG (Kit): bit.ly/dev1m
Deviant DLG (Receiver-Ready): bit.ly/rrdeviant
BAMF 2 DLG (Kit): bit.ly/bamf2dlg
My ultimate tool guide for DLGs: bit.ly/dlgtools
Resources / What I Use
KST X08 v5 Servo (International): bit.ly/kstx08v5
KST X08 v5 Servo (USA): bit.ly/kstx08v5usa
Wire For Pull Strings: amzn.to/3eykaO7
Crimps For Pull Strings: amzn.to/2QbSLta
5mm Gap Seal Tape: amzn.to/3v1d3UE
Kapton Tape: amzn.to/2QjwSIf
Spektrum AR410 Receiver: amzn.to/3n3BhLr
Spektrum iX20 Radio: amzn.to/3dwPcq5
FrSky GR6 Receiver: amzn.to/3gZV8Kf
FrSky X-Lite Pro Radio: amzn.to/3nMYtxY
I hope you find that useful! Just so you know, ArmSoar may collect a small share of sales from the Amazon links on this page. It does not increase your price but helps us keep making good content!

Пікірлер: 96

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

Are you using a Zoom mode on launch? Let me know down below!

@christoph8630 3 жыл бұрын

I dont like doing launches with zoom because of the camera lag. I prefer real life.

@michaelshellim5534 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, forward on elevator stick to exit.

@leofraser308 3 жыл бұрын

yes - and exit zoom via a logical switch triggered by elevator input when in zoom mode.

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

@@leofraser308 FrSky? I love their logical switches :D

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

@@christoph8630 maybe some misunderstanding - Zoom flight mode on launch :)

@AviatorJohn70 29 күн бұрын

I appreciate these videos as a new guy to DLG.

@ArmSoar 26 күн бұрын

Glad they’re helpful!!

@knowledgebyte 3 ай бұрын

Helpful. I have a Mini Elipse I have been flying for many years now and have a similar setup for cruise, thermal and penetration through cold air or when heading over to less sinky air. I have a potentiometer set to control the flap settings to positive or negative for fine tuning and use the idle-up switch (heli) for quick flap or flaperon settings. And like you brakes via the throttle. I have also used coupled elevator to flap for tightening turns when doing aerobatics. And coupled rudder to aileron paired to differential aileron/flaperon.

@ArtofTaxidermy 3 жыл бұрын

By far one of the best explanations on this topic. Thanks a lot.

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

Glad to help!

@duncancoolidge4041 2 жыл бұрын

A very intelligent and well presented description of flight modes and their uses. It makes DLGs, which I have just discovered, very intriguing. They certainly draw an engineering mind’s attention. So thank you for providing this video. Best regards, Duncan

@ArmSoar 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the kind words, welcome to the DLG world!

@yodecaf Жыл бұрын

Very informative. I never used a zoom mode before this! Loving my Deviant.

@Bartowham1 Ай бұрын

Great video for a newbie. Thanks.

@bhgant813 2 жыл бұрын

One of the best channels out there! Great explanations!

@ArmSoar 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, thanks! Really appreciate it.

@IllFlyIt 2 жыл бұрын

Subscribed, liked, and bookmarked this video. So useful! Just ordered my first DLG from y’all and can’t wait!

@ArmSoar 2 жыл бұрын

Welcome aboard!

@c_schelli96 10 ай бұрын

very interesting, thanks a lot! i'll try to add a launch preset mode to my dlg in order to improve my launches!

@n1lul Жыл бұрын

Super helpful! Just ordered a BAMF 2 from you this morning. My first DHLG.. My last HLGs were javelin launched!

@ArmSoar Жыл бұрын

Nice!!! Hope you enjoy the BAMF 2 :) We love flying it.

@andysoars8139 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Thomas, most helpful, please keep it coming..

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

Stay tuned!! :)

@microflite 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent explanation - and to the point. Thanks!

@ArmSoar 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I like to get right to the topics :)

@RCPlaneAddict 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this. I am not flying a discus glider, but did pick up a simple 4ch. SZD-54 2m. I am going to try to apply some of your suggestions to my glider. Cheers.

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped, have fun!

@RCnerd74 3 жыл бұрын

Love that butterfly wing color scheme😍 Absolutely amazing😋👌🏻

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Cheers!

@FrankJames-vk1fy Жыл бұрын

I flew my BAMF2 yesterday in 10 to 15 mph winds with hellacious thermals. I have wrecked and rebuilt it at least 5 times. I call it my Frankenstein. It now weighs 311 grams yet still flies like a beast. Thermals like a mad man. I had two 7 minute flights, and one 10 minute flight. Love my BAMF2...I lost my blue one in the forest but still have my red one.

@ArmSoar Жыл бұрын

311 grams is just perfect for those active days :) Glad you're having fun!!

@AttilaBabo 3 жыл бұрын

Great intro Thomas!

