Flight Modes
(Menu/Fine Tuning/Flight Modes)
The Flight Modes application allows for various model settings (control surfaces, lighting, auxiliary functions, telemetry-based responses, etc.) and different responses of the model to transmitter stick movements (expo, curves, deflection limits, etc.) in different phases of flight (takeoff, landing, thermal soaring, etc.).
For each transmitter menu function that supports the use of flight modes, you can choose between mode G (Global) or S (Separate). Flight modes allow the model to be properly tuned for all flight phases and to fully utilize its flight performance.
• G mode: the displayed value in the given row or function applies to this model across all flight modes (or to the overall model setup if the Flight Modes application is not active)
• S mode: the currently selected value in the given row or function applies only to the specific flight mode that is currently active (as determined by the position of the switch assigned to switch flight modes)
Tip: The name of the active flight mode is shown in the top bar in the center. If the Flight Modes application is not active, the "Default" mode is displayed.
Working with Flight Modes (Creating a New Flight Mode)
• The Default mode is automatically created for all models. If you plan to use the Flight Modes application, it’s helpful to rename it for clarity by clicking on its label with the 3D control, for example to "cruise".
• Use the F3 (+) button to create a new flight mode. You can create a brand-new mode or a copy of the existing "cruise" (default) mode.
Tip: It’s usually more convenient to create a new mode by copying an existing one. Carrying over all the model’s settings simplifies the setup process.
• A new mode created by copying will have the same name—rename it, for example, to "takeoff"
• Repeat the same process to create a third mode, e.g., "landing"
"Delay" Setting
"Delay" is the setting that determines the time for a gradual transition between two modes. Servo positions may differ between flight modes, and switching modes can result in abrupt changes to several servo deflections simultaneously. This may cause sudden movements of the model, increased mechanical stress, and current spikes. Therefore, we recommend setting a delay for all flight modes—appropriate to the type of model—typically in tenths of a second.
Switching Between Modes
Flight modes can be switched using any control input: switches, logical functions, telemetry values, functions, timers, etc.
Tip: From a practical standpoint, it is usually best to set up two or three flight modes for a model and switch between them using a 2- or 3-position switch. If more than three modes are needed, combine multiple switches.
In the described scenario, three flight modes have been created and a three-position switch SE is chosen to toggle between them.
Assign as follows:
- Bottom position of the switch → mode "landing"
- Middle position → mode "cruise"
- Top position → mode "takeoff"
- Set the switch to the middle position.
- Use the 3D selector to highlight the landing mode row and select "Switch".
- When prompted with "Select control input", move switch SE down and confirm with button F5 (OK).
- Similarly, assign the "takeoff" mode by moving switch SE up from the middle position.
Note: The "cruise" mode is set as the default mode, and no control input is shown in the menu for a default mode. The default mode is always active when all other modes ("landing" and "takeoff") are inactive (marked with an "X").
Tip: You can change the default mode or delete a selected mode using button F4. The default mode cannot be deleted.
Warning: Resetting the flight modes will revert all model settings in all modes to those of the default mode, and any "S" (Separate) values will be converted to "G" (Global) (see section 1: Flight Modes).
Flight Mode Switch Announcements
The Duplex system allows you to assign a voice announcement to each event. This significantly improves situational awareness and confidence in controlling the model.
In the right column of the Flight Modes menu, you can assign a voice announcement to each flight mode by activating the speaker icon and selecting an audio file from the available list.
Tip: If a suitable announcement is not available in the list, you can create one in several ways (see the mini-guide "Duplex System Voice Announcements").
Tip: You can also visually confirm the active flight mode in the top bar of the screen.
