taranis F3J Setup Manual

Copyright © 2016 Mike Shellim

F3J Setup

for FrSky Taranis

Version 3.0

Setup Guide

Mike Shellim

8 Oct 2016

Page | 2 rev 3.0.06

Contents

1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 3

1.1 ZIP file contents ................................................................................................................................................. 3

1.2 Requirements .................................................................................................................................................... 3

1.3 Nomenclature ................................................................................................................................................... 3

1.4 Features overview ............................................................................................................................................. 4

2 Assignments and flight modes .................................................................................................................................. 5

2.1 Control assignments ......................................................................................................................................... 5

2.2 Channel assignments ........................................................................................................................................ 5

2.3 Flight modes and mixers ................................................................................................................................... 5

2.4 ‘Calibration’ mode ............................................................................................................................................. 6

3 Uploading the setup to your EEPROM ...................................................................................................................... 6

4 Configuration Part 1: calibrating the servos ............................................................................................................. 7

4.1 Set servo rotation .............................................................................................................................................. 7

4.2 Calibrate servo centres and end points ............................................................................................................ 8

5 Configuration part 2 - setting up travel and mixing ................................................................................................ 10

6 Before you fly .......................................................................................................................................................... 12

6.1 Battery and fail safe ........................................................................................................................................ 12

6.2 Field guide printout ......................................................................................................................................... 12

7 Simple modifications ............................................................................................................................................... 12

7.1 Launch/zoom switch ....................................................................................................................................... 12

7.2 Main flight mode switch ................................................................................................................................. 12

7.3 Changing cal sub-mode switch........................................................................................................................ 12

7.4 Adjusting throttle stick deadband................................................................................................................... 13

7.5 Reversing spoiler operation ............................................................................................................................ 13

7.6 Reversing camber adjuster ............................................................................................................................. 13

7.7 KAPOW flight mode ........................................................................................................................................ 13

7.8 Zoom flight mode ............................................................................................................................................ 13

8 Some notes on servo calibration (CAL mode) ......................................................................................................... 13

9 Identifying mistakes ................................................................................................................................................ 14

10 Making your own modifications ......................................................................................................................... 14

11 Safety/disclaimer ................................................................................................................................................ 14

12 Contact ................................................................................................................................................................ 14

Page | 3 rev 3.0.06

1 Introduction

F3J Setup for Taranis is a full-feature setup for F3J and TD sailplanes for sport and competition. It offers a quick route
to a competition ready setup without the need for advanced programming skills.

The setup is quick to configure. Furthermore, key mixes can be adjusted in flight to speed up flight testing. Full
documentation is provided allowing advanced users to modify the setup to personal taste.

Key features

- For F3J/TD thermal soarers with 6 servos

- V- and X-tail versions provided

- 6 flight modes:
Launch, Zoom,
T1(thermal), T2(cruise), T3(speed)
Landing, KAPOW

‘Live’ adjusters

- for launch preset

- for thermal camber

- for aileron diff

- for spoiler compensation

- for snapflap volume (T3-speed)

- for reflex (ZOOM)

Advanced mixing

- Aileron diff suppression

- Reverse diff

- KAPOW mode (for hitting the landing spot!)

- Snapflap option (T3-speed)

- Spoiler compensation with multi-point curve

- Combi (aileron to rudder mix)

- Automatic mix activation per flight mode

Other

- 'Calibration' mode for precise adjustment of
servo centres and limits

- 5-pt bal curve for precise tracking of flaps

- Full travel on flap servos

1.1 ZIP file contents

Filename

Description

F3j _v30_userguide.pdf

this document

F3j _v30_reference.xls

settings reference

F3j _v30x_setup.eepe

EEPROM image, contains versions: ‘X’ for cross- and T-tail, ‘V’ for V-tail

F3j_*.wav

Sound files

1.2 Requirements

The following will be required:

 X9D or X9E transmitter + OpenTx (see change log for supported versions of OpenTx)
 USB cable for connecting the transmitter to your PC
 OpenTx Companion on your PC, for transferring models between tx and computer
 A good familiarity with OpenTx’s menu navigation and data entry

1.3 Nomenclature

The term ‘spoiler’ (popular in the UK) is used to denote crow braking.
The term ‘Combi’ means aileron-to-rudder mixing.
KAPOW is the name of a flight mode for ‘nailing the spot’ in TD competitions (after Bob McGowan).

