24 
The following chart may be used to systematically set up and trim a model for straight flight 
and aerobatic maneuvers.    Please note that for best results, trimming should be done in near-
calm conditions.    Before you decide to make a change, be sure to try the test several times 
before making adjustments.    If any changes are made, go back through the previous steps 
and verify that they are not also affected.    If they are, make further adjustments as necessary.
 
 
To test for _  Test Procedure  Observations  Adjustments 
1.  Control 
neutrals 
Fly the model straight and level  Use the transmitter trims for hands-
off straight & level flight. 
Change electronic 
subtrims or adjust 
clevises to center 
transmitter trims. 
2.  Control 
throws 
Fly the model and apply full 
deflection of each control in turn 
Check the response of each control 
• Aileron high-rate: 3 rolls in 4 
seconds; low-rate: 3 rolls/6 sec 
• Elevator high-rate: to give a smooth 
square corner; low-rate gives approx. 
130 ft diameter loop   
• Rudder: high-rate 30-35° for stall 
turns; low rate maintains knife-edge 
Change ATV (for high 
rates), and Dual Rate 
settings (for low rates) 
to achieve desired 
responses. 
3. Decalage  Power off vertical dive 
(crosswind if any).    Release 
controls when model vertical 
(elevator trim must be neutral) 
A.    Model continues straight down 
B.    Model starts to pull out (nose 
up)? 
C.    Model starts to tuck in (nose 
down)? 
A.  No adjustment 
B.  Reduce incidence 
C.  Increase incidence 
4.  Center of 
Gravity 
Method 1: Roll into near 
vertically-banked turn. 
Method 2: Roll model inverted 
A1.  Nose drops 
B1.  Tail drops 
A2.    Lots of forward stick (down 
elevator) required to maintain   
level flight 
B2.    No forward stick (down 
elevator) required to maintain 
level flight, or model climbs 
A.    Add weight to tail 
B.  Add weight to 
nose 
5.  Tip 
weight 
(coarse 
adjustment) 
Fly model straight & level 
upright.  Check aileron trim 
maintains level wings.    Roll 
model inverted, wings level.   
Release aileron stick. 
A.    Model does not drop a wing. 
B.  Left wing drops. 
C.  Right wing drops. 
A.  No adjustment 
B.  Add weight to 
right tip. 
C.    Add weight to left 
tip. 
6.  Side 
Thrust & 
Warped 
Wing 
Fly model away from you into 
any wind.    Pull it into a vertical 
climb, watch for deviations as it 
slows down. 
A.    Model continues straight up. 
B.  Model veers left 
C.  Model veers right 
D.  Model rolls right 
A.  No adjustment 
B.  Add right thrust 
C.  Reduce right thrust 
D.    Put trim tab under 
left wing tip * 
7.  
Up/Down 
Thrust 
Fly the model on normal path into 
any wind, parallel to strip, at a 
distance of around 100 meters 
from you (elevator trim should be 
neutral as per Test 3).    Pull it 
into a vertical climb & neutralize 
elevator 
A.    Model continues straight up 
B.    Model pitches up (goes toward 
top of model) 
C.    Model pitches down (goes 
toward bottom of model) 
A.  No adjustment 
B.  Add down thrust 
C.  Reduce down 
thrust 
8.  Tip 
weight (fine 
adjustment) 
Method 1: fly the model as per 
Test 6 and pull into a reasonably 
small diameter loop (one loop 
only) 
Method 2: fly the model as per 
Test 6 and then push into an 
outside loop (one only, fairly 
tight) 
A.    Model comes out with wings 
level 
B.    Model comes out right wing low 
C.    Model comes out left wing low 
A.  No adjustment 
necessary 
B.    Add weight to left 
tip 
C.  Add weight to 
right tip