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AILEVATOR CONTROL FUNCTION (AILV)
The use of Ailervator is quite popular with the advent of modern 3-D capable aircraft. Simply
put, Ailervator is the use of your elevators to also compliment the roll axis with the same
control surface, common to 3-D aircraft. This option will require the use of two servos, one for
each elevator control surface, and using channel 2 and Channel 5 of the receiver. (For models
using Channel 5 for retractable landing gear functions, please use Channel 6 for the Ailervator)
Once this function is activated in the transmitter it will remain on at all times for this given
model memory location until the function is inhibited through the Menu Functions screen.
Let’s set up a typical 3-D model using the Ailervator mixing function. First Channel 2 should
be assigned to the Right control surface and Channel 5 (or 6) assigned to the Left control
surface. With the Ailervator function inhibited, you should see only one elevator half move
with your Optic 6 control stick. We’re going to fix that. Enter into the Menu Functions screen
by depressing both the UP and DOWN Edit keys at once and then use the UP or DOWN Edit
keys to scroll to the AILV option screen. The default screen is the “AILV Inh” screen.
Activate the option by pressing the CLEAR button once, which will bring you to the AILV
programming screen. This screen will show the function as being ON, along with the Channel
1, 2 and 5 channel symbols shown. Press the Right Cursor key once and this will enter you into
the programming mode. The programming arrow will be placed above Channel 1 and below
Channel 2 to indicate that an elevator surface will be slaved to the ailerons. At this time, you
may move the elevator stick on the transmitter and the elevators should work normally. By
moving the Aileron stick to the right, the right aileron should move upward and the right
elevator should also move upward. You may adjust the amount of movement by increasing or
decreasing the data value using the (-) or (+) data keys. Now, move the Slave indicator arrow
under Channel 5 and then move the aileron stick to the left. The left elevator should rise with
the left aileron. Again, use the Data (-) or (+) keys to make any adjustments necessary. If the
elevator surface moves in the opposite direction as commanded, then you need to reverse the
data value shown on the screen using the Data keys. Once you have matched the movement of
both elevator halves and set the values, you have completed programming the Ailervator mix!
Note that the perfect amount of mix may only be determined by actual flight testing. Don’t be
afraid to experiment as this is the only way to get the model to perform the way you want it to
perform. Your Optic 6 is the tool to allow you to be successful.