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@louisweathers1871 2 жыл бұрын

Hey - great video - it has the why, how and then the buttonology - really liked it

@ArmSoar 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@tombarton1 2 жыл бұрын

Great video ..thnx!

@kev4354 2 жыл бұрын

very Helpfull Thanks

@TitofBee 3 жыл бұрын

Nice Video, Thomas ;-)

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much! I appreciate it :)

@ziggiaero2847 Жыл бұрын

Nice

@SecretSqurrl 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video Thomas. Hmmm! I'm doing it wrong. I was holding the launch button probably halfway up the initial vertical travel. Release varied greatly by windspeed. So I should set the elevator to rotate the plane sharply then release the launch button just after the blade leaves my fingertips. Then, just before the plane stalls vertically tip over to horizontal flight and click to cruise mode? I like the spring on the flap stick. My zoom is timed in seconds.

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

It's a bit simplified in the video - in very windy conditions I do let it climb in a slightly shallower angle (70-80˚ instead of 80-90˚) so that it doesn't get pushed behind me during the climb phase. But other than that, your summary is on the point - give it a try! Once I pushover into horizontal flight I'm usually in Cruise mode as that's what I'll use for the first part of the flight when searching for a thermal. Give the more aggressive rotation and the spring on the flap stick a shot, maybe you'll like it!

@michaelmickoberhaus8009 2 жыл бұрын

Your video helped me to understand the different positions now I need to know how to program my Dx6

@ArmSoar 2 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped!

@michaelmickoberhaus8009 2 жыл бұрын

I have set up two different ways, 1 with flaperons, acro the other us glider using camber. And no I don't know how to program for zoom. Using Dx6e

@markfelstead2507 3 жыл бұрын

hi! looking forward to how to set up the flight modes on the radio - I have a readiomaster TX12 and it is much more intelligent than me!!

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

Check out this thread by Mickey Nowell. I learned to program OTX based on his PDF. www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2773447-Tarani-curious

@bracesport 3 жыл бұрын

your 3sec reset on the launch 2 is interesting - I use the old system for pushing over with the ELE - the logical switch reverts to the currently switched flight mode when it sees the ELE greater than 20%.

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

On my FrSky radios I was also using a logical switch to exit Zoom via elevator input (in my case, 30% either direction). No action-based sequences/logical switches in Spektrum, so I am using their time-based sequencer function to enter/exit Zoom mode instead.

@bracesport 3 жыл бұрын

@@ArmSoar ah, that makes sense!

@MoritzWeller 4 ай бұрын

Very helpful explanations! I would love to see a Radio Setup Video for EdgeTX (I'm now running the Radiomaster TX16S) but I only found the Spektrum Setup Video in your channel, did I miss it? I'm kind of figuring it out by myself, but it would be helpful to see how others set up their DLG on EdgeTX / OpenTX

@ArmSoar 3 ай бұрын

Glad the video was helpful! We don’t have an EdgeTX or OpenTX video, sorry!

@MoritzWeller 3 ай бұрын

@@ArmSoar no worries, maybe something for the future 😄 glad to see you still active on YT, i also really liked the podcast format and a lot of your other videos to get started into the hobby 🙏

@tomcarmody1189 4 ай бұрын

Great Video. I am using the NX10 and would like to swap the A switch and the Bind button as you did. Is this possible on the NX10 ? I fear the case holes are not the same size. Thanks

@leofraser308 3 жыл бұрын

I have set up a HawkDLG, but when I have flaperons down for landing I loose directional control with the aerolons. When you do your video on setting up the transmitter, it would be great to see how you manage this.

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

The plane is different but the idea is the same - I'll make sure to touch on that in the video!

@ethanjackson880 3 жыл бұрын

I'm looking forward to seeing how to set up DLG flight modes with digital switches on Spektrum transmitters. I haven't been able to get any good information about DLGs and Spektrum.

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

And there's a lot of Spektrum users out there! We're working on a DLG programming video for Spektrum radios, hopefully we'll get that out in two weeks from now.

@28th_St_Air 3 жыл бұрын

I don’t know if this vid will help you but it may give you a start. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/jtuJladmm9rdlZ8.html

@ethanjackson880 3 жыл бұрын

@@28th_St_Air Thanks

@mybobize 9 ай бұрын

Is it common to use receivers with barometers for altitude readings? Is it worth the extra money to get one for a DLG?

@banko444 3 жыл бұрын

This is excellent thank you. Some closeup of adding a spring to the left stick would be great. I’d really like to add that to my tx. Thanks! Opened my tx up. I see where you are talking about.... is a tiny spring like out of a ballpoint pen or a bit of rubber better?

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

I've used both, the pen spring is a more permanent solution although I've mostly been using rubber bands. I replace them once a year and have never had one break yet. The issue with the pen spring is they're relatively short and sometimes you don't have something closeby to hook on to to give it tension.

