RC Transmitter Modes
RC transmitter mode specifies the way how the transmitter is set up to control the airplane model. In other words which stick of the transmitter is responsible for which control of the airplane model. Four main modes exist but only two of them are the most popular and widely used. Modes of the transmitter are numbered 1 to 4 and apply only to transmitters with 4 or more channels.
There is no the best mode for the transmitter, each of them has its pros and cons.
Transmitter with 4 channels has 2 main sticks which controls airplane model stick can be moved in 2 directions – vertical and horizontal.
Here are schemes for four main modes:
Mode 1
Vertical movement of left stick operates elevator
Horizontal movement of left stick operates rudder
Vertical movement of right stick operates throttle
Horizontal movement of right stick operates ailerons
Mode 2
Vertical movement of left stick operates throttle
Horizontal movement of left stick operates rudder
Vertical movement of right stick operates elevator
Horizontal movement of right stick operates ailerons
Mode 3
Mode 3 is inversion to Mode 2, thus controls on the left hand is on the right and vise versa.
Vertical movement of left stick operates elevator
Horizontal movement of left stick operates ailerons
Vertical movement of right stick operates throttle
Horizontal movement of right stick operates rudder
Mode 4
Mode 4 is inversion to Mode 1, thus controls on the left hand is on the right and vise versa.
Vertical movement of left stick operates throttle
Horizontal movement of left stick operates ailerons
Vertical movement of right stick operates elevator
Horizontal movement of right stick operates rudder
Main differences between Mode 1 and Mode 2
In Mode 1 elevator and ailerons which controls main movements of airplane are on different sticks so it is hard to accidentally move one when using the other stick.Mode 2 is more as control of the real airplane where you have ailerons and elevator on one stick.
There are two approaches how to use transmitter, or how to hold sticks, they are often called “european” and “american”. In “european” approach pilot holds the stick using two fingers: forefinger and thumb. In “american” approach each stick is hold by only thumb finger. Some people think that pilots which hold joystick with two fingers can move sticks more precisely and thus control airplane model better. But actually it doesn’t matter and this is just a question to what approach you got used to. With any approach you need to practice a lot in simulators and in real flights to become good pilot and be able to make good aerobatics.
As was already mentioned the most widely used are Mode 1 and Mode 2. Mode of the transmitter is usually fixed and cannot be configured for the transmitter. This is because sticks are automatically moved to the center position when not touched except of one responsible for throttle. So the only way to change mode is to swap sticks. All manufacturers usually produce every model of the transmitter in both variants: with Mode 1 and Mode 2 so you can buy the one which is preferable to you. If for some reason you would like to change mode of your transmitter, try to search on the internet as usually instructions are available how to do this for your specific RC transmitter model. However for this case you will need to perform some manipulations with your transmitter which are not recommended by manufacturers. So do this only on your own risk and if you are fully confident in what you are doing.
