Model Airplane News – August 2019

64 ModelAirplaneNews.com

Two Rolls in Opposite DirectionsTwo Rolls in Opposite Dir

Twice the excitement on a single paass

Let’s discuss how to perform two rolls
in opposite directions on a horizontal
line parallel to the runway. Once you’re
familiar with the control inputs needed,
you can advance to performing the same
maneuver while traveling on a vertical
up- or downline. After all, your only limita-
tion is your imagination when it comes
to creating variations of some standard
aerobatic moves.

FIRST THINGS FIRST
Before looking at the fundamentals in
performing this stunt, let’s fi rst examine
your aircraft and radio setup. If you have
been reading my columns, you know that
I am a strong advocate of fl ight modes.
On my personal transmitter, I utilize one
switch to control my aileron, rudder,
and elevator dual or triple rates. I prefer
simplicity, and when focusing on a rather
complex routine of various aerobatic
maneuvers, I want to use only one switch
to activate each rate.
For a maneuver like this one, I use only
my low-rate setting. On this rate, I have
about 12 degrees of elevator, 30 degrees
of rudder, and 15 or so degrees of aileron
defl ection. Regarding exponentials, I
recommend that you start with about
20 percent on all surfaces and either
increase or decrease the amount to your
liking for the low-rate settings. After doing
so, if you feel that your airplane is still
sensitive around neutral stick, increase
the exponential amount in 5 percent
increments on that given control surface.
Similarly, if your airplane is rather slow to
respond, either decrease the amount of
exponential or increase your endpoint on

I am sure that, like me, many of you remember the first time you performed both

a loop and a roll because it is usually the first sequence in basic aerobatics. But let’s

crank it up a notch. To become a proficient aerobatic pilot, you must be familiar with

rolling maneuvers in both directions. Also, if you want to become involved in competition,

sometimes you have to roll in different directions throughout a given maneuver.

that given control surface. Please keep in

mind, though, that JR radios use positive

(+) exponential, and Futaba radios use

negative (–) exponential. Consult the

instruction manual that was supplied

with your transmitter if you are unsure

of whether you need to utilize positive or

negative exponential.

Despite the fact that I only use my

low-rate setting for this maneuver, using

fl ight modes will come in handy when it

comes to adding diff erent components

to a stunt like this. Let’s say, for example,

that you want to perform two rolls in

opposite directions and add a positive

snap roll at the end. To perform the

snap roll, I would fl ip to my medium-rate

fl ight mode (often, this mode has about

maximum aileron, almost 20 degrees of

elevator, and almost maximum rudder).

If I were to perform two rolls in opposite

directions on my medium rate, the

For this maneuver,

using low rates keeps

things smooth.

BY JOHN GLEZELLIS| ILLUSTRATION BY FX MODELS

AEROBATICS MADE EASY