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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Keith, one popular way to manage throws is with
conditions in your expensive computer radio. JR calls it flight
modes. That allows throws that are perfect for regular manuevers (lots of
time I use full deflection of my sticks because I have the condition's throws
set up so that I can't go more throw, because it is never needed in consistent
flying). Doing it this way you would turn on the snap condition just
before the snap and turn it off just after. Some guys flip the switch at
the start of the manuever and turn it off once they exit the manuever - it gives
you more chance to think about the inputs, but the rest of the manuever probably
won't be smooth.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Conditions/FlightModes, at their most basic, are
only used to have different end point throws on all three channels
triggered by one switch. Often different expotential is used as well, but
the main thing is end point throw.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Throw is dependant mainly on wing size, shape,
airfoil, and horizontal stab size. Usually it involves LOTS of aileron
(20-30deg), little elevator, and medium rudder. IMO, most people below FAI
are trying to do snaps with too much elevator and not enough aileron. They
see that if they use less elevator it doesn't snap, but I've found that you can
actually substitute more aileron for that elevator throw. Elevator tends
to speed up the snap, but it does it violently and it takes a while for it to
get going. If you notice your plane winding </FONT><FONT face=Arial
size=2>up through the first 180deg of rotation or so, you probably have too much
elevator (or slow aileron servos).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Which of course brings up servos. Not much to
get into here, it's really just a budget thing. Spending more money will
get you better snaps and more accurate exits.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Inputs are really where the masters show
themselves. You have to really understand exactly what each control
service does to a snap and its role in a snap, and from there you can try to
come up with a sequence that makes the snap as 'good looking' and accurate as it
can be (good luck finding perfection on this one).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The other problem is that there are very few judges
who can properly judge a snap, imo. Take a look at the judges from the
recent Team Selection Finals - these guys know what they are doing.
Unfortunately, we can't have these guys with us every day and at every
contest. I think the best way to learn what a good snap is is to watch the
top pilots. Muncie is an AWESOME place to see snap after snap from a lot
of world-class pilots. You can't go wrong copying these guys.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I can guarantee you others will have different
opinions about everything I wrote here, so don't take it to be the 'right'
answer. You have to go flying and just do flights with lots of
snaps. Take a look at all the snaps in the different schedules, maybe have
someone call all these snap manuevers for a few flights. Play around with
different inputs and throws, because besides the airframe, there's nothing else
to it!</FONT></DIV></FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=tkeithb@attbi.com href="mailto:tkeithb@attbi.com">Keith Black</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=discussion@nsrca.org
href="mailto:discussion@nsrca.org">discussion@nsrca.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> June 23, 2003 11:26 PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Snap rolls (long) - the ins
and outs...</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This is a great thread on the anatomy of a snap!
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>What I'd like to hear are techniques for
executing good positive and negative snaps. I'm interested in things like
what's the best direction to snap (left?), what are the necessary stick
movements for positive and negative snaps, timing of stick movements, what
should be done differently on down-line vs. horizontal vs. up-line snap, etc.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I've heard that the top fliers don't just jam the
sticks at the same time but they break the snap into multiple components to
keep it true and on heading. This is a complete mystery to me and I'd love to
understand it more.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Also, of great interest to me is how much throw
is necessary for good snaps and how to fly smoothly with that much throw.
Obviously each plane will vary but I'm looking for some basic guidelines on
throws, maybe with specific planes just as a idea. And how do the top level
fliers deal with having enough throw to execute snaps AND keep their
other maneuvers from being jerky? Dual rates, huge expo, snap switch, or just
REALLY steady fingers? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This weekend at the Nederland, TX contest FAI
flew F03 in the sixth round. All of us mortals sat around in amazement
watching snap after snap in every conceivable attitude and direction. And Earl
you're correct, these snaps looked nothing like a lot of snaps in the other
classes. They were extremely crisp, quick and solid. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>So please, someone share your secrets so we can
improve on those mediocre snaps that everyone keeps referring to!
:-)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Keith Black</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>(snip due to size
limit)</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>