Having trouble with elevator trim

[Wahooka]

I am having trouble adjusting elevator trim and understanding the elevator indicator panel

When I put my mouse over the elevator trim controls, it says plus or minus, but when I click the mouse nothing happens.

Also, the elevator indicator just has a line in it that says something like "TO" and the rest of the indicator has no numbers in it, so I have no idea what the elevator is currently set to,

Controlling the elevators with Num 7 or Num 1 hasn't worked either, because I'm using the NumPad as the flight stick, not using a joystick.

Any advice?

Thanks in advance.

[SkyBee]

I assume you're in a C172S?

It has been a while since I did FSX, but.... try holding it down and not click. If that doesn't work, try holding it down then move the mouse up/down. (I might be confusing this for XPlane, but... just give it a go!)

So "TO" means Takeoff. In the C172S you'd set the trim pointer to roughly where "TO" (well, where the white arrow) is. :)

[Wahooka]

The elevator begins at TO level, and I am assuming you have to adjust it up or down depending on what you are doing.

I have to admit, flying without a joystick is challenging, I haven't been using trim at all, just making adjustments to the flight stick with mouse or keyboard.

I'd rather use trim, but I'm not sure how it will help with my akward way of flying with the keyboard or mouse.

[Erazer]

To really experience the full range of possibilities in FSX you really need a proper H.O.T.A.S.

To me using just the keyboard and mouse is totally absurd when there are inexpensive joysticks available on eBay.

With a joystick only the trim buttons are buttons #3 & #4 on top of the joystick but with the H.O.T.A.S. which I use the trim is controlled by two buttons on the separate throttle which makes it very much easier and gives a finer degree of control.

So you would be a lot better off saving for a proper flight system as I have never flown a real aircraft with a keyboard and mouse.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/314160/discussions/15/1742226629864303184/

Tried flying a helicopter with keyboard and mouse as yet?

No es posible ...

[Wahooka]

Any mouse yoke or keyboard users out there, or am I the only one? :)

[LHookins]

Try using the scroll wheel to move the elevator trim control.

Hook

[TextRich]

You need to turn off Num Lock to be able to use the keys for elevator trim. If you are also using the num pad for flight controls then trim should work. You can just press and hold down. If your aircraft has a trim wheel like the default C172, you can mouse over it and use the wheel up/down.

TO means the trim setting that is used for takeoff. The C172 has a line that indicated whether the trim is above or below the TO line, and by how much. You want to move the trip to match the line before you take off. It is in all C172 pre-takeoff checklists. You can mouse over that wheel, or any trim up/down indicator if using a different aircraft, to see how much trim you have in +/- numbers.

You are supposed to use primary flight controls first (keypad or mouse yoke) for primary controls and only use trim to fine tune your controls. Trim should not be used as a primary climb/descend control. As a mouse/keyboard user, you probably won't even need trim because the controls are too fine to require trim. Trim is more useful to joystick and yoke users because you don't have to hold onto the controls to maintain straight and level flight or a preferred climb/descent rate. You can set the appropriate trim and then let go of your controls, like in real airplanes.

[Wahooka]

Yes, thanks, I finally got elevator trim to work, although exactly how much to trim is still difficult for me.

I will probably be using a real flight stick in the future, so hopefully things will get easier.

I assume when you let go of a flight stick it automatically returns to the neutral position of the aircraft, so you can easily come out of a climb or turn without adjusting unless you set elevator.

[TextRich]

Originally posted by Wahooka:

I assume when you let go of a flight stick it automatically returns to the neutral position of the aircraft, so you can easily come out of a climb or turn without adjusting unless you set elevator.

You're welcome Wahooka.

For sim sticks and yokes, yes, they return to the neutral position. In-sim trim reduces the need to hold the controls a certain way to maintain a certain pitch, bank, or yaw. So you can let go of the control and not lose the desired control even as the stick or yoke returns to the center position.

For real aircraft (I am taking PPL lessons in C172s) the point of trim is so you can relax pressure on the controls and not lose the desired pitch, bank, or yaw. My instructor has PPT drilled in my head: first set your Pitch, then your Power, and then your Trim. I believe it is mentioned by Rob Machado for the FSX in-sim beginners' lessons.

[LHookins]

Typically you'll set your elevator trim to maintain your best climb speed as given in the checklists or manuals. You may need to do some fine adjustment while you are climbing to get the proper speed. When you get to your desired altitude, push the stick forward to stop the climb and fly level, reduce power, then set the trim to maintain your altitude.

It's actually very easy once you get used to it.

Think in terms of: elevator (and elevator trim) controls speed, throttle controls rate of climb or descent. It's backwards from what you'd expect, but it works.

Hook

[Erazer]

Follow the lessons in the Learning Center. They will teach you the correct basic procedures to follow to fly a light aircraft such as the Cessna.

When you let go of a joystick and allow it to regain its center position the aircraft does not follow suite.

You have to use the joystick to attain level flight and use the trim to maintain that position unless using an autopilot.

Turning the autopilot on produces wing leveling, even with a Microsoft passenger aboard [They always sit on the left instead of in the center of the aircraft which causes the aircraft to turn to the left and become less manageable...]

Ejector seats can have their uses...

[Wahooka]

It seems to me that elevator trim would be a great way to climb or descend without having to use the stick at all.

But I realize that elevator trim is not used as the primary flight control.

What is the advantage to setting the attitude with the stick first? Does this place less stress on the aircraft then using trim by itself?

[Erazer]

The word 'trim' explains precisely what the 'trim' function does using the trim tabs on the tailplane.

You are trimming the aircraft to maintain level flight.

With a ship you move ballast around to maintain a bow up condition and a level deck as well as port/starboard balance at zero degrees of inclination.

This is necessary as cargo changes from one port to another and fuel is used up or replenished.

Start the Resort Supply mission with the Beechcraft Baron in tail view. [Engines off.]

Switch the NUM Pad OFF

On the NUM Pad press 4 then 6 to see the ailerons move to bank and turn the aircraft left and right. Then press 5 to level them.

Now press 8 and you will see the tailplane elevators move down to cause the aircraft to descend.

Press 2 and the elevators will - elevate - the aircraft to a higher altitude.

Now set the elevators to maintain level flight using 8 & 2

Set into each elevator is a, clearly visible, trim tab.

When I let the joystick return to its central, neutral, position the elevators do the same but, according to the weight and position of baggage, cargo and/or equipment, in the aircraft and the amount of fuel in the tanks, you will need to use the trim tabs to maintain near level flight when flying the aircraft by hand.

You do this my moving the pointer over the trim wheel and setting the trim from +15° to -15° by using the mouse wheel.

All of the above movements are achieved very much quicker, and more precisely, using a joystick with buttons #3 & #4 being used to control the trim function.

Using the autopilot all of this is maintained for you, once you have set it up.

[Erazer]

Originally posted by Wahooka:

What is the advantage to setting the attitude with the stick first? Does this place less stress on the aircraft then using trim by itself?

Stress is not really a factor as long as the limits are not exceeded, as normal use is use within the known design limitations.

You will learn all about it in the Learning Center lessons.

You don't fly the aircraft using trim.

You use the trim to balance the 'craft fore and aft.

[Wahooka]

Okay, thanks for the help.

It has been hard to appreciate elevator trim without the joystick.

I'm hoping to fly soon using the joystick, maybe then I will get a better idea of what you guys have been talking about.

[Wahooka]

I think he does a great job too, although he always ends the lesson when I make a mistake :)