@banko444 3 жыл бұрын

@@ArmSoar great! Going to try a little rubber band today. I’ve been pushing up to deploy flaps on sailplanes since the 90s and never thought to add resistance to the left stick. That’s a great idea! Appreciate that! I never understood why most pull down. The left thumb rests so much more comfortably for rudder input with the stick at the bottom of the pot. Oh well to each his own. :-)

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

@@banko444 let me know if you like the auto retract!

@hangarkat 3 жыл бұрын

Thomas, thanks for the great video. I like the explanation of the quick turnaround but didn’t understand; do you have to switch back to zoom mode before catching or does pushing your launch button automatically switch to zoom when you release it?

@hangarkat 3 жыл бұрын

Never mind - I saw your DLG/iX20 video and you are using something that’s different in Taranis/OTX

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

In both my OTX and Spektrum radios it goes into Zoom mode once I release the launch button.

@royberkelhammer6272 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this. Can you supply any additional info or instructions on adding a spring to the left tx stick?

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

Depending on the radio/gimbal, some don't require modifications and there will be a spot you can hook a spring or rubber band to internally, such as the FrSky Xlite/Xlite Pro, X10S, and JR XG8 and XG14. On the Spektrum iX20 and Futaba 16iz that I've been playing with lately I needed to drill a small hole to fit in a tiny screw for the spring/rubber band to hook onto the gimbal. This probably voids my warranty though! Haha...

@royberkelhammer6272 3 жыл бұрын

@@ArmSoar Thanks Thomas!

@theowolthers7732 3 жыл бұрын

@@ArmSoar Show some pictures on FB please.

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

@@theowolthers7732 I'll shoot details in an upcoming video, already 3 or 4 requests on more info on this so it should be an interesting topic.

@joetheairbusguy1813 Жыл бұрын

Is the flight mode programming Video out?

@supvillain4053 3 жыл бұрын

i assume the DLGs are using similar airfoil (high lift and low drag), it has small differents but the principle is same. they has also similar weight, wing span and wing area..etc. however i found at least 3 different setting for launch/zoom/speed, it's really confused me as i am beginner to DLG, for example: 1. Launch Mode a) elevator up b) flaps up (2mm), elevator up c) flaps down(2-3mm), elevator flat 2. Zoom mode a) flaps and elevator are flat (no change) b) flaps up (2mm) c) flaps down (2mm) 3. Speed mode a) flaps and elevator are flat (no change) b) flaps up (3mm or more) So in wonder if there is any universal(foolproof) setting to avoid planting the glider on the ground. Thanks

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, the concept is the same BUT the numbers will be different. You need to reference the manufacturer's recommended settings for the camber setup on the different modes. For example, on the BAMF 2: 1. Launch preset - clean section (0mm camber) on the wings and elevator up (amount will depend on how aggressive your rotation is), 2. Zoom mode - 2mm reflex (flaperons up) on the wings and ~0 on the elevator, 3. Speed mode - clean section (0mm camber) on the wings and a tiny bit of up elevator compared to Zoom mode.

@supvillain4053 3 жыл бұрын

@@ArmSoar i thought the preset could be very similar to all DLGs, unfortunately my DLG was bought few years ago from individual maker(homebuild), there was no manual and couldn't find the person, but i will try different preset anyway, thanks again

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

If you don’t have known settings, I’d start with 0 camber for all three modes and go from there.

@takujiebinuma7964 3 жыл бұрын

Great video, Thomas. I'd live to see an episode on very basic OpenTX programming for these flight modes.

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

We are planning on doing a basic OpenTX programming video after the Spektrum one :)

@tomcook5813 7 ай бұрын

I can’t throw a glider, but they look so efficient and I like the size. Do they make one the same size and efficiently in electric power?

@ArmSoar 7 ай бұрын

Yup! Check out the Fury on our website: www.armsoar.com. We have some videos here on our KZfaq channel too. Very efficient thermal machines with friendly handling. Breaks down really small for transport and storage too!

@jimmymarockircstuff2289 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, how about doing a build video on a fury

@ArmSoar 3 жыл бұрын

Build video for the Fury is planned, the first one we are working on right now is for the Deviant.

@jimmymarockircstuff2289 3 жыл бұрын

@@ArmSoar thanks that is great news

@ModellhobbyLeitner Ай бұрын

which receiver are you using with spektrum in a dlg?

@ArmSoar Ай бұрын

AR410

@zizu82 Жыл бұрын

Aren't speed & zoom modes same? I've already seen guys using same settings for both phases.

@ArmSoar Жыл бұрын

On older airfoils it’s the same setting. On new models with higher performance airfoils they are two distinct settings.

@zizu82 Жыл бұрын

@@ArmSoar Thx. Mine is Hawk 1m DLG with airfoil AG46. Not sure if it's modern but this little bird is quite new design. What is actual difference in those settings? I guess both need ailerons to be a little up to get the best air penetration.