Page | 4 rev 3.0.06

1.4 Features overview

Flight mode/mixer matrix.

Spoiler
(crow)

Spoiler
comp

Snapflap

Camber
/ reflex

Diff

Ail>Flap

Combi

Rev Diff
Launch S2

Rud trim

p p

Zoom S1

Rud trim

p p

T1-thermal

LS

Rud trim

p p

T2-cruise

Rud trim

p p

T3-speed

Thr trim

p

Rud trim

p p

Landing

P

Thr trim

Rud trim

p p p

KAPOW p

Rud trim

p p

Mix adjusters in BOLD
p = preset during configuration

Trimmer functions

 Aileron trim is shared across all flight modes
 Elevator trim is individual per flight mode
 Rudder and throttle trims are repurposed for other functions (see below)

Camber/reflex mixes

 Camber(or reflex) may be defined for Launch, Zoom, T1-thermal, T3-speed and KAPOW flight modes:

o Camber for T1-thermal is adjustable via LS
o Camber for Launch is adjustable using S2 (F2 on X9E)
o Reflex for Zoom is adjustable via S1 (F1 on X9E)
o Reflex for T3-speed is preset during configuration
o Reflex for KAPOW is preset during configuration

Spoiler compensation (spoiler to elevator mix)

 Spoiler compensation is used to counteract pitch changes when deploying full spoiler.
 The amount of spoiler compensation can be adjusted during flight via the Throttle trim.
 Non-linear compensation can be defined by editing a curve.

Differential

 Diff is applied to ailerons and flaps.
 Diff is adjustable in-flight, via rudder trim.
 Diff settings are stored per flight mode.

Roll rate enhancement

 Aileron diff is automatically suppressed as spoiler is deployed.
 Adjustable ‘Reverse diff’ increases roll-induced down-aileron movement, when spoiler is deployed.

Combi

 Combi rudder mixes aileron to rudder.
 Combi is preset per flight mode.

Snapflap

 Snapflap (i.e. elevator to flap mixing) can optionally be set for T3(speed) mode.
 Snapflap may be adjusted in flight using the throttle trim lever

KAPOW mode

 Kapow is activated from landing mode by pushing full down on elevator stick
 Applies reflex to ailerons and flaps, over-riding normal crow function.

Page | 5 rev 3.0.06

2 Assignments and flight modes

2.1 Control assignments

Flight controls are assigned according to MODEL SETUPStick Mode.
Secondary controls are assigned as follows:

Control

Function

Flight mode

Rudder trim

Aileron diff adjust (per flight mode)

all

Throttle trim

Spoiler compensation adjust
Snapflap volume

LANDING
T3(speed)

Left slider LS

Thermal camber adjust

T1(thermal)

Left pot S1 (X9D) or F1 (X9E)

Zoom reflex adjust

ZOOM

Right pot S2 (X9D) or F2 (X9E)

Launch camber adjust

LAUNCH

2.2 Channel assignments

Channel #

Vtail

Xtail

1

Right aileron

2

Left aileron

3

Right flap

4

Left flap

5

Right Vtail

Elevator

6

Left Vtail

Rudder 7 [free]

8

[free]

9

[free]

2.3 Flight modes and mixers

Seven flight modes are provided.

Two are for the launch phase: LAUNCH, ZOOM
Three are for normal flight: T1-THERMAL, T2-CRUISE, T3-SPEED
Two for landing: LANDING, KAPOW.

