Which Mode are you?

[What is the best mode for flying planes?]

What is the best mode for flying planes?

Mode 1

 0 (0%)

Mode 2

 5 (100%)

Huh?

 0 (0%)

Total Members Voted: 3

Voting closed: February 20, 2008, 04:46:22 PM

[Steve Smith]

What is the best mode for flying planes?

[spacey]

Which version of the answer to that question would you prefer? The long or short?

[Steve Smith]

go on, explain your answer

[spacey]

Well ok lemme stick to probably the more obvious points and try to keep it short. The discussion has gone the routes on most of the bigger Intl forums but let me share my views from my flying experience. Obviously I should start by saying I'm a mode 2 pilot and wouldn't consider a change again. My flying consists of precision aerobatic heli/fixed wing flying and most importantly 3D flying flying with both once again.

The biggest advantage claimed by mode 1 pilots are the lack of cross control when giving inputs to the "primary" axis of the aircraft being aileron and elevator. This is true but just about the only advantage I can really think of for mode 1. Now my opinion is that anyone who's anyone will eventually progress onto flying all four axis on fixed wing models and eventually, like in what I do,  the aircraft definitely doesn't only have two primary axis of control, it has four and nothing less. Cross controlling on any 2 of the 4 axis becomes an issue which needs to be resolved by training the fingers so the advantage of mode 1 is lost anyways. Sure fixed wing might also have some advantages when it comes to rolling harriers and things but because one control is being locked over most of the time I don't consider this a real advantage over mode 2.

Now for the killer. Heli flying on mode 1....now there's a tricky beast. When it comes to doing stuff like piroflips with a heli mode 1 becomes a mess to say the least. Sure alot of mode 1 pilots still master it (Like Itou, pretty sure he's mode 1) but I consider the whole ordeal considerably easier with mode 2. I guess alot of mode 1 fixed wing pilots can argue that they will never fly a heli but guess what guys, I said exactly the same thing and look at me now. It also makes much more sense having your primary controls on one stick which is the case on mode 2, as this is how all fullsize aircraft are setup and if you think about the example of your heli's mainshaft being like the stick on your right hand side..it just makes sense for the beginner pilot. I would dread having to do precision hovering and crosscontrolling onto the pitch when I do roll corrections which happens alot.

That about sums it up for me for the moment. 

[BEX]

Even thoug I am currently flying mostly mode 1 I agree fully that Mode 2 makes more sense . I learned flying on mode 2 and switched to 1 because I could get a mode 1 DX7 at a huge discount. I fly both now but in my view mode 2 just makes more sense.

[Daniedb]

Hi all

I fly mode 1 on Planes, but Mode 2 on Heli's. When started flying years ago, we only had mode 1 pilots in the club, I think there was 1 mode 2 pilot. So I've started mode 1. Bout a year ago, I tried heli's.   ha ha ha, what a mess for mode 1 on a Heli. Couldn't get lifted of the ground, so a friend suggested Mode 2. So I bough another radio on Mode 2, and within a week I hover a Heli (Mode 2). Try mode 1 again... no luck. So today I fly mode 1 Planes, Mode 2 Heli's . Since I fly mode 2 Heli's I started to maiden some guys planes in Mode 2, But thats just that. Don't ask me to do any 3D or aerobatics in Mode 2 and I'm Lost.
Some people said I would get confused, but for some reason, when taken the plane, mode 1 for me just feels right, and switching to Heli's mode 2 just feels right.

I will definitly say, that there isn't a better mode on heli's as mode 2.

On planes,,, mmmm.... that we can debate....

To stir a bit, what I did pickup. Mode 1 Plane guys can do a very nice Roll. I have seen a few mode 2 Guys that do more a Barrel roll.... but thats my opinion.
If you take Spacey, He do anything in Mode 2. I think it's just a matter of how you've been tought.

I trained people at our club (And believe me, thats a bunch, 38 for 2007, and 24 for 2008 sofar), I put them on the SIM (Phoenix RC) with a Mode 1 and Mode 2 Radio. And according to that I decided what Mode I will learn him on. Mode 2 definitly just make more sense for some guys than mode 1, but that you can pickup real quickly. I had a guy on mode 1 for 7 months, and he just could get right, Changing him to mode 2 and he landed within a week.

I wouldn't suggest changing modes when your flying for a while. Stick to the Mode and rather learn the other mode aswell.

My 2 cents
Enjoy
Danie

[Piet Le Roux]

I think we should forget about debating which mode is best and acknowledge that if everyone flew the same mode it would be best for the hobby. Our club is a pattern orientated club that were greatly influenced by a old-timer instructor that believed that there is only one mode : mode one and that choppers flies because they irritate the earth and is then rejected off it. Most newcomers today starts out flying on a flight simulator with a joystick that is the same as the right stick on mode two. So a lot of newcomers did not feel comfortable with mode one and went to other clubs. I  first researched  the subject on the Net and decided on mode two and stuck with it even thou there were few people to help me. We now  have a mode two instructor and most newcomers are flying mode two.
Piet
CRF
Bloemfontein     

[ssr]

FLY MODE 2 THEN YOU HAVE 1 HAND FREE TO HOLD ON TO YOUR BEER ( VERY IMPORTANT TO DRINK AND FLY--- CALMS YOU DOWN)    lol lol LOL   Seriously----- Go with the instructor. Its all about the flying.