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Adjustable-length control sticks

The control stick length is adjustable to make the transmitter more comfortable to
hold and operate. To adjust the length, hold the 

locking piece (B) 

and turn the

stick tip (A)

counterclockwise. Turn the locking piece B up or down to lengthen or

shorten the stick. When the length is suitable, lock the stick in position by turning
locking piece B counterclockwise.

Changing the 6EXA stick mode

The transmitter may be operated in four different stick 

modes

(1, 2, 3 & 4). The modes

determine the functions that will be operated by control sticks. Currently, the transmitter is in

mode 2

and should be left in mode 2 unless you are an experienced flyer and have learned to

fly in a different mode. In mode 2, the right control stick operates the aileron and elevator and
the left stick operates the rudder and throttle. This is how 99% of Americans fly their models.

To change the mode, simultaneously depress the MODE and SELECT keys, then turn on the power. The current mode will
appear on the LCD screen. Push the DATA INPUT lever up or down to change the mode. If a mode is selected that moves the
throttle control to the right stick, the throttle detent mechanism will have to be moved as well. This can be done by the Futaba
Service Center. (See page 2)

FLYING SAFETY GUIDELINES

Find a suitable flying site

If you are a beginning modeler and not yet a member of an R/C club, joining a club and flying at a site specifically intended
for R/C model aircraft is 

highly recommended

. In addition to joining a club, we strongly recommend joining the AMA

(Academy of Model Aeronautics). AMA membership is required to fly at AMA clubs. There are over 2,500 AMA-chartered clubs
across the country. Among other benefits, the AMA provides insurance to its members who fly at sanctioned sites and events.
Additionally, training programs and instructors are available at AMA club sites to help you get started the right way. Contact
the AMA at the address or toll-free phone number below:

Academy of Model Aeronautics

5151 East Memorial Drive

Muncie, IN 47302-9252

Tele. (800) 435-9262

Fax (765) 741-0057

Or via the Internet at: http://www.modelaircraft.org

IMPORTANT: 

If you do insist on flying on your own, you 

must

be aware of your proximity to R/C club sites. If there is an R/C

site within six miles of where you are flying, and if you are operating your model on the same frequency as somebody else,
there is a 

strong

possibility that one or both models will crash due to radio interference. There is 

great

potential for an out-

of-control model to cause property damage and/or severe personal injury. We 

strongly

urge you to fly at an R/C club site

where frequency control is in effect so you can be confident you will be the only one flying on your channel.

Charge the batteries

Second to the pilot

s flight skills, one of the most important factors that can determine a model

s longevity is the state-of-

charge of the batteries

especially the on-board receiver pack. Inadequate charging and failing to monitor a battery

s voltage

may lead to low battery power, causing loss of control and a crash. To avoid this, always charge the batteries the night before
you go flying. If ever uncertain how much 

charge

is left in a battery, it is wiser to err on the side of caution, rather than

trying to get in one last flight! Due to the number of factors that determine receiver battery power consumption (such as the
number and type of servos in your model, the type of flying you do, how much resistance is built into the controls, the size
of the model, etc.), it is not possible to recommend how many flights one can get on a charge. The best way to monitor battery
power and calculate how much flight time you have left is to use a volt meter to check the batteries after each flight. This
can be done through the battery charging plug coming from the switch. There are many small, hand-held volt meters available
specially intended for R/C use. The Hobbico

®

Digital Voltmeter MKIII

(HCAP0356) is one such unit. An on-board volt meter

mounted directly on the model (HCAP0330) can also be used.

18

Summary of Contents for 6EXA

Page 1: ... MANUAL for Futaba 6EXA 6 channel FM radio control system for aircraft Futaba Corporation Technical updates available at http www futaba rc com FUTZ9032 for FUTK55 V1 1 Entire Contents Copyright 2003 6 6E EX XA A ...

Page 2: ...stable length control sticks 18 Changing the stick mode 18 Flying safety guidelines 18 Flight preparation 19 Frequency Chart 20 Futaba Accessories 20 Model Data Recording Sheets 21 TABLE OF CONTENTS This product is to be used for sport and recreational flying of radio control models only Futaba is not responsible for the results of use of this product by the customer or for any alteration of this ...

Page 3: ...is more common Exponentials are commonly used to soften or decrease initial servo travel for the ailerons and elevators This way initial control stick inputs from the pilot result in small servo movement for a smoother flying airplane Dual rates adjust the amount of servo travel Exponentials determine where most of the travel will occur Mixing Two or more servos can be made to operate together eit...

Page 4: ...tions on how to operate the controls are provided beginning on page 9 NOTE The diagram shows a Mode 2 system as supplied More on flight modes on page 18 DESCRIPTIONS Aileron and Elevator dual rate switch Use this switch to flip between two aileron and elevator control throw settings The throws can be set up however you prefer but generally when the switch is up the throws are greater high rate and...

Page 5: ... may create interference to other modelers and decrease operational signal range of the transmitter The antenna may be removed and replaced with another in case it is inadvertently broken RADIO INSTALLATION Follow these guidelines to properly mount the servos receiver and battery Make certain the alignment tab on the battery switch and servo connectors is oriented correctly and keys into the corre...

