Hangar 9 EDGE 540, Instruction Manual

Page: 45 / 59

45
Edge 540 3-D Excellence
3-D maneuvers (in simplest terms) are maneuvers performed by
an airplane that are not usually done in a normal airplane flight
path. What can be done with a 3-D capable plane is to make it fly
like no other. For example, hovering in the air nose high at a
45-degree descent, floating along in level flight, hanging on the
prop, or tumble tail-over-nose in a rapid flipping motion. When
you sprinkle these maneuvers together with other loops, rolls,
snaps, and spins, it seems like the aerobatic options are endless.
To fly 3-D, you must have a plane that’s capable. What’s
capable? Well, it starts with having outlandish pitch control from
having huge elevators. The same applies, but not to the same
extent, with rudder and ailerons. When it comes to 3-D
aerobatics, our Edge 540 is
second to none .
The Maneuvers
Let’s cover the seven 3-D maneuvers where the Edge really
excels.
The Blender
What it is: The Blender or Panic maneuver is a vertical diving
roll that virtually stops its descent as it instantaneously enters
into a flat spin. The Edge is probably the best I’ve ever seen at
this one.
Setup: Follow the 3-D setup as described in the manual. Be
sure to use Expo. Setting the CG toward the aft location will help,
but I have had great results even at the forward CG location. This
is a wing tester and can be extremely violent but will always
generate gasps of excitement. But done correctly, the Edge can
handle the challenge.
How to do it: Start from about 400-500 feet straight and level,
chop throttle, and push the nose straight down. As soon as the
model is diving straight down at low throttle, add full left aileron.
Let the model compete two or three rolls and then quickly
transition the sticks to an inverted snap roll position (left aileron,
right rudder, down elevator) all at the same time. As soon as the
Edge enters a spin, quickly neutralize the ailerons while holding
full right rudder and down elevator. If you do it right, the airplane
will instantly transition from a left roll to a flat spin in the same
direction, and the decent will all but stop.
Tip: Add full throttle just after the spin goes flat. That’ll
keep fuel going to the engine, make the rotation
speed high, and help stop the vertical decent.
Recovery: Simply release rudder and hold just a little down
elevator. The model will stop rotating and begin to fly out. As it
gains airspeed, roll back to upright. Since you’re in 3-D mode,
make sure you don’t do anything abrupt, or you’ll stall again.
Setup and Flying
by Mike McConville
The Blender
CONTINUED