Frequently Asked Question
What can I do if my control surfaces are reversed?
Last Updated 9 years ago
You're about ready to fly but you notice that some of your flight controls are reversed during your pre-flight check. Proper control surface response is hands down one of the most important factors of flight. Checking your control surfaces before every flight is a good habit because a reversed response can be extremely detrimental during flight and can lead to an unintended crash. Certain servos can actuate in the opposite direction than intended due to factors such as the radio system being used, position of the servo and the servo itself. First, lets check to see which surfaces are reversed. See below for details on how to get the proper response.
NOTE: It is best to do this check while standing behind your airplane. Also keep in mind that this entire check is done in the 'Mode 2' transmitter configuration.
Checking for proper aileron deflection:
When attempting a right bank by moving the aileron stick to the right, the right aileron should move up while the left aileron moves down. The exact opposite happens when you move the aileron stick to the left because the left aileron will move up and the right aileron will move down.
Checking for proper elevator deflection:
When attempting a climb by moving the elevator stick down, the elevator control surface should face up. When attempting to descend by moving the elevator stick up, the elevator control surface should face down.
Checking for proper rudder deflection:
When attempting to yaw to the left by moving the rudder stick to the left, the rudder should face to the left from the center position. The exact opposite occurs when moving the rudder stick to the right, the rudder should face to the right from the center position.
Visual example:
Now that you know which control surfaces are reversed you will need to utilize the reverse/revert feature of your transmitter.
For analog transmitters, there will be a set of switches at the bottom. They will be labeled with their respective channels such as aileron, elevator, rudder, etc. Find the one that corresponds to the channel that is reversed and flip the switch to the opposite direction. Recheck your control surface to ensure it is responding correctly.
For digital transmitters, you will need to go through the control surface menu and find the respective channel that corresponds to the reversed control surface. You may need to refer to the instruction manual for details on how to access that menu. After making the necessary adjustment, recheck your control surface to ensure it is responding correctly.
NOTE: It is best to do this check while standing behind your airplane. Also keep in mind that this entire check is done in the 'Mode 2' transmitter configuration.
Checking for proper aileron deflection:
When attempting a right bank by moving the aileron stick to the right, the right aileron should move up while the left aileron moves down. The exact opposite happens when you move the aileron stick to the left because the left aileron will move up and the right aileron will move down.
Checking for proper elevator deflection:
When attempting a climb by moving the elevator stick down, the elevator control surface should face up. When attempting to descend by moving the elevator stick up, the elevator control surface should face down.
Checking for proper rudder deflection:
When attempting to yaw to the left by moving the rudder stick to the left, the rudder should face to the left from the center position. The exact opposite occurs when moving the rudder stick to the right, the rudder should face to the right from the center position.
Visual example:
Now that you know which control surfaces are reversed you will need to utilize the reverse/revert feature of your transmitter.
For analog transmitters, there will be a set of switches at the bottom. They will be labeled with their respective channels such as aileron, elevator, rudder, etc. Find the one that corresponds to the channel that is reversed and flip the switch to the opposite direction. Recheck your control surface to ensure it is responding correctly.
For digital transmitters, you will need to go through the control surface menu and find the respective channel that corresponds to the reversed control surface. You may need to refer to the instruction manual for details on how to access that menu. After making the necessary adjustment, recheck your control surface to ensure it is responding correctly.