OpenTx Tutorial • Launch Mode with a Touch of Throttle Magic • [Intermediate]

In this OpenTx tutorial, I'll show you how to setup a launch mode for your planes so you don't have to kiss your radio or chin bump the throttle when you need to hand launch a plane.
This tutorial is completed in OpenTx Companion, but it can be implemented directly on the radio.
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#RCVideoReviews

[@FL_Engineer]

If I wasn’t such a pro at hand launching this would be perfect for me. Maybe for someone that has a history of failed launched/ injuries this would prove useful 👨‍⚕️

[@RCVideoReviews]

Maybe if you know someone that might benefit, you can let him know about this setup...just in case you know anyone.

[@mickelson8332]

John, you are a clever man. I have only recently found your channel and am hooked already. Fantastic tutorials mate. Really learnt a lot from this one. Thanks, Mick in the UK🇬🇧

[@RCVideoReviews]

Welcome to the channel. Glad you found it.

[@paulhazlewood1840]

Thanks for this clever launch assist. I am a late comer to Rc flying (77.5) and as my old muscles are now not very strong, I use a bungee cord to get power into my launches and this solution works great on those days when there is absolutely no wind assisted lift. Cheers and best wishes.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Glad it worked for you. Thanks for the feedback.

[@ThLDQ]

Great !

[@RCVideoReviews]

Thanks :)

[@chorchecze]

Well... use transmitter with tray on shoulder strap resolve not only the hand launch :-D

[@RCVideoReviews]

Certainly another approach...

[@kglas]

A Landing launch mode would be very helpful too ,not sure its possible though really.

[@RCVideoReviews]

What capabilities would you want in a landing mode?

[@kglas]

@@RCVideoReviews I'm very new to rc...but programming Open tx looks amazing.perhaps there may be too many variables involved, for a landing mode. But maybe..mmm...levelling of wings...gradual up elevator.. a less gradual throttle reduction. Something like that? As for a flare, I've no idea !

[@grege2383]

1st I would like to say your videos are very helpful. Here's one for those of us who use our TX16s for surface vehicles. On my RC rock crawler I have my throttle on the left stick all the way down being stopped. How would I put reverse on a switch e.g. flipping the SF switch up causes me to go backwards when giving throttle?

[@RCVideoReviews]

Hard to answer that without understanding your reversing mechanism. i.e. The normal range of output on OpenTx sticks is -100 to +100 with 0 being center. I'm assuming you're using an ESC since you mention throttle? How does your ESC want to go into reverse? When you calibrate an ESC for planes you tell the ESC the switch min and max positions. How do you tell your ESC you want to be in reverse?

[@JorgeJimenez2020]

@@RCVideoReviews you'd have to play with a car and a car radio for a bit. In a car, you pull the throttle to go forward. Then you bring to middle and push the throttle for reverse. Some car ESCs require you to do the fwd movement twice, you "pump" the throttle back to reverse. I did this once for cars on OpenTX and you basically set throttle from 0-100 for fwd, and simulate the "pump" when you flip the reverse switch by setting throttle to -100 and back to 0 and then set throttle range from 0 to -100, you invert it by putting 0 at bottom and -100 at top.

[@RB-qg1qx]

Once the launch routine is complete, I assume it would be possible to add an audio reminder to reset the switch (Sa) and avoid the possible re-activation mid flight.

[@RCVideoReviews]

Sure, you can do that. You can also use Sticky Switches to prevent during flight without disarming first. All kinds of logic options.

[@lasersbee]

More good stuff...
1:40...When you first turn'ON' the radio you will get a switch warning if all the switches are not pulled away from you. Would it not make sense to have the Throttle lock in the Away from you (default no warning) position ? It is something I have learned to do with my old Turnigy 9X radios to make sure I'm in any safe mode state when turning the radios 'ON' without switch warnings.

[@RCVideoReviews]

I use switch warnings. You can set switch warnings for any position you want. I set mine to alert if SH is not down. I don’t see that it really matters. I know some people feel strongly about this using “away” as safe but a two position switch doesn’t really have a default position does it? It’s a purely subjective point. Do whatever works but do something.

[@lasersbee]

@@RCVideoReviews Thanks for the explanation info John.. Got it.

[@WTJimmy]

@@RCVideoReviews Agreed....I always set my throttle-kill switch to deactivate the motor when the switch is pulled towards me. Years ago, I used to set deactivate with the switch away from me, whereas, a couple of times I set the transmitter down on the field at the end of the flight and a small raised rock came in contact the switched and pushed it towards me and activating the motor. It also happened once when I used the glow stand and the switch came in contact with the raised edge on the stand and flipped that switch towards me and activated the motor. Fortunately, I always had on the fuse and that prevented a fly-away or worst (especially in the pits). From that point on, I always set throttle-kill activated when that switch is pulled toward me. Your mileage may vary....

[@JorgeJimenez2020]

@@WTJimmy the throttle kill switch needs a little more logic. I have logic switches with a sticky that only let the kill switch change state when the throttle is all the way down. Startup deactivated. That way the motor will only be active if my throttle is all the way down when the switch is flipped. It becomes a double switch based on throttle position. The same is true during flying. The switch will only kill the motor is my throttle is also all the way down to prevent accidental kill of motor while flying. When I land, bring throttle down, then hit kill switch, then raise throttle again and plane is safe from any bumps.

[@RCVideoReviews]

I’ve done all that and shown how to configure in other videos. I don’t use that in demos to keep things simple. Not everybody wants or needs the extra steps.

[@mikevars8979]

When are you moving to Rumble? I am dropping TH-cam soon and hope to be able to continue to see your outstanding videos there.

[@RCVideoReviews]

I don't know if I'm going to maintain another platform right now. While I have some strong political beliefs, I've tried to keep the channel politically agnostic and focused on the hobby. At the moment YT meets my needs and is probably the best platform on which to grow the channel.

[@ThLDQ]

Hi John. I tried to replicate your configuration on my Tx16s, but it doesn't work : each time I switch SA down, the throttle stick is activated normally. How can I send my configuration to you so you can check it ? Regards. Thierry

[@RCVideoReviews]

Did you add the mix line using replace?

[@ThLDQ]

@@RCVideoReviews Now I have added the mix line and it works perfectly. Thank you for your help. Have a good day and keep safe. Thierry

[@kglas]

I meant landing mode of course ,not landing launch mode

[@RCVideoReviews]

Got it..Replied to your other comment.