Great Planes Tracer 46 Kit - GPMA0400 - Manual (Page 46)

46
COMPUTER RADIOS.
As you prepare to fly the Tracer for the first time, there are a
few features on computer radios we'd like to mention. There
are many others, of course, but these are commonly used
features on most computer radios. If you are using a non-
computerized radio, this information may still be of interest to
you for future installations.
ATV or Travel Volume: ATV is a wonderful feature of
computer radios which allows you to make minor adjustments
to how far a servo travels at its extremes. For example, you
install the throttle pushrod and it's almost perfect, except you
have some binding at wide open. Instead of struggling with
the clevises to try to keep full throttle but not have the binding,
you can turn down the ATV slightly until the binding is gone.
Why only adjust ATV slightly? Control linkages are really just a
lesson in leverage. The less distance the servo is moving for a
given throw at the surface, the less leverage you have given
the servo to do the job. Thus the lower you set the ATV the
less power you are leaving for the servo to apply to the
surface. Additionally, a servo has only so many points within
its range of motion. By cutting its range in half, you've also
diminished the precision of the servo by 50%. Because of both
of these issues, we strongly recommend setting the high rates
as close as possible to 100% on the ATV.
Dual Rates: Setting dual rates helps make your model easier
to fly in a variety of situations. For example, an expert pilot
who wants to do torque rolls will need a large amount of
control throw. However, s/he does not want that same huge
volume of throw when executing perfectly smooth loops or
slow rolls. Low rates give your model a soft feel, with
aggressive responsiveness just a flip of a switch away.
Exponential, the Best of Both Rates: Exponential is a
feature which modelers tend to either love or hate. The
benefits of exponential are that they make the elevator, for
example, feel like it is on low rates when you are moving the
stick near center; however, when you get farther from center
the model gets progressively more responsive. The reason
this is helpful is that it allows you to make soft, minor
adjustments when small corrections are needed, but still
allows you sufficient throw to make major changes at full
stick. For example, you can smoothly level the wings while
flying along straight and level without over-controlling, yet still
have enough aileron throw at full stick to complete a one-
second roll.
Idle Down and Throttle Kill: Idle down allows you to have a
switch set for a high idle, ideal for most aerobatics where you
have little or no risk of dead sticking, as well as a lower idle
setting for, say, landings, taxiing and minimum throttle
maneuvers such as spins. The throttle kill setting on most
computer radios will idle your engine down whatever percent you
set it so that your engine will shut off when the switch is thrown
AND the throttle stick is in the idle position. This is an excellent
safety feature to shut off your engine in emergency situations.
Great Planes® Giles G-202
With a mild .46, this kit flies slowly enough to be a good
second model. Use a hot .46 FX and it's a MinIMAC terror.
Install a 4-stroke .91, and performance is unlimited!
Designed by 2-time U.S. IMAC National Freestyle
Champion Mike Cross, the Giles G 202 takes maximum
advantage of self-aligning, slot and tab construction to build
fast, straight and strong. Longitudinal ply rails inside the
fuselage absorb "touchdown" stress from the included,
heavy-duty aluminum landing gear. Dual aileron servos
deliver swift, sure input for greater control authority—and
the radio compartment offers room to install optional twin
elevator servos that simplify radio set-up, tighten linkages
and boost servo power. GPMA0238
Great Planes Extra 300S .40-size
Ideal for MinIMAC, Great Planes’ sport-scale Extra 300S kit
requires no more experience, expense or assembly work
than the average mid-size spor t model. It minimizes
building challenges with CAD-engineered, perfectly
interlocking parts, a photo-illustrated instruction manual
and accurate, full-size plans. The fully symmetrical wing
comes with preshaped and notched leading and trailing
edges and D-tube construction to maximize strength.
Economize by using the engine from your .40-size sport
trainer...or use a “hot” .40 engine to fly unlimited vertical!
GPMA0235
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