Mode 1 or mode 2?

[johnnflk]

Hi everyone,

This question must have been asked before, but I cannot find it on the forums, so apologies for that, but here goes.

I flew fixed wing for about 20 years, and became quite proficient using mode 1 transmitter configuration. This ended over 10 years ago.

I am now thinking of changing to helis, but cannot help but notice that mode 2 is virtually assumed as the norm. Even though I have not flown for a long time, my old brain is permanently programmed to have elevator on the left and throttle on the right (for fixed wing).

If there is anyone else out there who has gone through this transition, perhaps they can tell me whether it is easier to stick to mode 1 for helis or try to reprogram myself to mode 2.

Please bear in mind that I may decide to take up fixed wing again as well!

Thanks
John

[Mark J]

A few people around here started with planes and stuck with mode 1 for helis, but I know most tend to use mode 2.

If I remember right, Demonjets flies mode 1 for planes but mode 2 for helis with no real problems.

I find (probably as most others do) that mode 2 suits a heli nicely because the right stick controls just the swashplate so makes things nice and uncomplicated.

[Sesame]

Hi John, I used to fly 20 or so years ago and I was a mode 1 fixed wing flyer, I got a little interest in helis and started hovering them around using mode 2. I then completely packed up flying and started again last year, because my son wanted to learn, because im a tight git and didnt tant 2 different types of transmitter plus the predominant mode at our club is mode2 I ditched mode one in favour of mode 2 completely.

In my mind mode 2 is by far the more sensible mode for helis, although I know some very good flyers who fly mode 1. but I made the transition it only took a few weeks to get comfortable with mode 2 on planks and it hasn't caused a problem.

[SRH990]

I learnt to fly fixed wing mode 1 around 22 years ago but when I started flying helis some 4 years later everyone flew mode 2 so for around 17 years I flew fixed wing one mode and helis another. A year or so ago I decided it would be more sensible to move to mode 2 for both so put a few hours practice on the sim flying planes mode 2. It took a while before I had enough bottle to risk a real plane but it ended up a non-event, it was an easy transition, the only problem is that I tend to fly the throttle too much on planes!

[johnnflk]

Thanks for your comments everyone, from what I've read so far, I think that I'll use mode 2 for helis and hope that when I see a fixed wing in front of me my brain will instantly revert to mode 1.

Further comments welcome of course.

John

[moyesboy]

If you fly mode 1 with helis then you will be liucky if ewver to find another pilot whos heli you can fly, or another pilots heli you can fly.

With a lot of transmitters (but not spektrum) the mode is set by software and you can buddy mode1 with mode 2. I'm pretty sure you can do that with futaba.

If you fly ode 1 with helis (collective and aileron right stick) then the chaos and al the piroetting manoves may well be more difficult.

Like some others who already posted I flew fixed wing mode 1 a long time ago. when I started flying again after 20 year break, and started with helis I switched to mode 2. I tried both modes on the sim but I wanted to fly mode 2 so I could meet others and swap models like I hardly ever could 20 years ago. Also if my young son learns to fly I wanted him to use the most common mode.

However I have only ever flown 2 helis in 2 years that weren't mine, and nobody else has flown my helis.

I fly a bit of fixed wing (gliders) mode 2 now too, and it makes it easier to hangd launch and catch the foamies.

I reckon you should swap for all types if you swap modes.

[cambs flyer]

From what I've read Mode 1 tends to be more in the USA, and Mode 2 is more of a UK-Europe standard.

I've often wondered if mode one would benefit left handed people, or if that was the idea to begin with?

[robgt]

I've often wondered if mode one would benefit left handed people, or if that was the idea to begin with?

It's better for flying planes with as you do not get interaction between aileron and elevator on mode 1 - this means you get to perform perfect rolls - that sort of thing.
Cheers,
Rob

[cambs flyer]

Cool, thanks Rob.

[moyesboy]

Actually from what I saw on US forums they are often moaning that they got a walkers with a european tx layout, meaning throttle and aileron on right. I think almost all the USA flies with the cyclics on the right stick.

Flying mode 1 with a plank, then doing a slow roll is a bit like doing a pyro manoevre with a heli only with the sticks swapped over. You apply the roll and keep the right stick still, and then move the left stick in a small circle. Thus you can do things like rolling circles with a plank maybe easier with mode 1 than mode 2.

A rolling circle with a heli you have to wag the collective, rudder and elevator while keeping the aileron constant. Its a lot more difficult. Then of course there is the same manoevre while piroetting...

With planks you can pretty soon do all the manoevres so you can recognise them (bar the prop hanging stuff) then plank aerobatic comps become a measure of priciseness that only a very few people are prepared to try to reach.
A bit like F3C with helis...

I'll settle for being able to do more 3D manoevres recogniseably.

[Mike W]

For helis it has to be mode 2 ... for planks mode 1 ... But and theres always a but ... Fly the way U feel comfy with but seeing like most have said if ya mode 1 helis ya have difficulty finding many others that actually fly that mode ... Theres a lad at the indoor that flies mode 2 planes and TBH ya cud not tell he was flying mode 2 he is that good lol .... Its all about co-ordination at the end....Me I fly mode 2 planes and heli's and dont have n e issues flying that way seeing as i fly for fun and for me and not some compeition it dont matter

[SRH990]

I was comfortable flying helis mode 2 and planes mode 1 mainly because of the different ways I held the transmitter. With planes I was always a thumbs on top of stick man but helis has always been pinch, first with a transmitter tray, now with a neckstrap only. As a result of this I never had a problem swapping from one to the other, I used to turn up early and fly planes for a while, then swap to helis.

The big downside was that I always had two seperate transmitters as it wasn't feasible to keep swapping the rachet & spring over, now everything is mode 2 I can use the same transmitter for everything.

[Tim Procter]

Well just to break the mold I was flying planks 20 odd years ago mode 1 and never had a problem.

I came back to the RC hobby to fly helis this time just over a year ago and because my flying buddy Jeff was using mode 1 I thought I would stay the same.

Its like riding a bike you get rusty but never forget.

I can do most manouvres involving general sports flying Loops/Rolls/Forward and back flips/Inverted and some lovely tic tocs but as moyesboy stated the chaos is going to prove a big problem due to the controls as they are.

Its all about how far will you take your flying to, What level, Nice sports flying or full on 3D.

If you are happy to tear around the sky with similar to what I mentioned above then mode 1 is fine.

If I could turn the clock back 12 month to when I started again I would have chosen mode 2 because at that point I never saw myself even tipping the heli inverted never mind doing chaos, Now I'm struggling.

[demonjets]

I fly mode 1 for both fixed wing and heli no probs for me.

[Rotorhead]

I fly mode 1 for both fixed wing and heli no probs for me.

Hence the name demonjets

Mode 1 is the work of the devil!