Rate Mode in scale builds

[wheredidthetailgo]

I have read lots of more general threads and they all talk about heading hold mode like it is the Only way to fly a heli. For myself however the heli's I like to fly the most in Phoenix are the scale models and as I learned they are set to rate mode. Does this mean I am doomed to fly scale heli's I am leaning towards the A109 HeliArtist 500 A109 Fiber Glass Fuselage (Blue) : HeliArtist.com, We Deliver Quality. or perhaps the B0105 HeliArtist 500 BO105 Fiber Glass Fuselage (Yellow) : HeliArtist.com, We Deliver Quality. fuse for the first attempt. Just looking for something easy to fit around my just built and yet to be flown trex 500efl pro.

In reality, what is the techie difference between the two modes and which is most like real life. I assume rate is closer to reality given the link to scale, just curious to learn more and understand the pro's & cons of the 2 modes in a scale model.

[Disc]

If you have a non scale helicopter fly it in rate mode

Rate mode: the tail will turn in wind, heading hold just holds it steady but rate mode you need to fly the tail more and hold it against the wind


But before you build any scale model always fly the mechanics as pod and boom then transplant when your happy with its set up into the body

[tomatwalden]

I have read lots of more general threads and they all talk about heading hold mode like it is the Only way to fly a heli. For myself however the heli's I like to fly the most in Phoenix are the scale models and as I learned they are set to rate mode. Does this mean I am doomed to fly scale heli's I am leaning towards the A109 HeliArtist 500 A109 Fiber Glass Fuselage (Blue) : HeliArtist.com, We Deliver Quality. or perhaps the B0105 HeliArtist 500 BO105 Fiber Glass Fuselage (Yellow) : HeliArtist.com, We Deliver Quality. fuse for the first attempt. Just looking for something easy to fit around my just built and yet to be flown trex 500efl pro.

In reality, what is the techie difference between the two modes and which is most like real life. I assume rate is closer to reality given the link to scale, just curious to learn more and understand the pro's & cons of the 2 modes in a scale model.

AFAIK, selecting between rate mode and heading hold is just a setting on most modern gyros. I believe (for example) that with a DX6i transmitter, if you set rudder gain to be less than 50%, you are in effect choosing 0-100% of rate mode. Where as values > 50% are 0-100% of heading hold ..

HTH. Tom

[wheredidthetailgo]

Thanks Mark. Before I convert the 500 I need to learn to fly it first so the mechanics will be tested and no doubt rebuilt a few times I am hoping that rate mode on a real heli will feel as natural as it does in the sim.

[tomatwalden]

I think you're brave going for rate mode! Whenever I fly the scale model helis in the sim, they fly OK as the tail weathervanes behind you, but landing them is a handful compared to heading hold.

Good luck!

T

[Pabs]

Rate Mode in scale builds

As said - most modern gyros work in both modes so just fit one and then go with the setting you're happier with
My dad always said Headlock is cheating - he learned to fly back in the 80's when only rate was available and says he prefers it even now!

[sp4rky-m4rky]

Try flying something on rate backwards though... Simple just have 2 settings for gyro on your controller and flick between them depending on what you fly, if you like rate that much.

[wheredidthetailgo]

Rate Mode in scale builds

Yeh, the landing piece in the sim is a battle if will power and endurance. As said, I would just flick the switch if it gets hairy and for landing if I cannot get it level at just the correct moment. I am looking at the A109 so a slight forward rolling landing "may" be an option sometimes.

[p4ddy]

I prefere to fly my airwolf in HH BUT then i'm using a 401 & you can't get seperate end points to set up a perfect tail in both rate & HH.

[wheredidthetailgo]

Rate Mode in scale builds

I prefere to fly my airwolf in HH BUT then i'm using a 401 & you can't get seperate end points to set up a perfect tail in both rate & HH.

Would you kind expanding on the 401 and separate end points?

[Zeeflyboy]

I prefer head lock for scale one simple reason - it's how I fly all my other 3D helis.

My brain is too simple to cope with such a crazy thing as having two different flying styles.

[RaceAce]

I find it easier to fly scale in rate mode, and have never had any trouble putting my 500 airwolf back on the deck in rate.
I do have both hh and rate set up and of course its only a switch flick between the two anyhow.

[Boggy]

take off and land in H/H fly around in rate. simples

flying in rate mode is slightly easier to get it looking right. its very similar to flying a plank. use the right stick to bank it over then add up and around it comes,the tail will just follow.Learn your orientations however and keep it moving forward because if you turn downwind too slowly you can so be in a world of pain as the heli weather vanes around and you suddenly find yourself nose in flying sideways!!