Currently, three flight modes are set up and can be toggled using switch SE. However, switching modes currently has no effect on the model's behavior. Below are example differences in settings for each mode:
- Mode "cruise":
- Landing gear retracted
- Flaps controlled across full range
- Mode "takeoff":
- Landing gear extended
- Flaps fixed in takeoff position
- Elevator trim adjusted for takeoff
- Mode "landing":
- Landing gear extended
- Flaps fixed in landing position with the option to increase deflection
- Elevator trim adjusted for landing
Settings for mode "cruise":
• Set switch SE to the middle position, i.e. cruise mode
• In Menu/Fine Tuning/Function Curves, change the mode type in the “Landing Gear” row from G (Global) to S (Separate), then open the "Curve" folder
• Change the curve type from “Standard” to “Constant”, and using the 3D selector, set “Point1” in the graph to the value that corresponds to gear retracted (+100% or -100%)
Settings for mode "takeoff":
• Set switch SE to the top position, i.e. takeoff mode
• In Menu/Fine Tuning/Function Curves, open the "Curve" folder
• Change the curve type from “Standard” to “Constant”, and using the 3D selector, set “Point1” in the graph to the value that corresponds to gear extended (+100% or -100%)
• In the “Flaps” row of the same menu, change the mode type from G to S, then open the "Curve" folder
• Change the curve type from “Standard” to “Constant”, and using the 3D selector, set “Point1” to a fixed flap deflection suitable for takeoff
• Elevator trim changes will be described later
Settings for mode "landing":
• Set switch SE to the bottom position, i.e. landing mode
• In Menu/Fine Tuning/Function Curves, open the "Curve" folder
• Change the curve type from “Standard” to “Constant”, and using the 3D selector, set “Point1” in the graph to the value that corresponds to gear extended (+100% or -100%)
• In the “Flaps” row, change the mode type from G to S, then open the "Curve" folder
• Change the curve type from “Standard” to “3-Point”, and enable the “Smooth” function
• Move the flap control to the fully retracted position, and using the 3D selector, set “Point1” to a slightly extended flap position
• In this configuration, the flaps will start slightly extended in landing mode, and will still be controllable using the assigned control
• Elevator trim changes will be described later
Using this method, most transmitter menu items can be configured to have different values and reactions to pilot inputs for each individual flight mode of the model.
Digital Trim
The “Digital Trim” application allows for the setup and assignment of button-based trims. Thanks to integration with flight modes, trim functions can be adjusted differently for each individual mode.
Application Overview:
- Trim: Displays which of the four trim buttons is assigned to the selected row.
- Function: Selects the function that will be controlled by the given trim. The parameter “G” (Global) or “S” (Separate) determines whether the trim will be active in all flight modes or only in the currently active one.
Tip: If no function is assigned to a trim, that trim is disabled. In some cases, it's beneficial to assign—for example—the left trim to control the right stick function. This allows you to trim with your other hand without releasing the control stick. - Value: Current trim deflection.
- Stored: After saving the trim to memory (via F4), the “Value” resets to zero, and the deflection is saved in the “Stored” column.
Mode Options:
- Center Mode: Trim only affects the center point of the servo travel
- Linear: Trim shifts the entire servo travel path, including endpoints
- Throttle Lower: Trim affects only the lower endpoint of the travel range
- ThrottleD50%: Trim affects the travel from lower endpoint to center only
- Throttle Upper: Trim affects only the upper endpoint of the travel range
Step: Defines by how many percent the value changes with each press of the trim button
Tip: For maiden flights, it’s recommended to set a larger step (coarser control), and then use a finer step for precise tuning of the model afterward
Range: Defines the maximum range (from total servo travel) available for trimming
Tip: The fifth row in the “Digital Trim” menu is free to use. You can assign any control as a trim input and pair it with any function.
Example: Trimming the steering angle of the nose gear using an available rotary control.
Example Use in a Sample Model
In the sample model, it is recommended to keep the “G” (Global) setting for all functions except the elevator. This allows for common trim across all flight modes. On the other hand, for the elevator, switch to the “S” (Separate) setting. This enables the elevator to be trimmed independently in each flight mode, allowing for precise tuning of the model based on different flap deflections.
Flight Mode Trims
If a single function is controlled by multiple servos (channels), this application allows for individual trim adjustment per servo within a function (“G”) as well as distinct trims for different flight modes (“S”).
The system automatically displays the number of servos per function (e.g., S1–S4), and the center position of each servo can be adjusted using the 3D control knob with 1% accuracy, within a range of ±125% of the travel.
Example:
The trailing edge of a glider’s wing may use four servos (S1–S4) on each wing. In thermal mode, both the flaps and ailerons may be deflected unevenly, with greater deflection near the wing root to enhance lift. In landing mode, the flap pair may be deflected downward, while the aileron pair moves upward, enabling a shortened landing approach.