Hi Sam,
You are correct, I had not set the RC6 option to flaps (208), it was not in the list of options given in Missions Planners full parameter section for RC6 - for some reason that list stops at 102 - camera toggle. So that page you linked to is very handy indeed. Certainly opens up some more opportunities seeing the other options.
However, it does not appear to have solved the problem. Even after changing the RC6 in option to 208, the second I change Servo 6 to either flaps, or flaps auto, i lose manual control of them.
I have noticed however, when it comes to my other flight controls, all the RC channel options for those are left as Zero - Do nothing.
They are set up like this-
Throttle is RC2, RC2 option is set to 0. Servo 2 is set for ‘Throttle’.
Elevator is RC3, RC3 option is set to 0. Servo 3 is set for ‘Elevator’.
Ailerons are RC4, RC4 option is set to 0. Servo 4 is set for ‘Ailerons’.
Rudder is RC5, RC5 option is 0. Servo 5 is set for ‘Rudder’.
All of them work as expected - i can control them with my sticks, plus the flight controller can control them. But for some reason i cannot get the same to happen for the Flaps - btw, the flaps are just split from the one output.
Am i correct in thinking i should be able to set it up so that i can have manual control plus auto control? For example, in ‘Take Off’ mode, the f/c takes control of the throttle, regardless of my throttle stick position. My aim is to have the f/c automatically lower the flaps when i switch into ‘Take Off’ mode, regardless of where my flap switch is set. I hand launch the plane, a 2m pusher glider, and without flaps, unless i am launching in to a good headwind she struggles to produce enough lift in time to prevent her hitting the ground. To make matters worse, the normal direction of the wind here comes down the field, meaning i am launching towards rising ground.
I know the simple answer is to remember to lower the flaps manually before i launch, but i still manage to forget occasionally. Hence I would like to have the f/c insure they are lowered for take off, then raise them once the take off is complete. (I cannot accidentally leave them manually lowered because i have set my radio to nag me every ten seconds that the flaps are still down - yes, i often forgot to raise them once in the air!).
To make this work, i am presuming that i need to set the servo output to either flaps, or auto flaps? Or am i wrong in that assumption? It would seem to make sense, but, if i set the servo to either of those i no longer have manual control. (despite setting RC6 to 208).
Is what i am hoping to achieve possible?, if so, i must be doing something wrong - i just cannot work out what it is!
I guess my other option would be to set up a mix on my radio, so that when my mode switch is set to auto launch, it automatically overides the flap channel. But i would like to see if i can get it to work from the f/c first.
But thanks again, Sam, your link opened my eyes to some further options that are not listed in the params list in Mission Planner, some of those may come in handy in the future.
If anyone can see what i am doing wrong, please let me know. Thanks.