FailSafe

When setting up your RX Failsafe do you like it to retain the last control surface command before the link was lost, or return to neutral, or do you set it up with some predetermined default.

So far, I've set mine up to kill the throttle and return the control surfaces to neutral, but the Spektrum default is to retain the last command, and so I'm wondering if that is actually better?

If those are your only options, then definitely throttle to idle and controls to neutral.

But if you can do it, I go for throttle to idle, ailerons to neutral and elevator and rudder to hold last command. Then if you are inverted or knife edge when it holds you will have the inputs to keep the nose up. Having said that this might give you a chance but there is still a lot of luck required!

For power models I agree with Jon. For gliders I go to full up and full rudder deflection (it doesn't matter which way) forcing the model into a flat spin and, with a bit of luck, it will alight undamaged. This is also a useful escape should you lose sight of the model at altitude (don't ask me how I know). On a sunny day you may even be able to make your own luck, if you spot your model as it glints away while descending, and regain control before it meets with terra firma.

Thank you David and Jon,

Having spent 20mins binding my RX in various ways, I had to admit defeat and look in the manual, it turns out the RX I'm using only has the Spektrum default failsafe, throttle to 0 and hold last command. It was the other two receivers I have that have the more advanced options.

I'm planing on migrating away from my current radio system, so it is useful to know what to look for in any new system's failsafe options.

Thanks Jon, goes to show one's never too old to learn. I always set my failsafes to the old standby engine to idle and all others to neutral, will change from now on. Of course there is always the chance that your in a nice bunt and all goes west. Happened to me in the early 70's flying on 27 MHz and a light aircraft began transmitting at 25 watts going into Denham airdrome 6 miles away. Good bye Chevron 2, full bore HP61 engine was 4" deep in terra........ Ah the good ole days?????

Dante, can you remember that the good old 10/ 4 rubber duck CB radio was on the same frequency
as us in the mid to late 70s before 35mhz fm came into use!

Oh yeah Pete, they were the "Good Ole Day" at least we all used to think then. No computer radios.

I had several sets during the exiting days of the "70's, Futaba, Flight Link and finally Sky Leader, 6 channel, slider trims (still better than digitals) and make sure that all servos had proper mechanical connections, no fiddling with digital adjustments.

Differantial ailerons done mechanically??!!! "Good Ole Days ????" And don't forget the fun of your old "Rubber Duck I've got a convoy" Bah Humbug!!!!!!!! :ohmy:

Sorry the drag this old topic up, but I've got a lot more fail safe options with OpenTX, and I've set my failsafe as Jon suggest earlier.

But what about retracts, I guess it makes sense for them to hold last command, but there could be an argument for them to retract?

Hold the retracts.
If you've hit failsafe that last thing you want is for something to make the voltage sag.