AUGUST 2019 65airplane would be too sensitive and the
individual stunt would not have the best
presentation. After all, presentation and
smoothness count!
PERFORMING THE MANEUVER
While entry altitude differs on the type of
model being flown, I strongly urge you to
attempt this maneuver first at an altitude
in which you can safely recover in the
event that a wrong control input is given.
For a typical park flier that has about a
40-inch wingspan, an altitude between
150 and 200 feet is sufficient.
When ready, orient your model in a
manner that is parallel to the runway and
increase throttle to about 75 percent. I
recommend that you perform the first
roll in the direction in which you are most
comfortable as it will be familiar to you.
Focus on keeping your heading, and do
not deviate in altitude. Once this roll is
performed, execute the second roll in
the opposite direction. The objectives
are to perform both rolls at the same
rate of rotation and to stop the first roll
as the plane is directly in front of you
(known as the “pilot’s center”). Lastly, it
should take the same distance to perform
both rolls given that the speed of the
aircraft and the roll rate do not change.
Next, let’s examine the control inputs
needed and divide this maneuver into
four steps.Step 1: Orient your aircraft in a manner so
that it is travelling parallel to the runway
in upright level flight. Make sure that you
are in your low-rate setting (if using dual
or triple rates) and increase the power to
about 75 percent. Keep in mind that the
first roll should be initiated about 300 feet
before the airplane approaches the
pilot’s center.
Step 2: When ready, apply aileron input to
the right. At first, you’ll have to add left top
rudder to maintain altitude. Remember,
only use enough rudder to maintain
altitude as too much may cause your
airplane to climb or deviate in heading.
When you are almost inverted, add a touch
of down-elevator. As you continue to roll,
you’ll have to add right top rudder in a
smooth fashion to maintain both altitude
and heading. Lastly, almost neutralize
rudder input and add any necessary ele-
vator corrections as the airplane nears
upright level flight to keep your heading
and altitude. The first roll is now complete.
Step3: At this point, the airplane should bedirectly in front of you. It is time to perform
the second roll, but this time, it will be to
the left. To do so, apply left aileron and
right top rudder to begin. As the model
nears inverted fight, add a touch of down-
elevator to keep your altitude. Continue
rolling and apply left top rudder when you
are about 3/4 of the way through the
roll, then neutralize rudder input as you
approach upright level flight.
Step4: Once your aircraft establishes
upright level flight, make sure that your
throttle is still at 75 percent power.
Excessive throttle changes are not
required in performing such a maneuver;
rather, focus on keeping your aircraft
flying at a constant speed. Turn your
aircraft around, and prepare to give this
maneuver another try—after all, practice
makes perfect.BOTTOM LINE
Always take your time while learning a
new maneuver and while making required
setup adjustments to your airplane. It is
always good to have a friend take notes
so that you can evaluate the changes in
performance. Make sure that your radio
and engine are operating properly, and
above all, have fun and stay safe. JThe objecTives are To perform boTh rolls aTThe same raTe of roTaTion
and To sTop The firsT roll as The plane is direcTly in fronT of you.ENTRY
Enter
straight and
level.- Start roll
300 feet before
the center of
maneuver. - Apply aileron
for right roll. - Apply aileron
for the left roll.
Maintain straight
and level flight- Establish
level flight
with 75%
power.
ExiT