LAUNCH and ZOOM modes take precedence, then LANDING/KAPOW, and finally T1, T2 & T3.

Flight Mode

OpenTx ID

Activation

Priority

Mixers active

LAUNCH

FM2

SE↓

V. High

Camber

ZOOM

FM3

SE ─

V. High

KAPOW1

FM4

SE↑ + throttle back + elev fully forward

High

Camber

LANDING

FM5

SE↑ + throttle back

Mid

Crow

T1-Thermal

FM6

SA↓

SE↑ + throttle fully forward

Low

Camber

T2-Cruise

FM0

SA -

Low T3-Speed

FM7

SA↑

Low

Camber, Snapflap

1

KAPOW is disabled by default.

Page | 6 rev 3.0.06

2.4 ‘Calibration’ mode

A special ‘CAL’ flight mode is provided for calibrating the servos. When CAL is activated, mixers and trims are
disabled, and the raw stick commands are passed through to the outputs. To enable CAL mode:

1. Apply full left aileron and full up elevator

2. Press and release SH

3. Release stick(s). The transmitter cheeps at 3 second intervals

To exit CAL mode, pull SH.

New in v3: There are 3 sub-modes, activated via switch SA:

 SA-: calibrate servo end points
 SA↓: calibrate flap neutral (new)
 SA↑: calibrate ailerons which have reduced down-travel (new)

3 Uploading the setup to your EEPROM

In this step you’ll upload the setup to your transmitter’s EEPROM. All steps from this point forward should be
followed in the sequence shown. Use the tick boxes to record your progress.

 Establish communication with your PC: switch on the transmitter whilst pressing inwards on the horizontal trim

levers. Then using a suitable USB lead, connect the Taranis to the computer. The Taranis’ SD card should appear
as an external drive.

 Copy the sound (.WAV) files to the /SOUNDS/{language} folder on the SD card e.g. for English, folder =

/SOUNDS/en. NOTE: there are some new sound files in v3.

 Using OpenTx Companion

 Open the F3J .eepe file. Versions for X/T and V tails are displayed in a window.
 From the File menu, choose ‘Read Models and Settings from Radio’. Your active EEPROM appears in a

second window.

 Drag one of the F3J models into an empty slot in your EEPROM.
 Close the F3J .eepe window.
 In the EEPROM window, right-click the new model and choose “Use as Default”
 Write the modified EEPROM to the tx (Write Models and Settings to Radio).
 Close OpenTx Companion

 IMPORTANT: make sure your hardware is properly calibrated – if in doubt, calibrate now: from the main screen

press [long MENU], then [PAGE] till you reach the CALIBRATION menu. Calibrate all knobs and sliders. Bad
calibration is the main cause of problems e.g. jumping neutrals, inability to select certain flight modes etc.

 X9E Users only: Open the MIXERS menu, and using the mixer editor:

 Scroll to CH10 and highlight mix ‘CmbAdjT1’. Open mix editor, and set Source = ‘LS’.
 Repeat above for CH11

 If you wish to use KAPOW mode, open the FLIGHT MODES menu, go to KAPOW, alter switch from ‘---‘ to ‘L10’.
 Using the transmitter on its own, familiarise with the flight modes (see sections above). At the end of this step,

you should know how to activate:

 LAUNCH, ZOOM, T1-THERMAL, T2-CRUISE, T3-SPEED, LANDING and KAPOW (if enabled)
 CAL mode, including the three sub-modes.

 Check flight mode sounds are working correctly. If not, check that the sound files are in the correct location.

Page | 7 rev 3.0.06

4 Configuration Part 1: calibrating the servos

Configuration of your model is in two parts: servo calibration, followed by mixer adjustment. This section is
concerned with calibration. The goals of servo calibration are:

(a) Achieve a symmetrical setup at the servo level
(b) Maximise control surface movements
(c) Linearise control surface responses.

