Getting A Cub! Questions!

[flydiver]

Dec 21, 2008 6:50:42 GMT 1 jakestg said:

PatMat, Someone on youtube said that when they disconected the ACT from the receiver it caused there planes engine to turn off.. If it were to do that to me, do i just reboost the throttel?

That's someone that doesn't know what they are talking about. What they hit was low voltage cut-off most likely.
Careful of information from newbies with 30 minutes more experience than yourself.

Here's my old and tired (been used so many times) RANT about ACT.

[ACT works by using sensors looking at the ground and horizon. It differentiates shade (dark ground/light sky) and tries to keep them that way. If the plane goes up or down too fast and the shade isn't right it 'takes control' AWAY from you and essentially neutralizes the controls. You can achieve the SAME result just by letting go of the sticks. Of course new pilots don't they just over correct some more. The high wing Cub will self correct in time but not immediately.

If ACT kicks in up high, no problem, but then letting go of the sticks would work also. If it happens down low you have NO ABILITY TO CORRECT SINCE CONTROL IS REMOVED! Just like letting go of the sticks once you pointed it straight at the ground from 20 feet up it's going in! Its not useful down low and wrecks more planes than it saves, but it sure sounds good to new fliers. Since they can't fly anyway and they wreck anyway they figure it would only have been worse without it. They can't differentiate between their short comings and ACT's problems.

So it works up high where you don't really benefit from it and screws you up down low when it doesn't help. It also gets totally confused when you fly over water, snow or very light ground surfaces (light concrete, sand) since it doesn't know what to do with that. It's NOT SMART, it's just a shade sensor. What is does best is lure in new fliers-great marketing scheme.]

I wrote Hobby Zone about my concerns and the reality of this 'feature'. Of course they never responded. This is NOT about improving your flying experience, it's about making money.

UNPLUG IT.

[jakestg]

Ok man, Ill unplug but I havent gotten my Plane yet I get it on christmas.. Ive just been making a preperation for myself because this will be the plane that will start a new hobby. So I must disconect the ACT from the receiver.. is it labled in anyway? I dont wana disconect the wrong thing lol ^.^

[admiralev]

follow the cords from the sensors. its pretty easy to see. just unplug them. thats all you have to do

admiral

[flydiver]

When you look inside under the wing you'll see 2 little black lens like things with wires going to them from the black box (RX/ESC). Pull the plugs and tape them out of the way.

Now, you can use the ACT switch on the transmitter (TX). With ACT ON the control responses will be a bit less, good for starting when you tend to be heavy thumbed and over correct too much. Doesn't make a huge difference. So it also won't screw you up when you bump that switch accidently, something that happens all the time.

If you feel uncomfortable with this just make sure you have it off on the TX. Feel free to turn it on UP HIGH and mess around for your own education.

You have someone to help you out? MUCH easier with a mentor that can fly. It's certainly possible to learn on your own but some early help saves a LOT of repairs and grief. The first few minutes of a Cub's life is fraught with peril in a new fliers hands.

[admiralev]

a club is definitely the way to go. check out the AMA (www.modelaircraft.org/) and look at their chartered club directory for a club near you and give the guys a call. most are very nice and are always willing to get a new pilot up in the air with a little less frustration than if you tried it on your own

admiral

[jakestg]

Ok guys, thank you very much