Does anybody fly with a sprung collective stick?

[Weirdfish]

Just wondering, I mean setup like the cyclic stick, so the collective/rudder always returns to centre when released?
My reason for asking is that I'm finding it tricky to always know exactly where mid stick is & obviously this is critical for fluid transition, even at my level just getting into and out of flips and rolls.

[GIXERMAN]

That would be dangerous, on Helis, you would have 50% or more throttle. You will get the feel for your pitch range as you progress.

[KevDavies]

Hmmm interesting concept. I suppose it could work on an Electric with a soft start. Nitro definately not, as you need to be able to idle, electric you can just hit hold.

Ill watch this thread and see where it goes. I have no problem with transition, but this sounds like it could be a definate advantage

[pgkevet]

Hmmm interesting concept. I suppose it could work on an Electric with a soft start. Nitro definately not, as you need to be able to idle, electric you can just hit hold.

Ill watch this thread and see where it goes. I have no problem with transition, but this sounds like it could be a definate advantage

On any decent transmitter you should be able to select both a throttle idle and a throttle cut for nitro too and get int habit of dipping throttle from mid-stick to low before switching out of idle.
Do you really need self centering for rudder, aileron and elevator? I dunno. I guess one would get used to that not being so since were constantly fiddling with them but I do know that Ilft my thumbs at times so it does it's bit.
I still like a tiny bit of click to throttle/pitch... at a very subtle level..more to stop me moving it unintentionally than to have anythign to force against so perhaps a very weak spring in that center just to recentre if wanted??

[KevDavies]

My throttle is silky smooth just friction holds it where it is, ratchets do my head in cos you can guarantee hover will be between two clicks

[p4ddy]

I like some friction in my collective stick, but not springy. I hate tx's with Bearing mods so it's smooth.

[GIXERMAN]

My throttle is silky smooth just friction holds it where it is, ratchets do my head in cos you can guarantee hover will be between two clicks

I thought only plankers have cruise control set!

[ModelGuard.Com]

Re: Does anybody fly with a sprung collective stick?

I thought the same thing. Its not dangerous. I have no normal mode on my transmitter. Just soft start straight into idle one. A few instances of inverted drop outs soon made me forget 'normal' mode.
However I tried a sprung throttle and it was very disorientating. Just didn't feel right at all. Was scared to carry on the flight to be honest. St it back into unsprung and carried on.
On the new JR transmitter you can set up a buzzer to sound when you hit Centre stick. Could be useful



Anyone about to let me know that releasing throttle hold will cause an immediate soft start spin up. can rest easy in the knowledge that I have set up one of the side slider switches as a second throttle hold.

[KevDavies]

I thought only plankers have cruise control set!

I can hover hands off cos im a pro like!! LOL

No plank ratchets fer me Bri i bloody hate em!!

[waveydavey]

I thought about leaving the ratchet part of it on but smoothing the ridges of the ratchet apart from the bit mid stick, so you had smooth sticky bit and then smooth again, never doen it but thought about it for the same thing

[ModelGuard.Com]

Re: Does anybody fly with a sprung collective stick?

I didnt think the op meant using the rachet. My take on it was smooth but sprung to centre

[p4ddy]

Yes sprung like the collective, hence why I said 'but not springy'

[Weirdfish]

I didnt think the op meant using the rachet. My take on it was smooth but sprung to centre

Yes, correct I did mean sprung to the centre, but the ratchet in the centre and smooth everywhere else would still give an indication of where mid stick is, although personally I don't like the ratchet.

It was only one of those mad moments in my head & just wondered if it had been done. I'm guessing as I improve & practice more, I'll get a feel where mid stick is without even thinking about it.

[Weirdfish]

I thought about leaving the ratchet part of it on but smoothing the ridges of the ratchet apart from the bit mid stick, so you had smooth sticky bit and then smooth again, never doen it but thought about it for the same thing

The more I think about this the more I like the sound of it, as it wouldn't be a ratchet as such, but there would be some definition if you just left 1 click mid stick.

[RcRotaryMadness]

After time you will just get to "know" where the stick is - I was adjusting my pitch curve last night and found I could put the stick at bottom, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and top positions without looking at the TX, but its besides the point really... when you're flying, if the heli is descending more than you'd like you just move the stick up until you see the heli doing what you want.. the actual position of the stick is almost unimportant.

As for "Feel" of the stick.. I like a smooth motion but with enough friction to have a tiny bit of pressure on it.. so the stick isn't flopping about too easy. The idea of a self centering stick would seem really weird and not sure I could fly with it like that!