Training with the Spektrum Series

To the Flitetest Community;

I had a few people send emails on what we use to train our students on how to fly RC planes.  I know there is numerous products out there that allow for great training purposes, however, for us and working within a budget, we chose the Spektrum Tx/Rx series to train our young flyers.

Now there is a lot of different options with Spektrum setups and the Flitetest community might have some cool tips to share to go along with this article.  For the most part we use the Dxe5 with another DXe5 setup.  We have used a Dx6 with a DXe5 as well.  The students and I prefer using two Dxe5(s), it is quick and easy to sync for flight training. 

The first MESA season we didn't have this resource and students would build and crash planes with ease, most students lost interest because they couldn't master the flying element of the hobby.  Flying is the best part and we needed to do something to keep their interests.  There were still numerous students who still loved to make planes and learn to fly, and eventually after a series of builds they got the hang of it and we had some pretty cool dogfights seen in the following links;

MESA rcFF Dog Fights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X4mP9m1NjM&list=PL2A091D8D105ECD2D&index=5&feature=plpp_video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5auNixhfX4&list=PL2A091D8D105ECD2D&index=16&feature=plpp_video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1Eo-sP6zxA&list=PL2A091D8D105ECD2D&index=20&feature=plpp_video

Now dogfights were fun, but it only included that of a few students, with 30 students in the club, going to the Spektrum training setup was the ticket for success.  We went ahead and purchased the Spektrum Training Cord that was on the expensive side for us but well worth it, link below;

http://www.amazon.com/Spektrum-Trainer-Cord-ALL-SPM/dp/B000H89E6Q/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339796336&sr=8-1-fkmr2&keywords=Spektrum+Training+cord

The Process:

The process of getting two transmitters to sync was very easy.  We made the master transmitter mine and it was synced to the Rx that was in the student's plane.  We then plugged the training cord into another Tx, but we did not turn on the other transmitter, the transmitter automatically turns on when plugging the training cord into it.  We then flip back between transmitters making sure they are controlling the plane the exact same. One of the biggest mistakes we made our first trial was this step, so a tip when you guys link transmitters, make sure that callibrate both transmitters to act the same in controlling the plane.  Once you have it setup correctly, go have fun, here is some links of successful flying with students;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qE2whmfK5e8&list=PL5C151C9954AF9FBD&index=10&feature=plpp_video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1Zeu1fHT24&list=PL5C151C9954AF9FBD&index=18&feature=plpp_video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IO0ZRvwYUw&list=PL5C151C9954AF9FBD&index=26&feature=plpp_video

Conclusion:

We all know that scratch build planes can be tough to build and tricky at times to fly, so when you spend hours on making a plane and have a history of crashing planes, train and link up with someone who does, it will save time and heartache and keep you and the hobby around.

Have fun flying!

This tip is from the MESA rcFoam Fighters

Thanks for all your support!