All the adjustments in this section are made in CAL mode.

Correct calibration is essential for diff to work correctly, and for the flaps and ailerons to track precisely.

4.1 Set servo rotation

The first task is to set the direction of rotation of the servos:

 Switch on the transmitter (do not power up the receiver yet)
 Enter CAL mode. The tx will cheep every 3 seconds.
 Set switch SA to middle
 Open the OUTPUTS menu
 Power up the receiver
 The table below shows the direction of each control surface in CAL mode. Use it to set the correct direction for

channels 1-6. Pay particular attention to the notes regarding aileron and elevator!

Stick command

Control surface

Notes

 Aileron stick right 

RtAil goes up ↑
LtAil goes up↑

Ailerons move together in CAL mode

 Thr stick forward ↑

RtFlap goes up↑
LtFlap goes up↑

When reversing one of these outputs,
you may see an “INVERT THROTTLE”
warning – just ignore.

 V-TAIL only:

Ele stick forward ↑

RtVee goes up ↑
LtVee goes up ↑

Elevator(s) operate in reverse direction
to normal in CAL mode

 X-TAIL only:

Ele stick forward ↑

Ele goes up ↑

 X-TAIL only:

Rud stick right 

Rud goes right 

As normal

To change the direction of an output:

1. skip to the Direction field, then

2. Press [Enter], and immediate [Exit]

 Exit CAL and enter T2-CRUISE mode. Check for correct direction of aileron, elevator and rudder (note: the flaps

cannot be checked yet).

Page | 8 rev 3.0.06

4.2 Calibrate servo centres and end points

Next, calibrate the servo centres and end-points. This is done in the OUTPUTS menu, by means of output curves. The
servo end-points you set will be ‘hard’, i.e. the servos can never travel beyond these points. This allows you to
protect against servo over-travel and thus avoid damaging your linkages.

When setting the end-points, consider all possible inputs. For example, when setting up the end points for flaps,
allow enough movement for both roll and crow inputs. If the end points are too conservative, then the servo will
stop early leading to some deadband at the controls; this will often be acceptable and/or unavoidable – some
judgement is required.

If you don’t know the movements required for your particular model, simply set your end-points to the maximum
possible, subject to linkage geometry and equal movement on both sides.

New in v3: all adjustments are made using output curves. Min/Max/Subtrim must be left at their default values
(-150,150,0 respectively).

Channel

Calibration procedure

CH 4 – Lt Flap

Start by calibrating left flap (CH4). You’ll first set the end points, then adjust the
centre point to provide a linear response. Ignore the flap neutral, it will be
adjusted in a later step.

 Enter CAL mode
 Set switch SA to middle position
 In the OUTPUT menu, highlight CH4
 Skip to curve field ‘CV14’, and press [long ENTER] to open curve editor

o Throttle stick back (↓), adjust point 1 for lower end point. Allow for

both crow and aileron inputs.

o Throttle stick forward (↑), adjust point 3 for upper end point. Allow

for any aileron-to-flap mixing.

o Adjust point 2 so it lies on the straight line thru points 1 and 3.

 Move throttle stick from one end to the other, observing step intervals. If

necessary fine tune point 2 to equalise intervals (i.e. optimise linearity).

CH 3 – Rt Flap

Next, calibrate the right flap (CH3). You’ll adjust a 5-point curve to precisely match
the left flap.

 Enter CAL mode
 Set switch SA to middle position
 In the OUTPUT menu, highlight CH3
 Skip to curve field ‘CV13’, press [long ENTER] to open curve editor
 Adjust points 1 – 5 to exactly match the left flap:

o stick fully back, adjust point 1
o stick ½-back, adjust point 2
o stick to centre, adjust point 3
o stick to ½-forward, adjust point 4
o stick fully forward, adjust point 5

To match the end points on left and right sides, it may be necessary to reduce one
or other end points for the left flap.

