RC transmitter modes

[This page talks about tx modes for airplanes - see helicopter modes here.]

When talking about rc transmitter modes we are referring to how the transmitter is set up to control the airplane ie which sticks operate which controls on the model.

There are four different modes available, but only modes 1 and 2 are commonly used by the majority of radio control pilots.

Which mode you will fly with depends on a couple of factors:
1) if you buy an RTF airplane the transmitter will already be set up
or
2) if you learn to fly at a club you will take on the mode of the instructor's transmitter.

Incidentally, rc transmitter modes only apply to radio gear with 4+ channels, where each stick moves in four directions.
Two channel transmitters (with sticks, not the pistol-grip style) are universally designed for left stick elevator or power control and right stick rudder or aileron control.

The four different modes are illustrated below:

Mode 1

Stick controls are:
left stick operates elevator & rudder, right stick operates throttle & ailerons.

Mode 2

Stick controls are:
left stick operates throttle & rudder, right stick operates elevator & ailerons.

Mode 3

Stick controls are:
left stick operates elevator & ailerons, right stick operates throttle & rudder.

Mode 4

Stick controls are:
left stick operates throttle & ailerons, right stick operates elevator & rudder.

As you can see, mode 3 is the opposite to mode 2 and mode 4 is the opposite to mode 1, giving complete right handed/left handed user options.

Pros and cons of each

No mode is better than another one, but there are pros and cons to each setup.
Take mode 1 for example; the two primary controls (elevator & ailerons) are on separate sticks. This is good because if you move each control independently then there is no chance of you inadvertently changing one while moving the other.
But mode 2 has both these primary controls on the same stick, which replicates the joystick, or yoke, of a real airplane making the control of your model more true to life.

It is possible to buy an rc transmitter and change the mode yourself, but this involves dismantling the case and changing the position of the small springs connected to the gimbals, in order to determine the throttle stick.
We don't recommend you try this unless you are competent with this kind of delicate work, and dismantling a newly purchased transmitter would almost certainly invalidate the manufacturer guarantee.

Related pages

RC helicopter modes - same info for helis.

Radio control gear - what it is and how it works.

Radio control functions - further info on frequencies and functions of rc gear.

RC airplane frequencies - info on the designated frequencies and a table of them.

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