DAS

Section 3D

PARKFLY

Introduction

Contrasting 3D and
Precision Aerobatic
Flying Styles
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3D Flying Introduction
Note: The majority of the 3D techniques presented in this section work equally well with both electricpowered park flyers and larger glow and gas powered 3D models.
Before you begin to setup your airplane and attempt 3D flight, you need to understand that 3D and
precision aerobatics are entirely different styles of flying, involving vastly different and contrasting
flying techniques and radio setups.
3D flying can be best described as taking advantage of present day radio capabilities and excesses of
power to perform amazing stunts that seem to defy the laws of aerodynamics and gravity. In other words,
3D flying is about making an airplane do things that one wouldnt normally think an airplane would be
capable of. Such as, flipping end over end and flying on the propeller thrust like a helicopter rather than
on the wing like during aerobatics. The 4 things that most separate 3D flying from aerobatics are the
following:
1. A proficient aerobatic pilot performs his or her maneuvers through a series of commands and the
airplane predictably responds to the inputs and intentions of the pilot. For example, an aerobatic pilot is
able to repeat the same maneuver 10 times with the same results by repeating the same control inputs.
The role of hand-eye-coordination during aerobatics is primarily to detect the final touches to perform
the maneuvers nearly perfect.
3D. Because no two attempts ever work out the same, 3D flying is done almost entirely reacting to the
airplane. Therefore, very fast reflexes (as well as fast servos) are vitally important to 3D flying success.
In fact, pilots often need to remind themselves to keep their fingers moving and to cease being smooth
when switching from aerobatic flying to 3D.
2. With a good understanding of the proper procedure, most aerobatic maneuvers can be learned fairly
quickly, with some measure of success experienced within the first few attempts.
3D. The majority of 3D maneuvers require many hours of practice (and programming) before the first
successful attempt is realized.

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KPTR: Dont confuse 3D control setups and flying techniques with the techniques used to fly aerobatics!

3D Flying Introduction Cont.

3. Aerobatic pilots (like good drivers) need to make fewer and fewer adjustments to their maneuvers as
their fundamental control skills improve.

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3D. A 3D pilot needs to continually adjust the aileron, elevator, rudder and throttle throughout the duration
of most 3D maneuvers.
4. A straight-forward conventional plane setup is utilized to fly aerobatics. (Ultimately, it is the skill of the
pilot that determines the quality of each aerobatic maneuver.)
3D. The degree of difficulty of each 3D maneuver depends a great deal on how adept the pilot is at utilizing dual rates, exponential and programmable mixes.
In short, those who will become successful 3D pilots dont aspire to fly 3D because it is easy or simple.
The extreme challenge and intense thrills of 3D flying typically appeal to those who want to be on the
cutting edge, and are willing to commit the time and resources to prove to themselves and to others that
they have what it takes! Those who gravitate to aerobatics tend to prefer more variety and are not content
to remain at one skill level very long. Of course, many pilots enjoy both.
Side note: People often ask whether learning to fly 3D will effect their aerobatic flying? Well, it depends
on how proficient the pilot is at aerobatics before he or she started flying 3D. If you become a good
aerobatic pilot first, those skills will likely remain dominant and quickly take over when you switch from
3D flying back to aerobatics. On the other hand, those who practice 3D before becoming good aerobatic
pilots tend to make far too many control inputs when attempting aerobatic maneuvers, and usually end up
looking to their radios to compensate for using an improper piloting technique. Interestingly, because 3D
requires such vastly different thought processes and flying techniques, ones aerobatic background tends
to have little impact on 3D flying.

KPTR: Aerobatic success primarily depends upon the efficient exercise of good fundamental control skills.
3D success requires committed practice, good programming skills, exceptional flying skills and reflexes.

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Contrasting Precision Aerobatics and 3D Stunt Flying

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Aerobatic flying typically appeals to the type of person who enjoys

a wide variety of maneuvers and is not content to remain at one
skill level very long.

3D flying typically appeals to those who want to get in on the

cutting edge of R/C flying and equipment setups, but mostly
because it looks cool!

Aerobatic pilots tend to be motivated by the personal satisfaction

of a job well done and experiencing steady advancement each
time they flyCand less by what others think.

3D pilots tend to be motivated by wanting to prove to themselves

that they can overcome the challenges and experience the thrill
of pulling off a 3D maneuver successfullyCespecially when others
are watching!

An average pilot can learn Basic and Intermediate aerobatic flying

skills fairly quickly with good instruction.

3D flying requires a great deal of dedication and commitment to

practice, as well as a fair amount of natural ability.

There are thousands of different aerobatic maneuvers to choose

from, all of which fit into a logical progression of easy to extremely
challenging.

There are about a dozen 3D maneuvers, nearly all of which

require a great deal of skill and involve their own unique set
of techniques and challenges.

Pilot skill primarily determines the quality of each aerobatic

maneuver. I.e., the pilot makes the plane!

A specialized 3D airplane and radio setup are as important as

the skills of the pilot.

A good aerobatic pilot thinks ahead of the airplane and needs fewer
and fewer adjustments as his or her skills improve. (In other words,
if you need fast reflexes, youre doing it wrong!)

3D flying primarily consists of reacting to the airplane, non-stop

adjustments, and requires very fast reflexes.

The better a person flies aerobatics the easier it looks,

and therefore spectators tend not to understand or fully
appreciate how much skill it takes.

3D flying usually impresses people whether they understand it

or not.

Bad habits will significantly hamper an aerobatic pilots success.

3D flying techniques are so unorthodox that a bad habit elsewhere

may not present a problem during 3D flight (with the exception of
letting go of the control sticks).

Those who become good aerobatic pilots are usually the type of
people who would rather be flying than working on their equipment
setup.

3D appeals to those who enjoy the aspects of radio programming

and working on their airplanes as much or more than flying.

Aerobatic flying is like riding a bike: Once an aerobatic maneuver is

learned and practiced, it is never forgotten. Even after a long layoff,
it only takes a few attempts to get back in the flow of things again.

3D flying requires regular practice or ones skills quickly start to

fade and need to be built back up again.

KPTR: While aerobatics done well are made to look easy, 3D flying is as challenging as it looks.

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