Master the Outside Loop

Master the Outside Loop

Just as in the traditional inside loop, smoothness, precision and geometry are the keys to success in performing the outside loop. To fly in a graceful manner, you’ll need to take advantage of your computer radio and fully utilize both dual rates and exponential. A traditional aerobatic model uses 12 degrees of elevator deflection, 30 degrees of rudder deflection and 15 degrees of aileron deflection to execute a stunt like the outside loop.

1 Climb to a safe altitude and orient your aircraft so it’s travelling parallel to the runway in upright level flight. If using dual rates, make sure that you are on the low-rate setting. The throttle setting required to perform the loop will vary depending on your plane’s power-to-weight ratio as well as the size of the loop that you wish to perform. For most models that are not excessively overpowered, a throttle setting of about 80 percent should suffice. About 200 feet before the model approaches you, perform a Ω roll to inverted flight. Apply down-elevator as needed so that the altitude will remain the same. Increase the throttle to 90 percent and wait until the airplane is directly in front of you before you initiate the outside loop.

2 When the aircraft is directly in front of you, gently push the elevator control stick to begin the loop. Your goal is to perform a perfectly round loop, and the elevator input plays a major role in this. Always be gradual and smooth with your control inputs as the model will reflect all inputs that you apply. If need be, increase the throttle to maximum power as the model nears the top of the loop, as a constant flight speed will add to the best possible presentation of the maneuver. If you find that your airplane is drifting in heading, apply the needed rudder control inputs to keep your model’s flight path parallel to the runway. When the loop is 50 percent complete, it should be upright at the top of the maneuver and directly in front of you for a brief instant.

3 Start decreasing your throttle setting as you begin pushing over the top of the loop. When on the downward segment, the throttle setting should be either at idle or close to idle. Keep pushing on the elevator stick to continue a perfectly shaped loop. Once the airplane is approaching the last quadrant, you’ll need to start increasing the throttle to keep the model flying in a constant speed.

4 Once the loop is completed, release elevator input so that the model will keep the same altitude while flying inverted. At this point, the aircraft should be at the same altitude at which the outside loop began. Now, increase power to about 80 percent and perform a Ω roll after the airplane is about 200 feet after you. This completes the outside loop!

Model Airplane News - RC Airplane News | Master the Outside Loop

Master the Outside Loop

CONQUER THE WIND

While you have now learned how to properly execute the outside loop, let’s discuss a few tips to assist you in diverse wind conditions. If you are flying in an extreme headwind, you may need to gradually push the model up to begin the maneuver as the wing will push the model toward you. Then, when approaching the second quadrant, you’ll need to push harder on the elevator control surface to “tighten” the top of the loop while still ensuring that the loop is in front of you. When the airplane approaches the fourth quadrant, you’ll have to ever so slightly release the elevator control surface to end the loop directly in front of you. If you’re flying in a strong crosswind, lean the airplane into the wind so that its flight path is parallel to the runway. No matter what type of wind is present, make all necessary adjustments so that the loop is centered on you, the pilot, and so all cardinal points are reached.

Updated: June 1, 2015 — 10:41 AM
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