Optimum Setup for 3D

by Kent Wien

Step 1:

I use a metal servo arm that has the widest holes to allow the balls to be a total of 37mm apart from each other for the collective servo. I got this arm from Revolution which is distributed by Horizon. Hobbies and Helis has an identical arm. I then separate the ball from the arm with an extra 2mm nut in addition to the 2mm nut on the other side which holds the bolt on.

Step 2:

Look at the butterfly arm that controls the collective. I use the hole one step further out from the center than the instructions show. This setup gives great resolution and allows for a full 22 to 24 degrees without modifying any parts. Next set the cyclic tray (the one that rocks back and forth) straight up and down. A good picture of this is on page 14 at the bottom. Center the collective servo arm to correspond to this straight up and down position. Use sub trims if you have to. Adjust the arms so they are pretty much equal to each other.

Step 3:

Once you are straight up and down, hook up the 'aileron' and 'elevator' servos and adjust the sub trims to make them perfectly centered. I use a ruler placed next to the four balls and adjust the sub trim so I have a straight line. Now adjust all the other rods so the "L" levers that they attach to are at 90 degrees to each other.

Step 4:

Now work your way up the head and lengthen the swashplate control rods about 1mm each from what the manual says. Hook up the washout to the swashplate and the washout to the Hiller control arms that hook up to the flybar and move the swashplate up and down. Adjust the "stabilizing control rods" (that's what the manual calls them) so that the washout touches both the swashplate and the top of the center hub at the same time. It may touch the center hub slightly sooner but try to get it close. Finally, and I swear this is it, make sure the tray is again straight up and down (just like the bottom of page 14) and adjust the blade grips so they show zero degrees.

Step 5:

Now when setting up your radio this should be your 1/4 stick position and 1/2 stick is 5 to 5 and a half degrees. I have my top end at 9 1/2 degrees in normal and about 11 1/2 in hold. Full low stick is minus 6 in normal and hold for a very fast descent during autos and minus 9 1/2 in my flight mode two for 3D flying with the center stick at zero. You are done! You now have a great 3Dable setup that will provide you with plenty of travel. Just make sure you don't have too much cyclic (aileron and elevator) throw by making sure you don't go past the inner ball of the swashplate. Look at the swashplate and you will see what I mean. Note that the brass doesn't need to go too much further than the steel inner ball.

Back to Table of Contents