Flap neutral

Next, set the flap neutral:

 Enter CAL mode
 Set switch SA to down position. An adjustable offset is applied to each flap.
 Open the GLOBAL V. menu.
 Highlight GV5(‘FlNeut’) and skip to the FM0 column.
 Adjust GV5 for correct neutral. If the flaps are not perfectly in line with each

other, then redo calibration for RtFlap above, paying particular attention
around the neutral position.

Page | 9 rev 3.0.06

Channel

Calibration procedure

V-Tail

CH 5 – RtVee
CH6 – LtVee

(V-tail version only) Calibrate V-tail

 Enter CAL mode
 In the OUTPUT menu, highlight CH5
 Skip to curve field ‘CV15’, press [long ENTER] to open curve editor

o Ele stick to centre, adjust point 2 for correct neutral
o Ele stick forward (↑), set point 3 to upper limit
o Ele stick back (↓), set point 1 to lower limit. Allow for spoiler comp.

 Repeat for CH6 and CV16, ensuring that movements match CH5.
 Check equal travel up/down; left and right surfaces match

X-Tail

CH 5 – Ele

(X-tail version only) Calibrate elevator

 Enter CAL mode
 In the OUTPUT menu, highlight CH5
 Skip to curve field ‘CV15’, press [long ENTER] to open curve editor

o Ele stick to centre, adjust point 2 for correct neutral
o Ele stick forward (↑), adjust point 3 to upper limit
o Ele stick back (↓), adjust point 1 for to lower limit

 Check travel is equal up & down

X-Tail

CH 6 – Rudder

(X- tail version only) Calibrate rudder

 Check you’re still in CAL mode
 In the OUTPUT menu, highlight CH6
 Skip to curve field ‘CV16’, press [long ENTER] to open curve editor

o Rudder stick to centre, adjust point 2 for centred rudder
o Rudder right (→), set point 3 for max right movement
o Rudder left (←), set point 1 for max left movement

 Check equal travel left/right

CH 1 – Rt Ail
CH 2 – Lt Ail

Finally, calibrate ailerons:

 Enter CAL mode
 Set switch SA to down position. The flaps will go to their calibrated neutrals.
 In the OUTPUT menu, highlight CH1(RtAil)
 Skip to curve field ‘CV11’, then press [long ENTER] to open curve editor

o Move aileron stick to centre. Set Point 2 for correct centre
o Move aileron stick right (). Set point 3 to desired upper limit,

allowing for both crow and aileron movement.

o Move aileron stick left (). Attempt to adjust point 1 so that

down-travel = up-travel. If the down-travel is restricted by the
hinge geometry, then move SA to up position – this reduces
aileron movement in CAL mode by 50%. Now, try again: adjust
point 1 so down-travel = (reduced) up-travel. When you exit CAL
mode, full rate will be restored; don’t worry if down-travel is
excessive – later adjustments to input and diff will reduce it.

 Repeat all steps above for CH2/CV12. Ensure that movements match CH1.
 Check: constant rate up/down for each aileron, and check left and right

ailerons match.

 Finally, exit CAL mode. Move the sticks, checking that aileron, elevator and rudder control surfaces move in the

correct direction. Note: flaps cannot be checked yet.

Well done, the calibration is now complete! Please backup your EEPROM to the SD card now as follows:

 From the Main Info screen, [long MENU]
 Press [Page] till the VERSION menu appears, then follow the instructions. The process may take a few seconds.

Page | 10 rev 3.0.06

5 Configuration part 2 - setting up travel and mixing

This is where you model comes to life!

