How to Set Up Electric Sailplanes
A well working remote controlled sailplane requires that you complete the set up process correctly. Electric sailplanes use battery powered servos to run the elevators and rudder that control movement during flight. Setting up these servos requires that you precisely place each part so that the commands you trigger with the remote properly transfer to the sailplane. Proper set up will have your plane soaring through the air, able to perform acrobatically on command. Improper set up, however, quickly leads to a downed plane and costly repairs.
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Things You'll Need
- Matched RC crystals
- RC radio receiver
- RC radio transmitter
- Servos
- RC aircraft battery
Instructions
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1
Install the crystals into your remote control and receiver to place the units on a common frequency. Place the receiver crystal into the remote control receiver by sliding the two prongs on the bottom of the crystal into the open mount located on the receiver. Open the remote controlled transmitter using a screwdriver and place the dual pronged transmitter crystal into the open mount contained in the device. The transmitter crystal is generally marked with a "T" for easy identification between the two.
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2
Plug the servos into the remote receiver in order to test their operation. Plug the servo to control the rudder into channel one of the remote receiver. Plug the elevator control servo into channel two of the receiver. The rudder controls the direction your plane flies in, while the elevator is used to control the altitude.
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3
Plug the battery pack into the remote receiver and then turn on the transmitter. Move the left and right controller sticks and watch the servos for corresponding movement. Move the rudder stick left and right to move the rudder servo, and the elevator stick up and down to move the elevator servo. Make sure that the servos are set to start with the servo arms centered, and that they return to the centered position when the control sticks are centered. Adjust the servos if necessary to center with the sticks by pulling the serve arm off the servo base, rotating it and then placing it back onto the base at a centered point. Turn off the transmitter and unplug the servos and battery pack when finished.
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4
Mount the remote control receiver, servos and battery pack onto the plane in the locations specified by the sailplane manufacturer. All items should be strapped securely into place using plastic twist ties or Velcro straps.
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5
Connect the metal control rods from the servos to the elevators and rudder. Hook one end of the rods to the servo arms and the other ends to the rudder and elevator. Attach a plastic flight control horn to the rudder and elevator surfaces using epoxy glue. Connect the metal rod from the servos to the control horns. As the servo arms move, the rods will move the part attached to the arms.
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6
Plug the servos and battery packs into the receiver. Turn on the transmitter and test the controls before take-off. Make any last minute adjustments necessary to servo settings, and then unplug the battery pack until you're ready to fly.
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Tips & Warnings
More precise control can be taken over the sailplane by adding ailerons to the wings and an additional servo to control the roll of the aircraft.
