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Set-up and flying tips
The CG range for the Laser EXP starts at the front of the wing tube and
extends to the rear of the wing tube. There is plenty of room on the battery
tray to move your battery to achieve this CG location. Depending on your
flying style you can adjust the position of the battery to alter the CG to
accommodate your preferences. For this type of aircraft where I am going to
predominantly fly aggressive 3D I typically set the airplane up with a neutral
CG, meaning that when the aircraft is flown inverted straight and level it
requires no down elevator to maintain altitude. If your flying style leans more
toward precision aerobatics then I recommend setting your CG using the 45
degree line test. Fly the aircraft from left to right or right to left, whichever
direction you are more comfortable with at 3/4 to full throttle. Pull the
aircraft to a 45 degree up line and establish this line and immediately roll the
aircraft inverted. Establish this line and let go of the elevator stick. Ideally
the aircraft will continue to track on that 45 degree line for several hundred
feet before slowly starting to level off. Adjust the position of your battery to
achieve this flight condition. Once satisfied with the location of your CG
scribe a mark on the battery tray so that you can position the battery in the
same location each flight and achieve the same feel and flight characteristics
each flight.
I also highly recommend taking the time to properly set up your rates and
exponential settings. Setting up low rates for precision maneuvers and high
rates for aggressive aerobatics and 3D flight will allow you to experience the
best attributes of the Laser EXP or any aircraft for that matter. The included
elevator servo arm will allow for close to 80 degrees of throw! While this is
great for really aggressive tumbling maneuvers, positive and negative
waterfalls and straight down dropping elevators, it can wreak havoc on stable
harriers, especially if you are just learning the maneuver. If your radio will
allow I suggest setting up 3 elevator rates or a flight condition that will allow
you a rate for precision flying, another for harriers and the majority of 3D
maneuvers and a final rate with as much travel as you can get for the crazy
tumbles and flips.
