by Rick Byrd -----  

Sound score is a tough one to improve on. Maybe in your area the sound score stays at a 5 because no one has heard a quite airplane before. That is about to change!

With a little practice and proper setup, you too can raise your sounds score. The ideas I’m going to share are from years of experimenting. This procedure works for me. Don’t be afraid to experiment on setup. Getting advise from other pilots is great. Just remember to setup the plane for you!

First, decide how you will know where half throttle is on the transmitter. Some pilots notch the throttle stick to know where center is. I have just learned from years of flying to know where I’m at on the transmitter. Figure out what works for you and apply it.

Next is the fun part. Setting up the throttle curve. I try to setup the throttle curve for my half stick position so that I get a good constant speed out off my plane a mid throttle. On my Futaba 14 MZ I use the Expo 2 mode or the spline mode. I have used both and they work great. My rule of thumb, if I can do a single roller and not have adjust my speed too much. I’m good. I usually use that as a starting point. I’ll adjust up and down according to get the best mid stick feel and speed for my plane.

Once I get the mid stick position where I want it. I start adjusting the upper and lower portion of the curve. I want a smooth throttle transition at every step of the throttle stick position. Take your time on this one. It may take several flights to get a good feel for what you like and what your plane like.

How do I use this new set up? Simple! It will take some practice and getting used to. Like I stated before I spend the majority of my time at half throttle. That is why it’s important to get a good speed you like. To make life simple, lets use a square loop as an example. In this example there will be 4 throttle changes. Lets begin! The plane is straight and level on the horizontal line. Right now the plane is at half throttle. Nice speed and the plane is very quite. As we come up to the radius, your first instinct it to open up the throttle on the horizontal line. Right! Wrong! As you make your radius, start opening the throttle as smooth as possible to full power. Now we are climbing. As we get to the top for the second radius start the pull. Now as we are going through the pull on the second radius, start throttling back to half throttle. Now you are horizontal and the plane hasn’t barked not once. About half way through the horizontal, start smoothly pulling the plane back to idle. This will get the plane ready for the third radius. The pull to the down line is the simplest, idle all the way done to the fourth radius. As the plane is going through the fourth radius, start smoothly adding power back to the half stick position. At each radius the plane shouldn’t be at full power, half power or idle until the radius is done. Except the top horizontal line, you will be at idle before the third radius.

In the above example, think about the many things that are going on in the air. The throttle is going to a smooth transition from idle to full power. Not once will the prop bark. If it does, make changes to your throttle curve, or experiment with your throttle position in the air. It will take some time getting used too moving a little slower. Let the motor do the work for you.

How many of you hear the plane accelerate across the top of the horizontal line or at the top of the loop? That is because the plane is loosing altitude. The judge picks up on this and starts watching a little closer. Deductions are coming your way. With this new method of throttling back across the top, the change of altitude isn’t given away so easily. You just pulled one by the judges.

This technique can be used on everything. Always remember horizontal line- half throttle. Going through a radius start adding power or subtracting power. Always be smooth on the throttle transition. With some practice and patience, the sound score will go up and you may even improve your figure score. Guess what, you have just became a constant speed pilot, which helps in presentation and it gives you time to think for those demanding Unknowns we have.

There are also many other factors in getting a good sound score. Prop selection, exhaust system, and even the airframe can contribute to a loud airplane. Spend some time and experiment. If you don’t have the prop you want, try and borrow from a fellow competitor. Testing and experimenting are the keys to success. They take some time in the beginning, but pay huge at then end.

Good luck and safe flying!