Spektrum DX8 Manual

Spektrum DX8 - DLG Setup in Sailplane mode
Sailplane mode has been made available since April 2013. If you have not updated their firmware,
please visit http: www.spektrumrc.com to get the firmware and setup instruction. This instruction set is
mainly used for setting up a Discus Launch Glider (DLG) with flaperons using a Spektrum DX8 on any
6ch receivers.
Note: Setup may differ according to each pilot's preference and below is a setup to start.
System Setup Page (switch x on with Roller Switch pressed down)
Model Name
Give your model a name. Maximum allowed characters = 10
By holding the roller switch and turning on the power switch, the TX will go in to the System Setup page.
Select an available model.
Model ype
Select Sailplane mode and confirm YES.
Warning: All previous data in the selected model will be lost after confirmation.

Wing ype
Wing: Dual Ail Tail: Normal Motor: Inhibit
Switch Select Setup
The Trainer Bind button is on the left of the aerial. The Trainer Bind button will be used for my launch
preset. For the pushbutton to function as the preset, you need to assign them to an Aux. I assigned
Aux2.
Note: You need to set "Aux2:lnh” before you can set "Trainer: Aux2"
Flight Mode Setup
I only have 3 flight modes:
Launch
Cruise
Thermal
If this is the case, select "2 or 3 Flight Modes" and assign your preferred switch (I use F Mode)

Now the System Setup is completed. Press back button to exit Setup to Main Panel.
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Press roller switch to enter into Function List Menu.
Servo setups
Set all your servos so that all surfaces are centred and throws are as required.
Control Motor R Ail Elev Rudd Gear L Ail Aux2 Aux3
Travel 100 100 45 45 70 85 128 128 100 100 45 45 100 100 100 100
Sub Trim 0 7R 0 6R 0 7R 0 0
Reverse
Speed
N or R N or R N or R N or R N or R N or R N or R N or R
Starting setups which may need changing later
These Sub Trims will vary as you find the Zero Centring for each control
Set Reverse so that your servos travel in the direction you require
Dual rate (D/R) and Expo
The throws are adjusted based on feel. If you have unsteady thumbs use lots of Expo on all controls. Set
them according to your flying style.

Differential
UP Aileron is set to move more by proportion to the Down Aileron on the other side.
Set to On and vary the % to get the amount of Differential you need to avoid asymmetric Aileron
behaviour.
Camber Presets
Flight modes are pretty subjective. Some models have different preference. Different settings are used
on different models and you take time trimming these settings out on the field. In general, the starting
settings on this particular model are:
Launch mode - Reflex -1.5mm, elevator -0.75mm
Cruise mode - Camber 0mm, elevator 0mm
Thermal mode - Camber +2.5mm, elevator +1mm
Flight modes settings can be done in the "Camber Presets" page. Initial settings are shown in the photo
below. Do note that the Elev % numbers are adjusted at the field.

Launch Preset
At launch, to rotate the DLG up use some elevator up input using the bind button. Launch preset is setup
in the "Mixing" menu.
Select an available mix and assign AX2 to mix with ELE. The rate is adjusted at the field according to
your preference.
Reminder: The Aux2 button was assigned earlier (see Switch Select Setup). Air Brakes)
Air brakes are activated using the throttle stick (down position).
While in the Camber System page, position the flight mode switch at Launch position (position 0). Select
input as "Spoiler Stick". Position the throttle stick to where you want to activate the airbrakes. Adjust the
Aileron rates according to your preference.
Select Cruise mode using F-mode switch (position 1). Repeat adjustment similar to Launch mode

Select Thermal mode using F-mode switch (position 2). Repeat adjustment similar to Launch mode
Note: Offset settings depends how your aileron servo horns are mechanically setup. Adjust accordingly.
Do try playing around with the rates as it may differ from model to model.
Flap/Elevator Mix
After the flaperons have been setup, the elevator needs to compensate to prevent the DLG from
ballooning up when the air brakes are activated. In the Mixing menu, go into Flp>Ele mix to setup the
elevator compensation. The settings below should be good enough to start with final values should be
done at the field.