Control / mix

Adjustment point

Adjustment procedure

 Aileron rate

INPUTSAil

Set the default aileron rate. Focus on the up-travel (down­travel is governed by diff adjustment via rudder trim)

1. Enter T2-CRUISE mode

2. Open the INPUTS menu

3. Scroll down to the IAil section

4. Highlight ‘CATCHALL’ line

5. Open the input editor, skip to the weight field

6. Set weight for default aileron movement

7. Select Expo from the diff dropdown, and set required expo

value. Note: ‘diff’ must be zero.
If different rates are required for particular flight modes, then
insert additional lines before the CATCHALL line. Each line
should have relevant flight mode(s) shown and the rest
blanked out. SAFETY NOTE: The last line must be the

CATCHALL line, with all flight modes enabled and no
switches.

Flight mode numbers as follows:
FM0:T2-CRUISE
FM2: LAUNCH
FM3: ZOOM
FM4:KAPOW
FM5:LANDING
FM6:T1-THERMAL
FM7:T3-SPEED
NOTE ensure Diff is set to zero in all input lines (diff here
affects stick diff, not servo diff).

 Elevator rate

INPUTSEle

As above

 Rudder rate

INPUTSRud

As above

 Aileronflap

GLOBALVARSGV1(“Ail2FL”)

Aileron to flap mixing is set per flight mode.

1. Open GLOBALVARS menu, highlight GV1 line (“Ail2FL”).

2. Activate the flight mode you want to adjust.

3. Skip to highlighted column.

4. Adjust GVAR value for required aileron to flap mix.
Note: movement of down-going flap will be affected by diff
setting.

 Combi rudder

GLOBALVARSGV2(“Combi”)

Combi (aileron to rudder mix) is set per flight mode.

1. Open GLOBALVARS menu, highlight GV2 line (“Combi”).

2. Activate flight mode to be adjusted.

3. Skip to highlighted column.

4. Adjust GVAR value for required aileron to rudder mix

 SpoilerAileron

GLOBALVARSGV3(“AiCamb”)

Sets the upward aileron movement due to spoiler.

1. Open GLOBALVARS menu, highlight GV3 line (“AiCamb”).

2. Skip to column FM5

3. Enable LANDING mode

4. Move throttle stick back (full spoiler)

5. Adjust GVAR value for required up-aileron movement

 SpoilerFlap

GLOBALVARSGV4(“FlCamb”)

Sets the downward flap movement due to spoiler.

1. Open GLOBALVARS menu, highlight GV4 line (“FlCamb”).

2. Skip to column FM5

3. Enable LANDING mode

4. Move throttle stick back (full spoiler)

5. Adjust GVAR for required down-flap movement

Page | 11 rev 3.0.06

Control / mix

Adjustment point

Adjustment procedure

 Camber presets

GLOBALVARSGV3(“AiCamb”)
GLOBALVARSGV4(“FlCamb”)

Camber adjustment depends on flight mode.
Here’s the procedure for each flight mode:
For T3-SPEED (FM7) mode, adjust GV3,GV4 for preset reflex.
For KAPOW (FM4), adjust GV3, GV4 for preset reflex.
For T1-THERMAL (FM6) mode, first set LS to centre. Then

adjust GV3 and GV4 for nominal camber. LS is master

adjuster +/- 50%.
For LAUNCH (FM2), rotate S2 (F2 if X9E) to centre, adjust

GV3, GV4 for nominal camber. S2 is master adjuster +-50%.
For ZOOM (FM3), rotate S1 (F1 if X9E) max clockwise, adjust

GV3, GV4 for max possible reflex. S1 adjusts 0-100%.

To adjust a GVAR:

1. Open GLOBALVARS menu

2. Highlight GV3 (for ailerons) or GV4 (for flaps)

3. Activate flight mode to adjust

4. Skip to highlighted column

5. Adjust GVAR for required camber/reflex

 Reverse
Differential

GLOBALVARSGV6(“RevDif”)

Increases travel of down-going aileron when full spoiler is
applied, in order to improve roll response. To configure:

1. Open GLOBALVARS menu, highlight GV5/FM6

2. Enable Landing mode

3. Apply full spoiler and full aileron

4. Adjust GVAR until lower aileron is at the desired position.
NOTE: this measure for improving roll response is in addition
to aileron diff suppression, which is automatically applied.

