PROGRAMMING MIXES: FROM LAUNCH TO THERMAL
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The Libelle launches and flies great without any use of flaps to adjust wing camber and reflex. However,
just as a bird adjusts its wing shape to suit varying flight conditions, you may want to as well in order to
broaden your soaring experience and technique. Below are a few useful radio mixes and flight condition
settings that we've found useful.
Using Flaps via Flaperon Mix:
Two ailerons acting as flaps in addition to ailerons are called "flaperons". This requires two aileron servos
and a transmitter with "Flaperon" mixing. You may program separate flap settings for launch, cruise,
thermal, and possibly landing. You can instantly toggle between the different flap modes via the
programmed switch(es) to suit the given flight scenario.
Launch
:
The Libelle's wing is designed to launch
very well with flaperons in neutral position. A
little reflex is OK.
Cruise
:
In this mode, we allow the wing to glide
efficiently with flaperons set at neutral. This is
good for covering ground while hunting for
thermals.
Thermal
:
2-3mm of camber is sufficient (both
flaperons move down this amount to generate
more lift). Too much camber makes the glider
draggy.
Land
:
This setting will help slow the Libelle for landing and hand-catching, or to keep from overshooting your
landing spot. Keep in mind that landing with your flaperons extended this far can make the servos more
susceptible to damage. Use a little DOWN elevator mix for this flap setting to keep the nose from
ballooning.
Active Camber Control via Elevator-Flap Mixing:
When thermalling, the elevator acts as your "accelerator and brake pedal." We like to use the Elevator-
Flap mix on our radios to slightly camber the airfoil when up elevator is applied. When you apply UP
elevator to hold level attitude while centering within a thermal, the wing proportionally adds camber to
climb more efficiently. This mix also makes for a more active elevator response when flying, which is useful
for aerobatics and tight maneuvering. For aerobatics, an Elevator-Flap mix which adds some “reflex” for
DOWN elevator inputs will enhance outside (inverted) maneuvers.
For Elevator-Flap mix setup on your programmable transmitter, consult your radio manual for details.
Essentially, the elevator must be designated as the MASTER channel, and the flap as SLAVE. The amount of
Elevator-Flap mix is a matter of preference, but we like to start with a 35% flap mix (flap movement is
35% of elevator input). This equals about 4-6mm of DOWN flap (camber) for FULL UP elevator deflection.
FLAP DEFLECTIONS USING FLAPERON MIX
(measured from neutral position of control surfaces near tail boom)
LAUNCH
0-1mm UP
"Reflex"
CRUISE
0mm (centered)
"Neutral"
THERMAL
2-3mm DOWN
"Camber"
*LAND
15mm DOWN
"Brake"
*Mix 1-2mm of
DOWN
elevator into the "LAND" flap
condition to keep the glider's nose from ballooning.
20.