Page 6: ... flying see page 19 External antenna mounting A Use a cut off servo arm as a stop or strain relief inside the fuselage to keep tension off the solder joint holding the antenna to the receiver Guide the antenna through a hole in the fuselage If possible insulate the hole with a rubber grommet or a small piece of rubber tubing B Make a hook from another cut off servo arm Insert the end of the antenn...

Page 7: ...outlet can be turned off by a switch in the room be certain the switch remains on after leaving the room Otherwise the batteries will not be charged 3 The LEDs light emitting diodes should light red indicating that current is flowing and the batteries are being charged Discharged batteries will take about 15 hours to fully charge If using an aftermarket fast charger be certain to follow the manufa...

Page 8: ...ially turned on the model memory number and transmitter battery voltage are displayed on the LCD screen When prompted by the user the functions and settings stored in the memory can also be read on the screen The user accesses the different functions using the MODE and SELECT keys and changes the values and settings using the DATA INPUT lever This is called programming Note Feel free to explore by...

Page 9: ...for one second Once in the program the MODE key will be used to scroll through each of the seven functions model number reversing dual rates exponentials end point adjustments trim programmable mix and the pre programmed wing mixing and the SELECT key will be used to view the settings within the function When a data change is actually required the DATA INPUT lever will be used to increase or decre...

Page 10: ... the power on so you can actually see the effects of your programming inputs and measure the control throws REVERSE Servo Reversing The servo reversing function is used to change the direction that a servo responds to a control input from the transmitter stick dial or switch After using the reversing function check all the controls on the model to be certain they are operating in the correct direc...

Page 11: ... stated above an exponential value with a in front of it makes the initial servo movement less or softer 4 Flip the switch to the other position to enter the exponential value for that switch position 5 Repeat for the settings on the other channel E P A End Point Adjustment The E P A function is designed to fine tune the servo throws in cases where changing the pushrod hookup will not achieve the ...

Page 12: ...rborne Adjust the trims as necessary to get the model to fly straight and level If much trim is required on any one control it is a good idea to readjust the pushrods so the trims can be returned to neutral zero Adjusting the trims with the trim levers changes the servo s position in increments of 5 If finer adjustments are required land the model then enter the program as described below to adjus...

Page 13: ...ixed are predetermined There are four different wing mixing functions to select from Elevon mixing EL Intended for tailless flying wing models such as delta wings and flying wings elevon mixing mixes channel 1 aileron to channel 2 elevator allowing the elevons to operate in unison as elevators or in opposition as ailerons This function requires that each elevon be operated by a separate servo To a...

Page 14: ...rows V tail mixing v Intended for V tail aircraft such as a Beechcraft Bonanza V tail mixing allows the ruddervators to operate both as rudders and elevators The same as the other mixes V tail mixing requires that each ruddervator be operated by a separate servo To activate V tail mixing 1 Connect the left ruddervator servo to channel 2 elevator in the receiver and connect the right ruddervator se...

Page 15: ...ft wing to channel 6 flaps in the receiver 3 Enter the programming mode and access the W MIX menu using the MODE key 4 Push the DATA INPUT lever until FPv is displayed on the screen Check all the control throws to make certain there is no binding at the extremes and that the throws are as desired Adjust any linkages necessary to set the correct throws Note Reversing either of the servos involved w...

Page 16: ...ng mode 16 Stick Mode Screen at Startup To enter or leave Programming Mode press MODE and SELECT keys simultaneously for one second To change the Stick Mode turn on the transmitter holding MODE and SELECT keys down simultaneously Use the DATA INPUT lever to display the desired stick mode press MODE and SELECT keys for one second MODE key MODE key SELECT key DATA INPUT lever CH 2 5 CH 2 5 CH 2 3 Mo...

Page 17: ...or rudder etc and observe how they respond Make any adjustments necessary to the student s transmitter to get the controls to respond correctly 8 Check to see that the trims are in sync by toggling the trainer switch back and forth a few times The controls on the model should remain stationary If the controls do not remain stationary this indicates that the trim settings on the student s radio do ...

Page 18: ...AMA at the address or toll free phone number below Academy of Model Aeronautics 5151 East Memorial Drive Muncie IN 47302 9252 Tele 800 435 9262 Fax 765 741 0057 Or via the Internet at http www modelaircraft org IMPORTANT If you do insist on flying on your own you must be aware of your proximity to R C club sites If there is an R C site within six miles of where you are flying and if you are operat...

Page 19: ...cation so it will be within reach after starting the engine Be certain the throttle stick is all the way down then start the engine Perform another range check with your assistant holding the plane and the engine running at various speeds If the servos jitter or move inadvertently there may be a problem Do not fly the plane Look for loose servo connections or binding pushrods Also be certain you a...

Page 20: ...hould you ever wish to change the transmitter frequency the transmitter must be sent to the Futaba Service Center for retuning FTA 8 Neck strap FUTM5692 NR 4K 4 8 Volt 250 mAh receiver battery FUTM1210 NR 4B 4 8 Volt 1 000 mAh receiver battery FUTM1380 NR 4F 4 8 Volt 1 500 mAh receiver battery FUTM1285 AEC 3 8 200mm Servo Extension FUTM3910 AEC 14 8 200mm Heavy Duty Servo Extension for digital ser...

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