Flight Trimming Adjustments

Model Trimming Guidelines

This table is an excellent reference point for putting those finishing touches on your model that can transform it from a mediocre model into an outstanding perfomer.

If nothing else, just running through this list of manuevers several times can help you recognise a deviation from normal flight characteristics and make the appropriate adjustments to overcome a misalignment in your airplane.

TRIM FEATURES	MANEUVERS	OBSERVATIONS	CORRECTIONS
Control Centering	Fly general circles and random maneuvers	Try for hands off straight and level flight	Readjust linkages so that Tx trims are centered
Control Throws	Random maneuvers	Too Sensitive, jerky controls Not sufficient control	Change linkages to reduce throws Increase Throws
Engine Thrust Angle	From straight flight, chop throttle quickly	Aircraft continues level path for short distance Not sufficient control	If A, trim is OK If B, decrease downthrust If C, increase downthrust
Center of Gravity	From level flight roll to 45 degree bank and neutralize controls	Continues in bank for a moderate distance Nose pitches up Nose pitches down	If A, trim is good If B, Add nose weight If C, Remove nose weight
Split Elevators	Into the wind, do open loops, using only elevator Repeat tests doing outside loops from inverted entry	Continues in bank for a moderate distance Nose pitches up Nose pitches down	If A, trim is good If B, Add nose weight If C, Remove nose weight
Yaw		Continues in bank for a moderate distance Nose pitches up Nose pitches down	If A, trim is good If B, Add nose weight If C, Remove nose weight
Lateral Balance		Continues in bank for a moderate distance Nose pitches up Nose pitches down	If A, trim is good If B, Add nose weight If C, Remove nose weight
Aileron Rigging	With wings level, pull to vertical climb and neutralize controls	Continues in bank for a moderate distance Nose pitches up Nose pitches down	If A, trim is correct If B, raise both ailerons very slightly If C, lower both ailerons very slightly
Wing Incidence	Knife Edge Flight	Model tends to veer in nose up direction Model tends to veer in nose down direction	If A, reduce wing incidence If B, Increase wing incidence

Engine thrust angle and C.G interact. Check Both
Yaw and lateral balance produce similar symptoms. Note that fin may be crooked. Right and left references are from the plane's vantage point
Ailerons cannot always be trimmed without sealing the hinge gap.