Setting up the model

Check incidence and decalage

Measure the wing and stab angles against the fuselage to find the decalage.

Written for iPhone. The steps are the same on iPad.

The iPhone lying front to back on the wing near the root, its top edge toward the leading edge.

What you need

  • The model resting still, roughly level
  • A straight edge, for curved wing sections

Steps

  1. On the Bench screen, choose the aircraft, then tap Incidence.
  2. Lay the iPhone on the fuselage datum, such as the wing saddle, top toward the nose. Tap Capture.
  3. Lay the iPhone front to back on the wing near the root, top toward the leading edge. Tap Capture.
  4. Lay it front to back on the stab, top toward the leading edge. Tap Capture.
  5. Optional: hold a straight edge along the motor shaft, lay the iPhone on it, and tap Capture.
  6. Read the decalage under Results, then tap the Save button.

Good to know

  • Keep the model still between readings. Moving it changes the datum.
  • On a curved wing, lay a straight edge across the leading and trailing edges and put the iPhone on that.
  • Flip calibration takes each reading twice, turning the iPhone around in between. It cancels tilt from a case.
  • Nose up is positive. A negative thrust line means down-thrust.

Words used here

Incidence
The angle of the wing or stab compared with the fuselage datum.
Decalage
The difference between the wing and stab incidence angles. It affects how the model trims as its speed changes.
Datum
A flat reference on the fuselage, such as the wing saddle. Angles and distances are measured from it.
Thrust line
The direction the motor or engine shaft points. A few degrees of down-thrust or right-thrust is common.
Leading edge
The front edge of a wing, stab or control surface.
Chord
The width of a wing or control surface, from its leading edge to its trailing edge.

Still stuck?

Email goes straight to the developer. Say which guide you were following, and whether you're on iPhone or iPad.