Author Topic: "Trim, or not to trim?", that is my question. (Read 956 times)

slimm50 · « **on:** November 29, 2002, 02:32:29 PM »

OK, thanks guys for your help on my level bombing question. Now I've got another one, concerning Combat Trim: is it advantageous to forego CT in lower-speed turnfighting? I've read posts from some of you who seem to think no trim is better than the auto-trim feature. I'm really interested in your opinions on this, O' August Body of Aerial Aptitude:rolleyes:

Wlfgng · « **Reply #1 on:** November 29, 2002, 02:40:08 PM »

IMHO no to auto-trim during dogfighting.

It tends to 'correct' you as you're flying. not a good idea if you want to ride the edge of the envelope.

OTOH it's great for some things.. I.E. diving on a con in a 109

slimm50 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 29, 2002, 02:44:26 PM »

Wlfgng, thanks for th input. I see your point about selectively using auto trim.

jonnyb · « **Reply #3 on:** November 29, 2002, 02:45:21 PM »

I don't fly with combat trim at all. It becomes a big disadvantage when you're low and slow as it tries to compensate. It is also a disadvantage when you're at extremely high speeds where compression is a factor.

Wlfgng · « **Reply #4 on:** November 29, 2002, 02:49:38 PM »

I'd like to add that I don't fly with it on most of the time and I definately make it default to off.

however.. on planes like the 109 that need constant trimming, there are times when it comes in handy.
It'll kill you in a turn fight though.

slimm50 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 29, 2002, 02:55:10 PM »

From Wlfgng: "on planes like the 109 that need constant trimming..."

Why does the 109, and others, need constant tweaking of th trim? Is it because of the changes in torque as the engine speed changes? Just curious.

Wlfgng · « **Reply #6 on:** November 29, 2002, 03:00:48 PM »

To be honest I'm not plugged into the dynamics of why but I can tell you from experience that the 109 is extremely demanding as far as having to adjust the trim as speeds change.

between that and it's easy compressibility it can be a bear to keep trimmed.

eskimo2 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 29, 2002, 03:06:09 PM »

I've never even tried auto combat trim. I do have 1.5 hats devoted to trim though. I probably use them second only to the view hat. And I do fly the 109 often, and it does need to be trimmed more than anything else. Trim is most important for shooting, IMO.

eskimo

Curval · « **Reply #8 on:** November 29, 2002, 03:07:58 PM »

I use Combat trim all the time.

By default it is on...but when I am diving on a Con I will manually adjust my trim in order to make small corrections on my aim. Then it goes back on (combat trim).

I try not to dog-fight too much anyway..unless in a zeke or a spit, but I rarely fly them. I like bnz flying. 190A5 or P51B (or D).
If I try and dog-fight I usually end up dead....right Eskimo? (That was the first time..in a long time..that I have been roped. Great job last night.)

SunKing · « **Reply #9 on:** November 29, 2002, 03:18:05 PM »

I fly with combat trim off.. so i can get that little extra out my plane in turns. I do toggle it on and off to clean up my trims after a series of turns. I kinda think the use of trims in flight is what seperates the elite pilots from the rest of us. I'm seriously thinking of selling my CH 568 Combat fighter stick for the CH Fight Stick so I can have that extra hat switch to devote to trims.

RightF00T · « **Reply #10 on:** November 29, 2002, 03:51:21 PM »

I dont have enough hands to not use combat trim...might have to put it on the next homemade list..LOL

Urchin · « **Reply #11 on:** November 29, 2002, 04:40:43 PM »

I've always used Combat Trim. Only time I manually trim is when I lose a wingtip or I need it to pull out of a dive.

GRDuckett · « **Reply #12 on:** November 29, 2002, 04:47:22 PM »

I always manually trim, It is an advantage IMHO when real slow or real fast. It is very strange at first to get use to, but once you do it for a while it becomes second nature. Good Luck..... Duck

Wlfgng · « **Reply #13 on:** November 29, 2002, 04:55:45 PM »

Urchin, you do this for all AC that you fly?

(thinking maybe something I'm missing)

Heinkel · « **Reply #14 on:** November 29, 2002, 04:58:15 PM »

I use combat trim for every plane, in every condition, except when i'm missing a wingtip. Tried to use it manually in a dogfight, and it gave me to real advantages.