"FWIW, I do believe that setting up the airborne geometry to allow wider spacing would be another "detail" improvement. A lot of what we do is the result of refined inputs that are based on feel. As the airborne systems get more and more mechanical advantage (longer horns, smaller deflections, etc.) some of that feel is lost. The smaller the handle spacing the more you lose that feel as well. I think wider line spacing would result in greater feedback of these reduced control loads and possibly make maneuvers a tiny bit more precise. Again, not a quantum leap sort of thing but likely another detail that would allow more consistency."
Hi Ted
I have been chasing this for about 25 years, and have came to the conclusion that a 1 to 1 ratio is as good as it gets for me. I have flown\built stunt ships with 3 , 3.5, 4 and 4.5 bellcranks.
My ships I use now have the best "feel" at the handle of "stick pressure" and ease of turn in all conditions at a 4 inch spread of the lines.
I am using currently, a 4 inch bellcrank
I have flown mine and many other ships at 4.5 and up to 5 inch handle spread, and down to 3 inch handle spread.
I don't like either when it gets much off from the bellcrank spread, I especially do not like the 3 inch handle spread, as the feel tends to go away , I would describe it as a numb handle.
The 5 inch spread affects the stick pressure and makes it change too much as winds changes.
So I setup my ships as close to the 4 inch span and then adjust the overhang, and a very slight CG adjustment till it feels dead on.
The handle will sometimes wind up at 3 7\8 or 4 1\8 from making the very fine adjustment, But this is in the range.
I use a 3\4 inch output arm off of a 4 inch bellcrank for 1.25 inch flaphorn connection, and a 7\8 inch Bellcrank output for 1.5 inch flap connections, on the elevator, this setup seems to always wind up at almost 1 to 1, or just a slight bit faster on the elevator IE: 1 inch to 1 inch or 1 inch to 15\16th
I have also retrimmed both the ship and handle of a couple of "other peoples stuntships" that had the planes setup with a very wide, or very small spacing, the planes felt better and they flew them better after
I have seen some 7 and 8 inch handle spacings and wonder how in the world you could ever fly with them??? My control setups must be way off from what they are using
Regards
Randy