 SpoilerEle
compensation

GLOBALVARSGV7(“MxComp”)

Spoiler (crow) compensation is adjustable using the throttle
trim. To set max limit of adjustment,

1. Open GlobalVars menu, highlight GV7/FM5

2. Enable LANDING mode.

3. Move throttle stick fully back (max spoiler)

4. Move throttle trim fully forward (max comp)

5. Adjust GVAR for max possible compensation.

6. Move throttle trim back for initial flight setting
Note: For non-linear response, adjust curve ‘SpComp’.

 Snapflap

MIXERCH11 (FlapCm)Snap
MIXERCH10 (AilCm)Snap

Snapflap (elevator to flap mixing) can be set in T3-Speed
mode. It’s set individually for flaps and ailerons. Master
adjustment using throttle trim.

1. Open MIXER menu

2. Select CH11->Snap line, and open editing menu

3. Skip to weight field

4. Enable T3-SPEED flight mode

5. Move throttle trim fully back (max snapflap).

6. Hold full up elevator

7. Adjust weight for desired max limit of snapflap adjustment

8. Close mixer editor

9. Repeat for CH10->Snap mix.

10. Using throttle trim, adjust overall snapflap for initial flight
setting.

Congratulations, you’ve finished setting up your model!

Just one last thing….

 Please back up your EEPROM again now!

Page | 12 rev 3.0.06

6 Before you fly

6.1 Battery and fail safe

Before flying:

 Set the battery alarm threshold to suit your battery chemistry, for both the tx and rx.
 Set the failsafe

6.2 Field guide printout

Print a copy for field use:

Flight modes

Adjustment

Adjuster control

Notes

Launch

Launch camber

S2 (9XD), or F2 (X9E)

Provides +/- 50% fine tuning of Launch preset

Zoom

Zoom camber

S1 (9XD), or F1 (X9E)

Adjusts reflex 0 – 100%

T1-thermal

Thermal camber

LS

Provides +/- 50% fine tuning of T1-thermal preset

T3-speed

Snapflap volume

Throttle trim

Trim forward=zero snap, trim back = max snapflap

Landing

Spoiler comp

Throttle trim

Trim back=zero comp, trim forward =max comp

[all]

Aileron Diff

Rudder trim

Diff saved individually for each flight mode.
Range is 0 - 80%

[all]

Aileron trim

Aileron trim

Shared by all flight modes

[all]

Elevator trim

Elevator trim

Saved individually per flight mode

7 Simple modifications

7.1 Launch/zoom switch

By default, LAUNCH and ZOOM modes are selected via switch SE. You can use a different switch by altering the settings
in the table below. A single 3-position switch must be used. In the third (unassigned) position, the main flight mode
switch will be active (§7.2).

Menu point

Setting

Default

FLIGHTMODESLAUNCH (FM2)

Sw3pos (↑↓ or -)

SE↓

FLIGHTMODESSPEED (FM3)

Sw3pos (↑↓ or -)

SE-

7.2 Main flight mode switch

By default, THERMAL, SPEED and CRUISE modes are selected via switch SA. You can use a different switch by altering the
switch settings for THERMAL and SPEED modes. A single 3-position switch must be used. The third (unassigned) switch
position selects CRUISE mode.

Menu point

Setting

Default

FLIGHTMODESTHERMAL (FM6)

Sw3pos (↑↓ or -)

SA↓

FLIGHTMODESSPEED (FM7)

Sw3pos(↑↓ or -)

SA↑

7.3 Changing cal sub-mode switch

By default, the CAL sub-modes are selected via switch SA. You can use a different switch by altering three logical
switches as shown below. A single 3-position switch should be used for all sub modes.

