There is little doubt about the fact that I am a "real-nut" on Redundancy, as it applies to my own models, and my radio equipment. Sure, I run dual-servos for my ailerons hook-ups. I also install dual servos for my elevators. Now, please note I did say, "dual servos." There is a difference between the word "dual", and the word 'tandem." The "tandem" installation, involves placing two servos, either side-by-side, and tying the two outputs together with a bar, etc. This same idea works with a dual-servo installation, only in this configuration, the servos are positioned side-by-side. For yours truly though, the term "dual", means that I employ a separate servo for each half of the elevator! That's right! Two independent servos, operating from one-Rx-output. two servos two control-rods, etc.

The elevators on all my models, are separated. I have been able to prove to myself, and others, that in the event of a servo failure, I am able to bring my models back to "terra-firma," without too much difficulty! Stop and think about the more conventional "dual or tandem" installations. What really will happen if one of these servos (tied together), fails to the extreme position, like "full-down" position? Do you have one-half of the control movement left? No, I really don't think so! From some testing that I have played with, I find that you will be really lucky if you wind up with anything over approx., thirty-percent, yep, that's better than nothin... but, is it the best solution? In my estimation, its not!

About the best method I have found for tying servos together, involves the use of a dual-rate radio system. Now if you tie the servos together with the bar, etc., and make the control movements "normal", or adequate, while the radio-system is in the "Low-Rate", you stand a chance of maintaining good, or I should say; ''reasonable-control" over/against a servo tied into this system with a bar, when one unit fails at or to the extreme position... providing, you remember to switch the Tx to the Hi-rate, before the model makes a single-point landing! Think about it for a while?

I have had servos fail on two separate incidents. Both were aileron-servos. Both were separated. They were "not" tied together! Each was independent, except for the wye-cord connection to the Rx. One failure, as I recall now, happened on the second-flight of a nice new bird! The landing was letter-perfect! The second failure occurred at the third-flight of another new model. That model is still in my stable too.

I guess that by now you can see that I really don't care for servos tied together. Let me assure you, that you are "Right on!" I just feel that there is just a lot more redundancy, in separated servos, I've done enough testing to prove it to myself, and after all isn't that what really counts?

While on the subject of servos, I may as well also state that I really don't think too much about using single heavy duty servos in place of the more conventionally sized standard servos! For your information, I don't even own a large servo! I don't plan on buying any either! On my last trip to our flying field, I watched a very nice Large Christian Eagle bite-the-dust due to a single "large" aileron servo fail! The owner is now totally convinced of the merits of Redundant-Servos! (right Mr. Olsen?). So, now I label my installations properly as "redundant", and I hope you do also?