Spektrum DX6e RC Radio Modified to accept Control Surface Inputs from an old Logitech PC Joystick !!

Well Mike*, I really hope you read this !!

Here we go !

This video is about exactly what the title says.
In it I demonstrate the hybrid controller setup I created using a Spektrum RC plane radio and an old Logitech PC joystick.

I elected not to record the 40+ hours it took to get this control setup to this point, but I do have 45 or so still pictures of the build process if anyone cares to see a video comprised of stills, or I'll post them on Facebook.

I spent around 3 hours flying 3 different aircraft as a student pilot during the early 2000's. These were a Cessna 152 2 seater, a Cessna 172 4 seater, and a Piper Warrior 4 seater (My personal favorite.)

Just under 2 years ago, I got in to the RC plane hobby.

My biggest frustration was the fact that real planes have nice large, hand sized controls, hence the mention of my piloting experience, but us RC pilots were stuck using our thumbs.

My RC car radios have little steering wheels on them which is a much more intuitive control, allowing one to focus on reversing the steering whilst driving towards oneself instead of finnicky focusing on where exactly one's thumbs are.

This problem is multiplied in RC planes by having TWO inputs to reverse (Aileron and Rudder) when flying towards oneself, compounding any mistaken single inputs.

The problem is again multiplied by having the rudder input on the same stick as the throttle. I found it very difficult to adjust one without bopping the other around while doing so.

Even though my right hand was responsible for 3 axes rather than just 2, I found that in my flying experience in PC games or flight simulators, for many maneuvers, rudder input was always related to aileron input in some way, and I learned to blend the two together without really thinking about it.

The joystick also has longer physical travel distance than the control sticks on the radio, allowing for more precise, combined inputs resulting in smoother, more controllable flights, creating a much more more enjoyable experience.

Also in my case, this allows me to fly like a crack addled squirrel without bouncing off the ground !!
(OK, less frequently, then.)

+ I left the throttle input on the left radio stick, as this position allows for proper operation of the switches that control things like flaps, lights, motor cut-off, flight mode selection, and most importantly, the "Panic" button on Spektrum radios that returns certain models to upright, level flight in the case one finds themself hopelessly upside down during more advanced aerobatic maneuvers. +

++ The buttons on the joystick are only there to keep the dust out at this point, however, I do plan to wire the thumb button of the joystick to one of the switches on the radio, allowing me the option of adding droppable bombs, or any other momentary function, to my RC aircraft in the future. ++

+++ During my research prior to starting this build, I found many people asking the same question: "Is there a joystick controller for RC planes?"
I only found one comment on an RC flight forum that mentioned build pictures of anything similar, but the link to them was expired.
I found that no one offers a solution to the difficulty of thumb flying.

I see this difficult learning curve for thumb based control as an entry barrier for those who might otherwise enjoy the hobby.
Unfortunately, this is only a viable option for myself, as I could not legally sell this as a unique product, considering it is merely a hybrid of two already patented devices where I simply moved components from one to the other and wired them together.
Secondarily, my financial input was minimal, probably less than $5.

Billed at a conservative $30/hour, the 40+ hours of labor would cost upwards of $1200.

Not exactly an affordable solution for those considering entering the hobby...

To quote the great You, Mike*;

"Every time something new gets built, the entire world advances."

My only hope is that the concept will spread until eventually the people who could make this affordable do so, encouraging the people who may otherwise be afraid of the long unchanged, twitchy control setup currently on offer. +++


Safe & happy flying to all, whether you do it from inside of your aircraft or out !!


*"Mike" refers to Mike Patey, the absolutely brilliant creator of what has been called the "Monster Truck" of bush planes, Draco. (The RC plane version of which I am eagerly awaiting shipment of.)

You can find Mike Patey, Draco (the Red Dragon), and Mike's current project plane, the rough and tumble Scrappy, here on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvdee86uThqIrloZjWwNVg

And much more on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pateymike

Oh, Mike,
If you would like one of these, I'll happily build one for you, on one condition.
I just want a ride with you in anything that flies, even if it doesn't yet !!! ????
(I'll even pay for gas!!)