Undocumented shortcuts and features:

Use Throttle cut instead of CHD when programming your radio in the field!

The CHD function, which is available as a menu item, and also as a shortcut key at position M in the CND (condition) menu is designed to allow you to switch to idle ups while adjusting curves and mixes while the engine is running on your helicopter.

The problem with the CHD function is that it's not very convenient. There is a wonderful work-around that allows you to define any switch as your condition hold.

In the photo you can see that the middle position of switch C is defined as the THR CUT switch. Follow the directions for the THR CUT function so that instead of killing the engine, the switch merely sets the engine to a reliable idle.  

Now when you need to adjust a setting in one of your idle up conditions, flip switch C to the middle position first, and remember when you are finished programming to make sure you are back in your normal condition before flipping switch C back to normal.

Some people like to use the momentary switch H for this function, but continue reading and you'll see why it's nice to have all engine special functions on one switch.

So what can you use to kill the engine at the end of a flight?

Option 1

In this example, a flight condition was defined above all the rest, called LOW NORMAL. Switch C was set to activate this condition in the full down position.

This is a copy of the NORMAL condition, except that the throttle trim is set at full low, to kill the engine. At the end of the flight, you can flip switch C all the way down, and the engine is stopped.

Option 2

Use throttle hold to kill the engine. In the throttle hold menu, set the VOL to the right slider (RS). To kill the engine activate throttle hold and move the right slider full down. Be sure to re-center the slider after killing the engine, so there's no surprises next time you do an autorotation. See the next tip.

This cool use of switch C puts all your special engine functionality on one switch!

Using Throttle-hold for more than autorotations

This tip came to me from Gary Wright. You can use throttle hold as a convenient way to stop the engine at the end of a flight. In the HLD entry of the CND menu, you can set a volume control. Set the RS (right slider) as your volume control. When the slider is centered, throttle hold will behave just as it did before. If its pulled fully down, then when you switch to throttle hold, the engine will die. If it's pushed fully up, then when you switch to throttle hold, the engine will rev higher. This is a convenient way to 'clear' the engine safely while you're carrying the heli to the flight line from the pit area.

How to use a Futaba 501 or JR-1000/3000 gyro for true stick priority:

There are several possible ways to set up the gyro, depending on what you are looking for. Here's one way to set it up:

The photo of the FNC menu is a little dim, so direct your attention to the right-most box, where you see that the gyro gain on AUX2 has been disconnected from any switch or stick.

The reason it's disconnected is that the gyro gain will be controlled only by a program mix, with no other input. This is a great feature of the 9Z, in that you have full control over which channel, stick, pot, or slider is connected to each other.

My program mix from Rudder to AUX2 is similar to the Pitch to Rudder curve. At center stick the gain is around 70 to 80 percent, depending on the flight mode, and as the rudder is deflected more left or right, the gyro gain decreases in a gradual curve down to around 30 to 50%. The curve looks like a shallow U.

Doug Adams does a modification of the gyro gain as described above. He attaches Switch B or Switch C to the gain channel in the FNC menu, and uses the ATV/AFR menus to allow him to switch between three gain sensitivities, depending on wind conditions. This is in addition to the rudder to gain mix that I use.

Hint: Whether its upright or inverted, if the tail moves right, then you increase the associated Plus or Minus P setting.

If you are doing hovering tumbles or rolls then increase Plus and Minus P by a few percentage points beyond the setting from the above steps.

Hint: Instead of trying to figure out which way the tail is moving, concentrate on what your thumb is doing to correct the tail.

If you are moving the stick right then add the appropriate plus or minus P. If you're always holding right, then add right stunt trim. (actually right stunt trim is a minus but let's not get too confusing.)

Remote Needle on the 9Z

If you look carefully at the FNC photo above, you will notice that AUX1 is connected to the left slider. This channel is used for remote needle valve control, and this lets you adjust the mixture in flight with the left slider. The ATV's have been set so each click on the slider coresponds to one click on the needle valve.

Throttle and Pitch curves for 3D/Freestyle flight.

The following throttle and pitch curves are an example of a model set up for 3D/Freestyle competition. The pitch curve for all conditions is basically the same, from minus 11 to positive 11 degrees. The throttle curves are set for a hovering at 1300 rpm's, and aerobatics at around 1850. this example uses full negative pitch even in hovering conditions, with hover in all conditions at 3/4 stick. Delays are used to smooth out the switch between NORMAL and IDLE UP 1 conditions.

Throttle curves for Idle up1, and Normal

Pitch curve is basically a straight line for all modes.

Use Channel Delays for smoother flying.

Here's a trick that really helps in hovering maneuvers:

In the ATV menus, there is an option to set channel delays. You can specify for each channel how fast to slow down the servo transit time, from the normal maximum servo speed up to several seconds. A typical use for this function is to simulate a retract servo on an airplane. But, we're not talking airplanes here!

Try setting a delay of around 75% for rudder. This slows down the rudder stick but the gyro still has full speed control of the servo. The end result is smoother stops in pirouette type maneuvers and stall turns.

Cyclics can benefit also. Try this for a smoother hover: A setting of around 80% feels sort of like 50% expo, but unlike expo, if you hold the stick at a given position, you will eventually get full throw. 80% really doesn't slow down the servo much, but be careful with values above 85%.

Some more information on expo and dual rates.

Many people are confused with the ATV, AFR, and D/R options in the CND menu. Atv is a base control only. AFR is for high rate.