Menu point

Setting

Default

LOGICAL SWITCHL72

nd

param

Sw3pos ↑

SA↑

LOGICAL SWITCHL82

nd

param

Sw3pos -

SA-

LOGICAL SWITCHL92

nd

param

Sw3pos ↓

SA↓

Page | 13 rev 3.0.06

7.4 Adjusting throttle stick deadband

The spoiler stick has some deadband defined, in order to prevent accidental deployment of spoiler. The amount of
deadband can be adjusted via Curve 4 (“Thr2Sp”). Alter the X-value of the middle point to taste. Max recommended
value is 95%.

7.5 Reversing spoiler operation

By default, spoiler is off when throttle is fully forward. To reverse the direction of operation:

1 Open the Mixers menu and skip to CH23.
2 Open the mixer editor
3 Change the curve from ‘Curve4’ to ‘!Curve4’ (note leading exclamation mark)

7.6 Reversing camber adjuster

LS is the default control for camber adjustment in THERMAL mode. To alter the direction of operation,

1 Open the Mixers menu
2 Skip to CH10CmAdT1
3 Open the mixer editor, and set weight = ─50, then close mixer editor
4 Repeat steps 5 and 6 for CH11CmAdT1

7.7 KAPOW flight mode

To enable/disable KAPOW mode:

1 Open the Flight Modes menu
2 Highlight the KAPOW flight mode line
3 To enable: set the switch to ‘L10‘

To disable: set the switch to ‘--- (default)

To adjust the elevator setting in KAPOW mode:

1 Create an elevator Input line for KAPOW according to the instructions in section 5.
2 Activate KAPOW, and adjust the weight in the new Input line for the correct elevator angle.

By default, in order to activate KAPOW it’s necessary to apply a minimum amount of spoiler (crow) in addition to full
forward elevator stick. Using a simple modification, you can remove the spoiler constraint so that Kapow can be
engaged directly from all flight modes except LAUNCH and ZOOM:

1 Open the Logical Switches menu
2 Highlight L10.
3 In the AND field, change ‘L6’ to ‘---‘

7.8 Zoom flight mode

The ZOOM flight mode is for the second phase of the tow. To enable/disable ZOOM mode:

1 Open the Flight Modes menu
2 Highlight the ZOOM flight mode line
3 To enable, set switch to ‘SE─’ (default)

To disable, set switch to ‘---‘

8 Some notes on servo calibration (CAL mode)

 Servo calibration (in CAL mode) is for more than just the initial setup! You should check your calibration

before flying each session - it will help identify any servo centring issues or bent linkages which might
otherwise remain undetected.

 Never copy your trim settings to the subtrims. Not only is it unnecessary, it will trash your CAL settings.

Page | 14 rev 3.0.06

9 Identifying mistakes

There is no ‘Undo’ button in OpenTx. Fortunately, it’s easy to identify mistakes, using the COMPARE FILES menu in
Companion. Follow these steps:

1 Start Companion
2 Open the (unedited) .eepe file
3 Open your working EEPROM
4 Open the COMPARE FILES window, then drag the corresponding models into it. Compare files generates a list

of differences, and any errors should be easy to spot.

10 Making your own modifications

Before making your own modifications, please study the Excel documentation carefully and make sure you
understand the implications. The recommended workflow is:

1 Setup your model first, as described in this guide
2 Backup your work
3 Apply your modifications incrementally, testing and backing up as you go along.

11 Safety/disclaimer

Pretty obvious really, but worth repeating: although this setup is well tested, it’s up to the pilot to make sure that
the controls respond correctly under all conditions. The author is not responsible for any consequences arising from
errors in the .EEPE file or documentation.

Remember to test your setup carefully:

- before first flight

- after any modifications!

12 Contact

If you have any queries or suggestions, or if you find any errors in the documentation, or just want to say hello, then
please contact me at http://rc-soar.com/email.htm.
Happy flying!
Mike Shellim