Fly the Vertical S

Four easy steps to perfection

- John Glezellis

As we start to combine maneuvers to produce a larger and more impressive move, we start to combine segments of flights we have already practiced and are perfecting along the way. The vertical S, which combines a half inside loop with a half outside loop, is one such combination, and it produces a much higher S-shaped aerobatic figure. This maneuver is one of many that are also performed by full-scale aircraft, and it is used to climb or descend at a consistent speed. In the aerobatic world, a perfectly setup aircraft helps the pilot focus on one thing: properly executing the maneuver. When an airplane is well trimmed and performs to your liking, you can then concentrate on mastering different aerobatic figures rather than on the inputs needed to correct for any undesired airplane tendencies.

I use what are commonly referred to as flight modes so that I can use one transmitter switch to control all my aileron, rudder, and elevator rates. For a maneuver like this, I use only my low-rate setting. On a typical 50-inch-span electric aerobat, I have about 12 degrees of elevator, 30 degrees of rudder, and 15 degrees of aileron deflection on this rate. If I were to use linear exponential, the airplane would be rather sensitive. To soften the feel of the control stick around neutral, I recommend that you use exponential. You should start with about 20% on all surfaces, and increase or decrease the amount to your liking for the low-rate settings.