Hi Andy,
Do you fly the snap on the sticks or use a switch? If on the sticks, do you use a rate/flight condition?
You're flying it with right rudder and right aileron, so you're using up elevator (i.e. positive snap)? I've never seen it flown with a negative snap and I'm sure there's a good reason for that!
I fly it on the sticks and use a flight condition. I operate the condition switch once already in knife edge, just before the snap. After the snap I throttle up a little, then switch out the rates, then roll to exit. To avoid any kick on rudder during the switch from one rate to another you'll either need to keep your rudder settings the same for normal and snap or play around with different expo's such that the rudder deflection does not change at the stick position used to hold knife edge.
Could be worth trying some or all of the following:
- different entry speed (maybe a little faster than you have tried, with less rudder to hold the knifedge)
- try keeping a little throttle on through the snap
- more aileron on your snap setting (however, I find this particular manouevre looks nicer if the rotation isn't too fast so don't go overboard.)
- maybe a bit more rudder deflection than you would perhaps use on a "normal snap"
- if you fly it on the sticks, be confident and move the sticks quickly during the snap
- whatever you do, you will need to throttle up after the snap to hold a controlled knife edge on exit
As with any snap, it'll be a combination of finding the right ail/elev/rudd deflections AND airspeed - this can only be done with lots of trial and error. Try and be methodical with your experimentation (one thing at a tiime and write down the outcome each time). Don't discount an option because you think it won't have the desired effect - sometimes you'll be surprised!
My first suggestion would be to try different entry speeds. Once you've found a speed that works well, you'll need to get this the same every time. The best way is to start your preparation for the manouevre early, i.e establish a "set" throttle position so that the model is already at a constant speed (avoid 'racing' in to the manouevre, then throttling off - it's more difficult to be consistent this way).
There is a lot going on in this manouevre, so if anybody else has some ideas please post them here!
(Oh and if your practicing this snap at this time of year Andy, an electrically heated transmitter mit must be the way to go!)
PS Needless to say we all practice this one higher than our normal baseline to begin with.
Regards,
Richard.
Author
